This research brief presents the results of a year 2000 survey of community college senior administrators. The study examines career paths and backgrounds, as well as the mechanisms administrators used to upgrade their skills and acquire additional knowledge and training. Results indicate that: (1) the most likely previous position of community college presidents was provost (37%), followed by president of another community college (25%) and senior academic affairs/instruction officer (15%); (2) 22% of presidents were promoted to the presidency from within their institution, and 66% came from other community colleges; (3) women were underrepresented in certain administrative positions, most notably the offices of president (only 27% women) and occupational or vocational education officer (29% women); (4) 84% of administrators were White, 6% African American, 4% Hispanic, and 1% Asian or Native American; and (5) 41% had a Master's as their highest-earned degree, 18% an Ed.D., and 19% a Ph.D. This brief concludes that the path to the presidency is changing. Much work remains to be done in generating candidate pools for senior positions, in equipping younger generations of administrators with the skills and experiences that will help them win promotion, and in ensuring equity in promotion into the most senior positions. (EMH)