Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Organizational Leadership
First Advisor
Cindy Peterson
Second Advisor
Carol Anderson-Woo
Third Advisor
Angela Tos
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this Delphi study was to identify and describe the educational changes to California Community Colleges that are possible and probable by 2035 as perceived by a panel of experts. In addition, the purpose was to determine the level of desirability of educational changes identified as probable by a panel of experts. Finally, the purpose was to describe the actions necessary to promote the desirable educational changes by 2035 as perceived by the expert panel.Methodology: This Delphi method was used to survey 18 community college experts from diverse disciplines. Four survey rounds gathered qualitative and quantitative data regarding possible, probable, and desirable changes. Educational changes meeting 75% consensus for probability and desirability were explored further to determine the actions necessary for change to occur.
Findings: Examination of the data indicated four findings: (a) legislative, regulatory, and policy changes are necessary to see changes occur; (b) a need exists to form partnerships with the California State University system and regional workforce to align curriculum and student services to offer degrees in underserved areas; (c) funding sources need to be identified and provided to drive change; and (d) technology solutions and standardized integrated systems are needed.
Conclusions: This research led to the conclusions that legislation will continue to challenge community colleges to navigate externally driven change, colleges need a framework including future thinking, social systems theory, and organizational change theories; additional funding needs to be identified to improve colleges’ position to meet future demands; more partnerships need to be created with local industries to create future educational change that meets future labor needs; and colleges must prepare to address more diversity and equity issues as their community demographics change.
Recommendations: Five recommendations arose from this study: the California Master Plan for Higher Education should be revised; ways to adapt quickly to changing technology need to be identified; committees need to be trained in future thinking; alternate ways to address equity and diversity need to be identified; and develop legislation advisory practice for Board of Trustees.
Recommended Citation
Frymire, Christopher, "Delphi Study of Possible, Probable, and Desirable Futures for California Community Colleges by 2035" (2025). Dissertations. 605.
https://digitalcommons.umassglobal.edu/edd_dissertations/605
