The Community College Leadership Development Consortium (CCLDC) was born out of a shared recognition: Iowa's community colleges needed to invest in preparing the next generation of leaders from within. This vision took shape in 1989 when Iowa State University, the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT), and the Iowa Association of Community College Presidents (IACCP) came together to create the Leadership Institute for a New Century (LINC).
Building Leadership from Within
LINC was designed to address a pressing concern in higher education: the lack of diverse, prepared candidates ready to step into upper-level administrative roles. It aimed to diversify leadership in Iowa's community colleges by developing the leadership styles and skills of women and people of color. Through monthly seminars, mentorship, networking, and applied campus projects, LINC helped participants build the skills and confidence needed to move into positions of greater responsibility.
The program offered graduate credit, hands-on internships, and regular interaction with trustees, college presidents, and national leaders. Topics ranged from public policy and institutional finance to community college culture and organizational strategy. LINC was more than a leadership seminar—it catalyzed institutional change across the state.
From Initiative to Infrastructure
As LINC grew, it helped spark a broader commitment to "grow your own" leadership development across Iowa's community colleges. This philosophy emphasized investing in those already serving in the system and preparing them to meet future leadership needs. The program proved that internal candidates could rise into executive roles with intentional development and bring a deep understanding of community college values and students. In 1995, the Community College Leadership Intiative Consortium (CLIC) was designed as an additional development program.
In response to increased demand and evolving institutional needs, the Community College Leadership Development Consortium (CCLDC) was established in 2021 to support a broader range of programming. CCLDC now oversees both LINC and ICCLI (formerly CLIC) as well as intensive summer academies for new department chairs and deans, thus creating a tiered model of leadership development that is responsive, inclusive, and sustainable.
A Commitment That Continues
What began as a bold experiment has become a nationally recognized model for cultivating community college leadership. CCLDC's work continues to reflect the founding vision: leadership development should be collaborative, accessible, and rooted in the values of the community college mission. Our programs continue to evolve in response to today's challenges while staying grounded in a decades-long commitment to helping Iowa's community colleges thrive through strong, diverse, and prepared leadership at all levels.
We are proud of where we began and even more committed to where we are headed.
Milestones
1989: LINC (Leadership Institute for a New Century) founded by Dr. Larry Ebbers
1995: CLIC (Community College Leadership Initiative Consortium) founded by Dr. Larry Ebbers
2021: ICCLI (Iowa Community College Leadership Institute) succeeds CLIC
2022: Community College Leadership Development Consortium formed by the founding partners
2024: FLA (Faculty Leader Academy) inaugural cohort
2025: NDA (New Deans Academy) inaugural cohort
Leadership Legacy
One of the key figures who laid the foundation for leadership development in Iowa’s community college system is Dr. Larry H. Ebbers, a long-serving faculty member at Iowa State University focused on developing inclusive and sustainable leadership pipelines.
Over five decades, Dr. Ebbers has contributed to the development of higher education leaders across the nation through graduate education, mentoring, and notably designing the innovative LINC and CLIC programs. His impact continues to shape how we support emerging and established leaders in higher education. Read more about Dr. Ebbers