As we pass the torch to a new cohort of Chancellor’s Leadership Institute members, we step into our next chapter as proud alumni of the inaugural 2024–25 CLI class. Over the past year, we’ve grown together, and helped lay the foundation for a leadership community rooted in courage, compassion, joy, and yes – as we collectively support student success.
This next phase builds on the incredible conversations we shared with colleagues across the district during the Food for Thought events in Spring 2025. Learn more about these events here, and what we learned from this important dialogue.Below is our combined commitment as leaders, which is rooted in lessons learned throughout CLI and the Food for Thought events:
Leadership is defined by how we show up for one another. As members of the Chancellor’s Leadership Institute, we strive to lead with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the potential of every student we serve.
We recognize that real leadership is relational. It requires us to listen deeply, act boldly, and cultivate environments in which trust, equity, and growth can flourish. Our charge is not only to guide, but to uplift—to build a culture that empowers every voice and opens every door.
In this spirit, we commit to the following:
- Maintaining and deepening relationships that sustain our shared work.
- Leading with a strengths-based lens and helping others grow in the direction of their gifts.
- Showing up as our best selves—and empowering others to do the same.
- Listening, solution-seeking, and acting with impact, scalability, and simplicity in mind.
- Seeking understanding before making assumptions.
- Fostering a culture of learning, feedback, and meaningful innovation.
- Collaborating and centering collective wisdom and shared reflection.
- Creating time and space for every voice to be heard, respected, and considered.
- Keeping the doors of higher education open—and ensuring they stay open for all.
- Being fully present, cultivating trust, and supporting student success in every moment.
- Building an inclusive, student-centered environment where differences are valued and honored.
Though our formal cohort experience has come to a close, our commitment to this campus community remains strong. On this page, you’ll find a bit more about each of us – personal leadership commitment statements and ways to stay in touch with us throughout 2025-2026.
We invite you to connect with us, collaborate, and continue the conversations that inspire progress and possibility for all.
Learning Objectives
Projects and Efforts
Food for Thought Conversations
Living Our Values: A Call to Leadership in Community Colleges
In the evolving landscape of community colleges, leadership is no longer defined solely by strategy or authority—it’s measured by how we show up for each other and our students. At the heart of this work are four foundational values that, when practiced with intention, create a culture where people thrive and students succeed: Courage, Joy, Compassion, and Yes.
These values are not abstract ideals. They are everyday choices. They are how we meet challenges, how we engage one another, and how we build trust. And it begins with us—those in leadership roles, formal or informal—who set the emotional tone and the operational direction of our campuses.
Courage: The Willingness to Lead with Integrity and Truth
Courage in a community college means doing what is right even when it is difficult—speaking up, challenging the status quo, and embracing vulnerability in the face of uncertainty. Leaders who model courage create safe spaces for honesty, growth, and accountability.
Without courage, innovation stalls, trust erodes, and necessary conversations are avoided. Courageous leadership means listening without defensiveness, being transparent about decisions, and encouraging others to take risks. It builds a culture where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead from wherever they are.
Joy: The Energy that Fuels Connection and Commitment
Joy is not just a feeling—it’s the result of meaningful work done in community. It is found in progress, shared purpose, human connection, and the small wins that make a big difference. Joy is contagious, and when leaders embody it, they energize their teams and cultivate a positive workplace culture.
In an environment often marked by change and pressure, joy keeps us grounded. Leaders who center joy help their teams stay connected, resilient, and motivated. They create space for celebration, appreciation, and authenticity, making the college a place people want to come to—not just a place they have to be.
Compassion: The Commitment to Care and Connection
Compassion is the foundation of equity and inclusion. It means meeting people where they are, understanding their needs, and responding with empathy and action. For leaders, it requires listening deeply, honoring diverse experiences, and balancing care with accountability.
Compassionate leadership transforms policies into people-centered practices. It fosters trust, reduces burnout, and strengthens morale. It reminds us that we are not just colleagues—we are humans doing the work together. In showing compassion, leaders help build a workplace where dignity is upheld and belonging is real.
Yes: The Spirit of Possibility and Support
“Yes” is about creating pathways instead of roadblocks. It’s the willingness to explore solutions, to validate others’ experiences, and to lead with openness—even when the final answer may be “not now” or “not yet.” It is an attitude that empowers and a tool that helps students and staff move forward.
For leaders, practicing the value of “Yes” means cultivating a mindset of responsiveness and collaboration. It means finding ways to make things work while upholding fairness and integrity. It shows students that we are on their side—and it shows our teams that we are partners in progress, not gatekeepers of the status quo.
Why These Values Matter Now
Community colleges are places of second chances, first-generation dreams, and life-changing impact. Our students often arrive carrying the weight of obstacles we cannot see. They depend on us—not just for academic pathways, but for hope, guidance, and human connection.
That’s why leadership rooted in Courage, Joy, Compassion, and Yes is essential. These values are how we build trust, sustain motivation, and foster the kind of culture where everyone—staff, faculty, and students—can flourish.
As we move forward together, may we not only speak these values but live them. Our students are watching. So are our teams. Leadership isn’t just about what we do—it’s about who we choose to be, every day.
Hosting Food for Thought Conversations with Your Team
Interested in hosting a Food for Thought conversation with your team? Here is a guide for you to use, and please reach out to any CLI member for support.
CLI Cohort 1 Book List
Student and Employee Graffiti Project
The CLI Graffiti project aims to bring student and employee feedback into the CLI sessions. Student and employee comments were collected in August and September 2024 at HLC, RGC, and RRC.