The Commission to Study the Future of Community Colleges in Kentucky was established in 1988 to review the accomplishments of the Kentucky Community College System (KCCS) and to provide direction for the KCCS towards the year 2000. Developed as part of a collection of reports on the KCCS for use by the Commission in its work, this five-part report examines the governance structure of the KCCS and the relationship between the KCCS and other state-level educational systems. Part 1 reviews patterns of community college governance in other states, while part 2 examines the governance structure of the KCCS, reviewing the responsibilities of the board of trustees, the president of the University of Kentucky, the chancellor for the community college system, the presidents of the community colleges, the deans and the division chairman in the KCCS, the faculty senate, and local advisory boards. Part 3 examines the relationship of the KCCS to the higher education system in Kentucky and summarizes the Kentucky Council on Higher Education's studies on governance and planning. Part 4 examines the relationship between the KCCS and vocational education in Kentucky, reviewing the role of the State Board for Vocational-Technical Education; the Governor's Council on Vocational Education; and the Kentucky Department of Education; and discussing coordination of efforts between, and the possible merger of the KCCS and the Office of Vocational Education. The final section examines the attributes of leadership and presents a leadership model for the future. A list of discussion questions for the Commission, a copy of Kentucky educational statutes, KCCS governance flowcharts, and a 47-item bibliography are included. (PAA)