Bart Patterson, president of Nevada State College, recently addressed students and staff about the direction of the school. And that direction, he said, was up. He has overseen NSC’s growth since becoming interim president in 2011, and this year watched members of the largest class in school history receive their degrees.
What is the best business advice you’ve received?
Dwight Eisenhower said, “In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” What I have taken from that is to be strategic, but stay adaptable.
How have you succeeded in improving retention and graduation rates?
We attribute our success to a number of programs, such as the nationally recognized summer bridge and first-year cohort program, Nepantla, our new writing center, a remedial math course redesign that breaks math concepts into separately mastered modules, and embedding upper-division students as course assistants in challenging courses … to name a few.
Why should students consider going to Nevada State College?
Nevada State College provides a great value to receive a quality education with hands-on, doctoral-qualified faculty, top-rate equipment and facilities, small class sizes and a close-knit community.
What are some challenges your college has overcome?
In the past few years, the state lacked capital funding to build needed facilities at the college. Through a partnership with our students, the college has been able to self-finance and complete two new buildings totaling 132,000 square feet and quadrupling the size of the campus with much-needed facilities. These include a student center, food services, an auditorium and a ballroom. These additions allow us to invite the community into the college for the first time.
How has the college grown over the years?
The college has been one of the fastest-growing institutions in the nation and the fastest-growing in Nevada. In addition to physical facilities, it has steadily grown the number and quality of our academic programs and developed crucial new partnerships with businesses, community colleges (including the College of Southern Nevada), the Desert Research Institute and universities. Our first fundraising campaign exceeded our goal in raising gifts and pledges of almost $17 million.
If you could change one thing about Southern Nevada, what would it be?
I want to be part of building a culture that is more positively oriented to the importance of education in diversifying and growing our economy.
What’s the biggest issue facing Southern Nevada?
Diversifying the economy to create a more stable economic base and to improve our education systems to facilitate that diversification.
What has been your most exciting professional project?
Seeing the transformation of the campus is exhilarating, but the most rewarding part of this job is really seeing the impact of student-focused programs on the lives of our students.
What are you reading?
I read a combination of nonfiction adventure books and leadership books. I am finishing a book by Mark Adams titled, “Turn Right at Machu Picchu,” in anticipation of my upcoming trek on the Inca trail with my son. I also started “Step Up: Lead in Six Moments that Matter,” by Henry Evans and Colm Foster.
What do you do after work?
I love the outdoors and I hike regularly with the 52 Peak Club. I am close to finishing the 52 peaks, which will be a proud moment.
Describe your management style.
My management style is to help set a vision and to facilitate the vision of others. I have learned to include accountability measures without micromanaging my leadership team. I want the college to be known as an innovator in higher education.
Where do you see yourself and the college in 10 years?
The future of Nevada State College is truly incredible. I expect the college to expand at an exponential rate as we become better known for the quality of our educational programs and a school of first choice for many students. We will add a number of new degree programs, focusing initially on expanding our teacher-preparation degrees. Other new programs include international students, child care, and expansion of extracurricular activities including sports and the arts.
For myself, I have always planned a time horizon of committing about 10 years as president. I am about halfway toward that commitment. While I love the college, at some point new leadership will help invigorate the college to achieve even more.
If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?
I love traveling the world, but I have fallen in love with the Southwest. The Las Vegas Valley is my home, although a second place in a snowy location like Park City, Utah, or Telluride, Colo., would take me back to my mountain roots.
Whom do you admire?
I admire my parents for different reasons — my father for being hard-working, witty and ambitious; my mom for being so generous, loving and kind. I try to emulate those traits.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
A person that fails to own up to his or her own responsibility for an issue.
Where do you like to go for business lunches?
I like to go to restaurants in The District at Green Valley Ranch or invite people to the Mount Scorpion Café on campus, which is named for our mascot.
What is something that people might not know about you?
I was named after a character in the Western television series “Maverick.” My brother, Brett, is named after the other costar.