CEO succession, the change in a formal organizational leader, has been examined in many organizational contexts. Results of these studies are conflicting. Further, no previous studies may be generalized to community college CEO succession. The unique nature of the community college suggested that a study of succession in this environment might prove useful;This study, using the constant comparative method of theory development and case study methodology, provides a substantive grounded theory of community college CEO succession, reporting events related to organizational change that occurred following CEO succession. Preliminary theoretical categories indicated that changes could be expected in upper level administrative positions of an organization. Research also revealed that locally elected governing boards may recognize the need for and seek community college successor CEOs who are effective institutional marketers and change agents.