Community-College Chief Agrees to Un-Retire After 2 Searches Turn Up Empty

I suspect that the fault for this growing situation lies mostly with the long held and by now severely outdated attitude of the community college fraternity itself: except for rare occasions, only those who have come up through the community college system are really considered, much less selected, for CC presidencies. For those four-year colleges’ administrators who are well qualified, “need not apply” is the unwritten sign that has long been posted over the doors of CC vacancies… Shortsighted? Hugely. About to change? Maybe when pigs actually are seen flying.

The pay is a major hurdle – the pay is less than a dean makes at a university. Maine is notorious for low pay also.

With regard to inbreeding, the same holds true of traditional four-year institutions of higher education. How likely is it that one of these institutions would consider hiring a community college administrator to serve as its president? Except in rare occasions, it is not at all likely. This points to the urgent need for higher education reform.

Really?  Higher education reform because presidents from community colleges are not hired at four-year institutions?  Why is that?

Yes, there is no question that similarities exist between various segments of all education throughout the system of education in the states. However, differences do exist and congrats to President Woodlee for being willing to step back into the leadership of her institution when the “pool” failed to find a satisfactory replacement and congrats to the Board for NOT simply taking anyone that might have put their vitae into the “pool” for consideration. There is wisdom and apparent “love” for the institution on both parties…

After observing this process for more than four decades, this drive to expeditiously fill the “slot” regardless of “match” or talent is where institutions have consistently got themselves into trouble and a short, unsuccessful tenure for the replacement results that is devastating to the institution.

But, back to the comments that would suggests the need to expand the “pool” by not overlooking the rarified talents of our four-year administrators…certainly, ALL efforts need to be utilized to expand search activities that bring forth qualified candidates from all sectors. But, to suggest that unique characteristics do NOT exist within the community college that requires a unique individual that thoroughly understands these characteristics is to do a disservice to the community college and again produces ill fitting matches and short tenures.

Interestingly, there are evolving several, notable examples of University responses to the need for more qualified, two-year college Presidents to replace the exodus of retiring CEO’s through specific doctoral leadership programs in places like Michigan, Texas, Maryland, Florida, etc.

Perhaps Ms. Woodlee’s top priority should be developing a succession plan with a couple of viable candidates.    While not universal, this is a common approach in the corporate world and after two failed national searches it’s probably worth trying.

In reply to posters who wondered whether the offered salary was competitive enough, it must be remembered that cost of living is a lot lower in Maine.  Does the president also get a free house/mansion and maintenance to live in, as well as other perks like university presidents do?  At any rate her salary of $122,000 beats that of the Governor of the state who gets paid $70,000 per year.  According to the Kennebec Journal, Ms Woodley wants to retire, she has been offered a prestigious part time job and she wants to spend times with her children.
 
I believe people should have forced retirement at age 65 as Canadian academics and administrators have to do.  There are many productive fields of endeavor a retired academic can do and best of all, you no longer have to suffer through endless faculty meetings.
 
(A retired friend of mine who just underwent a colonoscopy quipped that it was less painful than a faculty meeting.  This friend has happlily used his retirement to travel and write a couple of books and edit a journal…. oh and play with his grandkids and communicate back and for with his former students and feel pride in their accomplishments!)
 
No, I am not agist and like most of my fellow retirees I am truly enjoying my retirement.  You know, there’s no point in keeping on making money.  As folk wisdom tells us “you can’t take it with you”.  Only the things you created, the knowledge you imparted to the next generations, including the way you organized a community college systerm, will  live on.  
 
So make way for the next generation.  I’m certain that there are very able indiviudals in that system (like Ms Woodly was before she rose in the ranks to become president) and nationally who would  jump at the chance of doing that  job and not look down at at six figure salary, even if it’s a low six figures.  (I still can’t phatom why university and community college presidents make more than the president of the United States and usually more than the governor of their state?)
 
And last but not least, forced retirement at age 65 will also help the economy.  It  will give a new generation the chance at a decent job, at raising a family, at owning a house, at making its own contribution…  a chance at the American Dream which faculty and administrators hanging on to their jobs well after their turn is over are helping flush down the drain.  Sacrifice means more than paying your share of taxes if you’re a billionaire (of course that would help too, but selfishness and shorsightedness take many forms)

Agree with drangie. With people living active lives frequently 20 years beyond retirement, I would argue that people working longer would help the economy. Sure, there are the reasons of my own bills and those of my family, but I also think continued production helps all.