James McCoy Named VPAA


Dear CSN Family,

I am pleased to announce that James McCoy has accepted the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs after a national search. Mr. McCoy has been serving as interim VPAA since November 2020, and joined CSN in 2003

James is an award-winning scholar, community leader, and ambassador for our students. His higher education career spans more than 20 years, including Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success for the Nevada System of Higher Education, as well as several roles at CSN, including Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Vice President for Academic Success, Chair and Lead Faculty for the Department of Communication and as a tenured Communication Professor.  James was also an instructor at several community colleges in California, where he taught an array of communication courses. Prior to working in academia, he worked in radio broadcasting as a radio morning show host and radio station program director.  

He was the Co-Creator and Executive Producer of the acclaimed documentary No Greater Odds, serves as a national Fellow and Content Expert for Complete College America, and has served as the CCA state lead in Nevada. His latest work with CCA involves the development and implementation of the Momentum Year — this includes Guided Pathways strategies complete with purpose first, academic mapping, proactive advising, 15 to Finish, Meta Majors and co-requisite math and English in the first year. 

A highly sought-after national keynote speaker and presenter, James often talks about the important work that community colleges do in the United States. Additionally, James speaks and consults for corporations, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions throughout the country.   

James earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Master of Arts in Communication from California State University, Fresno. He will have an earned doctorate in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University prior to beginning his tenure as VPAA at CSN. A cancer survivor and cancer research activist, he actively serves on the Board of Trustees for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. James and his wife reside in Las Vegas, where they are raising their two children and serving their local community.        

Please join me in congratulating VPAA James McCoy!

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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