BC3 president leads state education group
BUTLER TWP — Being a leader comes naturally to Butler County Community College President Nick Neupauer, and now he’s become president of an additional organization.
As of July 1, he began a two-year term as president of the Pennsylvania Commission of Community Colleges, where he’s been the vice president for the previous two years.
The group lobbies the Legislature in Harrisburg, focusing on issues that affect the 14 community colleges across Pennsylvania, such as funding, and access to education in rural areas. Deferred maintenance also is an issue for some of the colleges.
Of his new role, Neupauer said, “It’s an honor to serve.”
Diane Bosak, executive director of the commission, said the commission board chose Neupauer in April to serve.
“Our members are the 14 colleges, primarily the presidents, trustees, and key staff positions,” she said in a statement. “Various meetings occur throughout the year of the board, Council of Presidents, committees, work groups, staff groups.”
Having already been involved with the organization for about seven years, Neupauer has learned his involvement with the commission goes hand-in-hand with progress made at BC3.
For instance, funding the 14,000-square-foot building at the new BC3 @ Brockway facility which will open for the fall semester wouldn’t have been possible without spending time at the state capitol.
The Brockway building was funded by a $500,000 grant from the state Department of Education.
Without talking with legislators as Neupauer and the commission did, there would not have been sufficient funds to build a facility.
“The time I spend in Harrisburg is time well spent,” he said.
He previously had made trips to Harrisburg four or five times a semester. He’s anticipating going there a little more often than before as commission president.
While lobbying is a large part of the job, which includes testifying at legislative hearings, meeting one-on-one with legislative officials, and writing letters, another part is looking at the strengths and improvements needed at each community college.
He said he’s gained a statewide perspective from the commission. He’s able to see what other schools are trying to do and to see whether those plans are effective.
Since he’s been involved with the commission, he’s visited all 14 community college campuses.
“You learn from those different institutions on what’s worked and what hasn’t worked,” he said.
And once a year, community college groups gather from all over the country to go to Washington, D.C., to speak with congressional leaders.
Neupauer has been president at BC3 since 2007. He earned his PhD from West Virginia University, his Master’s degree from Clarion University and his undergraduate degree from Penn State University.
He’s been married to his wife Tammy for 19 years, and they have two daughters, Paige, 18, and Meredith, 15.
