NSHE Board of Regents Appoints Dr. Amber Donnelli as President of Great Basin College
The Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) named Dr. Amber Donnelli President of Great Basin College (GBC). Dr. Donnelli began serving as interim president in July 2024 and will now continue leading the institution under a new contract approved by the Board.
“Dr. Donnelli has demonstrated the kind of steady, student-focused leadership that Great Basin College needs,” said Board of Regents Chair Byron Brooks. “She has earned the respect of students, faculty, staff, and community members, and the Board is confident she will continue to strengthen GBC’s role in serving Nevada’s rural communities.”
“Over the past year, Dr. Donnelli has proven herself as an outstanding leader for Great Basin College,” said NSHE Chancellor Matt McNair. “Her deep ties to the institution, commitment to student success, and ability to build meaningful connections across campuses and communities make her the right choice to guide GBC forward.”
Dr. Donnelli has served Great Basin College for more than 18 years in a variety of leadership roles, including Associate Vice President of Faculty Success and Dean of Health Science and Human Services. Since becoming interim president, she has overseen a 20 percent increase in student enrollment, strengthened engagement with rural campuses through regular visits, expanded partnerships and outreach to community leaders and industry, and led the creation of GBC’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan with input from faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
Dr. Donnelli began her higher education journey at Great Basin College, where she earned an Associate of Science in Nursing. From student to president, her path reflects the strength of Nevada’s higher education pipeline and her deep understanding of GBC’s role in rural communities. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education from the University of Phoenix, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A licensed Registered Nurse in Nevada and a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), she has brought together her nursing and education background to expand opportunities for students in rural Nevada.
The Board’s approval of Dr. Donnelli’s new employment agreement provides stable leadership for Great Basin College, which serves students in Elko, Ely, Pahrump, Winnemucca, and other rural communities.
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Elizabeth Callahan at ecallahan@nshe.nevada.edu or 702-522-7021.
