Dr. Amber Donnelli has been appointed as the president of Great Basin College (GBC) by the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). She had served as interim president since July 2024 and will continue to lead the college under a new contract approved by the board.
"Dr. Donnelli has demonstrated the kind of steady, student-focused leadership that Great Basin College needs," said Board of Regents Chair Byron Brooks. "She has earned the respect of students, faculty, staff, and community members, and the Board is confident she will continue to strengthen GBC's role in serving Nevada's rural communities."
"Over the past year, Dr. Donnelli has proven herself as an outstanding leader for Great Basin College," said NSHE Chancellor Matt McNair. "Her deep ties to the institution, commitment to student success, and ability to build meaningful connections across campuses and communities make her the right choice to guide GBC forward."
Dr. Donnelli’s career at GBC spans more than 18 years in roles such as Associate Vice President of Faculty Success and Dean of Health Science and Human Services. As interim president, she led initiatives that resulted in a 20 percent rise in student enrollment and increased engagement with rural campuses through frequent visits. She also expanded outreach with community leaders and industry partners and directed development of GBC’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan involving input from various stakeholders.
Her academic journey began at Great Basin College where she received an Associate of Science in Nursing before earning further degrees from University of Phoenix and University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Donnelli is a licensed Registered Nurse in Nevada and a Certified Nurse Educator.
The board’s approval ensures continued leadership for Great Basin College, which serves students across several rural communities including Elko, Ely, Pahrump, Winnemucca, among others.
The Nevada System of Higher Education oversees eight institutions statewide—including research universities and community colleges—serving over 100,000 students under governance by its Board of Regents. More information about NSHE can be found at https://nshe.nevada.edu/.
For further inquiries or information about this appointment, contact Elizabeth Callahan at ecallahan@nshe.nevada.edu or 702-522-7021.