Board of Governors to choose between three candidates

WNCC college president decision expected April 19

SIDNEY -- The Western Community College Area Board of Governors will soon decide between three candidates who will be the next WNCC president.

The third of the three candidates to meet with the public, Dr. Samuel "Todd" Brand, met with Sidney campus staff and community via Livestream this afternoon. The visit was conducted by Livestream due to the weather.

In the Livestream interview this afternoon, he said relates to a community facing multiple changes in a short amount of time.

"Right before the pandemic happened, we had two major employers close," he said. 

He said adapting to the needs of the community, including focusing on entrepreneurship, is key to moving forward. 

"All of the pieces are in place. That is a testimony to you folks," Brand said.

He said his leadership style is coaching; the president is not to teach the students, but to coach others to be better teachers. He also said he supports community and satellite programs, doing all for the region the college can afford.

Brand is chief academic officer at Ashland Community & Technical College; Greg Dart, chief campus administrator at Utah State University Eastern; and Dr. George McNulty, president at Gogebic Community College. 

Brand also  holds a Ph.D. from Mississippi State University, a Master of Science in Communications, and a Bachelor of Science from Mississippi College.

The three finalists also include Greg Dart and Dr. George McNulty.

Dart has been the chief campus administrator at Utah State University Eastern in Price, Utah since 2018, served as vice chancellor of student affairs and enrollment management from 2014-2018, and the director of enrollment services from 2012-2013. 

He is completing his doctorate of education at Northeastern University, and has a Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Utah State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Communications from the University of Alaska-Anchorage, and an Associate of Science from Snow College.

Dr. McNulty has been the president of Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Michigan since 2019. He previously served as the vice president of student affairs at Colby Community College in Kansas. He also served in the U.S. Army, active duty from 1988-1991 and inactive duty from 1991-1996.

McNulty holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Educational Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno, a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from California State University, Chico, and two associate's degrees from Feather River College.

The WCCA Board of Governors voted to approve the finalists at the March Board of Governors meeting. The Board of Governors is expecting to announce its decision of the next president following a special meeting next week.