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2026 Presidential Search

2026 Presidential Search

Presidental Position Profile

In February this year, Dr. Brad Tyndall announced he would be stepping down in January, 2027, from his tenure as President of Central Wyoming College. While leadership transitions can sometimes bring uncertainty, this early announcement has provided the Board of Trustees with the opportunity to conduct a thoughtful and deliberate search process. With time to assemble a search committee and engage the appropriate resources, the College is well-positioned to identify its next leader.

Dr. Tyndall has guided Central Wyoming College through both challenges and meaningful accomplishments. His leadership has supported the College’s continued commitment to student success, community engagement, and program development. This search represents an opportunity to build on that strong foundation and to select a president who will continue advancing Central Wyoming College as a vital educational and community resource for Wyoming.

Central Wyoming College Announces Next President

Central Wyoming College is pleased to announce that Chris A. Martin has been selected as the college’s next president, following a comprehensive national search. The CWC Board of Trustees voted unanimously on November 6, 2026, to authorize a contract with Martin, who is expected to assume the presidency on January 11, 2027.

Martin brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education leadership, strategic planning, financial stewardship, workforce development and community partnerships. He currently serves as vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at Salt Lake Community College in Utah.

The selection follows a collaborative search process that included input from CWC employees, students, community members and stakeholders throughout the college’s service area. Public forums in Riverton, Lander and Jackson provided opportunities to meet the finalists and share feedback.

Central Wyoming College extends its appreciation to the Presidential Screening Committee and everyone who participated in the search process. Their time, thoughtful input and engagement helped shape this important decision.

As CWC celebrates its 60th

anniversary, the college looks forward to welcoming Martin and continuing its commitment to student success, educational access, workforce development and the communities it serves.

Read the Full Announcement and Meet CWC’s Next President

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November 6, 2026

Central Wyoming College Names Chris A. Martin as Next President

The Central Wyoming College Board of Trustees has selected Chris A. Martin as the college’s next president following a comprehensive national search. During a special meeting on November 6, the board voted unanimously to authorize a contract with Martin, who is expected to assume the presidency on January 11, 2027.

Martin currently serves as vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at Salt Lake Community College in Utah. He brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education leadership, financial management, strategic planning, workforce development and community partnerships.

His selection follows a collaborative search process that included input from students, employees and community members, along with public forums in Riverton, Lander and Jackson.

Martin will succeed President Brad Tyndall, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Read the Full Announcement and Meet CWC’s Next President

October 6, 2026

Central Wyoming College has announced four finalists in the search for the college’s next president:
Kathy Wells — October 7-8
Chris A. Martin — October 12-13
Kerry Lynn Levett — October 14-15
Lacy Karpilo — October 19-20

Each finalist will participate in a two-day visit to Central Wyoming College that includes a formal interview with the CWC Board of Trustees and opportunities to meet with employees, students, community members and other stakeholders.

Public community sessions will be held in Riverton, Lander and Jackson during each finalist’s visit. Community members are encouraged to attend, meet the candidates, ask questions and provide feedback as part of the presidential search process.

Information about each finalist and complete community session schedules are available on the CWC events calendar.

September 15, 2026

The application period for the Central Wyoming College presidential search has closed, and the search is moving into the interview phase.

The Presidential Search Screening Committee reviewed applications and selected nine semifinalists for first-round interviews. Semifinalist interviews will be conducted virtually Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Following those interviews, the committee will identify finalists who will be invited to visit Central Wyoming College in October.

Finalist Interview Process

Finalists will participate in two-day visits to CWC. During their visits, candidates will formally interview with the CWC Board of Trustees and have opportunities to visit selected CWC locations and meet with college employees, students, community members and other partners.

Community members and students will also have opportunities to meet the finalists and provide input during scheduled sessions. Additional information about each finalist, along with specific session times and locations, will be shared as the finalist visits approach.

Finalist Visit Dates

October 7-8 – Finalist #1
October 12-13 – Finalist #2
October 14-15 – Finalist #3
October 19-20 – Finalist #4

Next Steps

Following the semifinalist interviews, CWC will announce the finalists and provide additional information about each candidate’s visit, including opportunities for employees, students and community members to participate in the process.

September 3, 2026
The Screening Committee has begun reviewing applications for the CWC Presidential search and expects to identify candidates for first-round interviews within the next couple of weeks.

February 20, 2026
At a special meeting today, the CWC Board of Trustees authorized a contract with the Pauly Group to “provide consultancy services to this Board on the search process for the position of President.”

Please direct any inquiries to:
Angela Provart, PhD., President
Pauly Group
Phone: 217-241-5400
Email: aprovart@paulygroup.com

February 18, 2026
CWC President Brad Tyndall announced that he will retire effective January 29, 2027. The CWC Board of Trustees accepted this notice at their meeting that evening.

Board Chair Paula Hunker said, “The board will immediately begin a yearlong, nationwide search for the college’s next president.”

Presidential Screening Committee – 9-29-2026
Last Name First Name Title Group Representing
Hunker Paula CWC Board Chair and Search Committee Chair CWC Board of Trustees
Dorothy Jackie Legends in the Making Hot Springs County
Evans Ben Professor English Liberal Arts and Social Science Division
Forbis Tammy Associate Professor of Business Business & Industry Division
Cline Cathy Student Representative Students
Kail Joanna CEO Wyoming PBS
Kershishnik Kevin IDEA Inc. Riverton (North Fremont County)
Larsen Lloyd Wyoming House of Representatives, District 54 (Lander area) Fremont County Legislature
Law Alma CWC Trustee CWC Board of Trustees
Monteiro Beth Executive Director CWC Foundation
Patterson Kate Professor of Mathematics STEM Division
Primrose Kathryn Director – Lander and ASI Outreach Staff
Schoening Nicole Counselor and Disabilities Coordinator and past CWC Board member Professional Staff
Shakespeare Leslie Chief Implementation Officer, Wind River Development Fund Wind River Indian Reservation
Taylor Erin Executive Director WACCT (Cheyenne) Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees
Thoren Bruce Executive Director Fremont County BOCES (K-12)
Underwood Carlton CWC Trustee CWC Board of Trustees
Wallage Krissy Student Records Specialist Classified Staff
Whitlock Jessie Instructor Equine Studies Ag Division
Provart Angela President, The Pauly Group Search Consultant – Not a member of the committee
Hartbank Paula CWC Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Trustees Committee Staff – Not a member of the committee
Nethercott Tara Counsel to Committee Committee Staff – Not a member of the committee
Wood John CWC Chief Information Officer Committee Staff – Not a member of the committee
Opportunities for all community members to meet and ask questions of the four finalists are scheduled on:
  • Thursday, Oct. 8
  • Tuesday, Oct. 13
  • Thursday, Oct. 15
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20
at the following places and times:

2026 Spring Semester: Dr. Angela Provart, President of Pauly Group, will host listening sessions with internal and external constituency groups to learn about CWC and the characteristics needed in the next President.

February – August:  Candidate recruitment by the Pauly Group.

August: Application Period Opens

September 14, 11:59 p.m.: Applications close

September 30-October 2: Presidential Screening Committee interviews semifinal candidates / Determines finalists

October 7-20: Final candidate in-person  interviews take place in Riverton, Wyoming

By Early November:  CWC Board of Trustees selects the successful candidate

January 2027: Selected candidate begins Presidency