Community College Journal Publishes Landmark Collection Honoring Terry O'Banion's Legacy

A special three-issue retrospective celebrating the scholarship and enduring influence of Terry O’Banion, one of the community college movement's most influential thought leaders, has been published by the Community College Journal of Research and Practice. The 209-page collection, Community College Provocateur: Terry O'Banion's Legacy of Research, Inquiry, and Practice, brings together 19 articles spanning more than six decades of O'Banion's work on student-centered learning, leadership, governance, institutional innovation, and the future of community colleges. Terry O’Banion, who passed away in July 2025, was president emeritus of the League for Innovation; he served as the League’s CEO for 23 years.

Co-edited by Deborah Floyd, Adrienne Provost, Cynthia Wilson, and Kelli Listermann, the collection was developed to help preserve and celebrate O’Banion’s intellectual legacy. In addition to selections from his published scholarship, the retrospective includes the previously unpublished autobiographical essay, Looking for Peace and Purpose, in which O'Banion reflects on the experiences, values, and relationships that shaped his lifelong commitment to community colleges.

Published on the first anniversary of O'Banion's passing, the collection serves as both a scholarly resource and a tribute to a career that transformed thinking about teaching, learning, leadership, and student success. Taylor & Francis is providing complimentary access to the complete collection for a limited time, expanding opportunities for educators, researchers, and community college leaders to engage with O'Banion's influential work. See the special collection announcement from Taylor & Francis for access information.