Jim New, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services
Truckee Meadows Community College has a new Vice President and chief financial officer who has extensive experience in leadership, finances, instruction, computer technology, community and business relationship growth, and workforce development.
“After a formal search and interview process, I am pleased to announce that Jim New has accepted the position of Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services effective immediately,” said TMCC President Karin Hilgersom, PhD “Jim has been serving as the Interim VPFA since July and we are proud to welcome him to this role on a permanent basis.”
New was selected after a national search by a committee of TMCC faculty, administrators and staff. Eligible candidates were narrowed to four finalists who participated in live interviews during late February and early March. Campus open forums were a part of the selection process. At the forums, each candidate gave a presentation and addressed questions from attendees.
The finalists included the following:
- Mazie Brewington
- Brenda Findley
- James Jones
- Jim New
New’s work shows demonstrated strengths in developing connections between TMCC’s students, programs and the region’s business community.
“The last decade has presented the College with some of its most daunting challenges related to the budget crisis, and some of its most exciting opportunities with the recovery and diversification of the local economy,” he said. “Strong fiscal policies and practices during this time mean TMCC is in a great position to be part of our community's growth and development. I've been so fortunate to be part of the College's evolution for the past 18 years, and look forward to our future.”
Many of TMCC’s faculty and staff members congratulated the new VP.
“Jim New is an exemplary model for all of us,” said Julia Hammett, PhD, Anthropology Professor and Discipline Coordinator. “He has earned this new position through hard work and determination. He came up through the ranks, he competed for every promotion, he has produced at every level on behalf of TMCC, and amazingly he is still smiling.”
Dan Bouweraerts, Chair of Visual and Performing Arts agrees.
“Jim New is one of the hardest working people I know,” he said. “But Jim also tempers his hard work with passion, a passion for education that makes Jim perfect for every position he has held at TMCC.”
Computer Science Instructor Alan Kass also credits New’s integrity.
“I look up to Jim as a model of sincerity and caring for all who he has contact with daily,” he said.
About Jim New
New began his higher education career as a computer technologies faculty member at the College of Eastern Utah in 1987. He completed a Master of Science in Business Information Systems from Utah State University at about that time.
Instructor New began working at TMCC in 1998 as a member of the Computer Technologies faculty. He updated the curriculum for business applications and developed the college’s first web development and database systems courses. He was elected to the department chair position in 2002.
New became the Associate Dean of the Applied Industrial Technologies Department in 2005, and was selected as Dean of the Technical Sciences Division in 2012.
As Dean, he obtained more than $17 million in government and corporate grants and private gifts to develop several new programs at the College. These programs include machining and advanced manufacturing, emergency management and homeland security, and unmanned aerial systems.
He also supervised operations of the William N. Pennington Applied Technologies Center, a TMCC site that houses classrooms, workshops and labs for the Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) Department, as well as a resource center, and offices providing student services. Dean New coordinated four major construction projects ranging from emergency repairs, to the $9 million, multi-phase complete renovation of the facility.
He was selected as Interim VPFA upon the departure of Rachel Solemsaas, EdD, who left to take the position as Chancellor of Hawai’i Community College.
Current Work and Service
In the office of VPFA, he manages the College’s $44 million operating budget and leads several key administrative services:
- Accounting Services
- Budget and Planning
- Facilities Operations and Capital Planning
- Information Technology
New is overseeing the current renovation of the Elizabeth Sturm Library, as it transitions to a learning commons model—a facility that brings together research, information literacy and tutoring resources.
He serves on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board of Directors, and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board (GWDB) Manufacturing and Logistics Industry Sector Council.
For more information about the VPFA Office, please call 775-673-7013.