Lucey makes changes in administration at WNCC

Western Nevada Community College President Carol Lucey has again reshuffled her administration to even out staff across the college's three campuses that span 17,000-square-miles.

"Our goal is to provide our students at all locations with the best possible service and attention," Lucey said. "These steps are designed to help us achieve that goal."

The changes, the second in as many months, will provide for the first time an interim dean at the Douglas campus.

Math professor Mike Hardie will split his time between managing the Douglas campus and teaching at the Carson City campus.

College presidents are permitted to make interim appointments.

A permanent appointment requires approval from the University and Community College System Board of Regents.

Bus Scharmann, formerly the college's dean of off-campus programs, was appointed Dean of the Fallon campus.

Scharmann replaces Michelle Dondero, who has been a WNCC administrator for 25 years.

Dondero was appointed interim college president in December 1998, following the resignation of Jim Randolph.

In Lucey's first wave of change in early September, she appointed two vice presidents.

Dondero was appointed vice-president for academic and student affairs.

Dane Apalategui was promoted from dean of finance to vice president of financial and administrative services.

Both appointments were approved by the Regents at their September meeting.

The college will also offer extended hours in its six learning centers in Dayton, Hawthorne, Lovelock, Lake Tahoe, Virginia City and Yerington.

The latest change should come as no surprise.

While being interviewed for the job, Lucey met WNCC faculty and staff. She told them that the college's skeletal middle management made it difficult to work within the community, whether it's with local business or the Legislature.

"I believe that as president, I must spend time and energy in the community as well as on campus," Lucey said. "These new appointments will help ensure that students, faculty and staff have access to senior administrators when I am unavailable."