By: James Miller

James Miller

Chinook Writer

Casper College recently selected Dr. Kevin Hartshorn as the new Vice President of Academic Affairs after conducting an extensive search.  

The process started in November of 2025 followed by a thorough vetting process that included students, faculty, and staff. The search recently concluded in March with Hartshorn’s selection. According to a press release from Casper College, Hartshorn earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. 

The VPAA is important to Casper College because the role plays a large part in all decisions surrounding academics. The vice president answers to the president and works alongside the other two vice presidents. Additionally, the VPAA oversees all academic departments and programs, as well as the academic funding at Casper College. Such significant responsibilities prompted the president and search committee performed a meticulous search to find a new vice president. 

Casper College needed to find a new person to become the next VPAA as current VPAA Pete Van Houten is interim. The college outsourced the candidate search to the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). Sandy Caldwell, the search consultant for ACCT, made a profile for all potential candidates using feedback from the president and the management council at the college. The president assembled a search team, which contained included a diverse mix of faculty, staff, and a student representative.

The extensive job requirements were written based on the information from previous listening sessions with the president and other faculty members. The search committee gathered input on what the institution wanted to see from the new VPAA. One specific requirement according to Vice President of Student Affairs, Corey Peacock, who led the search committee was that every candidate must have experience as both an instructor and administrator. 

The search committee selected candidates from all around the country and scored the candidates based on how well they fit the qualities and requirements of the position. The committee then narrowed the pool to eight candidates followed by three finalists after individual interviews. 

The college hosted public meetings for each of the three candidates in which faculty members and people from the community could attend. The candidates presented their experiences and qualifications at each of the meetings. Furthermore, student interviews were held for each of the final three candidates in which the college invited any and all students interested to attend. Everyone who attended the public meetings and student interviews gave their opinions on the candidates, which helped with the college’s decision. In addition, the hiring committee performed meticulous reference checks for all final candidates to aid in selecting the final candidate. The president ultimately had the final say in determining the new vice president after the student interviews had concluded.  

Renee Griffith, director of the Center for Learning, Teaching, and Assessment, sat on the search committee. She praised all of the selected candidates. She said she believes the committee succeeded at representing CC employees and students well. 

A challenge Griffith said the VPAA must help the college overcome is enrollment. Griffith stressed the importance of making CC appealing to students. One way CC could remain appealing and increase enrollment is through partnering with industries, as well as the local school district. New programs in the works such as an AI certificate program expected to start in the 2026 fall semester are an example of Casper College’s academic administrators doing their best to remain relevant.  

Some staff members shared opinions in light of the VPAA selection such as Diana Newman, the dean of students, who expressed optimistic views on Hartshorn becoming a new vice president. Newman praised how his experience, and she said she is excited to see what he will do in academics. Newman added that she liked Hartshorn’s proclaimed love for the mountains.  

Newman was not the only staff member with thoughts on the soon to be vice president. Kathryn Morgan, a computer repair tech with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, expressed what she hopes to see from Hartshorn when it comes to AI. Morgan said she hopes Hartshorn makes sure AI will not prevent students from learning in the classroom. The topic of AI used in classrooms as a tool and to educate students becomes increasingly relevant as AI becomes more integrated with everyday life for everyone. 

“I’m not against having AI in the classroom, but I think we need to be clear in understanding how technology affects learning,” said Morgan. 

Morgan stated that she doesn’t know much about Hartshorn and what he plans to do at Casper College. She is simply aware of the future implementation of AI in learning at CC and hopes to see the academic department take precautions with AI. Furthermore, Morgan doesn’t want to make assumptions about Hartshorn, but she simply hopes to see Hartshorn take some measures to ensure AI will not impede students’ ability to learn and prepare for their careers. 

Hartshorn is expected to take over as VPAA on July 1 at the start of the next fiscal year. Pete Van Houten will continue to serve as the current acting vice president until then. Peacock said he feels confident in the decision to hire Hartshorn, and he believes the selection process did everything right. 

“I think what I would want people to know is that we did a very thorough search, and I think we really did it the right way with how we incorporated the feedback,” Peacock said. 

Peacock greatly anticipates working with Hartshorn. He mentioned his excitement to collaborate with Hartshorn and see some of his proposed ideas be put into action.

“I think he’s a great hire. We have a lot of really exciting things going on at the college that will take both of our areas to collaborate to move forward,” said Peacock.  

One area which Peacock felt Hartshorn will be very engaged is with the Achieving The Dream organization that works with community colleges to ensure student success. 

Hartshorn is very experienced with an extensive resume and prestigious degrees to show. Both Peacock and Griffith feel confident in the search process and the president’s decision to select Hartshorn as the next VPAA. 

Hartshorn stated during a meeting at the college before his selection that he wants everyone’s voice to be heard regardless of who they are or what they contribute. 

The CC campus and administrators seem optimistic about Hartshorn’s future as the next VPAA.