Community College Trustees - Some Thoughts and Perceptions About Their Elected Role

Dr. Terri L. WinfreePresident,Prairie State College

For the Degree of Doctor of PhilosophyColorado State UniversityFort Collins, Colorado

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Community College Trustees and Some Thoughts and Perceptions About Their Elected Role

• A Basic Interpretive Qualitative Inquiry of Illinois Community College Elected Board Chairs

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Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study was to explore how prepared Illinois

community college trustees are in their role as an elected official. The

study explored trustees’ understanding of their college’s mission and

culture, and the principles that shape higher education. An emphasis

was on their responsibilities related to public trust and the interests of

their constituencies. And finally, the study explored whether they feel

their past experiences have prepared them, and if professional

development will assist them, in this role as a trustee. There was a

“president review” conducted with a few Illinois community college

presidents to ascertain if they are in agreement or disagreement with

the perspectives of the trustees.3

Thematic Structure – Four Overarching Themes Emerged• Stewardship• Trustee

Responsibility •Working Together• Preparation to

Serve as Trustee

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Stewardship

•Motivation to Serve as a Trustee• Pride and

Connection to the College• Love and Reward • Sacrifice

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Trustee Responsibility

• Presidential Search • Institutional

Knowledge • Public Trust • Conflict of Interest

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Working Together

• Consensus Building and Conflict Resolution•Micro-Managing

and Overstepping Boundaries

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Preparation to Serve as a Trustee

• Experience • Continuing

Professional Development

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How familiar are Illinois community college trustees to their institution’s mission and cultural heritage, and in what way do they feel this meets the needs of the stake holders in the community?

How knowledgeable are Illinois community college trustees with translucent values and principles that guide and shape higher education?

How comfortable are Illinois community college trustees with their understanding of the public interest and the public trust? If so, what ways is this demonstrated?

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How prepared, and in what way, do Illinois community college trustees feel they are able to address the legitimate and relevant interests of the institution’s various constituencies?

How do Illinois community college trustees feel that their past experience, career pathways, and professional development have prepared them for their role as an elected trustee

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How, and in what ways are the presidents agreement (or disagreement) with the Illinois Community college trustee’s perceptions related to their preparedness for their role as an elected official?

• President and Trustee Relationship• Trustee Responsibility VS President Responsibility• Trustee’s Pathway and Staying Power • Board Packets and Board Meetings • Conflict of Interest • Micromanaging and Overstepping Boundaries • Communication• Trustee Career Preparation and Professional

Development• President’s closing Comments

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Thank You

Dr. Terri L. WinfreePrairie State Collegetwinfree@prairiestate.edu ICCTA Annual ConventionJune 7, 2013 12