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Three northern Nevadans are vying for a seat to oversee the state’s public colleges on the Nevada Board of Regents. They seek to occupy the seat of District 11, an area that includes Washoe, Humboldt and Pershing counties.
The Reno Gazette Journal will update this story throughout the day as election results become available. Check back for updates.
What there is to know
This contest comes as longtime regent Jason Geddes comes to an end.
With three nominations, it is likely that two will advance to the general election unless one of the three receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary.
The 13-person elected board of trustees on public colleges in the state, including the University of Nevada, Reno, and Truckee Meadows Community College
After:Nevada Board of Regents District 11: Candidates on Chancellor’s Payment, Loan Forgiveness, and More
College professor Jeffrey Downs, college professor and former president of Truckee Meadows Community College John Gwaltney and Steve Laden, who retired from the financial services industry, are running for District 11.
Whoever is elected will be responsible for appointing a permanent replacement for Chancellor Melody Rose. This will be the third chancellor search for the Board of Regents since 2020.
Just days before the primary, the regents named Dale Erquiaga as interim chancellor until the end of 2023.
Erquiaga is the former state superintendent who oversaw K-12 education for two years in 2013. He was named executive director of the Guinn Center, a research think tank, last year.
Rose, who held Nevada’s top education job, resigned without much explanation from the board that hired the former Oregon University System chancellor and former Marylhurst University president. in June 2020. She left with a payment of $610,000 in April. after less than two years of work.
Learn more about the candidates:
Jeffrey Downs
Age: 51
Education: BA from California State University, San Bernardino; Masters from California State University Fullerton, Ph.D. from Liberty University.
Private life: Moved to Nevada in 2000. Married with three children.
Career and experiences: Professor at Community College, Acting Vice President of Student Success and Support Services at Western Nevada College, Guest Speaker at UNR, Chapter President of the Nevada Faculty Alliance.
Website: downs4district11.com
John Gwaltney
Age: 80
Education: BA from Oakland City University, MA from Ball State University; PhD from Southern Illinois University
Career and experiences: Currently teaching a class at TMCC, former full-time professor at a community college; spent 18 years as president of three community colleges, including TMCC; served eight years on the Nevada State Board of Education; served on the Reno/Sparks Chamber of Commerce
Private life: Moved to Nevada in 1986 to become president of TMCC, married
Website: Drgwaltney.com
Steve Laden
Age: 61
Education: Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Career and experiences: Currently retired, but has spent 32 years in the financial services industry, including as senior vice president and chief investment officer for Wells Fargo. Former board member and president of the Education Alliance of Washoe County, member of the State of Nevada Council to Establish Academic Standards,
Private life: Moved to Nevada 37 years ago. Married, one son, granddaughter
Website: SteveLadenforRegent.com
Siobhan McAndrew tells stories about the people of northern Nevada and covers education in Washoe County. Read his journalism here. Consider supporting his work by subscribing to the Reno Gazette Journal.