Carol Lucey abruptly steps down as Western Nevada College president
Western Nevada College President Carol Lucey, a staunch supporter of higher education in Carson City and Northern Nevada, abruptly resigned Wednesday four months ahead of when she had said she was going to leave.
In the letter below addressed to the Western Nevada College Advisory Board, Dr. Lucey, who has served 14 years as president of WNC, states that she had hoped the national search for her replacement would have commenced after she announced in July that she would be leaving.
"As I am sure you are aware, the presidential search process has not yet begun. For many reasons, I have decided to step down immediately," she said in the letter. "Chet Burton will become executive officer in charge until an acting president is appointed. The college, the local communities, and the regents will have the opportunity
to move forward in a deliberative manner with a national search."
An unconfirmed report notes that at the Elko Public Board of Regents meeting recently, Dr. Lucey was expected to present the college's strategic plan to the Regents but instead noted she didn't have a strategic plan due to severe budget cuts made to WNC. During this year's Nevada Legislature, funding to WNC was dramatically cut with more money instead being sent to southern Nevada community colleges.
In September, Dr. Lucey was criticized by the Board of Regents for not planning for the budget impact. She said then as reported in the Las Vegas Review-Journal that she was looking for additional funding from other counties for Western Nevada College.
“My strategic plan, frankly, is to say to the counties: Do you want a campus in Fallon? Do you want a campus in Douglas County? Carson City, do you want to preserve an institution that can provide full support to students in Carson City? We need your help,” Lucey said.
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