BC3 president to retire at 2024’s end
The president of Butler County Community College announced plans to retire at the end of 2024 on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Nick Neupauer, 56, BC3’s chief executive officer for 17 years, wrote in an email sent Tuesday, Jan. 9 to BC3 employees that he will retire Dec. 31.
The college’s board of trustees is aware of his decision, is “working on a smooth transition plan” and will make further announcements regarding the position of president, Neupauer wrote.
BC3’s board appointed Neupauer as the college’s eighth president in 2007.
“It has been the absolute honor of a lifetime,” Neupauer said, “because of the relationships, the impact on the communities we serve and being a part of a great team.”
College or university presidents served on average 5.9 years at their institution as of 2022, according to a 2023 American Council on Education study published by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Neupauer’s presidency is almost triple the national average. It is also longer than that of any current chief executive officer among Pennsylvania’s community colleges, its public four-year universities and its state-related institutions.
He became BC3’s longest-serving chief executive officer in 2021.
“I’ve had retired presidents tell me, ‘You will just know when,’” Neupauer said of his departure. “And after the completion of BC3 @ Armstrong and the Victor K. Phillips building, that internal voice became louder and louder, telling me, ‘Now’s the time.’”
Among BC3’s accomplishments during his presidency are the opening in 2023 of the relocated BC3 at Armstrong in Ford City and of the Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building on the college’s main campus in Butler Township, Neupauer said. Other achievements include increased financial gifts and top statewide rankings, he said.
BC3 at Armstrong in Ford City joined new facilities or additional locations BC3 established under Neupauer to serve Pennsylvania counties underrepresented by higher education.
The college opened BC3 at Lawrence Crossing in Lawrence County in 2008, BC3 at Brockway in Jefferson County in 2013 and BC3 at Armstrong in Manor Township, Armstrong County, in 2015. The college expanded BC3 at LindenPointe in Mercer County in 2011.
“There are only 15 community colleges in Pennsylvania,” Neupauer said. “While we are proud to be Butler County’s community college, we also have a responsibility in the commonwealth to go into underserved areas. We have such great quality. Why should imaginary county lines limit what we have to offer?”
Assets in the BC3 Education Foundation have increased 144% to $21.7 million since Neupauer’s appointment in 2007. The foundation has received one $3 million gift and six $1 million contributions since 2014.
BC3’s ranking as the No. 1 community college in Pennsylvania nine times joins new facilities or additional locations, and increased fundraising as among the highlights of his presidency, Neupauer said. BestColleges.com in 2023 considered factors such as academics in its selection of BC3, as did other organizations since 2015.
“It is a comprehensive analysis of different parts of our college,” Neupauer said. “That continued success is about everybody, from our board to our students. It’s excellence in academics. That is what makes those recognitions so special to me.”
According to Neupauer, his work through Dec. 31 will be to ensure BC3 continues to meet its mission. He will also focus on the college’s 2022-2027 strategic plan, with an emphasis on optimizing the use of financial resources and improving infrastructure and operations; and continue to prepare for reaccreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Neupauer said.
Neupauer has been a leader at BC3 since his hiring in 1999 as dean of humanities and social science. He served as vice president for academic affairs from 2004 until his appointment as president.
He graduated in 1985 from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, a master’s degree from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate from West Virginia University.
Bill Foley is coordinator of news and media content at Butler County Community College.
