Local Plans Won't Change While TC Looks for New Leader
While the search for Dr. Marc Nigliazzo's replacement as president of Temple College begins, officials working on the East Williamson County Higher Education Center say his resignation will not affect their plans.

Temple College is the primary university sponsor of the multi-institutional EWCHEC, which the college board agreed to build in Taylor.

Nigliazzo announced he plans to leave at the end of May to accept a position at the University of New Mexico.

Randall Pick, board president of Temple College at Taylor Foundation, said he credits Nigliazzo for spurring the movement to bring higher education centers like TCAT and EWCHEC to Taylor.

“In April 1996, when Dr. Nigliazzo was new to Temple College, he appeared before the (Taylor Independent School District) board and outlined his plans for future partnerships between Temple College and TISD,” Pick said. “During his presentation he mentioned the possibility of having a satellite campus in Taylor some day. Less than two years later that was reality with the opening of Temple College at Taylor.”

According to Chuck McCarter, executive director of the EWCHEC initiative, Wayne Criswell, chief financial officer of Temple College, will become interim board president while the college looks for Nigliazzo's replacement.

Meanwhile, the EWCHEC plans continue to move forward, McCarter said.

McCarter said the TCAT board plans to choose an architect Tuesday based on recommendations from a review committee. Once a contract is signed, the board should be able to present some drawings to the public within roughly two months.

Mark Smith, associate vice president of Distance Education, said the board is just beginning to discuss Nigliazzo's replacement.

“(The board) is trying to find the best fit so that all these things we have put in place such as EWCHEC and the phenomenal growth in Taylor will continue,” Smith said.