Panel backs interim CSN chief for job

A Board of Regents committee Thursday unanimously recommended interim President Mike Richards to become the permanent president at the College of Southern Nevada.

But the panel warned a college advisory committee, which also unanimously endorsed Richards, to continue to support him. CSN has seen five presidents in as many years, and the previous president endured public criticism from faculty and staff throughout his tenure.

"This institution has been tough on presidents," Regent Steve Sisolak said. "We need the same enthusiasm moving forward from each and every one of you today."

Regent Mark Alden echoed his comments.

"You need to work and back this president," Alden said. "If you start eating him like crow, he'll be gone too."

The full Board of Regents will meet May 1 for a final vote to approve Richards.

Little debate occurred among the 26-member advisory committee, composed of faculty, staff and a student, as to who would next lead the college.

Richards, who was named to the interim post in August, was praised for his familiarity with the college, his concern for student issues and his ability to work with faculty.

The other two candidates, Presidents Berton Glandon of Arapahoe Community College in Colorado and Laurence Spraggs of Broome Community College in New York, seemed to face an uphill battle for getting the job.

"We know Dr. Richards, and he knows us," committee member and CSN alumni and scholarship coordinator Eric Garner. "We know him, and we can trust him."

Richards also received the endorsement of university system Chancellor Jim Rogers, who interviewed the three finalists Wednesday and said his decision came down to Glandon or Richards.

"He is a proven leader," Rogers said of Richards. "He is very thorough, very thoughtful very solid, and he's a good citizen."

Rogers added that Richards is "very responsive."

"If I ask him to do something, it's done, almost immediately, which I like," he said.

The college community seemed, above all, to want a president who would stay at the college for a long period of time.

The former president, Richard Carpenter, had served only for three years when he left last year.

Committee member Jenny DesVaux Oakes, who leads fundraising for the college's foundation, said the turnover in leadership has "been traumatic and demoralizing."

The candidates zeroed in on that concern during their interviews with the committee.

"You will have to bury me here because I will not leave," Glandon told the committee.

Spraggs said the job would be a "lifetime achievement" for him.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.