Nick Neupauer

SLIPPERY ROCK — Butler County Community College’s president spoke at Slippery Rock University Friday in hopes of filling the same position at that school.

Nick Neupauer said at a public forum his experience at BC3 would benefit him if he is hired at SRU.

“I have experience as a president of a public, Pennsylvania institution of higher education,” he said. “I am absolutely ready for this challenge.”

Neupauer has been the president at BC3 since 2007. Before that, he was the vice president for academic affairs from 2004 to 2007 and the dean of humanities and social sciences from 1999 to 2004.

He hopes to replace retired SRU President Robert Smith.

If selected, Neupauer said his top challenges and priorities would be the budget, learning as much about SRU as possible, continuing with increased academic standards, looking for opportunities in the arts and athletics, and looking at ways to use the SRU Foundation.

During his time at BC3, Neupauer said he looked at ways to reduce spending and bring in different sources of revenue.

He also spends time in Harrisburg talking to legislators about the importance of funding higher education.

“I bring those experiences,” Neupauer said.

He said that working with the SRU Foundation also would help bring in new sources of revenue.

“I see tremendous opportunities in working with the foundation,” Neupauer said.

Neupauer said living in the SRU president’s house would provide him a unique opportunity to immerse himself in the campus. He said he might volunteer to teach a course or two, as he has taught his entire career in academia.

“I’ve remained in the classroom throughout my stay,” Neupauer said.

He said that athletics have an important position at SRU, and are a good way to reach out to alumni. At BC3, athletics were part of the college’s strategic plan.

Neupauer said diversity also is important. At BC3, he has been aggressive in bringing in underrepresented students and retaining them. SRU has similar diversity goals, and he said he plans to continue that.

As BC3 president, Neupauer has been close with Smith. He said they are similar, but he will take his own path.

“I’m not Bob Smith, and I will not attempt to walk in those shoes,” Neupauer said.

Neupauer is past chair of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce and a member of the board of directors for the Community Development Corporation of Butler County and the Community Health Clinic of Butler County.

He is vice president of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges and is a member of the Butler Rotary Club.

Three other presidential candidates already have visited campus, and two more will visit soon.

The six finalists will be narrowed to three by the SRU search committee, which is made up of 15 people in the SRU community. Those three will be interviewed by the State System of Higher Education board of governors, who will make the final decision.