Curricular efforts to strengthen the writing and analytic abilities of future administrators are also essential. Leaders are expected to be thinkers. To develop a student's thinking, Vaughan and Scott advise graduate programs to require students to apply theory and engage in problem-solving through writing. Future community college leaders must be able to write clearly, present their thoughts logically, and follow the accepted rules of grammar. They have also undertaken efforts to improve the advancement opportunities for minorities and women administrators.
Professional associations are complementary to university training.
By broadening the theoretical knowledge gained in graduate school, professional associations provide understanding in the daily operational problems of administrative life. Considering their importance in the continuing development of future community college leaders, graduate and continuing education programs might consider strengthening their relationships with professional associations. There is no shortage in the number of doctorates in higher education. What is missing is a common agreement about the competencies such a degree should imply for a prospective community college leader. Ultimately, the vitality and utility of graduate and continuing education programs for community college leaders depends on an ongoing dialogue about how to educate and train effective and successful community college leaders.