College President Visits Sidney Campus

Almost to the day two months ago, the Western Community College Area Board of Governors chose Dr. Carmen Simone as the sixth president of Western Nebraska Community College. On Friday, Jan. 17, she visited the Sidney campus, meeting with staff and students and visiting the aviation program.

"I am so grateful to be here," Simone said. "You can tell when you're at the right place."

Simone was the vice president and dean at the University of South Dakota Community College in Sioux Falls, S.D., when she was accepted as the next WNCC president. She was the peer review for the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the U.S. Prior to South Dakota, she served as president at Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, Colo.

Friday marked her 12th day on the job as WNCC president. The month and a half prior were committed to closing commitments in South Dakota and settling into Scottsbluff.

"I'm really getting a sense of the institution," she said.

WNCC is scheduled for accreditation in April. She said she is really proud of the work committed to ensure a positive review by the accreditation team.

She sees the WNCC college system as a rural comprehensive system, coving a huge area.

"I'm so impressed," she said. "I absolutely love what I see."

Her Sidney visit was also a time for her to meet returning students for lunch at the Sidney campus Back to School Barbecue.

"Everyone is so warm and welcoming," she said.

She is excited by the quality of staff she has met at the WNCC campuses. She says the staff shows a real passion for students and the community.

"It's about being an asset," she said.

Simone has 27 years of experience in higher education. She has a Ph.D in Chemistry from Colorado State University and a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of North Dakota.