Ideas abound on next UNLV head

Governor’s name tossed around

Anyone who thinks they have the credentials to lead Nevada’s largest university must apply for the job and be vetted.

Even if you’re the governor.

Speculation has swirled about what Gov. Brian Sandoval will do after his final term ends in January, with some saying he would make a good candidate to permanently lead UNLV.

One such inquiry was made to Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Thom Reilly on Wednesday during a meeting of the Southern Nevada Forum.

“I’m sure when we start recruitment, we’ll see if his name pops up,” Reilly said with a shrug and a slight chuckle.

Reilly told the Review-journal that while he doesn’t know if Sandoval is interested, he would be a “very attractive candidate” for one of the top — and highest-paid — education jobs in the state. As governor, Sandoval earns nearly $150,000 a year but could make more than $500,000 as president of UNLV.

UNLV

finalized his divorce from his wife of 27 years, Kathleen, in February.

Mccarthy, 48, is a 1992 journalism graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, and works as the vice president of new markets at Aristocrat Technologies, a gaming machine producer.

Mccarthy’s career is based in Las Vegas, and it appears unlikely that she’ll move into the governor’s mansion to accompany Sandoval as he closes out his term.

“They will split their time between Northern and Southern Nevada unless the responsibilities of their respective positions require solo attention,“Kinner said Sunday.

Sandoval, 55, isn’t the first governor of the Silver State to get divorced in office. His predecessor, Jim Gibbons, had a very public and bitter divorce in 2008.

But Sandoval is the first governor in Nevada’s nearly 154 years of statehood to get married while in office.

Contact Ramona Giwargis at rgiwargis@reviewjournal. com or 702-380-4538. Follow @ Ramonagiwargis on Twitter.