Legacy of Leadership Highlights the Words and Deeds of Past Presidents of the American Association of Community Colleges

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "A new book from work done by the Kellogg Community College Leadership Legacy Project (KCCLLP) is now available," announced Dr. Bernard Luskin, Director of the KCCLLP, CEO and Senior Provost at Touro University Worldwide. This important work provides readers with lessons from the past and what the future of community college education holds.

The book, Legacy of Leadership describes the contributions of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) presidents from 1958-2010. In writing the book, personal interviews and communications were conducted with the former presidents themselves. Legacy of Leadership emphasizes the special role that the Kellogg Foundation and these leaders played in the dramatic creation and expansion of community colleges. It chronicles community college evolution from being called the American Association of Junior Colleges, through the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, to the present American Association of Community Colleges," Luskin explained. "Legacy of Leadership represents part of what was learned through the KCCLLP. In addition, our research revealed that the Kellogg Foundation funded more than five-hundred-and-fifty fellows. Many of them became major community college leaders who established best practices now used among colleges worldwide. Notably, several thousand additional leaders emerged from the community college leadership programs in universities supported by the Kellogg Foundation," Luskin added.

"It was particularly special to interview the four presidents who served since 1958. They are Dr. Edmund Gleazer, now in his 90's; Dr. Dale Parnell; Dr. David Pierce and Dr. George Boggs. Each of these leaders made unique, dramatic and lasting contributions to community colleges. Each is a visionary "paying forward" and leaving an indelible imprint on world higher education and on community colleges in particular," said Luskin. Quotes from the presidents include:

• "Forming the governance structure and establishing a "toehold" in federal legislation represents a significant accomplishment of which I am proud," said Edmund Gleazer.
• "Believing in community colleges and being able to highlight and serve a neglected majority was central to my goals as president," stated Dale Parnell.
• "My opportunity to focus on emerging technology and enhancing the place of community colleges among the many higher education associations that reside in the National Center for Higher Education is an objective we achieved, of which I am proud," added David Pierce.
• "Building on the clear and dramatic contributions of my predecessors and globalizing the community college is an accomplishment that was central to my objectives," expanded George Boggs.

"Dr. Russell Mawby, Chairman, Emeritus of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Dr. Robert Kinsinger served as key advisors from the beginning of the project and throughout its publications. They deserve special recognition for their years of service and support of community colleges. Legacy of Leadership explains how this fifty-year period of growth of community colleges began," said Luskin. "Some of what is included is a previously little-known story," he noted. "To help with the work, the Kellogg Foundation supported an additional five special Kellogg Fellows who, as Fielding Graduate University doctoral students, worked with me on the project," added Luskin.  

"The insights from the KCCLLP are foundational as we grow our new masters and doctoral degree programs in Organizational and Leadership Psychology and Media and Communication Psychology at Touro University Worldwide (TUW), each with community college concentrations,"  added Dr. Michael Hamlin, TUW Director of Academic Affairs.

A description of the Kellogg Community College Leadership Legacy Project, including identification of those participating, is accessible on the KCCLLP website: www.Kellogg-Fellows.com. PDF copies of the Legacy of Leadership book may be received by sending an email request to: [email protected].

Touro University Worldwide (TUW)

Touro University Worldwide is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and presently offers online Masters' Degrees in Business (MBA), Organizational and Leadership Psychology, Media and Communications Psychology, and Marriage and Family Therapy.  For program and enrollment information, visit: www.TouroW.edu.

About the Touro College and University System

Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American community. Approximately 19,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem, Moscow, Paris, and Florida. Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus, as well as Touro College Los Angeles, are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System.  For further information on Touro College, please go to: http://www.touro.edu/media/.

SOURCE Touro University Worldwide