Shasta College Board of Trustees Names Dr. Frank Nigro as the New Shasta College Superintendent/President

REDDING, CA  – At its June 12, 2024, board meeting, the Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Community College District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Frank Nigro, Vice President of Instruction at Shasta College, as the new Superintendent/President of the Shasta Community College District. Dr. Nigro will assume his duties on July 1, 2024. At that time, Interim Superintendent/President Dr. Kevin O’Rorke will resume his roles as CEO of North State Together and Associate Superintendent.

Kendall Pierson, President of the Shasta College Board of Trustees, praised Dr. Nigro and the selection process, saying, “During my tenure on the board, I have participated in three other presidential recruitments. The process we engaged in was robust and thorough. We were honored to have a wealth of highly qualified applicants, and I want to extend my deepest thanks to all who participated. I am confident that our selection of Dr. Nigro for this critical leadership role will continue the innovative and transformative work of the college. Dr. Nigro impressed all who met him with his passion and service mindset toward our students and community.” Pierson concluded with a note of thanks, “I wish to extend the board’s gratitude to Dr. O’Rorke for his selfless service as Interim Superintendent/President and chairing the search committee during this selection process. We are indebted to him for taking on those additional responsibilities.”

Dr. Nigro has served the Shasta College community for over 27 years, first as an instructor, later as a dean, and most recently as Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction. He received his bachelor’s degree in English from California State University, Chico, in 1989, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He furthered his education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee earning a master’s degree in English in 1991 and a doctorate in English in 1996. Dr. Nigro brings an international perspective to his teaching and leadership from his studies abroad at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, in 1987-88 and the Free University in Berlin, Germany, in 1994-95. He also took a sabbatical to study the Japanese educational system in 2007 and participated in a group study exchange program to the Czech and Slovak Republics in 2000.

In addition to his educational accomplishments, Dr. Nigro has published and presented on literature and education at a variety of universities and conferences. He has been active on the state level, serving on several accreditation and Partnership Resource Teams. He served on the Executive Board of the California Community College Chief Instructional Officers organization and the Chancellor’s Office Common Course Numbering Council. While at Shasta College, he established the Intercultural Club, the Distance Education Committee, and he served on the Academic Senate for 10 years, including as Senate President. Shasta College’s Academic Senate selected him as Excellent Educator in 2006, and he received the Hayward Award for Excellence in Education from the Community College League of California in 2007.

Upon his confirmation by the Board of Trustees, Dr. Nigro expressed his deep appreciation, saying, “I am immeasurably thankful for the opportunity to continue to give back to the college and my community in this new role. To say that I am humbled by the trust the selection committee and board has put in me would be an understatement. Shasta College is an incredible institution, made more so by the dedicated and passionate efforts of the staff and faculty who work diligently to help our students succeed.”

Dr. Nigro shared his perspective on the future of the college, saying, “Shasta College is about to celebrate 75 years of being a vital part of our region’s success. I’m excited about our future and the important leadership role the college will continue to play in forging new pathways and partnerships to help our communities and businesses thrive. I look forward to continuing the great work so many others have put in place, advancing innovative solutions for our entire far-northern California region, and cementing the significant accomplishments and strong financial stability the district currently enjoys. It’s not only a privilege but truly invigorating to work alongside so many talented and creative individuals who work tirelessly in the service of others. I look to their example as the model for my administration of this transformative institution.”

Dr. Nigro has a lifelong commitment to the district and region he calls home with his wife and two sons. He grew up in Northern California in the city of Paradise and currently resides in Redding, where he frequently volunteers, including at community clean ups, his children’s schools, and local running events. Frank keeps himself fit by frequent long-distance runs in the surrounding area when he’s not traveling with his family.

No official induction ceremony will be held at this time. Instead, Dr. Nigro has expressed an interest in spending Day 1 doing what all presidents do: working to serve his institution, meeting with his staff, and engaging with students.