A new Iowa State University study found that 79 percent of community college presidents will retire by 2012, and 84 percent by 2016.

The study, which surveyed 415 community colleges, representing more than 38 percent of the national total, also documented a shortage of qualified applicants to fill the opening positions.

The report stated that the number of degrees awarded to graduates of community college leadership programs decreased by more than 75 percent between 1983 and 1997.

“If you think about that time period, those would be the people who would really be in the chute to take the place of those who were retiring,” said Chris Duree, who led the research and reported its results for his doctoral dissertation in Iowa State’s Community College Leadership Program, in a release.

“So actually, not only is there the anticipated exodus going out the door, but there also is a shortage of qualified candidates coming in,” he said.

However, this looming leadership deficit places current candidates for community college presidential openings in a great negotiating position. With fewer candidates competing for the opening positions, it’s improving salaries for candidates, Duree said.

“The competition for candidates is what I would call keen,” he said.