Position Profile

Position Responsibilities:

The President reports to the Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), is accountable through the Chancellor to the Board of Regents and has six direct reports (vice presidents).  Managing a budget of $158 million, the President is responsible for providing leadership in the planning and implementation necessary for the successful operation of the College and to ensure that the College develops to its potential in accordance with its mission and vision; demonstrates a commitment to diversity; has hiring authority to appoint professional personnel as limited by the NSHE Higher Education Code and executes all associated employment contracts; reviews the quality of performance of all professional personnel at the College and takes appropriate action or recommends same to the Board of Regents; provides institutional policy leadership and advocates on behalf of faculty in support of accomplishment of teaching responsibilities and maintenance of academic standards; makes recommendations concerning budgets and administers approved budgets at the College in accordance with NSHE policies; authorizes the transmission of applications or requests for grants, contracts or gifts to individuals, foundations, corporations and the Federal government; is the principal spokesperson for the College and in concert with the Chancellor, represents the College before the Board of Regents, the Legislature and all other appropriate bodies; ensures compliance by the College of all applicable Codes, policies and bylaws both of the Board of Regents and of the institution; and performs additional duties as assigned by the Board.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent experience
• Executive leadership experience

Desired Qualifications:

• Commitment to diversity
• Earned doctorate from a regionally accredited institution
• At least 5 years executive leadership experience in higher education, preferably at a comprehensive, multi-campus community college
• Teaching experience
• Significant strategic planning and budget success
• Track record of success in fundraising and developing alternative revenue streams
• Demonstrated ability to forge and maintain successful partnerships and relationships with local and regional business and labor communities and other stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to advocate at local, state and national legislative levels
• A strong commitment to academic excellence, student success and learning, and success in achieving national recognition for programmatic and institutional excellence
• Successful experience managing growth, student enrollment, retention and completion, articulation agreements, vocational and technical education and developmental programming
• Effectiveness in supporting and/or creating and implementing best practices throughout the educational experience
• Understanding and appreciation of the role of technology in student centered learning environments
• Commitment to academic freedom and shared governance
• Strong commitment to forging partnerships with K-12 and higher educational institutions

About the College of Southern Nevada (CSN)

CSN is a comprehensive, multi-campus community college founded in 1971. The College is Nevada's largest institution of higher education and the 4th largest community college of its kind in the nation. CSN operates in over 50 locations including 3 main campuses and 11 learning centers in 4 counties covering 42,000 square miles. CSN educates nearly 40,000 students per semester in over 100 fields of study offering more than 200 degrees and certificates. The mission ensures the College serves the diverse needs of the residents of Southern Nevada by responding to the educational needs of the communities and businesses within its service area.  It is situated in the greater Las Vegas metropolitan area – one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and College enrollment is growing significantly, having more than doubled over the past ten years.

CSN is a growing and influential network that enables students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to advance personally, professionally and intellectually. Its vibrant network of people and programs creates lifelong benefits for all students.
CSN provides a grounded education based on real-world applications for real-life.  An academic curriculum, diverse programs and hands-on teaching delivery allow students to learn and apply practical solutions for their educational success and personal growth.

The College provides excellence in teaching within innovative, student centered education through active learning and appropriate technology. The faculty steps outside traditional approaches, consistently demonstrating an adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit while the facilities reflect the College’s commitment to the latest in technology.  CSN provides access for all to higher education, regardless of age, race, ethnicity or economic barriers. The College community is a welcoming one for a wide range of students, faculty and staff.

CSN takes a progressive approach to partnerships with business, industry and government to meet the needs of its changing economy, emerging workforce and new technologies. The College reaches out to businesses and industries in Southern Nevada for the betterment of its students and the community.  The College is an ever-expanding network of programs, students, faculty, staff and alumni. Through a deep commitment to university transfer preparation, occupational training, continuing education, developmental education and counseling and guidance, CSN strives to meet the community and business needs of the citizens in its service area.

The College of Southern Nevada’s mission is visible to all. The College focuses on the needs of the citizens of Southern Nevada by providing educational and support services to meet those needs in the areas of transfer preparation, general education, vocational education, basic skills development, adult education and community service. 

Challenges and Opportunities:

Academic Excellence

CSN is focused on student success.  It has a strong base of general education, career and technical education and transfer education, offering twenty-one AA degrees, eighty-six AAS degrees and seventy-two Certificates of Achievement.  It now offers a bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene and the potential to offer additional four-year degrees in high demand educational areas is on the horizon.  Online distance education is offered and opportunities exist to consider its strategic expansion.  The hospitality industry has a strong presence in the community and is a significant contributor to the local economy. Continued and new strategic partnerships with these businesses and other employers further provide greater programmatic opportunities for CSN.  The College will continue to focus on academic excellence and seeks to achieve national recognition for existing and new programs.  The College will continue its highly participatory, student focused educational experience that includes smaller class sizes and fosters a sense of personal attention.

Communication and Leadership

It is critical that the president of CSN be committed to the institution, bringing a leadership style that will foster trust and establish credibility within the campus community, to include faculty, staff and students.  Someone with an open and collaborative decision-making philosophy and communication style will be well received at CSN.  While shared governance is not legislated, it is embraced and practiced and the employee population, especially the dedicated faculty, will be eagerly anticipating a leader who appreciates intelligent input related to major decisions.  We seek a hard working, passionate and inspiring president who seeks consensus but can also make the hard decisions, advocates and supports the College mission and operational needs to external communities and inspires confidence in the administration of the institution.

Diversity

CSN embraces and supports diversity in all of its definitions and sees tremendous opportunity in continuing to identify, attract and retain these populations as students, staff, faculty and administrators.  As part of CSN’s commitment to diversity, with over 700 international students, opportunities for additional international programs are present.   It is important to continue to forge alliances and relationships with appropriate constituent groups to further identify and create opportunities to serve their specific and often unique educational needs.  Fifty-two percent of the College’s students are female, 74% attend part-time and 33% are aged 30 years or older.  The students closely reflect the racial and ethnic population of the region with 55% minority enrollment.  21% are Hispanic, 10% are African American, 1% is Native American and 11% are Asian/Pacific Islander.  Hispanic student growth is the fastest growing and reflects the 125% growth in the Clark County Hispanic population. 

Managing Growth

The College of Southern Nevada educates 40% of the state’s undergraduate population.  CSN is the fourth largest community college in the nation and has 3 geographically distant campuses with a 4th in the planning phase. Enrollment increases of approximately 7% present a tremendous opportunity for CSN and it will be key to manage this growth in financially and programmatically responsible ways.  Additional opportunities to expand current educational offerings to meet the needs of a changing community will be critical to the continued success of the College.