Joyce Simpson receives a memento from HCC President David Reist ( left), and new Board chair Tom Smith

(KNZA)--Highland Community College Board of Trustees Chairwoman Joyce Simpson has resigned.  

That comes after her daughter, Dr. Amy Foley, was hired to teach health sciences at the college, a position she had long been interested in.  

In making the decision to step down, Simpson was honoring the college’s nepotism policy.  

The Wathena resident had served as board chair since July of 2015.  Simpson  joined the Board in July of 2011.  

Tom Smith, of Highland, has been selected as the new Board chairman.  He had been serving as vice-chair.  

Smith said he’s  grateful for the leadership, dedication and interest shown by Simpson as a member and then chair of the Board. “Joyce was an outstanding Board chair because she cares about education and she cares about the College’s role in education. Consequently, she did all the extras not necessarily required of the Board Chair, but which show a level of commitment. She had that commitment to attend monthly state meetings, KBOR meetings, and College events throughout her service on the Board. She set a high standard for that position.”