Associate Vice Presidents

Kevin Nelson

Kevin Nelson joined the Western faculty in 1999 as an assistant professor of recreation. He became a tenured professor in outdoor leadership and resort management in 2004. In addition to teaching, Nelson served as chair of the Department of Recreation and Exercise and Sports Science for five years. He has also served as the director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, which provides professional development workshops and activities for faculty.

Outside the classroom, Nelson has served on multiple administrative committees at Western, including the recently convened Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Strategic Planning. Additionally, he served as vice-chair of the Faculty Senate and chair of the Information Technology Committee.

As Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs is serving as co-coordinator of the self study, and he has responsibility for assisting in the administration of the Academic Resource Center, Registration Services and Small Buisness Development Center.

 William Niemi

William L. Niemi, Professor of Politics and Government has been at Western State College of Colorado since 1997.  Dr. Niemi's scholarship is primarily in the area of political theory and is focused on questions about democratic theory and democracy's historical development.  His teaching interests are in the areas of history of political thought and constitutional law.  He earned a Ph.D. from the University of California - Los Angeles.

Dr. Niemi served as Chair for the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences for four years through 2010-2011.  He joined the Academic Affairs staff in 2011, and has responsibility for administration of the Center for Teaching Excellence, and is the representative on the Assessment, Academic Polices, and Curriculum Committees.

Terri Wenzlaff

Terri Wenzlaff, Professor of Teacher Education, earned her Ed.D. from the University of South Dakota in 1991 and joined the Western faculty five years later.  She was director of the Teacher Education Program (TEP) from 1999 to 2002, when she was named Associate V.P. for Academic Affairs.  Terri has continued to teach for TEP, in addition to fulfilling her administrative responsibilities.  Her research interests include the use of reflection, supervision, and assessment in education.

Terri’s current role as one of now three associate vice presidents for Academic Affairs consists of oversight for the graduate programs; co-coordinator of the self study committee.