The Equity‐Minded Board? Leadership, Accountability, and the Future of Community College Governance

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examines how community college governing boards can advance racial equity by extending Bensimon's equity‐mindedness to the level of institutional governance. Using document analysis of California Community Colleges (CCC) Board of Governors (BOG) policies and governance artifacts (2023–2025), we analyze how equity is enacted at the board level. We introduce the Equity‐Minded Governance Framework—comprising equity accountability, stewardship, and learning—to evaluate the BOG's efforts and identify gaps. Findings show strong commitments to race‐conscious planning and policy development, but limited mechanisms for trustee learning and board‐level accountability. Drawing on agency and stewardship theory, we argue that equity goals remain vulnerable to drift without explicit monitoring structures. We conclude with recommendations for embedding equity‐minded governance practices to strengthen boards’ capacity to advance racial justice.