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The North Dakota University System (NDUS) has launched a search for the next president of Â鶹´«Ã½ (Â鶹´«Ã½). Nominations and applications should be received by January 18, 2026. The new president will assume office on or before July 1, 2026.

• November 25: Presidential Search Committee is announced.
• December 10: The presidential search officially launches with the posting of the position.
• January 18: Application deadline.
• January 27: Search Committee meets to identify semi-finalists.
• February 10-11: Search Committee interviews semi-finalists.
• February 12: Search Committee meets to identify top semi-finalists for campus visits.
• March 2–5: Top semi-finalists visit campus and participate in forums with faculty, staff, and students.
• March 31: ND State Board of Higher Education interviews the final candidates and selects Â鶹´«Ã½’s next president.

Â鶹´«Ã½ presidential finalists invited to interview with SBHE 

Â鶹´«Ã½ presidential semi-finalists to visit campus March 2-4 

MONDAY, MARCH 2 

TUESDAY, MARCH 3 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 

The Search for the Next Â鶹´«Ã½ President Officially Opens

The North Dakota University System (NDUS) has opened the search for the president of Â鶹´«Ã½ (Â鶹´«Ã½) and is now inviting applications and nominations for the position. 

Co-chairing the Â鶹´«Ã½ Presidential Search Committee are Tim Mihalick, State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) member, and Karen Erickson, Â鶹´«Ã½’s dean of enrollment management. The group met in early December to discuss desired attributes, skills and experience of the future president. They also reviewed input gathered during a series of listening sessions held on campus in November. The listening sessions included members of the community, as well as Â鶹´«Ã½ staff, faculty and students. 

“It is clear that the new president is expected to be a creative thinker that is tuned into the changing landscape of both higher education and the needs and expectations of the students it serves,” Mihalick said. “The next president will have a strong grounding in academia and insight into economic drivers, workforce needs and the inherent connections among the three. The president will be expected to build partnerships and collaborate for the well-being of the campus, the system, and the state of North Dakota.” 

Erickson added, “The president must possess vision and be an ethical, compassionate, creative, communicative and energetic leader who can join forces with all constituencies, internal and external, to lead Â鶹´«Ã½ into the future. The successful individual will be able to make complex, data-driven decisions for the common good and communicate the path to those decisions. They will be an advocate for the college and community, and a transparent communicator and a positive presence able to inspire the campus community as it moves forward.” 

More information about the search process, the advertisement, and other information can be found at this link: bismarckstate.edu/PresidentialSearch. 

For best consideration, applications and nominations should be received by Jan. 18, 2026. 

Search Committee Selection

The North Dakota University System (NDUS) announced the selection of committee members today for Â鶹´«Ã½’s (Â鶹´«Ã½) presidential search. The committee’s first meeting will be held Dec. 2 at Â鶹´«Ã½. 

“Your dedication to serving on the presidential search committee is deeply valued. We are grateful for the time, expertise and commitment each of you will contribute to this important leadership decision for North Dakota’s only polytechnic institution,” said NDUS Commissioner Brent Sanford. “Every member brings a vital perspective, constituency or area of knowledge that is essential to the committee’s success.” 

Co-chairing the Â鶹´«Ã½ Presidential Search Committee are Tim Mihalick, State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) member, and Karen Erickson, Â鶹´«Ã½’s dean of enrollment management. Other committee members include: 

• Kelli Kuether, BSN, RN, Â鶹´«Ã½ Assistant Professor of Nursing 
• Marko Davinic, Â鶹´«Ã½ Associate Professor of Agriculture Technology & Natural Resources 
• David Sagsveen, Â鶹´«Ã½ Assistant Dean of Automation, Energy, and Advanced Technology (AEAT) 
• Cassy Russell, Â鶹´«Ã½ Human Resources Coordinator 
• Adyen Olson, Â鶹´«Ã½ student 
• Kevin Moberg, Â鶹´«Ã½ Dean of Institutional Effectiveness 
• Scott Becker, Â鶹´«Ã½ graduate, Â鶹´«Ã½ Foundation Board of Trustees, and retired from Bobcat/Doosan as the engineering manager 
• Cory Wrolstad, Â鶹´«Ã½ Development Manager 
• Todd Brickhouse, CEO and General Manager, Basin Electric Power Cooperative 
• Brenda Nagel, President and CEO of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber Economic Development Council 

There are no ex-officio members of the committee. 

Listening Sessions

The North Dakota University System (NDUS) has launched a search for the next president of Â鶹´«Ã½. Campus stakeholders will be asked to provide input on the search process during listening sessions scheduled for November 12-14 at the following locations:

Wednesday, Nov. 12 – Basin Electric Auditorium, National Energy Center of Excellence – 1200 Schafer St, Bismarck, ND
12 to 1 p.m. – Employee Session (faculty and staff - virtual option available)
3 to 4 p.m. – Employee Session (faculty and staff)
5 to 6 p.m. – Community Session (virtual option available)
 
Thursday, Nov. 13 – Alumni Room, Student Union – 1425 Schafer St, Bismarck, ND
12 to 1 p.m. – Student Session
 
Friday, Nov. 14 – Basin Electric Auditorium, National Energy Center of Excellence – 1200 Schafer St, Bismarck, ND
12 to 1 p.m. – Employee Session (faculty and staff)

All sessions will be held in person on the Â鶹´«Ã½ campus, with two of the listening sessions livestreamed at . Both virtual options will be on Nov. 12, and the chat function will be available to provide input if in-person attendance at any of the scheduled listening sessions is not possible. 
 

Â鶹´«Ã½ Presidential Search Committee

Co-chairing the Â鶹´«Ã½ Presidential Search Committee are Tim Mihalick, State Board of Higher Education member, and Karen Erickson, Â鶹´«Ã½’s dean of enrollment management.