Nicholas C. Neupauer is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice with a focus on Community College Leadership at the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.
The president of Butler County Community College (BC3) for nearly a third of its existence, Dr. Neupauer is currently on sabbatical and will retire from the 59-year-old institution of higher education at the end of 2024.
Dr. Neupauer held the position of president at the college for 17 years. His presidency is almost triple the national average according to a 2023 American Council on Education study. During that time, BC3 established itself as a regional institution, with six campus locations in northwestern Pennsylvania.
BC3 was ranked as the No. 1 community college in Pennsylvania nine times since 2015. Assets in the BC3 Education Foundation increased 144 percent to $23 million since Dr. Neupauer’s appointment in 2007. The Foundation has received one $3 million gift and six $1 million contributions since 2014.
In addition to his new role in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Neupauer is assisting the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges as its interim Vice President. He has also been recognized for teaching, community service, leadership and communication with many awards over the years.
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.
- Strategic Communication
- Crisis Communication
- Leadership
- Organizational Communication
- Strategic Planning
- Board Relations
- Strategic Communication
- Crisis Communication
- Strategic Planning
- Board Relations
- King, T. M., Namuo, C. G., & Neupauer, N. C. (2024). Leading with equity: Transforming community colleges for the future. The NISOD Papers.
- Sabina, L., Neupauer, N. C., & Sabina, K. (2018). Examining community college targeted expansions in a rural environment: The case of Butler County Community College. In M. Reardon & J. Leonard (Eds.). School-University-Community Collaboration in Education in Higher Education. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Press.
- Neupauer, N. C. (2014). Putting PR at the executive table. Community College Times, Nov. 14.
- Ellwood City Area School District (Lincoln High School) inaugural Hall of Fame (2022)
- Inaugural winner of the Stan Kosciuszko Leadership Excellence Award. The award goes to an individual who shows a strong commitment to their organization, community and region. As a servant leader, the award winner has made a profound impact in their respective field (2022).
- Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award winner. The award is presented to an individual who has contributed significantly to the health and well-being of the community (2019).
- Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, the most prestigious recognition for community college presidents (2018)
- National Council for Public Relations and Marketing, District 1, Pacesetter of the Year for outstanding achievement in marketing and public relations (2013)
- The Association of Communicators in Education with Arthur V. Ciervo Award for excellence in communication and public relations to advance higher education (2010)
- Community Colleges of the Appalachia (board chair, 2022-24)
- Community Development Corporation of Butler County (2007-24, board executive committee)
- Butler County Growth Collaborative