Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Search
The Search has Concluded
The search for Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has concluded successfully. Congratulations to Matt McNair on his appointment as the next Chancellor for the Nevada System of Higher Education,
The selection and appointment of a Chancellor is one of the most important duties of the Board. It marks the beginning of a period of incredible opportunity, excitement, and advancement for the NSHE and our “Great 8” – College of Southern Nevada; Great Basin College; Truckee Meadows Community College; Western Nevada College; Nevada State University; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; University of Nevada, Reno; and Desert Research Institute.
The Search Committee selected Greenwood Asher & Associates to facilitate the national search for the next Chancellor.
NSHE’s Next Chancellor
Matt McNair, J.D.
Matt McNair is a dynamic, results-oriented leader with a distinguished career spanning law, government, higher education, fundraising, and economic and workforce development. Beginning his career in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps, he later served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of California and as a General Partner at a venture capital firm based in Santiago, Chile. He practiced corporate and securities law before serving as Chief Deputy Attorney General for the State of Nebraska.
Leadership Profile
The Search Committee, in collaboration with Greenwood Asher & Associates, have developed a Leadership Profile for the next Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Past Meetings
ad hoc Chancellor Search Committee Meeting
System Administration Office, SouthMedia
Meeting Documents
ad hoc Chancellor Search Committee Meeting
System Administration Office, SouthSearch Committee Members
Advisory Committee Members
- Dr. Kumud Acharya, President, Desert Research Institute
- Taylor Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada
- Ryan Cherry, Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor of the State of Nevada
- Valerie Conner, Chair, NSHE Council of Faculty Senate Chairs
- Dr. Brian Cram, Former Superintendent, Clark County School District
- Dr. Amber Donnelli, Interim President, Great Basin College
- Jhone M. Ebert, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Nevada Department of Education
- Helen Harriff, President, NSHE Classified Council Executive Board
- Dr. Karin M. Hilgersom, President, Truckee Meadows Community College
- Dr. William L. Kibler, Acting President, College of Southern Nevada
- Dr. Jane A. Nichols, Chancellor Emeritus, Nevada System of Higher Education
- Kevin Osorio Hernández, Chair, Nevada Student Alliance
- Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, President, Nevada State University
- Tony F. Sanchez III, Executive Vice President, NV Energy
- Brian Sandoval, President, University of Nevada, Reno
- Kelly Scherado, Interim Chief Human Resources
- Dr. Lawrence Weekly, Chair, NSHE Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Council
- Dr. Keith E. Whitfield, President, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Michael B. Wixom, Former Regent, Nevada System of Higher Education
Chancellor Leadership Profile
More information, including how to apply, can be found in the Chancellor Leadership Profile.
Finalist Candidates for NSHE Chancellor
TJ Bliss, Ph.D.
TJ Bliss, Ph.D., is a passionate, trustworthy, and effective professional with a proven record of intuitive and insightful higher education and public leadership. He fosters collaboration, fiscal responsibility, and inclusive problem solving by building deep relationships of trust to achieve outcomes, create positive culture, and lead people toward collective vision. Currently, Dr. Bliss is the Chief Academic Officer for the Idaho State Board of Education and a clinical assistant professor in Education Leadership at the University of Idaho.
Richard L. Ludwick, J.D., D.Ed.
Richard Ludwick, J.D., D.Ed., is a nationally recognized, innovative leader in higher education. He is known for bringing diverse interests and thoughts together with creativity and stability to build systems focused on student success, institutional elevation, and workforce development. His strategic contributions have strengthened systems, institutions, and national associations.
Add your voice to the process
We invite you to submit a question that may be asked of the candidates for chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
NSHE Chancellor Search Open Forums
Finalist candidates for the NSHE Chancellor have been selected. The candidates will participate in open forums over the course of two days in northern and southern Nevada. The Chancellor Search Open Forums will be streamed live with chat enabled. We hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity to add your voice to the chancellor search process.
The Bryan Group
The Nevada based consulting firm The Bryan Group will be partnering with NSHE during our Chancellor Search process.
More information about The Bryan Group’s unique search process can be found in their downloadable handout:
How to Apply
Greenwood Asher & Associates is assisting the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) with this search. Candidates should include with their curriculum vitae, a letter of application describing their relevant experiences and interest in the position.
We strongly encourage submitting application materials as PDF attachments. The search will be conducted with a commitment to confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected.
Please direct inquiries and nominations to:
Jim Johnsen, Vice President of Executive Search
jimjohnsen@greenwoodsearch.com
Julie Holley, Associate Vice President of Executive Search
julieholley@greenwoodsearch.com
ltza Walters, Senior Executive Search Consultant
itzawalters@greenwoodsearch.com