Leadership, Multiyear Planning, and Budget Management

Abstract

Community colleges function in an increasingly complex and challenging environment in which performance expectations are rising, while governmental appropriations to fund their operations are contracting and less predictable. In order to respond effectively to these conditions, community colleges need to perform at extraordinary levels of institutional effectiveness. While focusing on their academic mission and core values, community colleges rely upon exemplary leaders. Leadership skills of increasing importance include creativity, evidence-based problem-solving, comprehensive multiyear planning, and exacting application of results-driven administrative processes. This chapter examines the correlation between college mission, leadership behaviors, and their connection to multiyear planning, performance evaluation systems, and budget management. The highlighted best practices are universally applicable irrespective of the size, structure, or location of the institution.