DEGREE PREPARES NEXT GENERATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERS

SANTA ANA, Calif. As the American population ages the workforces is facing the problem of how to replace baby boomers who will soon be retiring in droves. Like other sectors the community college system is also facing a crisis.
Argosy University/Orange County is one of a few universities that has created a degree program specially designed to produce the next generation of community college leaders. Dr. Jeb Egbert, president of Argosy University/Orange County campus, the university designed the doctorate of
Education community college executive leadership to help solve the problem.
“About 45 percent of all current community college presidents will retire by the year 2007 and an even higher number of senior admistrators will retire in the next four to six years,” he said. “The degree is an accelerated program that appeals to community college administrators who are looking to move into senior administrative positions such as president, vice president, dean and directors in community colleges,” Egbert said.
In an article in The News, a publication produced by the Community College League of California, San Diego CCD Chancellor Constance Caroll, describes the situation a, “beyond serious. It is now an emergency.”
The doctor of education in community college executive leadership was created on the recommendation of the Argosy University/Orange County’s advisory board which includes several community college presidents and chancellors.
“As we talked they told us that many administrators from the baby boom generation are nearing retirement,” he said. “The presidents said they didn’t see a sufficient pool of qualified candidates.”
Egbert said that apart from the many open positions in community college administration, the salaries are also competitive.
“The base pay for community college administrative positions in Orange County is in the low to mid $100,000,” he said.





Argosy University/Orange County is located at 3501 W. Sunflower Ave., Suite 100, Santa Ana.
Argosy University/Orange County is one of 18 Argosy University (www.argosyu.edu) locations in 12 states. Argosy University offers doctoral and master's degree programs in psychology, business, counseling, and education. Argosy University also offers bachelor's degree completion programs in psychology and business, and associate's degree programs in various health sciences fields. Argosy University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the N. Central Association (NCA) (30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, (800) 621-7440, www.ncahlc.org).

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