The Iowa Community College Leadership Initiative (ICCLI) is a statewide professional development program for established leaders across Iowa's 15 community college districts. ICCLI is designed to support established middle and new senior-level administrators in strengthening their strategic leadership and preparing for executive roles. The program fosters cross-institutional dialogue and reflection among experienced professionals navigating shared challenges.
Aligned with the AACC Competencies for Community College Leaders, ICCLI participants should gain senior to aspiring executive leader knowledge in the areas of: Organizational culture; Governance, institutional policy, and legislation; Student success; Institutional leadership; Institutional infrastructure; Information and analytics; Advocacy and motivating others; Fundraising and relationship cultivation; Communication; Collaboration; and, Personal traits and abilities.
A key feature of ICCLI is its mentor component. Each participating community college matches its ICCLI nominee with a mentor who holds a formal leadership position. This mentoring relationship provides personalized guidance, supports professional growth, and deepens institutional insight throughout the program year.
Program Overview
Participants attend monthly seminars and interactive sessions with local, state, and national leaders, and are encouraged to build strong professional networks through informal gatherings and shared learning experiences.
Program Goals:
- Gain advanced community college knowledge.
- Enhance skills, traits & abilities needed to lead a community college.
- Address current issues facing community college leadership at state & national levels.
Content/Topics:
- Advanced community college topics
- Advanced leadership development & skills
- Leadership exemplars/ speakers
- Networking
- Campus tours & state legislation
Program Format: Six, 2-day, in-person meetings at various community colleges throughout the state.
Participant Profiles
Designed for Established Formal Leaders: Upper-Middle and Senior Level Administration
Example roles include: established Deans and Directors (4+ years in the position), new Executive Directors, new Vice Presidents
ICCLI Mentor Description
Each community college will match their ICCLI nominee with a Mentor in a Senior or Executive level position. The Mentor component of ICCLI provides each participant an opportunity to engage with, observe, and learn from a formal leader in an aspirational position within their own college. The identified Mentor will agree to meet with the ICCLI participant 6-8 times during the program year (Sept-April) to debrief the ICCLI sessions, offer experiences and activities to explore various areas of the college, and advocate for their mentee’s personal leadership development.
- To provide access to professional networks, activities, and experiences, the Mentor should be a Senior or Executive Leader within an Iowa community college. Alternative or outside Mentors may be considered in consultation with the ICCLI program coordinators.
- Ideally, the Mentor will not be the ICCLI participant’s supervisor (to ensure a learning and development opportunity separate from work expectations). In the unavoidable case of a Mentor/Direct Report match, there should be regular meeting times scheduled exclusively for mentoring, learning, and development interaction.
- The Mentor should be willing to openly share about their own role and responsibilities within the college, their own leadership strengths and professional pathway, as well as the opportunities and challenges of being a formal leader.
- Formal guidance will be offered to the Mentors by the ICCLI Coordinators during check-in points and as needed throughout the program year.
ICCLI coordinators will assist in Mentor matching if requested.
Nominations
Participation is by nomination through the community college President Offices, as the colleges typically cover the program costs and associated travel expenses. ICCLI participants must have an assigned mentor for the duration of the program.
It is recommended that nominators focus on:
- the participant’s current leadership role, and
- the participant’s familiarity with the community college system.
Nominations should be intentional in providing equitable and diverse development opportunities across populations, content areas, and college operations.
For any questions regarding participant placement or general program questions, please contact us.