Butler – The president of Butler County Community College for nearly a third of its existence today announced plans for his departure from the 59-year-old institution of higher education.
Lincoln High School graduate Dr. Nick Neupauer, 56, and BC3’s Chief Executive Officer for 17 years, wrote in an email sent today to BC3 employees that he will retire December. 31st.
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.”
“You will just know when”
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 @ 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 @ Armstrong in Ford City joined new facilities or additional locations BC3 established under Neupauer to serve Pennsylvania counties underrepresented by higher education.
“People believe in BC3”
Dr. Nick Neupauer, the longest-serving chief executive officer in BC3 history, will retire Dec. 31.
The college opened BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing in Lawrence County in 2008, BC3 @ Brockway in Jefferson County in 2013 and BC3 @ Armstrong in Manor Township, Armstrong County, in 2015. The college expanded BC3 @ 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 percent 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.
“People believe in BC3 because of who we are,” Neupauer said. “We have an absolutely great faculty and staff. People love the college. They love our students. They believe in our mission and vision, and want to be partners with us.”
“Excellence in academics”
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.”
His work through Dec. 31 will be to ensure BC3 continues to meet its mission of “delivering quality education that is affordable, accessible and enriches the community,” Neupauer said.
The college will also continue to focus on its 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.
Neupauer 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.
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