UCLA Women’s Community College Leadership Academy (WCCLA)*
*open to people of all gender identities
Mission of the Academy
Community college leaders designed the Academy to respond to current and emerging challenges and dilemmas. Community Colleges meet the needs of students affected by income disparities, dual-enrollment students, veterans, and foster youth. Community Colleges offer students who were unsuccessful in secondary school an opportunity to transfer to a four-year university or pursue a variety of careers and certificates. Mid-level leaders must possess the leadership capacities and communication skills critical to building relationships and collaborating across campus, enabling them best to meet the goals of students and college faculty.
The Women’s Community College Leadership Academy (WCCLA) reflects the fast-changing challenges facing California’s community colleges. It helps mid-level leaders to be flexible and adaptable in response to new and continuing challenges. WCCLA topics include emerging funding policies and practices, the impact of social and political polarization, and the roles of
Artificial Intelligence. Other challenges include student enrollment and working with unions, boards, and upper administration.
Career networking and planning are integral to WCCLA, encompassing resume and CV review, interviewing, and negotiating a new position.
Academic Information
WCCLA assists mid-level community college leaders in using their leadership capacities and
knowledge to collaborate across units. Participants support each other in their mentor circle and learn from others’ community college experiences. Participants use a consultancy process to assess problems and generate potential solutions.
Session facilitators/instructors are expert community college practitioners with the knowledge and experience to help members expand their impact on their colleges and plan their career trajectories. The functions of vice-presidents and presidents are also considered.
The Academy provides a platform for participants to enhance their leadership knowledge
through workshops focused on topics such as communicating women’s voices, negotiation,
project management, and problem-solving. Career building focuses on strategies for personal growth and career advancement.
Academy members meet in person at UCLA at the first session (Saturday, October 25). The
other sessions are on Zoom on two Wednesday evenings monthly from October – March. The final WCCLA session is on Zoom on March 15, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.). Members are encouraged to meet either virtually or in person outside the Academy.
Leadership Capacities Across the Community College:
Flexibility and adaptability in dealing with new and continuing challenges
Leadership capacities in time of rapid changes
Communication and women’s voices
Inclusive collaboration across community college functions for planning and problem-
solving
Critical Community Colleges Issues:
Managing current and shifting student and fiscal challenges
Enrollment management
Social and political polarization
Income and educational disparities
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Career Shaping:
Branding and career planning
Interviews, resumes, and negotiation after a job offer
The application materials:
- A letter of intent (one page) that includes:
- A brief description of your leadership experience in community colleges.
- Specific topics that are of interest to you.
- A current resume or a CV.
- This application form.
- The application deadline is September 8, 2025 (submit materials to Dr. Linda Rose
at lrose@g.ucla.edu).
Registration fee per person paid by October 15 – $2,000
Registration fee per person for two or more people from the same community college district – $1,700
Registration fee per person paid after October 15 – $2,200
Payment can be made by credit card on Cashnet or by check to the Academy.
In-Person Session in Moore Hall at UCLA
Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST
Online Zoom sessions on Wednesday evenings, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. PST
November 5 & 19, December 3, 17, January 7 & 21, February 4 & 18, and March 4 & 18
Final Zoom Session
Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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