Leadership Decision-Making and Civic Engagement
Preview:
A study of 63 community college presidents and vice presidents in the desert southwest finds that civic engagement is central to how leaders understand their institutional mission, yet political pressure, resource constraints, and the absence of civics in formal college planning documents often prevent that mission from taking hold. Leaders rely heavily on community partnerships and personal values to navigate an increasingly volatile political environment. The research recommends embedding civic competencies into community college leadership development programs to better equip the next generation of presidents.
Originally published: April 22, 2026
Author: Terry Calaway
Position: President Emeritus
Institution: Johnson County Community College
Published by: The EDU Ledger