Ph.D. Required

A colleague asked me today what it takes to "move up the ranks" in a community college. Like most things in life, it depends on how high up the ranks you want to go. If you want to be a President or Vice President, a doctoral degree is almost mandatory nowadays. But what if your goal is to be a Dean or a Department chair? Do you need a Ph.D. or Ed.D.? I think the answer to that depends on where you want to work more than anything else. If you want to live and work in a large city (e.g., Charlotte, Atlanta, Baltimore, Minneapolis) you will likely find that a doctorate is required. If you want to live in "Smallville" you may be able to move up the ladder without the Ph.D. At a rural college, experience and loyalty to the college may be rewarded with a Dean or Department Chair position (although some would debate if such a position is a reward or a punishment). "What else should I do if I want to move up?," she inquired. "Volunteer... get involved in various college-wide initiatives (accreditation, grants, projects, etc...)," I said. In addition, I suggested that she seek supervision experience of any type. Supervising adjuncts, supervising staff, supervising faculty... it's all good. If offered the opportunity to supervise others, be prepared to take advantage of it (and be ready for the numerous rewards and headaches that come with that). What else does it take to move up the ranks? Inquiring minds want to know.