President

The Board of Trustees of the Community College of Philadelphia invites nominations and applications for the position of President.

About the Community College of Philadelphia

Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) was founded in 1964. Over the past 60 years the College has lived up to its mission by providing educational access for over 700000 Philadelphians setting families businesses and neighborhoods on a path to shared prosperity and opportunity.

CCP is the single community college serving the greater Philadelphia area. The College serves the community by preparing its students to be informed and concerned citizens active participants in the cultural life of the city and enabled to meet the changing needs of business industry and professions. To help address broad economic cultural and political concerns in the city and beyond the College draws together students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds and seeks to provide the programs and support they need to achieve their goals.

The College offers more than 100 associate degree academic and proficiency certificate programs. Recent graduates continue to strengthen Philadelphias local economy and workforce85 percent of recent graduates who were working at a job eight months after graduating from the College were employed in the Philadelphia metro area. The College enables students to embark on a smart path to a bachelors degree program with transfer agreements and partnerships to assist in the transition.

The Community College of Philadelphia is a Minority Serving Institution (MSI). The Colleges student body is highly diverse with approximately 74% minority representation including 43% African American 16% Hispanic/Latino and 11% Asian/Pacific Islander students.

Location

The Colleges Main Campus is located in the heart of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. In addition to the Main Campus the College serves students through three Regional CentersWest Regional Center/the Career and Advanced Technology Center Northeast Regional Center Northwest Regional Centereach designed to offer accessible high-quality education across the city.

Role of the President

The next President of the Community College of Philadelphia will be an inspirational transparent entrepreneurial and visionary leader. The President has strategic and day-to-day operational responsibility for the College and is the face and the voice of the College. This transformational leader is committed to building trust and addressing the following opportunities and challenges:

College Growth Academic Excellence and Workforce Development

• Collaborating with faculty and staff to increase student enrollment improve retention and support timely completion while adapting to a rapidly evolving policy landscape.
• Using insights into student demographics to ensure programs and services are inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of the Colleges student population.
• Partnering with faculty to uphold instructional quality and effective evaluation across all programs while offering course schedules and delivery formats that accommodate students needs. Connecting academic learning to career pathways that fuel student aspirations and contribute to regional economic growth.
• Integrating emerging technologies innovative teaching methods well-equipped facilities and workforce training aligned learning models to prepare students faculty and staff for a rapidly changing job market.
• Developing and expanding entrepreneurial programs that align with key regional industry sectors employer needs and the strategic priorities of the College.
• Growing non-credit workforce training programs that address local economic demands and strengthen employer partnerships. Enhancing pathways that connect short-term credentials and apprenticeships with degree programs.
• Building stronger educational pipelines by collaborating with K-12 school systems and regional higher education institutions to support student success from early education through college completion.
• Strengthening the Colleges presence and impact in the Philadelphia community through accessible programs proactive outreach and partnerships that address community needs and advance the Colleges mission.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

• Promoting shared governance through inclusive dialogue respect for diverse perspectives and collaborative decision-making.
• Assessing staffing needs and implementing strategies to attract retain and develop high-quality faculty and staff while building strong internal relationships and supporting professional growth.
• Navigating collective bargaining with a solid understanding of union and employer rights responsibilities and the principle of good faith negotiation. Builds and nurtures a strong relationship with the Union.

Advocacy

• Navigating the current complex political legal and cultural landscape. Building strategic relationships advocating effectively for public education and the Colleges mission.

Resource Development

• Growing funding through strategic partnerships community engagement grants private investment and innovative fundraising efforts.
• Advocating for sustained and increased public funding at the city state and federal levels in response to evolving policy and funding landscapes.
• Managing rising operational costs and changes to student aid by championing policies that protect and expand financial aid and student support to ensure affordability and access.
• Collaborating with government the college foundation alumni and other partners to secure funding that supports enrollment retention completion and workforce readiness.
• Working with the foundation to build the college endowment.

Characteristics and Skills of the President: the College seeks a leader who

• Demonstrates visionary visible entrepreneurial and transparent leadership: Experience with guiding a college into the future with a learner-centered focus and clear strategic direction. Builds trust empowers employees makes decisions with broad input champions transformative cutting-edge new ideas and sets clear and measurable goals for accountability. Inspires confidence and unity rallies internal and external stakeholders and motivates students to succeed.
• Builds and nurtures a strong relationship with the Board of Trustees. Maintains strong relationships with board members is responsive to requests and inquires and embraces proactive communication and collaborative decision making.
• Is a thought leader: Is recognized locally regionally and nationally for the ability to think beyond present circumstances to future possibilities.
• Is a team builder: Builds a high performing senior leadership team that is cohesive mission-driven approachable respectful of expertise and creates and sustains a positive working relationship with faculty and staff.
• Is mission-driven: Demonstrates a deep passion for the Colleges mission advocating to serve Philadelphia as a premier learning institution where student success exemplifies the strength of a diverse urban community college.
• Is student-focused: Prioritizes and advocates for the well-being and success of students and assists in creating a supportive and enriching educational environment that fosters persistence completion and economic mobility.
• Is engaged in the community: Leads collaboratively with a proven track record of being a highly visible engaged accessible and responsive presence with students faculty and staff alumni and community leaders.
• Seeks out and nurtures strategic partnerships: Understands political and economic complexities of a large city like Philadelphia: able to advocate for the College and build partnerships in this environment and inspire a shared commitment to CCPs vital role in the citys future. Experience in building and sustaining collaborative strategic partnerships with local regional and state agencies business and industry leaders foundations and community organizations to expand educational opportunities and partnerships.
• Has experience with workforce training and economic development: Has extensive knowledge and demonstrated success in workforce programming and an understanding of its significance to the community business partners and the college. A visible spokesperson and thought leader who will develop business and community partnerships to further the economic development of the region.
• Has experience with academic programs. Demonstrates the ability to work with academic leaders and faculty to ensure academic programs are pathways for transfer and to careers.
• Possesses strong communication skills: Engages in open communication with faculty and staff and fosters a positive and inclusive work environment within the College. Communicates consistently with the Board of Trustees college staff and students and is accessible approachable and engaged at all levels within the College and the community.
• Demonstrates personal and professional integrity: A leader who models accountability has empathy and makes data-informed decisions based on the best interests of students employees and the community.
• Possesses financial acumen: Strong understanding of and experience with multi-year budgeting federal funding and fundraising. Stays current on federal funding available to community colleges and advocates for college support at the community city state and national levels. Skilled in securing funding and building partnerships that enhance the Colleges resources. Ensures that the use of financial resources is aligned with the Colleges mission and values.
• Models visible and engaged leadership: Maintains a visible presence regularly connecting with employees and students. Demonstrates effective delegation skills and cultivates a culture that boosts morale productivity efficiency and satisfaction.

Qualifications

• An earned doctorate from a regionally accredited institution strongly preferred.
• Extensive senior-level administrative experience (at least 5 years) preferably at a community college.
• Experience working with a governing board.
• Experience working with collective bargaining units.
• Leadership experience in a minority serving institution with a diverse student body.
• Significant fundraising/advancement experience.
• College teaching experience preferred.

To ensure full consideration application materials should be received no later than September 2 2025. The position will remain open until filled.

For additional information nominations or confidential inquiries please contact:

Marie Gnage Ph.D. Search Consultant ACCT or (m)

Luke Robins Ph.D. Search Consultant ACCT or (m)