Lincoln Land Community College Presidential Search

Aerial view of the LLCC campus alongside Lake Springfield

Executive Summary

The Board of Trustees of Lincoln Land Community College is seeking a visionary and transformative leader to serve as the next President, succeeding the current President who will retire in June 2026. This pivotal position offers the opportunity to lead a financially stable, student-centered institution serving central Illinois through accessible, high-quality education while navigating the evolving landscape of higher education.

Institutional Overview

Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) is a vibrant, comprehensive community college serving central Illinois with a commitment to accessible, high-quality education. Founded in 1967, LLCC is a student-centered, comprehensive public community college dedicated to transforming lives and strengthening communities through learning. Built on a foundation of excellence, innovation, and impact, LLCC serves individuals of all ages through accessible and affordable educational programs that include college degrees and certificates, health care career education, workforce training, professional development, customized training, and personal enrichment.

Five photos showing construction, advising, graduation, tech training and nursing

Centrally located in Illinois, LLCC is the largest community college district in the state in terms of land area (4,115 square miles), serving all or parts of 15 counties. The main campus is located in Springfield, the state capital, on a scenic 220-acre site along Lake Springfield — featuring native prairie areas, athletic fields, and beautifully maintained green spaces. Additional learning and service locations include the LRS Aviation Center, LLCC-Medical District, Child Development Center and St. John’s Hospital, as well as outreach centers in Beardstown, Jacksonville, Litchfield, and Taylorville.

The Springfield region offers urban amenities like arts, dining, and entertainment, the open spaces and close-knit feel of a rural community, ample outdoor recreational activities, and rich history. As the historic home of Abraham Lincoln, the city features nationally recognized landmarks such as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Lincoln Home and the Old State Capitol. Conveniently situated along historic Route 66 and Interstate 55, Springfield offers easy access to major metropolitan areas like Chicago and St. Louis — ideal for weekend getaways and day trips.

Each year, LLCC serves more than 12,500 students through a wide range of credit and non-credit courses. As an open-access college, LLCC welcomes all who are seeking to improve their knowledge and skills. The college offers more than 120 credit programs of study, featuring stackable certificates and degrees designed to support university transfer and/or direct entry into the workforce. As of fall 2025, the college offers 33 programs of study leading to an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree, two programs leading to an Associate in Fine Arts degree, an Associate in General Education degree and an Associate in Engineering Science degree. Additionally, students can choose from 31 programs of study leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree and 54 programs leading to a Certificate of Achievement or Certificate of Completion. 

LLCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and received a 10-year accreditation with no follow-up reports required. Its next reaffirmation of accreditation is scheduled for 2032-33. In addition, many LLCC programs have sought and received specialized program accreditation. 

The college is governed by a seven-member, locally elected Board of Trustees, and one Student Trustee. The board operates in accordance with guidelines established in the Illinois Public Community College Act and functions as the college's policy-making body.

Mission, Vision & Values

Mission

The mission of Lincoln Land Community College is to transform lives and strengthen our communities through learning. The next President must demonstrate a deep alignment with LLCC’s Mission, Vision and Values, integrating them into strategic planning, daily leadership, and community engagement.

Leadership Opportunity

The next President will:

  • Navigate Complex Challenges: Address enrollment trends, post-pandemic recovery, and AI integration in education. Lead LLCC in addressing evolving challenges in higher education.
  • Drive Strategic Growth: Expand partnerships with business, K-12, and community organizations. This role offers the chance to strengthen partnerships with local businesses, K-12 institutions, and community organizations to enhance economic development and student outcomes.
  • Secure Resources: Lead fundraising, grants, and public-private partnerships.
  • Foster Innovation: Implement technology solutions and adaptive learning models.

Position Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

  • Earned doctorate or equivalent combination of education/experience
  • Proven senior leadership in higher education, preferably community colleges

Desired Characteristics

  • Political Savvy: Navigates complex stakeholder relationships with diplomacy and foresight.
  • Excellent Communication Skills: Engages stakeholders — internal and externa l— through clear and inspiring dialogue.
  • Relationship Building: Cultivates meaningful connections with community leaders, businesses, and educational partners to drive collaboration.
  • Passion for Higher Education: Demonstrates a deep commitment to the transformative role of community colleges in promoting student success and lifelong learning.
  • High Emotional Intelligence and Resilience: Maintains composure in challenging situations, empathizes with others, and fosters a supportive environment.
  • Alignment with LLCC’s Core Values: Embodies Diversity and Equity, Affordability, Collaboration, Teaching and Learning, Agility, and Integrity in all leadership actions.
  • Strong Strategic Thinking: Develops and implements actionable plans aligned with the college’s mission, vision, and core values, incorporating data-driven insights and forward-looking strategies.
  • Negotiation Skills: Expertly manages complex contractual discussions with unions, vendors, and partners to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
  • Fundraising Expertise: Proven track record in resource development, including grants, donations, and public-private partnerships.
  • Technology and Innovation Focus: Embraces digital tools, AI, and hybrid learning models to enhance accessibility and student engagement.

Key Attributes for Success 

Visionary and Inclusive Leadership 

The next LLCC President will have a compelling vision for the college’s future and demonstrated ability to articulate that vision clearly, intentionally and inspirationally. The successful candidate will exemplify servant leadership qualities, fostering trust and integrity in their relationships with the Board of Trustees, Cabinet, faculty and staff. They will have the ability to collaborate with and gain the respect of community leaders, business leaders, peers and other education leaders, both in K-12 and higher education. They will possess the necessary courage to be transparent, authentic, respectful and handle critical feedback, valid or otherwise. They must have excellent communication skills, engaging effectively with students, staff and the public. Interactions with the President should consistently foster a sense of belonging and mutual respect. The successful candidate will have the ability to cultivate a culture that embraces a growth mindset and that is inclusive and apolitical. The successful candidate should demonstrate strong advocacy for the college, its mission and its students. An emphasis on team building and collaboration must be a cornerstone of their leadership philosophy. 

Adaptability and Innovation 

The next LLCC President will have a deep curiosity and innovative mindset as well as a desire to embrace new approaches, demonstrated by a forward-thinking approach — looking to stay ahead of community college trends to maintain stability and viability. In a continuously evolving higher education landscape, the successful candidate will possess sound data literacy to identify emerging challenges and lead timely and effective decision-making, collaboratively and in complex situations. They will be proactive in anticipating change, as the needs of the community and students evolve, and have the necessary agility to navigate a complex regulatory landscape while meeting these needs. Their ability to effectively convey challenges, decisions and goals will be essential in ensuring the collective college community is equipped to adapt and in inspiring faculty and staff engagement in change processes.

Financial Acumen 

The next LLCC President will inherit a financially healthy institution. To continue to strengthen the financial viability of the college, the successful candidate will need to possess advanced financial planning and resource management skills to support the college’s mission, vision and core values. They will leverage data analytics to inform decisions that ensure long-term stability, enhance student outcomes, and secure diverse funding sources, reflecting the values of Affordability and Integrity. 

Application Process

Submission Deadline: November 14, 2025

To apply, go to https://llcc.peopleadmin.com/postings/9032 and include the following:

  • Letter of interest addressing leadership philosophy
  • Current CV/resume
  • Contact information for five professional references

Equal Opportunity Commitment

LLCC is an equal opportunity employer.