Onboarding Senior Leaders in Community Colleges

This case highlights the importance of providing individualized onboarding support for new Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) leaders, whose qualifications are often questioned, as they transition to new roles. An experienced student affairs leader accepted a leadership position at a community college in the Southwest. She understood the state’s politics and the populations served by the college. From the start, there was resistance to her vision as she navigated organizational culture. Her professional qualifications did not convince colleagues that she was competent. She received little support from her supervisor, who took a laissez-faire approach to managing his team’s dynamics.