Central Wyoming College Announces Presidential Finalists

RIVERTON, Wyo. — Central Wyoming College will host a series of public community sessions in Riverton, Lander and Jackson as part of its search for the college’s next president.

Community members, CWC employees, partners and other interested stakeholders are invited to meet the presidential finalists, hear directly from the candidates, ask questions and provide feedback as the college moves through the presidential search process.

All community sessions are open to the public. Each finalist will participate in community sessions in Riverton, Lander and Jackson.

Kathy Wells – October 8

Kathy Wells is an accomplished higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience at Central Wyoming College. Since joining CWC in 2000, she has served as a faculty member, Nursing Program director, dean of Health and Science and, since 2016, vice president for academic affairs. In her current role, Wells provides institution-wide leadership in academic affairs, faculty development and curriculum development, with a focus on program quality and student success. She led the development and implementation of Wyoming’s first community college applied bachelor’s degree and has extensive accreditation experience. Wells began her career as a registered nurse and holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in educational leadership from American Sentinel University.

Riverton – Thursday, Oct. 8 | 8-9 a.m.
Health Science Center, Room 100
Central Wyoming College
2660 Peck Ave., Riverton, WY 82501
View Riverton community session

Lander – Thursday, Oct. 8 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
CWC Lander Center, Rooms 106/107
120 Enterprise Blvd., Lander, WY 82520
View Lander community session

Jackson – Thursday, Oct. 8 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Center for the Arts, Room 118
240 S. Glenwood St., Jackson, WY 83001
View Jackson community session

Chris A. Martin – October 13

Chris A. Martin is vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at Salt Lake Community College, where he provides leadership focused on financial stability, operational efficiency and access to affordable, high-quality educational opportunities. Before joining SLCC in 2022, Martin served in executive finance and leadership roles at colleges in Idaho, Texas and Kansas. Earlier in his career, he worked in commercial banking and finance, including as regional executive for Wachovia Bank in Houston. A first-generation college student, Martin holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Abilene Christian University and an MBA from Amberton University and is completing doctoral studies in higher education leadership at Idaho State University. He is an avid reader and hiker who enjoys the outdoors.

Riverton – Tuesday, Oct 13 | 8-9 a.m.
Health Science Center, Room 100
Central Wyoming College
2660 Peck Ave., Riverton, WY 82501
View Riverton community session

Lander – Tuesday, Oct 13 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
CWC Lander Center, Rooms 106/107
120 Enterprise Blvd., Lander, WY 82520
View Lander community session

Jackson – Tuesday, Oct 13 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Center for the Arts, Room 118
240 S. Glenwood St., Jackson, WY 83001
View Jackson community session

Kerry Lynn Levett – October 15

Kerry Lynn Levett is a community college executive with more than 25 years of experience spanning the classroom, student affairs and academic leadership. She served seven years as vice president for student learning and success and chief academic officer at Cascadia College, where she led instruction, student services and institutional effectiveness and helped reverse a five-year enrollment decline. Levett chaired Washington’s statewide Instruction Commission, co-chaired the Joint Transfer Council and led the redesign of the state’s transfer degree. She also served six years on the national board of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. Levett is founder and CEO of Ascend Higher Educational Partners, serving community and technical colleges in Washington, Oregon and Montana, and holds an Ed.D. from Arizona State University.

Riverton – Thursday, Oct. 15 | 8-9 a.m.
Health Science Center, Room 100
Central Wyoming College
2660 Peck Ave., Riverton, WY 82501
View Riverton community session

Lander – Thursday, Oct. 15 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
CWC Lander Center, Rooms 106/107
120 Enterprise Blvd., Lander, WY 82520
View Lander community session

Jackson – Thursday, Oct. 15 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Center for the Arts, Room 118
240 S. Glenwood St., Jackson, WY 83001
View Jackson community session

Lacy Karpilo – October 20

Lacy Karpilo is a higher education leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing student success, strengthening institutional effectiveness and expanding educational access, workforce development and community engagement. She is currently a faculty member in the Department of Leadership, Research and Foundations in the College of Education at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Karpilo previously served as vice president of student life at Colorado College and Eastern Oregon University and held executive leadership roles at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She has led divisions spanning student affairs, academic support services, enrollment, advising, retention and student success, with extensive experience working with rural communities and diverse student populations. Karpilo holds a Ph.D. in education and human resource studies, with an emphasis in higher education leadership, from Colorado State University, a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Denver and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Occidental College.

Riverton – Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 8-9 a.m.
Health Science Center, Room 100
Central Wyoming College
2660 Peck Ave., Riverton, WY 82501
View Riverton community session

Lander – Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
CWC Lander Center, Rooms 106/107
120 Enterprise Blvd., Lander, WY 82520
View Lander community session

Jackson – Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Center for the Arts, Room 118
240 S. Glenwood St., Jackson, WY 83001
View Jackson community session

The community sessions provide an opportunity for residents and college stakeholders throughout CWC’s service area to meet the finalists and share their perspectives about the future of Central Wyoming College.

CWC encourages community members, business and community leaders, alumni, partners and other interested stakeholders to participate in the presidential search process.

For complete information about the presidential search and finalist activities, visit the Central Wyoming College Presidential Search webpage: presidentialsearch.cwc.edu.