Patricia Charlton, Interim Chancellor, Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, Appointed to the WICHE Commission

BOULDER, Colorado — Patricia “Patty” Charlton, who serves as interim chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, has been appointed as a commissioner to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE is a regional interstate compact serving the higher education and workforce needs of 15 Western states and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States.

Charlton will represent Nevada on the WICHE Commission alongside Catherine (Cathy) Dinauer, executive director of the Nevada State Board of Nursing, and Fred Lokken, professor at Truckee Meadows Community College.

WICHE’s 48 commissioners are appointed by the state’s governors or, in the case of the freely associated states, the leader of those three sovereign nations. The Commission guides WICHE’s direction and assures that the Western Regional Educational Compact is carried out for the benefit of the West since its establishment in 1953.

“This appointment carries deep meaning for me, both personally and professionally,” said Charlton. “As someone who has benefitted from the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and dedicated my career to advancing higher education here, I look forward to working alongside my fellow commissioners to expand educational access and excellence for all residents of the West.”

Before becoming interim chancellor of NSHE, Charlton was the acting vice chancellor for academic and student affairs and built a longstanding career at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) spanning many key leadership roles. She retired from CSN in 2022.

“Commissioner Patty Charlton brings a wealth of insight from her more than 28 years in higher education,” said WICHE President Demarée Michelau. “Her experience will be an asset to the Commission as we continue expanding educational access and promoting public policies that support the students, institutions, and workforce needs of our region.”

Charlton holds degrees from the College of Southern Nevada and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is actively involved in community service and has served on boards and committees for The United Way of Southern Nevada and Clark County School District.