Thursday, May 29, 2008
Rural Reminder (with cow kissing awesomeness)
This research summary from the Daily Yonder suggests that rural community colleges would do well to recruit leaders who know and love rural places.*
"More important than a job candidate's credentials may be his or her preparedness for the economic and cultural environment they'll be entering. Not surprisingly, Leist concludes, "Rural roots—or at least some exposure to the rural way of life—provide a distinct advantage in understanding this bond and the local culture. According to the participants in this study, having rural roots—though seldom listed in an advertisement—can offer a president a measure of credibility with constituents. Although someone from an urban or suburban setting may do well as the senior leader of a rural institution, a personal knowledge of—and comfort with—rural culture appears crucial to ensuring the likelihood of a good fit."
Nine hundred and twenty-two (922) of the nation's 1666 community colleges are rural.
*And cows. This story vaults into stratospheric awesomeness with the inclusion of a pic of Riverland Community College President Terrence kissing a cow.
"More important than a job candidate's credentials may be his or her preparedness for the economic and cultural environment they'll be entering. Not surprisingly, Leist concludes, "Rural roots—or at least some exposure to the rural way of life—provide a distinct advantage in understanding this bond and the local culture. According to the participants in this study, having rural roots—though seldom listed in an advertisement—can offer a president a measure of credibility with constituents. Although someone from an urban or suburban setting may do well as the senior leader of a rural institution, a personal knowledge of—and comfort with—rural culture appears crucial to ensuring the likelihood of a good fit."
Nine hundred and twenty-two (922) of the nation's 1666 community colleges are rural.
*And cows. This story vaults into stratospheric awesomeness with the inclusion of a pic of Riverland Community College President Terrence kissing a cow.
Labels: AERA, education, rural, small schools
