Applications for BSC president position sought by search committee

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

The North Dakota University System (NDUS) has opened the search for the president of Bismarck State College (BSC) and is now inviting applications and nominations for the position.

Co-chairing the BSC Presidential Search Committee are Tim Mihalick, State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) member, and Karen Erickson, BSC’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 BSC 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 BSC 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: https://bismarckstate.edu/about/leadership/Search/.

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