President and Chief Executive Officer

About the Organization

Established in 1920, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The association represents more than 1,000 primarily associate degree-granting institutions and more than 10 million students annually. AACC provides leadership, guidance, and support to enhance its members’ effectiveness and influence in higher education. The organization plays a crucial role in expanding access to quality education, fostering student success, and addressing critical issues such as funding and workforce development, ensuring member institutions can meet the diverse needs of their communities.

AACC strives to:

• Provide a national voice and advocacy for the community college mission.
• Serve as a national information resource.
• Create opportunities for peer networking and interaction at all levels, professional initiatives, dialogue, and community-building.
• Facilitate collaboration among AACC staff and stakeholders.
• Encourage a shared commitment to the community college movement.
• Offer leadership and career development opportunities.

At the forefront of advocacy, AACC highlights the essential role that community colleges play in providing accessible and equitable higher education. It is committed to ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals while holding the educational system accountable for delivering high-quality learning experiences. AACC aims to influence federal policy by shaping legislation and strengthening media narratives that highlight the vital factors contributing to student success. This proactive engagement helps to create a more favorable environment for community colleges and their students.

Central to AACC's mission is collaboration, as it fosters partnerships with K-12 schools, other higher education institutions, and corporate entities to provide tailored learning experiences. By creating synergies among these diverse stakeholders, AACC not only enhances educational offerings but also cultivates strong leaders within the community college system. The organization equips these leaders with the vision and tools needed to advance the core values of their community institutions, promoting lifelong learning as a pathway to individual empowerment and social advancement.

Furthermore, AACC provides comprehensive resources and information to a wide range of stakeholders to include educators, researchers, policymakers, and the public to deepen understanding of the community college mission and the innovative programs reshaping the educational landscape. In our increasingly interconnected world, AACC empowers community colleges to prepare learners for global success, advocating for international partnerships and leveraging technology to strengthen connectivity among institutions.

AACC works tirelessly to elevate public recognition of community colleges as invaluable institutions that contribute significantly to workforce development and economic growth. With its steadfast advocacy, AACC ensures that community colleges continue to thrive as essential pillars of education in America, remaining a relevant and powerful force that drives positive societal change.

FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• In 2023, AACC reported an annual operating budget of approximately $16.2M.
• In 2023, the organization reported approximately $24.5M in total assets.
• The team includes approximately 32 full-time staff.

For more information, please visit https://www.aacc.nche.edu/.

Position Summary

In this moment of tremendous change, AACC is seeking a transformative President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") who will be a passionate, forward-leaning advocate for the organization and its membership, ensuring the nation’s community colleges are well represented and supported in a complex, dynamic landscape. The CEO will work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to build the organization’s vision, drive its strategy, and lead an advocacy agenda that focuses on creating impactful change on behalf of community colleges nationwide. This leader will oversee AACC’s financial, administrative, and programmatic activities and will be a primary spokesperson on behalf of the organization.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The CEO will work closely with the Board of Directors and staff to fulfill the organization's mission, strategic goals, and management objectives. This leader will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization, including, but not limited to:

• Working with AACC leadership and the B oard to create and build consensus around the organization’s vision and strategy, ultimately defining the initiatives that continue to position AACC as the leading advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges.
• Ensuring that AACC maintains a strong public voice and external presence when advocating on behalf of critical policies affecting its membership and the higher education landscape, serving as a spokesperson and fostering effective external communications with a range of constituencies.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with relevant public officials and policymakers to advocate for AACC’s mission, objectives, and goals.
• Delivering a robust and well-understood value proposition for AACC members, with strong membership growth and deep engagement and retention of member institutions and their leaders.
• Stewarding the financial health of the organization, diversifying revenue streams and ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability.
• Overseeing strong relationships with affiliated councils, commissions, non-profits, funders, and corporate partners to maximize the organization’s impact and reach.
• Building and retaining a highly motivated, capable, and collaborative team that is aligned with AACC’s mission and goals.

Candidate Profile

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Community college expertise and mission alignment

Proven leadership experience within organizations aligned with AACC's core mission and values, coupled with a strong personal commitment to advancing access to higher education. Possesses a deep understanding and appreciation for the challenges and opportunities facing community colleges. Experience as a top administrator of a college or college system is preferred.

Senior executive leadership experience

Strong capability in managing the administrative, financial, and operational demands of an organization. Hands-on experience with financial oversight, revenue generation, organizational efficiency, and building a healthy and positive organizational culture.

External engagement

Experience advocating to a broad range of constituent groups, including policymakers, AACC members, the media, and peer organizations, and serving as the public face of an organization.

Experience working with a board

An understanding of board governance best practices and experience cultivating productive relationships with board members.

Educational credentials
An earned doctorate is preferred.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Collaborating and Influencing

• Serves as a powerful spokesperson on behalf of AACC’s mission and membership, articulating the value and necessity of community colleges to a range of diverse constituencies in a dynamic external context.
• Partners effectively with the higher education association community and other relevant groups, strengthening and building alliances to extend AACC’s impact.
• Quickly engages and develops trusted relationships with the AACC Board of Directors and membership.

Acting Strategically

• Works collaboratively and proactively with the Board to enhance and promote a vision and strategy to best position AACC within the rapidly evolving higher education landscape.
• Translates vision and strategy into innovative, prioritized actions and initiatives that support and advance the interests of the nation’s community colleges.
• Maintains a steady forward focus without losing sight of the current context; looks several years ahead of the current strategy, thinking innovatively about the future and changing member needs.

Leading People

• Engages and empowers a high-performing team to work towards achieving AACC’s vision and strategic goals.
• Reinforces a culture of open communication and collaboration and ensures an inclusive workplace and membership environment.
• Establishes clear performance objectives and holds people accountable to them.
• Creates development opportunities for the team, providing autonomy and independence for individuals while serving as a sounding board, resource, and coach.

OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Politically savvy
• Non-partisan
• Servant leader mentality

COMPENSATION

• The estimated base compensation range for this position is $600,000-750,000.
• Actual compensation will be dependent on the individual’s skills, experience, and qualifications.

APPLICATIONS & NOMINATIONS

If you wish to submit application materials or nominate someone to serve as the next President and CEO of AACC, please email: [email protected].