Presidential candidate Bernie Savarese visits NDSU
North Dakota State University presidential candidate Bernie Savarese highlighted his five-step plan to carry on the momentum already happening across the institution.
Savarese, the vice president for academic affairs, research and student success at the University of Tennessee, presented his ideas at an open forum presentation in the Memorial Union on March 24. He is the second of three candidates to visit campus for interviews and meetings.
"There's a great foundation and amazing momentum. That's why I'm here. I can't think of a more exciting and important leadership role in the country,” Savarese told the audience made up of students, faculty, staff and community members.
Among the most distinguishing qualities Savarese identified were NDSU’s land-grant mission, R1 status, as well as the academic and athletic excellence that make NDSU recognizable across the state and region.
“When President Lincoln signed the Morrill Act in 1862 creating the people's universities, you were created in that image, focusing on your community and delivering real solutions. You're also an R1 institution. If you look at the nearly 3,000 four-year public and private universities across the country, only 187 are R1 universities. If you combine R1 land-grant institutions, only 52. That is distinctive. And when you look at R1 land grant institutions that have football programs that have made that step up to that highest level of competition, FBS, less than 40 institutions. Again, you are distinctive.”
Savarese plans to build off that momentum with a five-step plan aimed at setting NDSU apart from other public land-grant universities. His first step is centered around student success, including getting NDSU’s retention rate, which currently sits at around 78 percent to above 80 percent.
Another portion of student success entails providing students with durable skills that will prepare them for their future careers.
“What I love is our liberal arts and sciences shine as we talk about durable skills and preparing students. Helping them write, communicate, think critically, do all the things that we know our employers are asking for every day. Couple that with skills in AI and emerging technologies, and we know that our graduates will be successful, not just today, but prepared for jobs well into the future.”
Savarese’s second step focuses on expanding pathways for prospective students across the state and region, including online learners and working adults. This work includes broadening accelerated options such as credit for prior learning, developing apprenticeship opportunities and strengthening partnerships with employers.
“All those help us reach more students and help them be committed to and connected to the trusted educational brand that is NDSU.”
To continue strengthening research, Savarese plans to prioritize areas that address demonstrated needs within the community.
As he thinks about the next decade at NDSU, Savarese also highlighted his idea of funding streams for the future.
“There's no doubt that our success will rely on our ability not just to divide the pie, but to grow the pie,” Savarese said. “That means federal, state, private donations, industry and university sources. How can we continue to know that those are there for us and they can help us invest in things that we need to grow?”
His fifth idea is to have NDSU become a partner of choice for discovery and innovation in the region and beyond, focusing on community and societal issues.
“We're here to improve lives. We can do more together. When universities, departments and leaders collaborate — students win, communities win,” he said. “I also hope that we are known for being the most nimble and responsive university in the country. I'll say that universities aren't often known for being nimble or responsive. That'll help us distinguish ourselves as well. How can we be that university? When we are, we will be the partner of choice.”
Within his first year Savarese plans to use a two-prong approach that will include building trusted partnerships while getting to know colleagues. That includes traveling across the state during NDSU Field Days to meet ag leaders, community members, elected leaders and extension partners, as well as getting to know the staff, faculty and leadership on campus.
Savarese wants to maintain progress across several key priorities, including preparing for the next legislative session, strengthening enrollment and student success initiatives, advancing fiscal stewardship and revenue generation and driving strategic planning.
Savarese described his leadership philosophy through the acronym P-I-E, which stands for leading with a positive, solution-oriented attitude, having integrity and maintaining effort.
In his current role, Savarese works with the chancellors of the university’s five campuses to advance high-quality academic and student experiences. At the UT System, Savarese serves as the chief academic officer and leads teams in offices of academic affairs, research, student success and workforce pathways, academic systems and operations, institutional effectiveness, access and engagement and the office of the chief wellness officer. The University of Tennessee is the state’s land-grant university system, enrolling more than 64,000 students across campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski and Martin.
Prior to UT, Savarese served as the assistant vice president for student success and the student experience at New York University. While serving as the university’s chief student success officer, he led the development of a new, multi-unit division focused on coordinating, integrating and elevating the student experience while improving outcomes. He also chaired NYU’s Student Success Steering Committee and served as a subject matter expert to university leadership.
Before his time at NYU, Savarese worked at The Ohio State University for nearly two decades, serving in a number of roles such as the director of the university’s nationally recognized First-Year Experience program. He also oversaw the leadership of teams in undergraduate admissions, chairing the university’s Steering Committee on Student Success and Retention, and helping lead the development of Ohio State’s novel second-year experience program.
Savarese earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA from Ohio State, a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University and his doctorate from New York University.
One candidate remains scheduled to hold an open forum at 2 p.m. in Memorial Union’s Anishinaabe Theater. Alan Smith, Emma Eccles Jones endowed dean and tenured professor of kinesiology and health science and former interim president at Utah State University, will hold his open forum on Wednesday, March 25. Marshall Stewart, the executive vice president for external engagement and chief of staff at Kansas State University, held his open forum on March 23.
Following the on-campus visits, the NDSU Presidential Search Committee will officially recommend candidates to the State Board of Higher Education during a final committee meeting on Friday, March 27. The board will conduct final interviews on the NDSU campus on Monday, March 30, with the selection of the next NDSU president expected to be announced that same day. The new NDSU president is anticipated to assume office by early June.
For more information or to watch video of any of the candidate presentations, visit the Presidential Search web page.