Nichols new interim chief

Valerie Miller

Wednesday, May 10, 2000 | 10:21 a.m.

Jane Nichols received a unanimous vote Tuesday to become interim chancellor of the state's universities and colleges -- the first woman to hold the state's highest academic job.

Nichols, who has been vice chancellor of academic affairs and student services since 1997, replaces current interim chancellor Tom Anderes, who is leaving for a job at the University of Oregon at the end of June.

Anderes became interim chancellor in September after the departure of Chancellor Richard Jarvis. He voiced his support of Nichols.

"She's very, very good, and I support her absolutely," Anderes said.

Anderes wasn't the only one to sing Nichols' praises after the Board of Regents approved her appointment.

"She is an excellent choice," said Truckee Meadows Community College President John Richardson, who served as interim chancellor for a year from 1993 to 1994. Regent Mark Alden had asked if Richardson would be interested in the interim post again, but Richardson declined.

"I think it is a tough job for anybody," Richardson said. "We have a funding study going on in the Legislature, and we are embarking on the mission of establishing another institution (the proposed Nevada State College at Henderson), but she'll be up to the task."

Nichols was associate dean of the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Reno, from 1995 to 1997, and before that an associate professor in the department of social work and coordinator of core curriculum and university assessment at UNR.

Nichols said some of her top priorities as interim chancellor will be to "establish a clear dialogue with the governor and the Legislature," while working on the university budget to go to the 2001 Legislature.

"I hope that you don't expect me to be a caretaker," she told the regents after accepting the appointment. "I will do everything I can to prepare for the next chancellor and the next legislative session. There is a lot of work to be done."

Nichols said she has not yet decided whether to seek the permanent post of chancellor.

Valerie Miller is a reporter for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-2319 or by e-mail at valerie@lasvegassun.com