DRAFT 11-28-16 (3)
CHANCELLOR LEADERSHIP PROFILE
The Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education seeks nominations and
applications for Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) to lead a dynamic
system of eight institutions committed to serving the needs of a growing and entrepreneurially
minded state.
The search begins as Nevada, with a high degree of optimism and urgency, embraces its
requirements and possibilities for the 21st Century. Indeed, the confluence of increased
expectations for higher education, together with several bold initiatives of the governor and
state legislature, spurred on by a forward-leaning business community throughout the state,
offers exceptional opportunities for the right leader to help shape the future direction and
momentum of this vital region.
THE SETTING
Nevada lives its motto of “a world within, a state apart” in many unique and unexpected ways.
Its relatively small population (2.9 million) ranks Nevada 35th in the United States, but its small
size belies the outsized shadow cast by the energy, intelligence, and spirit of its people who are
increasingly initiating and sustaining new examples of business, entrepreneurship, and
manufacturing for the 21st century. Just two recent indicators of momentum are that, in 2015,
Nevada experienced the third highest population growth and ninth largest GDP growth of any
state in the nation.
With an economy originally founded on mining but shifting to tourism by the mid-20th century,
the state is poised to complement its tourist-centric economy with a new highly skilled
technological base as a product of its own policy investments and as a natural outgrowth of its
proximity to its Pacific Rim neighbor, California. As the new economy emerges and matures, so
must Nevada’s educational system at all levels, led by its colleges and universities in a
coordinated focus on the future.
The opportunity for contribution and impact offered by this position is, perhaps, best illustrated
by noting that Nevada is unique in the dominance of its public system of higher education.
Sierra Nevada College, serving 1,000 students at campuses in Reno, Las Vegas, and Lake Tahoe,
is currently the only accredited four-year private college in the state. Thus, the NSHE chancellor
serves as the dominant voice for higher education in Nevada.
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GOVERNANCE
The NSHE is governed by the Nevada Board of Regents, a 13-member body selected by popular
vote. The Chancellor is responsible to the Board of Regents as a whole and works closely with
the Board Chair and Vice Chair. 1 The opportunity is thus provided to the new Chancellor to
offer ongoing perspective and assistance to the Board in its appreciation of a shared agenda for
the role of higher education in the future success of Nevada.
ORGANIZATION
The Nevada System of Higher Education comprises three research institutions, a state college,
and four community colleges. Research institutions include the land-grant University of Nevada
Reno (1874) with 21,000 students; the University of Nevada Las Vegas (1957) with 28,000
students; and the Desert Research Institute (1959) with campuses in Reno and Las Vegas. UNR
and UNLV are categorized in the Carnegie Classification of Higher Education as doctoral
universities with higher research activity. 2 DRI conducts basic and applied research focused on
the effective management of air, water, and land resources within the state, across the nation,
and in several foreign countries. UNR is ranked as Tier I, and UNLV as Tier 2 in their categories
by U.S. News & World Report.
In addition to traditional undergraduate and graduate offerings, the University of Nevada Reno
also provides research and professional preparation within nine colleges and schools:
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Agriculture
Business
Education
Earth Sciences and Engineering
Medicine
Nursing
Social Work
Community Health Sciences
Journalism
The University of Nevada Las Vegas offers an equally broad array of undergraduate and
graduate studies:
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Architecture
Law
Engineering
Nevada currently is one of four states with democratically elected regents or trustees.
Center for Post Secondary Research, Indiana University, 2016.
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Medicine (in creation)
Business
Hotel Administration
Fine Arts
Music
Nursing
Dental Medicine
Community Health Sciences
Life Sciences
Urban Affairs
Allied Health Sciences
Nevada State College (2002) is a comprehensive four-year teaching institution, serving 3,500
students emphasizing career preparation in such fields as nursing, education, and business
administration.
The College of Southern Nevada, Great Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community College,
and Western Nevada College comprise the two-year sector, albeit four-year degrees are
increasingly available as well at some of these institutions. Collectively serving over 70,000
students, they offer local access to higher education and provide curricular offerings in
response to the state’s growing need for increased intellectual attainment, high-skilled
workforce development, and job training. The report of a special task force convened by
former Chancellor Daniel Klaich concluded that “the hallmark of Nevada’s community colleges
has been their flexibility in meeting the ever-changing needs of citizens, communities, and
employers in the state.” 3
CURRENT CHALLENGES
Several opportunities for leadership await the new Chancellor of NSHE. With a common
understanding of the Chancellor’s role as the CEO of a complex system of institutions of varying
mission, size, and maturity, an early challenge will be to clarify the mission for NSHE as a whole
and to gain board approval.
An early challenge also will be to fully grasp the context and outcomes of the 2017 biennial
legislative session in order to align system vision and priorities for the 2019 session. Chief
among these will be to propose solutions to reverse Nevada’s educational attainment
indicators and rankings, including:
• 12th among states in the percent of citizens without a high school diploma;
• 45th among states in the percent of citizens earning a bachelor’s degree;
• 18% fewer college graduates among individuals aged 25 and over than in the United
States as a whole;
• Graduation rates of 35% that have not varied by more than 1% since the early 2000’s.
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“Fresh Look at Nevada’s Community Colleges Task Force,” August 2011, p.5.
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Clearly, the Chancellor’s leadership by force of vision, example, and experience will carry a
premium and create needed support for critical policy choices that lie ahead.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chancellor serves as the academic and operational leader for the NSHE with responsibility
for over 125,000 students, over 15,000 faculty and staff, and a budget exceeding $1 billion.4 His
or her specific responsibilties will include:
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Supporting the Board of Regents in its governance and coordination functions, including
developing agendas in collaboration with Board leadership and acting as spokesperson
for all NSHE offical communications;
Hiring and, if necessary, terminating campus presidents, subject to Board approval,
while honoring the norms and values of shared governance within the academic
context;
Conducting annual and periodic evaluations of campus presidents while providing for
their continual professional growth and development;
Supporting and facilitating the productive engagement of the Council of Presidents,
Faculty Senate, and student leadership from NSHE institutions in the development of
systemwide academic and administrative policies;
Leading the central office staff responsible for system administration of computing
services, education and research grants, the Community College Collaborative, academic
and student affairs, finance and budget, audit and compliance, legal affairs, and human
resources;
Developing, in collaboration with the Board and member institutions, a biennial budget
for higher education in Nevada supported by national best practice in the efficient and
cost-effective administration of funds allocated by the Legislature;
Promoting the effectiveness of NSHE and campus programs while ensuring the efficient
use of state funding;
Advocating for higher education with the Governor’s office, Nevada Legislature, and the
Nevada congressional delegation;
Championing the value of higher learning, inquiry, and discovery throughout the State,
and promoting the value of research, scholarship, and high-quality teaching as a social
and econonmic good while defending the values of higher education, including free
expression, academic freedom, shared governance, inclusion, and access;
Planning for the future by developing and implementing a strategic vision for higher
education in Nevada aligned with the state’s goals for higher education attainment,
workforce development, and economic diversification; and
Education as a whole currently consumes approximately 50% of the state budget.
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Developing collaborative projects with secondary education and business partners to
improve P-20 education outcomes, thereby ensuring coordinated workforce
development and improved economic diversity.
EXPECTATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES OF LEADERSHIP
The next Chancellor must have a deep knowledge of higher education management and
national higher education trends. The selected candidate must be a forward-thinking, creative,
and fair administrator of the highest integrity. She or he will have demonstrated collaborative
skills and the ability to establish statewide partnerships, as well as bring system wide
constituencies together for the purpose of advancing the system and creating a shared culture
of change and excellence. The Chancellor will know sound planning techniques and advance
the Board's strategic objectives for each NSHE institution, including those in the system’s
master plan, "Building Nevada's Future." Further, the Chancellor will be committed fully to
individuals of all ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds, as well as Nevada's goal of
preparing the workforce and an educated citizenry. The Chancellor will be an advocate for the
system and the P-16 community, especially through the new initiative, Nevada Ready!,
designed to raise awareness of the state's public school standards.
In addition to these expectations, the new Chancellor must demonstrate and embrace the
following:
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Commitment to the Board of Regents' vision, mission, goals, and policies;
Progressive senior level administrative/academic experience in higher education;
Experience in a multi-institution or multi-campus higher education setting;
Business sense and success in finances, budgeting, resource generation, and planning;
Students-first focus and appreciation for students with diverse backgrounds and goals;
Demonstrated support of a system wide inclusive environment ensuring a diverse and
representative population of faculty, staff, and students;
Vision and success with strategic planning design, initiatives, and delivery;
Knowledge of public policy development in a complex political environment;
Sensitivity and commitment to the distinctive missions of all campuses within the
system, including research, professional education, vocational training, and access;
Respect for faculty/staff contributions in shared governance practices and
empowerment;
Supportive of a collaborative environment among system presidents and office staff;
Approachable with strong spoken, written, and listening skills in a transparent
environment;
Visible, entrepreneurial, and collaborative presence to enhance the image of and
support of the system, working closely with the business and statewide community; and
Earned doctorate/terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education
(preferred).
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NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS
To assure fullest consideration, nominations and applications should be received no later than
March 1, 2017. The application should include a letter of interest specifically addressing the
applicant's background in relationship to qualifications described (not more than 3 pages); a
current résumé; and the names of five professional references with each person's position,
office or home address, e-mail address, and telephone numbers. The new Chancellor will
assume office on or about July 1, 2017.
The search is being assisted by James H. McCormick ([email protected], 651-238-5188) and
Kevin P. Reilly ([email protected], 608-219-0980), senior consultants, AGB Search.
Vance T. Peterson ([email protected], 818-304-5233) is also providing assistance and
counsel. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. Nominations and applications should be
sent electronically (MS Word or PDF Format) to [email protected]. For more
information about the Nevada System of Higher Education, see www.nevada.edu.
The Nevada System of Higher Education hires only United States citizens and aliens lawfully
authorized to work in the U.S. The NSHE is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer
and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin,
veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender
identity, or gender expression.
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