Karin Hilgersom, Ph.D.
The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents voted on Monday, May 2 to select Karin Hilgersom, Ph.D. as the next president of Truckee Meadows Community College. She will begin her tenure leading the College on Wednesday, June 15.
Hilgersom most recently served as the president of Sullivan County Community College, SUNY Sullivan, in Loch Sheldrake, New York. Prior to joining SUNY, she served as the executive vice president for Walla Walla Community College and for Central Oregon Community College.
"I am humbled and overjoyed to be selected to serve as the next president of TMCC," Dr. Hilgersom said. "TMCC is an extraordinary college and I am inspired by the wonderful students, staff, and faculty who shared their enthusiasm with me this past week for the important work occurring every day at the college. The community support for TMCC is heartfelt, and I am delighted to work within the Nevada System of Higher Education, one of the best systems in the country. I will do my utmost best to lead the college forward. Doing so is both a privilege and an honor."
Dr. Hilgersom earned her doctorate in Educational Policy and Management, and her masters in Rhetoric and Communication at the University of Oregon. She began her community college career as a faculty member in 1986, which included full-time faculty and chair experience at Spokane Community College in the Communication Studies department. Dr. Hilgersom also served as Dean of Arts and Sciences.
The comprehensive mission of community colleges has been her lifelong passion, she said. Dr. Hilgersom has taught thousands of students in numerous professional technical, health career programs, and transfer majors. Her management experience has ranged from supervision of academic programs and executive teams to leading tutoring centers and small business development centers. She has also supervised libraries, distance learning programs, and a campus Information Technology (IT) department.
“Community colleges are economic engines,” Dr. Hilgersom said. “I believe that workforce education is vital to the health of communities and regions.”
She added that it is also vital to support the work of faculty and staff to maintain excellence and enrichment of arts and science programs.
NSHE chose Hilgersom after a nationwide search
"We had four outstanding candidates to choose from and our choice was not easy," said Regent Kevin Melcher who chaired the TMCC President Search Committee. "In the end, however, we felt that Dr. Hilgersom's leadership experience and in-depth knowledge of community college issues were an outstanding match to build on the college's existing successes."
The four finalists, chosen from a national search were Hilgersom; Barbara Buchanan, PhD; Julie Leidig, PhD; and Muddassir Siddiqi, Ed.D.
The TMCC President Search Committee was chaired by Regent Kevin C. Melcher and includes regents Cedric Crear; Jason Geddes, PhD; Sam Lieberman; and Allison Stephens.
Advisory members to the committee include: John Adlish, PhD; Michonne Ascuaga; Jill Atkinson; Teresa Benitez-Thompson; Elena Bubnova; Cheryl Cardoza; Mike Holmes; Collie Hutter; Estela Levario Gutierrez; Michelle Montoya; Jim New; Robyn Powers; Melanie Purdy, PhD; Rod Sanford; Gerald C. Smith; Andrew Stevenson; Gracee Tout; and David Turner II.
"We are thrilled to have Dr. Hilgersom join NSHE as the next president of Truckee Meadows Community College," said Rick Trachok, chairman of the Board of Regents. "After the exhaustive search conducted by the regents' committee and the advisory committee, I am convinced that Dr. Hilgersom has the necessary vision, skill, and energy to lead TMCC."