National search to be conducted for Western Nevada College president

The committee charged with finding a new president for Western Nevada College decided on Tuesday to hire a national search firm to find the best candidates.

Chancellor Thom Reilly said the decision to bring in a search firm was based in part on the need to not only find but vet the candidates.

“We’re not just talking to employers,” he said following the meeting.

Reilly and Regents Vice Chairman Jason Geddes said they expect about 30 of the 45 search firms on their list to apply for the contract.

But Reilly said those firms will be narrowed to “those that have expertise in community colleges and rural settings.”

“That’s a much more limited pool,” he said.

Picking the right company is up to the chancellor and Reilly said he will bring the selection to the next meeting of the search committee Jan. 25.

The goal, he said, is for that firm to bring a field of finalists for regents to consider by summer.

“The goal still is to have someone in ideally by July if not by August,” he said.

Reilly said they expect top notch candidates.

“Western Nevada College is attractive because it’s run well as opposed to an institution that’s struggling and it’s financially stable,” he said. “We have a product that’s very easy to sell.”

The cost of a search firm hasn’t yet been determined but, at the committee’s September meeting, they were told it could range up to $100,000.