CSN mourns the loss of former president Dr. Michael Dean Richards, who passed away September 3, 2025, after a lengthy illness. He was 78.

Dr. Richards led CSN from 2007 to 2018, guiding the college through a period of significant growth and expansion. Enrollment reached 50,000 students under his leadership, and the college added new facilities, including the Charleston campus library, student services buildings, and a joint health sciences center with Nevada State University in Henderson.

“Dr. Richards’ legacy at CSN is immeasurable,” said CSN President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein. “He not only oversaw the largest enrollment growth in this institution’s history, he did it through the Great Recession and all its impacts on our community. He was a great leader who shepherded this college, its faculty, staff and students, through thick and thin. He will be greatly missed.”

Dr. Richards was born August 6, 1947, in Ogden, Utah. He earned degrees from Weber State and Utah State, served in the U.S. Air Force (including teaching at the Air Force Academy), and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Denver. Before joining CSN, he held leadership positions at Utah State University and Southern Utah University.

Upon retiring in 2018, Dr. Richards expressed gratitude for the support from faculty, staff, students, and the community, expressing confidence in CSN’s future.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janice, five daughters, nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and seven siblings.

A viewing will be held Sept. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Palms Southwest Mortuary, with funeral services at 11 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Stake Center, 7885 W. Robindale Rd., preceded by a 10 a.m. viewing.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the LDS general educational or missionary funds.

To read his full obituary and share condolences, please visit: Dignity Memorial – Michael Richards.