Three new members were welcomed to the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) during its June 26 meeting at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Members Pat Sogard, of Williston; and Levi Bachmeier, of West Fargo; begin their four-year terms on July 1, 2025. Anna Kinney, of Grand Forks, also was elected and will serve as staff advisor to the SBHE. “Welcome aboard. We’re happy to have you and look forward to working with you,” said Board Chair Tim Mihalick at the start of the July meeting. The Board also congratulated outgoing Lake Region State College (LRSC) President Doug Darling, who retired after 13 years serving as president. He also spent nearly four decades working in various capacities for the institution. In recognition of his significant contributions and leadership at LRSC, the Board approved the bestowal of emeritus status to Darling. Chair Mihalick, in a letter from LRSC to the Board requesting emeritus status for Darling, read, “(Darling) is well respected by current and former SBHE members, North Dakota University System staff, institutional colleagues, legislators, the business community, alumni and the faculty and staff at Lake Region College. During his tenure as president, our campus has undergone significant improvements that have enhanced the student experience.” Following Carmen Simone’s appointment as LRSC interim president during the May SBHE meeting, the Board appointed Corey Gorder as Dakota College at Bottineau’s (DCB) interim dean. Gorder also works as the associate dean for student services at DCB. During the July meeting, the Board also reviewed results from a self-assessment survey administered online or through phone interviews with NDUS Chief Compliance Officer Chris Pieske. The Board was asked to respond to questions regarding several topics, which focused on strengthening Board culture, increasing effectiveness and creating a vehicle for feedback and address concerns. The topics included policy, relationship with the chancellor, meeting process and effectiveness, communication, the Board’s significant accomplishments for the year and future challenges. The Board agreed that AI’s impact on higher education, system structure, dual credit, program duplication and presidential compensation would be among some of the challenges faced in the coming years. New Assignments Chair-Elect Kevin Black announced committee assignments for the upcoming year:

• The Academic and Student Affairs Committee will continue to be chaired by Member Curt Biller.
• The Audit Committee will be chaired by former Board Chair Tim Mihalick.
• Mihalick also will chair the Budget and Finance Committee.
• For the Research and Governance Committee, Member Danita Bye will continue to co-chair the research component, while Member D.J. Campbell will co-chair governance.

Committee Reports Member Biller reported for the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, which approved new program certificates and reviewed several policies. Member Kevin Black reported for the Budget and Finance Committee. He said the group talked about executive compensation and reviewed and approved NDUS biennial budgets. Member Jeffry Volk reported for the Audit Committee and mentioned that the NDUS Finance Office had a successful audit from the N.D. State Auditor’s Office. Member Casey Ryan reported for the Research and Governance Committee. For Research, Ryan noted that he felt UND and NDSU were working together to better research in North Dakota for the future. For Governance, the group discussed post-tenure review and the SBHE’s self-assessment. Dr. Lisa Montplaisir reported on the Council of College Faculties, which will meet again in August to get ready for the fall semester. They have had continued discussion about post-tenure review. Student Member Maxwell Eriksrud reported for the North Dakota Student Association. The group did not have a meeting but are preparing for next semester. Eriksrud mentioned his visit to the NDSU Extension Center in Hettinger. The group has done research on Eriksrud’s family’s land and Erikson praised the office’s work. For the Staff Senate, Member Anna Kinney said the group held its annual retreat at the University of North Dakota and heard remarks from Interim Chancellor Brent Sanford regarding his vision for Staff Senate into the future. Some of the discussions centered on federal accessibility requirements, AI in higher education, streamlining communication from staff to the System Office and tuition waivers for employees. The Board heard first readings for Policies 510 (Rights of Students Called to Active Military Service), 803.1 (Purchasing), 840 (Contract Review) and 1203.1 (Digital Accessibility). A second reading was heard for Policy 470 (State Authorization). All policies were approved. No public comments were made.