NSHE Board of Regents Appoints Matt McNair as Chancellor
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents appointed Matt McNair as the next Chancellor following a national search.
As Chancellor, Matt McNair will serve as the chief executive officer of NSHE, working closely with the Board and institutional presidents to support students, strengthen communities, and help guide the future of higher education across the state. NSHE includes two research universities, a state university, four community colleges, and one environmental research institute, serving more than 100,000 students each year.
“Mr. McNair brings the kind of experience and perspective we need to lead a system as diverse and far-reaching as NSHE,” said Amy J. Carvalho, Chair of the Board of Regents. “The Board was looking for someone who not only understands what’s at stake for Nevada students and families, but who can also build strong partnerships and deliver real results. We believe he is the right person to help shape the future of higher education in our state.”
Regent Susan Brager, Chair of the ad hoc Chancellor Search Committee, said the decision followed months of work and input from across the state. “The search process gave us the chance to listen to a wide range of voices, from campus leaders to community members,” Brager said. “Mr. McNair stood out not just for his leadership background but for the way he engaged with the issues that matter most to Nevadans, like access, accountability, and student success.”
The selection follows an extensive national search led by the Board’s ad hoc Chancellor Search Committee, with support from an executive search firm. Three finalists participated in public forums held in both northern and southern Nevada before being interviewed by an advisory group and the search committee. The process also included opportunities for feedback from students, faculty, staff, and other interested parties, leading to the committee’s final recommendation to the Board of Regents, which approved the appointment at a special meeting.
Mr. McNair will assume the role of Chancellor, succeeding Interim Chancellor Patricia Charlton, who has led the Nevada System of Higher Education since September 2023. The Board of Regents extends its sincere appreciation to Charlton for her leadership and steady guidance during this transitional period.
About Matt McNair
Matt McNair is a mission-driven leader with a broad background in higher education, law, public policy, and economic development. He has held senior leadership roles at major research universities, including Vice President for Economic and Corporate Engagement at Ohio State University and President of the Ohio State Innovation Foundation, where he led record growth in licensing revenue, startup creation, and corporate partnerships. McNair also directed campaigns at Ohio State and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln totaling more than $1 billion.
From 2018 to 2021, he served as President of the Oregon Health & Science University Foundation, overseeing a $1.1 billion endowment and completing a $2 billion campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, he served as interim CEO of the South Carolina Technical College System Foundation.
McNair is currently President of Cardinal Advisors and founder of TrustLab, a nonprofit focused on community-police reconciliation. He holds a J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law and a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Kansas. He is a Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree.
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Elizabeth Callahan at ecallahan@nshe.nevada.edu or 702-522-7021.
