What Is Needed in the Next President
See Below for Professional Qualifications
The president should be a unifying leader who can articulate a clear vision and inspire dedication to achieving the college’s core mission and values; an innovative leader who seeks a long-term career in a dynamic setting; and an empathetic leader who is committed to academic excellence, student equity and student success.
The next president of De Anza College must:
- Provide leadership in developing long-range planning that will improve enrollment, financial stability, educational programs, student services and technology.
- Build consensus through consultation, collaboration and teamwork, and through an understanding of and commitment to participatory governance and the role of faculty members, administrators, classified professionals and students in college decision-making.
- Serve as a leader who is highly visible and engaged on campus and in the community, who is accessible, approachable, open-minded and honest, and who listens to all faculty members, classified professionals, students and community members.
- Support and continue De Anza’s best practices for high standards in programs and services while embracing a vision that encourages innovation.
- Work in partnership with local business, industry, nonprofit, government and educational organizations, as well as individual donors to increase educational opportunities for our students and local communities.
- Demonstrate experience managing the resources of a college and an understanding of the funding mechanism of the California Community Colleges, to guide college resource allocation and student-centered planning.
- Believe in and be prepared to act to ensure personal and institutional accountability based on data, evaluation and assessment.
- Be knowledgeable about state and national initiatives such as the Student Equity and Achievement Program, College Promise, Strong Workforce Program, Guided Pathways, Online Education Initiative, and the California Adult Education Program – including the ways that these initiatives support the state’s Vision for Success, and their impacts on De Anza College.
- Prioritize college and district values and policies in support of equity, social justice, diversity and academic excellence.
- Listen openly and take into account the concerns and efforts of faculty members, classified professionals and students to lead positive changes and innovation in their areas of expertise, for the benefit of students and the college.
- Demonstrate deep commitment to understanding and responding to conditions impacting student life, including advocating for and supporting undocumented students and other marginalized student populations.
Professional Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty members and classified professionals
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum of three years of educational leadership at the senior level
Preferred Qualifications
Abilities
An exceptional record of growing, supporting and strengthening an institution through innovation, community partnerships, financial stewardship, and the advancement of shared values, vision and mission to ensure academic quality and student success.
Experience
- Experience successfully managing a complex organization with competing needs and priorities. Expertise in the areas of enrollment management, fiscal management, technology leadership, accreditation processes, participatory governance processes, labor relations and data-driven decision-making.
- Demonstrated ability leading strategic planning, coalition- and consensus-building, cultural competency, communication and transparency, and individual and institutional accountability, as well as creating a positive tone on campus while embracing a diversity of perspectives and opinions.
- Community college administrative experience, preferably within the California Community Colleges system.
- Significant and successful experience building local partnerships with business, industry, nonprofits, government and other education organizations to advance educational opportunities for students and increase college resources.
- Significant experience teaching, counseling or providing other direct services to students in a higher education environment.
- Track record showing deep understanding of, advocating for and implementing student equity.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and donor engagement.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to principles of environmental and economic sustainability.
Education
An earned doctorate from an accredited institution of higher learning is preferred.
Desired Personal Attributes
- Visionary, innovative, culturally competent and responsive, and effective.
- Respects and demonstrates commitment to equity, social justice and diversity.
- Honors students and respects all aspects of student life.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and a gift for listening and forging consensus.
- Understands and appreciates the use of technology in teaching and learning.
- Deep emotional intelligence and empathy.