Laura Oster-Aaland

Laura Oster-Aaland, Ph.D. serves as Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Institutional Equity at North Dakota State University, where she provides leadership for twelve departments focused on providing NDSU students with co-curricular experiences and services that promote well-being, access and success. She also serves as NDSU’s Title IX and ADA Coordinator, helping ensure a campus environment where all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work, and thrive

A three-time graduate of NDSU, Laura earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the university and has dedicated much of her professional career to serving its students and community. Over nearly three decades in higher education leadership, she has held roles spanning orientation, student success, enrollment management, and student affairs, giving her a deep understanding of the student experience from recruitment through graduation.

Laura is known for bringing people together to solve complex challenges with compassion, transparency, and a student-centered approach. Throughout her career, Laura has advanced campus well‑being initiatives, secured grant funding to support student success, expanded mental health services, and strengthened early‑intervention efforts that serve thousands of students annually. Laura brings expertise in student and employee well-being, student behavior, policy development, and is a trusted advisor to student government and university leadership during critical incidents.

In addition to her administrative leadership, Laura is a published author whose research has focused on college student health, alcohol misuse prevention, and student success. She has served as a principal investigator on federally funded research, secured significant grant funding to support students, and authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations.

Laura is passionate about creating inclusive, supportive environments where students can succeed academically and personally. Whether mentoring student leaders, collaborating with faculty and staff, or engaging with community partners, she is guided by a belief that higher education has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities.