The April 2025 issues of the Leadership Abstracts, Learning Abstracts, and Innovation Showcase are now available in the League’s Innovation Library. This month’s articles, authored by distinguished educators and leaders, focus on leadership development, information literacy, and the creation of collaborative spaces within community colleges.​

In this month’s Leadership Abstracts, “The Skills of a Leader,” Judy Korb explores the essential competencies required for effective leadership in the dynamic environment of community colleges. Drawing from her extensive experience as an executive leadership coach, Korb provides a comprehensive analysis of key skills that leaders must cultivate to navigate challenges, inspire teams, and drive institutional success. Her insights serve as a valuable resource for current and aspiring leaders aiming to enhance their leadership acumen. Korb is currently serving as Interim President at Johnson County Community College.

The April issue of Learning Abstracts, “Victories in Information Literacy: Library and Reading Department Collaboration,” features an article co-authored by Amanda Leftwich, Assistant Professor and Student Success Librarian, and Dianna Sand, Coordinator and Senior Lecturer, Reading, at Montgomery County Community College. Their piece highlights a successful partnership between a community college's library and reading department aimed at enhancing students’ information literacy skills. Leftwich and Sand detail collaborative strategies implemented to integrate library resources into the reading curriculum, resulting in significant improvements in students’ research abilities and critical thinking. This article showcases the impact of interdisciplinary collaboration on student success. ​

In this month’s issue of Innovation Showcase, “Creating Spaces for Collaboration and Innovation,” Zachary Cembellin and Francesca Caparas examine the design and implementation of physical and virtual spaces aimed at fostering collaborative learning and innovative thinking within community colleges. Focusing on the Emerging Technologies Institute (ETI) at Foothill College and the AI learning community at De Anza College, they discuss the planning process, challenges encountered, and positive outcomes observed, including increased student engagement and the development of vibrant communities of practice among faculty and students. Their experiences provide a roadmap for institutions seeking to create environments that promote collaboration and innovation. Cembellin is Interim Division Dean, STEM, at Foothill College, and Caparas is a member of the English faculty at De Anza College.

These articles reflect the League's ongoing commitment to promoting innovation and excellence in community colleges by sharing effective practices and transformative ideas. Readers are encouraged to explore these publications to spark ideas and consider approaches that can be applied or adapted for their own institutions.​