Dr. James McCoy is an award-winning scholar, community leader, and ambassador for our students. His higher education career spans more than 20 years, including Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success for the Nevada System of Higher Education, as well as several roles at CSN, including Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Vice President for Academic Success, Chair and Lead Faculty for the Department of Communication and as a tenured Communication Professor.  Dr. McCoy was also an instructor at several community colleges in California, where he taught an array of communication courses. Prior to working in academia, he worked in radio broadcasting as a radio morning show host and radio station program director. He was the Co-Creator and Executive Producer of the acclaimed documentary No Greater Odds, serves as a national Fellow and Content Expert for Complete College America, and has served as the CCA state lead in Nevada. His latest work with CCA involves the development and implementation of the Momentum Year — this includes Guided Pathways strategies complete with purpose first, academic mapping, proactive advising, 15 to Finish, Meta Majors and co-requisite math and English in the first year.

A highly sought-after national keynote speaker and presenter, Dr. McCoy often talks about the important work that community colleges do in the United States. Additionally, he speaks and consults for corporations, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions throughout the country.

Dr. McCoy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Master of Arts in Communication from California State University, Fresno. He will have an earned doctorate in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University prior to beginning his tenure as VPAA at CSN.