The "Tech Check" will help confirm that your computer is ready to connect to the Adobe Connect platform that will be used for the live Spring Virtual Institute sessions. It will also help you test and configure your audio (speakers/headphones and microphone). Try it now!
 
 

The Discussion Forum is a place for any-time interaction with conference participants. Please take a moment to introduce yourself to conference participants. Visit the "Introductions" discussion forum now!
 
 

At the time of each live session, visit the "Program" page found in the top navigation of every page. From there, access any live presentation (or recording, which will also be posted to the Program page).

Presenter(s): Andreea Serban, President, Santa Barbara City College with Co-Presenter, Richard Meyers, President, Fielding and facilitated by Anna DiStefano, Fielding faculty and WASC commissioner

Description:
Facilitated by Fielding doctoral faculty and Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commissioner, Anna DiStefano, two presidents will have a dialog about their very interesting and unique journeys to the presidency. You will be hearing from a seasoned president with experience in every sector of higher education including serving as president in three community colleges and the youngest college president in the 110 college systems in California. In the discussion, participants will experience their journey and learn the keys to developing leadership, cultivating mentors, preparing for leadership, and seizing opportunities and much more.

Presenter(s): Cindy Hough, State-based Initiative – Washington Executive Leadership Academy

Description:
The Washington Executive Leadership Academy (WELA) is a one-year leadership training program designed to help current college exempt employees compete for, and succeed in, executive positions in Washington State. In this session we will give the history of the WELA program; examine the governance structure and the funding for the program; and will review the curriculum. Also, two (three) people who have been through the program will share their experiences with the audience. A preview of the WELA program can be found on their website: http://wela.ctc.edu

About the Washington Executive Leadership Academy:
The Washington Executive Leadership Academy (WELA) is an exemplary leadership program created by, and for, Washington State’s community and technical college system. WELA is a one-year program designed to help current college exempt employees compete for, and succeed in, executive positions in Washington State. WELA assists participants in increasing their visibility and connections within the two-year college system while building their system knowledge and leadership capacity. Participants in the Washington Executive Leadership Academy (WELA) develop a valuable network of friends, colleagues and connections throughout Washington State’s community and technical college system, while learning about its administration. They develop relationships with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and learn about the legislative process. Successful college leaders share their talents and experience with the WELA cohorts. The Academy combines in-person experiences with on-line work, reading, and campus-based learning experiences. College leaders brief the WELA class on important system and institutional issues and procedures. The WELA class takes part in community and technical college system-wide conferences and meetings, as well as improves their resume writing, application strategies and interview skills through direct feedback on their current performance in these areas. Their background and readiness for a Dean, vice-president or presidential position will be assessed, and an individual plan developed to fill in gaps in skills and experience.

Presenter(s): Leila González Sullivan, National Hispanic Council Leadership Fellows Program

Description:
The student body of community colleges is rapidly diversifying with the continued influx of Hispanic students and other minorities. Targeted leadership preparation efforts such as the NCCHC Hispanic Leadership Fellows Program build the essential skills needed to lead these colleges into the future, while also emphasizing cross-cultural elements, collaboration and reflective practices. Those considering executive leadership positions will learn about the many training options and how to develop a long-term plan for upward career movement.

About the National Community College Hispanic Council:
The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is a national organization that has provided leadership to the community and technical college movement for the past half century and is comprised of more than 1,300 members representing two-year public and private institutions. Through a system of councils, the AACC has helped generate the greater involvement of special-interest groups in its activities. The National Community College Hispanic Council (NCCHC) is an affiliated council of AACC and believes that “education is essential for realizing the fullest potential of each member of our society and that appropriate higher education should be available to all…” While Hispanics in American society do not comprise the only group that may need special attention and assistance in taking full advantage of higher education opportunity, this is the group to which our primary attention shall be directed. NCCHC is a non-profit, charitable organization founded in April, 1985. Vision: NCCHC is the premier organization for Hispanic leadership development in community colleges. Mission: To increase the number of successful Hispanic leaders in America’s community colleges through leadership development.

Presenter(s): Christine Johnson McPhail, Managing Partner, The McPhail Group Emerita Professor, Morgan State University

Presenter(s): Barbara Mink, Board of Trustees, Austin Community College

Description:
Like many higher education institutions, Austin Community College is acutely aware of the need for succession planning and leadership growth among its faculty and staff. Not only does ACC believe that we have individuals who can successfully step into leadership positions at ACC, we also know that leadership education promotes a greater understanding among all ACC faculty and staff of the important mission and the inner workings of the institution. In addition to sharing information and knowledge via our shared governance model, we also provide the opportunity for faculty and staff to participate in our own ACC Leadership Academy, established in 2008. This presentation will focus on the establishment and development of the Academy as well as its goals and the philosophy behind its design and content.

About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):
ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 35,700 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”

Presenter(s): Rob Jenkins, National Community College Forum

Description:
This presentation introduces the National Community College Forum, an organization designed to create an international, virtual community of community college professionals–a single site where they can learn about and comment on others’ best practices as well as post their own and ultimately exchange ideas. The presentation will focus on the structure and goals of the NCCF, introduce the NCCF Best Practice awards–or "Bespy’s"–and include a guided tour through the organization’s web site.

About the National Community College Forum:
The National Community College Forum is an organization dedicated to fostering communication among two-year college professionals and promoting best practices in all areas of higher education. NCCF’s Web site provides a venue for colleagues at two-year colleges across the country to share their own best practices and to benefit from the best practices of others. Through its partnership with The Academy for Academic Leadership, NCCF offers training and professional development opportunities in the form of webinars and site-based programs. NCCF also sponsors national Community College Best Practice awards in seven different categories, as selected by a board of directors composed of community college leaders and other higher education professionals.