Leading the Community College: Pathways Through an Exponentially Digital Age explains the differences between the technologies of the twentieth and twenty-first century. It provides an understanding of the differences between the linear development of twentieth century technologies and the exponential development of twenty-first century technologies, and discusses how the business community is already preparing for the exponential stage of the twenty-first century technologies. Furthermore, this book describes the impact of the exponential stage of these technologies on community colleges in terms of students, faculty, learning methods, staff, and the training the colleges provide to the business community. It predicts how businesses and community colleges may possibly merge in the future, and demonstrates the importance of each institution developing its own research to help guide the colleges to a viable future. This book provides a warning to those in community college leadership as to what is coming and provides guidance as to how to deal with the technologies when they move to the exponential stage.
Dr. Darrel W. Staat served as past president of two community colleges in Maine, one of which he was the founding president. He also served as president of a community college in Virginia and the president of the South Carolina Technical College System. He currently serves as associate professor and coordinator of the Higher Education Executive Leadership Program at Wingate University in North Carolina.
Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1. Two Centuries Chapter 2. Envisioning the Future Chapter 3. Business in an Exponential Age Chapter 4. Seven Technologies Chapter 5. The Big Three Technologies Chapter 6. Revisions Chapter 7. Securing the Future Chapter 8. Students Chapter 9. Learning Methods Chapter 10. Pathways Chapter 11. Commingling with Business Chapter 12. Eye to the Future Epilogue Appendix References About the Author
Community College presidents about to embark on a strategic planning process or systematic review would do well to read Dr. Staat's book. His overview of literature on emerging technologies and insights about how community college leaders will need to research, plan, and adapt to be prepared for ten technologies serves as important and wise guidance. -- Dr. Tracy Mancini Ed.D, president of Carteret Community College, Morehead City, North Carolina Leading the Community College: Pathways Through an Exponentially Digital Age is not only a compelling read for community college presidents, but it is also a must read for all community college executives, faculty, and board members looking to successfully lead their colleges into the future. Dr. Staat's experience in learning to become an electrician is a perfect metaphor for the challenges that will impact the teaching and learning process from the "ten twenty-first century technologies" he insightfully discusses in this book. -- Ronald Rhames, president of Midlands Technical College, Columbia, South Carolina Leading the Community College is an excellent resource for any current or aspiring college presidents. It's quite interesting, flows well, and you simply will not want to put it down. The ten technology changes ahead for college leaders is included in an understandable format, making this book a 'must read'...it certainly was for me. -- Robert Sandel, president, Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke, Virginia This book should be mandatory reading for anyone who holds a college presidency or anyone seeking one. Moreover, this book should be read by anyone who leads any enterprise-it is full of salient information that will help one drive their organization forward in this exponentially changing environment. Read it! -- Mark A. Roth, vice president of technology and manufacturing, The Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology, Florence, South Carolina
