Description
This study focused on acquiring community college president and trustees
perceptions on the effectiveness of governance institutes on advancing the student
success agenda in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Texas, and Washington. The purpose of
the study was to explore the question: How do governance institutes for student success
manifest themselves within community colleges? In addition, this study sought to
understand how, if at all, governing boards rework or prioritize by reviewing or analyzing
board policy as a result of student success interventions. The research utilized a
qualitative approach by conducting interviews with presidents and board chairs during
the fall/winter of 2012-13. The following areas of inquiry were explored: how has board
process and policy changed, what has been the impact on the work of the president, and
what has been the impact on organizational culture. Community College presidents and
board chairs that experienced governance institutes were invited to participate.
Participants and select community colleges were identified based on three criteria: their
participation in a Governance Institute on Student Success; their status as an Achieving
the Dream College; their participation in Achieving the Dream initiative for at least three
years. Results of the study indicated that Governance Institutes did indeed positively
impact prioritization of the work of the board with regards to student success initiatives
within the institutions examined. In addition, board process changed as a result of board
chairs and presidents attending GISS; student success monitoring reports at regular board
meetings became a common practice impacting board decision and policy-making.
