Central Wyoming College (CWC) is opening its presidential search to the public with a series of town‑hall style meetings in the college’s three service communities. Residents of Jackson, Lander and Riverton are invited to attend, meet the four finalists, and provide direct feedback as the institution moves toward selecting its next president.
Public sessions schedule
All three meetings are free and open to anyone interested in the future of CWC. The Jackson session will be held on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in room 118 of the Center for the Arts. A second Jackson gathering is set for Thursday, Oct. 15, at the same time and location, and a final session in Jackson will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 20, also from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Separate sessions will be scheduled in Lander and Riverton; dates and locations are posted on the college’s presidential‑search website.
Finalist profiles
Kathy Wells – Oct. 8
Wells has spent more than two decades at CWC, beginning as a registered nurse and rising through roles that include faculty member, Nursing Program director, dean of Health and Science, and, since 2016, vice president for academic affairs. She oversaw the creation of Wyoming’s first community‑college applied bachelor’s degree and brings extensive accreditation experience. Wells holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in educational leadership from American Sentinel University.
Chris A. Martin – Oct. 13
Martin serves as vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at Salt Lake Community College. His background includes executive finance positions at colleges in Idaho, Texas and Kansas, as well as a stint as a regional executive for Wachovia Bank in Houston. A first‑generation college graduate, he earned a bachelor’s in accounting and finance from Abilene Christian University, an MBA from Amberton University, and is completing doctoral studies in higher‑education leadership at Idaho State University.
Kerry Lynn Levett – Oct. 15
Levett brings more than 25 years of community‑college experience, most recently as vice president for student learning and success and chief academic officer at Cascadia College, where she helped reverse a five‑year enrollment decline. She has chaired Washington’s statewide Instruction Commission, co‑chaired the Joint Transfer Council, and served on the national board of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. Levett is founder and CEO of Ascend Higher Educational Partners and holds an Ed.D. from Arizona State University.
Lacy Karpilo – Oct. 20
Karpilo is a faculty member in the Department of Leadership, Research and Foundations at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Her prior roles include vice president of student life at Colorado College and Eastern Oregon University, plus senior leadership positions at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She has overseen student‑affairs, enrollment, advising and retention initiatives, especially in rural and diverse settings. Karpilo earned a Ph.D. in education and human‑resource studies from Colorado State University, a master’s in counseling psychology from the University of Denver, and a bachelor’s in psychology from Occidental College.
Why community input matters
CWC’s board emphasizes that the president will shape academic programs, workforce‑development partnerships, and student‑success initiatives that affect the entire region. By inviting residents, business leaders, alumni and other stakeholders to the sessions, the college hopes to ensure the next leader reflects local values and priorities.
“Our community’s voice is essential as we choose a leader who will steward our college’s mission for the next decade,” said a board spokesperson. “These meetings give a transparent forum for ideas, concerns and encouragement.”
How to participate
Anyone interested can attend the public sessions, submit written comments via the college’s website, or contact the search committee directly. Full details, including the Lander and Riverton dates, are available on the Central Wyoming College Presidential Search webpage at presidentialsearch.cwc.edu.
The college encourages broad participation, noting that community feedback will be compiled and presented to the board before a final decision is made.
Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.
