NDSU Presidential Search Narrows to Three Finalists

FARGO — The search for the next president of North Dakota State University (NDSU) has been narrowed to three finalists, each bringing experience from universities in Kansas, Tennessee, and Utah. The NDSU Presidential Search Committee, appointed by the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE), announced the candidates who will visit the Fargo campus next week, according to an NDSU news release.

The finalists were selected from a pool of over 60 applicants who met the qualifications for the position. They underwent virtual screenings and off-site interviews conducted by the committee. The chosen candidate will succeed President David Cook, who departed NDSU after nearly four years to assume the presidency of Iowa State University in Ames, his alma mater, on March 1. Currently, NDSU is under the interim leadership of Rick Berg, appointed to the temporary position in January.

Meet the Finalists

The three candidates vying to grow the 16th president of NDSU are:

• Marshall Stewart, Executive Vice President for External Engagement at Kansas State University in Manhattan, will present on campus at 2 p.m. On Monday, March 23.
• Bernie Savarese, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Research and Student Success at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, will present on campus at 2 p.m. On Tuesday, March 24.
• Alan Smith, Emma Eccles Jones Endowed Dean and Tenured Professor of Kinesiology and Health Science, and former interim president at Utah State University in Logan, will present on campus at 2 p.m. On Wednesday, March 25.

During their visits, the finalists will engage with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and leaders from NDSU and the broader community. Stakeholder groups will provide feedback on each candidate. Co-chairs of the Search Committee, Kevin Black and Jace Beehler, encourage both the NDSU community and the public to attend the daily presentations, which will be held in the Anishinaabe Theater in the Memorial Union.

Each session will feature a 20-minute presentation followed by a question-and-answer period with the audience, and a 30-minute meet-and-greet opportunity, according to the release. A virtual viewing option will be available via Zoom, and recordings of the presentations will be posted to the NDSU presidential search webpage.

“Selecting the next president of NDSU is an important responsibility, and broad participation helps ensure we identify a leader who understands the university’s strengths and the needs of the state,” Black stated in the release.

A survey conducted in December revealed key attributes desired in the next NDSU president. Respondents prioritized a candidate who is student-centered, transparent and ethical, visionary and future-focused, and an effective communicator. The survey also indicated a preference for a “visible” president on campus, a characteristic exemplified by former President David Cook and his wife, Kate.

Following the campus visits, the search committee will formally recommend candidates to the State Board of Higher Education on Friday, March 27. Final interviews will be conducted on the NDSU campus on Monday, March 30, with the selection announced later that same day. A public introduction of the latest president is scheduled for 4 p.m. That afternoon in Oceti Sakowin Ballroom A of the Memorial Union. The new president is expected to begin their tenure by the start of June.

The State Board of Higher Education serves as the policy-setting and governing body for North Dakota’s 11 publicly supported colleges and universities, as well as overseeing other educational institutions and services within the state [NDUS].