Presidents and Trustees in Partnership: New Roles and Leadership Challenges

Much has been written about the roles of the president and governing board in leading and managing the nation's community colleges. Rarely, however, have the roles been discussed in one volume, thereby permitting the reader to understand and appreciate the relationship between members of the governing board and the president--a relationship not always free from conflict, but one that must function effectively for the community college to attend to its complex mission. This critical relationship depends upon the honing and use of personal and professional skills by both the president and the trustees to develop a clear understanding of their roles and expectations. Whereas the board-president relationship is important to the progress and achievement of a community college under normal circumstances, an effective relationship is even more critical in times of crisis and change. This volume explores the professional needs, challenges, and roles of community college governing board members and their presidents--and how these factors influence the board-president team. This is the 98th issue of the quarterly journal New Directions for Community Colleges.
 
Much has been written about the roles of the president and governing board in leading and managing the nation's community colleges. Rarely, however, have the roles been discussed in one volume, thereby permitting the reader to understand and appreciate the relationship between members of the governing board and the president--a relationship not always free from conflict, but one that must function effectively for the community college to attend to its complex mission. This critical relationship depends upon the honing and use of personal and professional skills by both the president and the trustees to develop a clear understanding of their roles and expectations. Whereas the board-president relationship is important to the progress and achievement of a community college under normal circumstances, an effective relationship is even more critical in times of crisis and change. This volume explores the professional needs, challenges, and roles of community college governing board members and their presidents--and how these factors influence the board-president team. This is the 98th issue of the quarterly journal New Directions for Community Colleges.