News Releases
Leadership changes at community colleges the focus of League for Innovation presentation by Capella faculty and graduate
Two faculty and a PhD graduate of the online university will present on March 16 in Reno, Nevada
MINNEAPOLIS, January 27, 2009 – At the upcoming League for Innovation in the Community College annual conference in Reno, Nevada, two Capella University School of Education faculty members and a recent PhD graduate will present on “The Changing Nature of Leadership in The Community College.” Capella University (www.capella.edu), an accredited* fully online university that has built its reputation by providing quality graduate education for adults.
In their presentation the morning of March 16 at the Grand Sierra Resort, Capella University faculty members Kathryn Campbell, EdD, Kim Spoor, PhD, and Capella PhD graduate Generosa Lopez-Molina, PhD, will explore the changing nature of leadership, opportunities for leadership, and succession planning at community colleges.
“A projected leadership gap looms for community colleges. Waves of baby boomers are retiring, and relatively few are prepared to assume the leadership roles or fill the gaps. It's estimated that there will be a shortage of 6,000 senior level positions in community colleges by the year 2011,” Lopez-Molina said.
They will also discuss multiculturalism at community colleges and how to incorporate more diversity within the ranks of community college leadership. Approximately 34 percent of students at community colleges are minorities, but only 19 percent of the leadership at community colleges are minorities.
Both Spoor and Campbell taught and served in leadership positions at community colleges prior to coming to Capella.
Lopez-Molina, who earned a PhD in education with a specialization in leadership for higher education from Capella, will present on the research from her doctoral dissertation “Leadership Reconsidered: A Mixed Methods Study of Developing Future Leaders in the Community College.” Lopez-Molina is a dean at Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio. More than 1,000 colleges and universities have employed Capella learners or alumni.
The League for Innovation is the only major international organization specifically committed to improving community colleges through innovation, experimentation, and institutional transformation.
About Capella University
Capella University (www.capella.edu) is an accredited*, fully online university that has built its reputation by providing quality graduate education for working adults. Eighty-three percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master’s or doctoral degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, psychology, public health, and public safety. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 114 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate programs. More than 24,000 learners were enrolled as of Sept. 30, 2008, from all 50 states and 45 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).
*Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org.
Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552), www.capella.edu.
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