04 Feb NDSU presidential finalists invited to interview with State Board of Higher Education
Bismarck, N.D. — The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Presidential Search Committee has advanced three finalists for consideration as the next president of NDSU. The State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) will interview these candidates on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, on the NDSU campus before selecting the next president of NDSU.
“The Board is being presented with a strong slate of finalists and each offers unique leadership skills that will serve NDSU well into the future,” said Dr. Jill Louters State Board of Higher Education vice chair. She added that the search committee thoroughly vetted the candidate pool and carefully considered broad stakeholder feedback in determining the list of finalists.
“We’re excited to bring these talented leaders to campus for their final public interviews, knowing they each have become acquainted with NDSU and the people that make our institution great. I am confident that the future of NDSU will be in good hands with these finalists,” said Dr. Greg Lardy, NDSU vice president for Agricultural Affairs, who is co-chairing the NDSU Presidential Search Committee with Louters. Both said the finalists have a broad range of experiences from institutions around the country and have held high level leadership positions that will help them propel NDSU forward as the state’s land grant institution.
The finalists are:
David Cook, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs & Economic Development
University of Kansas (at Lawrence)
Hesham El-Rewini, Ph.D., P.E.
Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs
Marymount University (in Washington, D.C. area)
Mary Holz-Clause, Ph.D.
Acting Executive Chancellor
University of Minnesota (dual campus, at Morris and Crookston)
The Presidential Search Committee was charged by the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) to evaluate candidates for the NDSU presidency. Originally, 47 candidates were initially reviewed after meeting qualifications. Next, a round of in-person interviews took place in Minneapolis, January 5-6. Following those interviews, the search committee narrowed the pool to five candidates invited to campus.
The campus visits consisted of a thorough interview process from every facet of stakeholders that are integral to the campus community. The candidates met with students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and campus and community leaders, providing the search committee with feedback on each candidate. It is anticipated that the new NDSU president will assume office in June 2022.