Degree Date

6-2011

Document Type

Dissertation - Public Access

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Academic Discipline

Community College Leadership

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative cross-case analysis study is to examine the professional pathways of female Mexican-American community college presidents. The Hispanic/Latino population has grown immensely in the United States since 2000. The demographic profile for community colleges has evolved to reflect the population changes within the country. Community colleges grew tremendously during the 1960s and 1970s and now thirty to forty years later these institutions are searching for new executive level leaders. Looking to the future, there is an opportunity for the face of community college leadership to change.

Similarly to other women, Latinas are moving into education leadership roles at community colleges. This study searches for insight from two current and one retired Mexican-American female community college presidents. Specifically, the study seeks to learn what these women identify as facilitators and obstacles along their path to the presidency. Additionally, the study seeks to define requisite leadership characteristics for community college presidents.

In summary, these women shared their respective journeys to the presidency and conveyed that while there is not one singular true pathway to the office of community college president, their stories are more similar than different. They all offered responses that spoke to the need for community college presidents to be dynamic, passionate and credentialed to be considered a credible community college president.

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