LAS VEGAS, NV -- Dr. Jim Randolph, president of Western Nevada Community College, has been selected for a new position within System Administration of the University and Community College System of Nevada.
Dr. Randolph will resign as president of WNCC and begin his appointment as the associate vice chancellor for finance and planning in Las Vegas as soon as a suitable transition can be arranged.
"After being a college president for 23 years, I was looking for a change," explains Dr. Randolph. "I thoroughly enjoy the process of planning and saw this position with the System as an opportunity for change and one that I would enjoy doing."
A formal national search was conducted and Dr. Randolph was selected from among the pool of candidates for his exceptional skills, talents and experience. This appointment was offered and accepted prior to the implementation of Governor Miller's state hiring freeze that took effect on October 28.
"President Randolph has superbly served WNCC and the community over the past three years, " said Dr. Jill Derby, chair of the Board of Regents. "His leadership will be sorely missed. I am committed to working with the campus community in this transition process to continue the high standards and advance the remarkable progress he has made for this college."
Following the Board of Regents' established procedures for presidential transition, Dr. Jill Derby and UCCSN Chancellor Richard Jarvis will initiate a process of consulting with appropriate campus personnel at WNCC to identify possible nominees for interim president. Dr. Derby will then make her recommendation to the Board of Regents and announce her plans for the search to find a permanent replacement.
Dr. Randolph joined WNCC in July 1995, following a national search. He presided over the largest ever capital expansion at the Carson City campus and the opening of a campus in Minden/Gardnerville. In addition, the college broke ground this fall for a high tech center at Carson High School and the Reynolds Center for Technology at WNCC Carson City, a privately-funded laboratory and classroom building to house drafting, electronics, construction trades and industry training programs.
The college's enrollment has climbed steadily under President Randolph, reaching a record full-time equivalent preliminary enrollment of 2,013 and a credit headcount of 5,572 this fall.
During Dr. Randolph's tenure, new academic programs were created in construction technologies and golf facilities management, and the college began offering Internet classes and registration. New degree programs are also being planned in geographic information systems, computing network technician and computer graphics.
He has enhanced the college's research capabilities and communications, embracing shared governance for faculty, students, classified employees and administration. He also instituted continuous quality improvement teams and projects, enhanced the college's marketing efforts and developed annual performance indicators and reports.
Comprised of two doctoral-granting universities, four comprehensive community colleges and one environmental research institution, the University and Community College System of Nevada serves the educational and job training needs of the nation's fastest growing state. As Nevada's only system of higher education, the UCCSN provides educational opportunities to more than 78,000 students.
