COMMUNITY COLLEGE
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Alignment With AACC Competencies
The Community College Leadership Academy is intentionally designed to develop leaders who demonstrate the six core competencies identified by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Each theme within the Core Leadership Program reinforces one or more of these nationally recognized leadership domains.
Developing a Leader’s Mindset
Aligns with AACC:
Professionalism & Organizational Strategy
This module reinforces the internal foundation required for strategic and principled leadership.
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Builds self-awareness and ethical grounding
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Strengthens decision making aligned with institutional mission
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Encourages resilience, adaptability, and systems thinking
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Develops reflective leadership practices
Learning and Leveraging Strengths
Aligns with AACC:
Collaboration & Professionalism
Understanding and leveraging strengths improves team performance and institutional collaboration.
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Enhances self-awareness and team contribution
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Promotes complementary team dynamics
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Encourages appreciation of diverse leadership styles
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Builds capacity for inclusive engagement
Behavior Styles for Effective Collaboration
Aligns with AACC:
Collaboration & Communication
This theme directly supports productive team functioning and stakeholder engagement.
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Improves interpersonal effectiveness
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Reduces conflict through style awareness
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Strengthens cross-functional relationships
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Supports inclusive participation in shared governance
Engaged Teams: How We Come Together to Move Forward
Aligns with AACC:
Collaboration & Organizational Strategy
This module ensures leaders can translate individual capability into collective impact.
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Strengthens team alignment
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Promotes accountability and shared outcomes
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Develops capacity for collective problem solving
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Reinforces culture-building leadership
Making Trust Visible
Aligns with AACC:
Communication, Collaboration, & Professionalism
Trust is the behavioral infrastructure that enables shared governance, collaboration, and
sustainable leadership effectiveness.
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Cultivates relational credibility
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Strengthens transparent communication
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Develops ethical and consistent leadership behavior
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Reinforces accountability and integrity
Transformational Leadership Practices
Aligns with AACC:
Organizational Strategy & Advocacy
Transformational leadership ensures that strategy translates into measurable institutional impact.
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Develops vision-setting capability
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Strengthens change leadership skills
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Reinforces mission-driven leadership
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Encourages innovation aligned with student success
Mastering Communication for Connection, Influence, and Impact
Aligns with AACC:
Collaboration & Advocacy
Effective communication is foundational to trust, governance, and institutional representation.
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Strengthens clarity and transparency
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Enhances persuasive communication
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Develops public and stakeholder engagement skills
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Builds confidence in high-stakes conversations
Leading Beyond Boundaries: Creativity
and Strategy
Aligns with AACC:
Organizational Strategy & Advocacy
Community colleges operate in dynamic environments; leaders must think beyond traditional
structures to sustain growth and relevance.
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Encourages innovative thinking
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Strengthens strategic agility
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Promotes cross-sector collaboration
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Expands community partnerships
Integrated Competency Development
The Community College Leadership Academy builds the behavioral, relational, and strategic competencies required for effective leadership in alignment with AACC standards.
Collectively, the Academy develops leaders who:
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Act with integrity and professionalism
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Advocate for the community college mission
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Communicate with clarity and transparency
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Build collaborative, high-functioning teams
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Lead strategic initiatives effectively
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Manage resources responsibly
