Margo Martin recommended to lead CSN as acting president

She joined the College of Southern Nevada only six months ago, but Margo Martin is being recommended to lead the school beginning early next year.

Thom Reilly, chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education, is recommending Martin, who has been vice president for Academic Affairs at CSN since June, to replace longtime CSN President Michael Richards. Reilly’s recommendation comes after several of Martin’s new colleagues suggested her to be acting president.

“Apparently, in the short time I’ve been here, I’ve instilled some level of confidence in folks,” Martin said. “I think this is a tremendous opportunity. I am very enthusiastic that in a short period of time, there’s been a positive response to my leadership.”

Reilly said he feels confident in Martin because of her extensive experience and background in academic affairs, assessment, accreditation and working with a multi-campus environment during her 27-year tenure at Florida State College in Jacksonville, Florida.

Reilly said her experience will be important to CSN as the school prepares to submit an accreditation report in April, and as it moves forward with its vision for a multicampus district model.

Martin agreed.

“There are a number of initiatives in the pipeline at the college — things that can’t wait for a president to be selected and for an onboarding process,” she said. “The fact that this college community has confidence that I can shepherd things that are already in the works is a wonderful feeling.”

Richards, who has been president of the college for nearly a decade, announced his retirement Aug. 30. He joined CSN in July 2005 as vice president for academic affairs, was named interim president in 2007 and became the college’s permanent leader in May 2008.

He plans to retire Jan. 31.

Reilly said he heard overwhelming support from CSN faculty and staff for the college to embark on a national search for a new president. Appointing an acting president ensures that possibility, as Martin will not be able to apply for the position permanently.

“The overall desire is to cast a wide net to make sure we consider all individuals,” Reilly said. “I want to see us actively seek out those who are high achievers and high performers.”

Diversity of candidates is also key, he said.

“We’ll be actively going after … a pool of candidates that reflect the diversity of our student population,” he said, adding that he would ideally like to see three candidates brought before the board.

The board will likely vote on Reilly’s recommendation at its Nov. 30-Dec. 1 meetings. Reilly also would like to see the board form a search committee and begin the national search before NSHE’s winter break.

Contact Natalie Bruzda at nbruzda@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3897. Follow @NatalieBruzda on Twitter.

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