Perceptions of Illinois Community College Chief Academic Officers: Fulfilling the Mission

This study documents voices of the most experienced active Illinois community college chief academic officers (CAOs). Adaptive leadership theory is used to frame the effort of CAOs to infuse accountability into the core community college open access mission. The analysis of conversations with these CAOs reveals a focus on accountability that centers around student success initiatives rather than an urgent need to improve completion rate. The CAOs interviewed perceived student success and open access as crucial components of the mission of community colleges. The CAOs describe the work they do to help fulfill the mission and how that work has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advice is provided for those who aspire to the CAO position and for those responsible for developing future CAOs