Dr. Federico Zaragoza Named President of CSN
The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents unanimously selected Dr. Federico Zaragoza as the 9th president of the College of Southern Nevada effective August 15.
“Dr. Zaragoza is coming to the College of Southern Nevada at an exciting time. He brings a wealth of experience and diverse background that will connect well with the students and faculty of Nevada’s largest institution of higher learning,” said NSHE Chancellor Thom Reilly. “I was so impressed with past experience in improving student graduation rates and I am confident that he will have the same success at CSN.”
Regent Allison Stephens, Chair of the CSN Presidential Search Committee, noted how Zaragoza’s diverse background in education will fit nicely at Nevada’s largest institution of higher education.
“Dr. Zaragoza is a dreamer like so many students at CSN. He also understands what is needed to grow student success,” Stephens said. “Having worked in a diverse campus similar to CSN, I believe he has the experience, determination and spirit needed to guide the students and faculty of CSN into the future.”
Stephens added, “We had three wonderful candidates to choose from to be CSN’s newest president. I want to thank everyone who participated in the process.”
Zaragoza said he was honored by the appointment.
“CSN is positioned to really be an institution of greatness and prestige,” Zaragoza said. “I feel privileged and honored to be given this opportunity. I want this community college to be the best in the country.”
Zaragoza has been the Vice Chancellor for Economic and Workforce Development at the Alamo Colleges since 2004. He works collaboratively with the five Alamo colleges to align associate degree workforce education programs to target occupations and industry demand.
Zaragoza is a distinguished lecturer in workforce, technical and industrial education, and has lectured throughout the United States and in Germany, India, Spain, Brazil, Columbia, Peru, Canada, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico.
Prior to his appointment as Vice Chancellor, Dr. Zaragoza served as Vice President of Administration for St. Philip’s College-Southwest Campus. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology, a master’s degree in vocational education, an educational specialist degree in industrial and technical education from the University of Wisconsin–Stout, and a Ph.D. in urban education and administrative leadership from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
He and his wife Laura are the proud parents of two children and two grandchildren.
About CSN
Founded in 1971, the College of Southern Nevada is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution with about 34,000 students. CSN specializes in two-year degrees and workforce development that lead directly to high demand careers or transfer to a university. It also offers five bachelor’s degrees in specialized fields and is the state’s largest provider of adult basic education and literacy training. CSN is a Minority Serving institution and Nevada’s first Hispanic Serving Institution.
