Preparing and Developing Community College International Leaders

Abstract

Leadership training for future senior United States (US) community college leaders is an ongoing focus of US community college education. Leadership training is also a focus of US university international educators. Community college literature has assumed that full-time positions at community colleges devoted to overseeing and implementing internationalization do not exist and thus have not addressed succession opportunities. Based on a survey of 91 individuals who self-define their positions as ones in community college international leadership, this article examines what influences shaped the professional paths of these individuals and depicts criteria that can support future preparation for community college international education leadership from the viewpoint of those currently working in these positions. Pathway development patterns are seen in three forms: a) traditional preparation; b) non-traditional preparation; and c) job-embedded professional development.