JCPS names future director of Nichols Career Center

Jefferson City Public Schools has announced Cody Bashore will become the director of Nichols Career Center this fall after the retirement of current director Sharon Longan.

Bashore is currently the assistant director of career and technical education at Nichols, and came to JCPS in 2018. He was the director of career and technical education at the Boonslick Technical Education Center from July 2015-18, according to a JCPS news release.

His prior experience includes teaching for the Sweet Springs R-7 School District, as well as holding various positions with the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education — including supervisor of adult education and literacy, director of SkillsUSA and Workforce Development, according to the news release.

“As the director of NCC, Bashore will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders for the purpose of implementing, maintaining and promoting career and technical education services and programs, while directing department operations and making recommendations for program enhancements,” the news release said.

“Cody’s career and technical ed experience have certainly prepared him to be very effective in this role,” JCPS Director of Secondary Education Gary Verslues said in the news release, adding “We look forward to working with him as we continue to build upon the successes of NCC’s programs and activities.”

Longan has led Nichols for seven years, out of a 30-year career as an educator.