The Search for NDSU's Next President

North Dakota State University stands at a moment of strength and momentum. As a student-focused, land-grant R1 research university, NDSU is deeply rooted in its mission while boldly shaping what comes next. With a clear strategic direction, a strong culture of collaboration and a growing impact across the state and region, NDSU is prepared for its next era of leadership.

The university seeks a president who will build on this foundation — championing student success, advancing research and innovation, supporting faculty and staff excellence and honoring NDSU’s land-grant commitment to serve North Dakota. This is an opportunity to lead a university on the move and help ignite a bright future.

A New Horizon

NDSU’s land-grant mission connects the university to the people, industries and communities we serve across North Dakota and beyond. This is our horizon, where the frontiers of new knowledge come into focus amid the energy, curiosity and momentum that define life on campus.

This moment at NDSU presents an opportunity for the next president to build on strong foundations, lead with purpose and help shape what comes next.

Presidential Search Overview

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education is leading the search for the next president of North Dakota State University. An 18-member search committee was appointed to identify finalists for the Board’s consideration.

The committee is co-chaired by SBHE Chair Kevin Black and NDSU Chief of Staff Jace Beehler.

In addition to the search chairs, committee members include:

Kathryn Birkeland, Ronald G. and Kaye S. Olson Dean of the College of Business
Michael Chambers, Founding CEO and Executive Chairman, Aldevron
Lynette Flage, Associate Director, NDSU Extension
John Glover, President and CEO, NDSU Foundation
Jenny Hopkins, Managing Partner, Crescendo Capital Partners
Sarah Kruse, Biology and Statistics Undergraduate Student, NDSU
Tiffany Lawrence, President and CEO, Sanford Health Fargo
Lisa Montplaisir, Professor of Biological Sciences and Faculty Senate President, NDSU
Ron Ness, President, North Dakota Petroleum Council
Keith Peltier, President and General Manager, Proseed Inc.
Kaley Quam, Pharmacy Graduate Student, NDSU
Shiloh Susag, Assistant Director of Grant and Contract Accounting, NDSU
Chad Ulven, University Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering, NDSU
Lori Witt, Operations Manager, NDSU College of Health and Human Sciences
Ex-officio: Brent Sanford, Commissioner, North Dakota University System
Ex-officio: Matt Larsen, Director of Athletics, NDSU

Help shape the future: share your input on presidential priorities
NDSU, Dec. 5, 2025

NDSU presidential search committee selected
NDUS, Nov. 25, 2025

NDUS announces the co-chairs of NDSU’s presidential search committee
NDUS, Nov. 17, 2025

Dec. 19	Search is launched
Feb. 16 at 5 p.m.	Applications required for full consideration
Mar. 2-3	First-round virtual interviews
Mar. 9-10	Semi-finalist in-person interviews
Mar. 23-27	Finalist campus visits
Week of Mar. 30	Interview with State Board of Higher Education and selection
Summer 2026	NDSU's 16th President assumes office

View the State Board of Higher Education’s full meeting schedule and meeting resources, including agendas, minutes and streaming links.

Academic Search is assisting NDSU and the Presidential Search Committee in this search. Applications and nominations may be sent in confidence to NDSUPresident@academicsearch.org.

Applications should consist of a substantive cover letter, a curriculum vitae and a list of five professional references with full contact information. No references will be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. The search will remain open until the position is filled, but only applications received by February 16, 2026, can be assured full consideration.

Confidential discussions about this opportunity are encouraged and may be arranged by contacting Jay Lemons, Lisa Ryan or Jennifer Kooken.