Regents make it official: Dalpe named WNC president

The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents voted Friday to appoint J. Kyle Dalpe as president of Western Nevada College during its meeting in Las Vegas.

In March 2022, regents decided to forgo a national search and appoint Dalpe as interim president, stating an interim appointment may be converted to a permanent appointment after one year.

Regents approved the recommendation 13-0. The agreement with Dalpe runs from March 10, 2023 through March 9, 2027.

“I am honored to have been selected as the president of Western Nevada College and appreciate the support of the board, the chancellor and the campus,” Dalpe said in a news release from WNC. “I am excited to work with the faculty and staff to support student access and success as we build programs to meet the needs of our communities. Western Nevada College is more viable and visible than ever, and I am excited to lead this institution going forward.”

Dalpe has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, with nearly 20 of those years at NSHE institutions. He joined WNC in 2019 as vice president of instruction, and also served as provost overseeing academics and finance at the college.

Prior to coming to WNC, Dalpe spent 16 years at Truckee Meadows Community College in various leadership positions, including acting president, director of institutional advancement, associate dean and chief of staff, and dean of the technical sciences division. He also served as the interim executive director of legislative affairs for NSHE for the 2019 legislative session.

Dalpe earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in photojournalism from the University of Connecticut; a Master of Arts degree in journalism, speech and political science from the University of Texas at Tyler; and a Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership from the University of Nevada, Reno.