NSHE Interim Chancellor Patricia Charlton Appointed to Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education 

Nevada System of Higher Education’s (NSHE) Interim Chancellor, Patricia Charlton, has been named a commissioner to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Her selection as a commissioner reinforces Nevada’s leadership and engagement in shaping the future of higher education across the Western United States and beyond.  

WICHE is a regional interstate compact that supports the education and workforce development needs of 15 Western states and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States. Commissioners are appointed by each state’s governor and play a vital role in guiding the organization’s direction and upholding the goals of the Western Regional Educational Compact. 

Charlton will represent Nevada on the WICHE Commission alongside fellow Nevada commissioners Catherine Dinauer, executive director of the Nevada State Board of Nursing, and Fred Lokken, professor at Truckee Meadows Community College. 

“This appointment carries deep meaning for me, both personally and professionally,” said Charlton. “As someone who has benefited from the Nevada System of Higher Education and dedicated my career to advancing higher education here, I look forward to working alongside my fellow commissioners to expand educational access and excellence for all residents of the West.” 

Charlton brings close to 30 years of experience in Nevada’s higher education system. Before being named interim chancellor in 2023, she served as NSHE’s acting vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. Her career includes a distinguished tenure at the College of Southern Nevada, where she held several executive leadership roles and helped shape key student success initiatives before retiring in 2022. Charlton holds degrees from the College of Southern Nevada and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  

WICHE President Demarée Michelau welcomed Charlton’s appointment, saying: 

“Commissioner Patty Charlton brings a wealth of insight from her more than 28 years in higher education. Her experience will be an asset to the Commission as we continue expanding educational access and promoting public policies that support the students, institutions, and workforce needs of our region.” 

WICHE’s work supports a wide range of initiatives, from reducing college costs and increasing student mobility to supporting state policy and improving workforce alignment, all designed to help Western states thrive in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. 

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Elizabeth Callahan at ecallahan@nshe.nevada.edu or 702-522-7021.