The Next President: Qualifications
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 will:
- Provide leadership in implementing strategic and 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
- Exhibit transparency and courage in making difficult decisions, including those related to fiscal management
- 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 high standards in programs and services while embracing continuous improvement and a vision that encourages innovation, using the college’s mission and values as a guide
- 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, 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
- Demonstrate collegiality and a sense of community at the college by fostering a working environment characterized by mutual respect and trust
- 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
- Be a creative, solution-oriented thinker who can generate innovative solutions to vexing and difficult problems
- Create new opportunities for cross-district collaboration between De Anza College faculty, staff and students and their Foothill College and Central Services counterparts.
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 record of inclusive leadership, including coalition- and consensus-building, cultural competency, communication and transparency, 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
- Ability to handle complex and uniquely challenging situations as they arise
- Experience successfully navigating complex political and social issues, particularly around major student events and conflicts
- Knowledge of and experience with leading strategic planning efforts by utilizing data-driven decision making to set realistic goals and achieve measurable outcomes.
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 demonstrated experience for listening and forging consensus
- Understands and appreciates the use of technology that can facilitate new approaches to teaching and learning
- Deep emotional intelligence and empathy