President, Education ​/ Teaching

Overview

The State Board of Higher Education for the North Dakota University System and the Valley City State University (VCSU) community invite nominations and applications for the position of President. The State Board and Commissioner of North Dakota Higher Education have charged the search committee to identify an inspirational leader who is visionary, collaborative, and deeply committed to the institution’s mission and people.

The ideal leader will honor VCSU’s history and shared governance model while guiding the university confidently into the future—strengthening its academic excellence, community partnerships, and student centered culture.

The President will lead a university that has set enrollment records for three consecutive years and has grown 34% since 2012. The President reports to the Commissioner and the SBHE and directly oversees the vice president for academic affairs, vice president for business affairs, vice president for student affairs, executive director for university advancement, chief information officer, director for enrollment services, director for athletics, executive assistant, and director for public relations.

For 28 consecutive years, Valley City State University has been ranked among the nation’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report. VCSU has received the No. 1 ranking among Public Regional Colleges in North Dakota for five consecutive years, and the No. 2 ranking in the 12-state Midwest from U.S. News. VCSU, founded as a normal school in 1890, now offers more than 65 undergraduate programs in art, business, communication arts, computer systems and software engineering, education, kinesiology and human performance, language and literature, mathematics, music, science, social science, and technology education.

VCSU offers courses and degree programs available through traditional on-campus delivery, distance learning, and hybrid formats that combine both elements. In 2005, VCSU began offering its first graduate program in education, the Master of Education degree. Today, VCSU’s completely online M.Ed. program has six concentrations: elementary education, English education, library and information technologies, teaching and technology, teaching English learners, and technology education.

A Master of Arts in Teaching degree program, also completely online, was added in 2016. An online Master of Science in Business Information Systems was added in 2022 as a response to changing workforce needs.

VCSU’s athletic program has a long history of success and strong support from both the campus and local community. Student athletes play a major role in campus life and help drive enrollment through recruitment. As a member of the NAIA and The Frontier Conference, VCSU offers 14 varsity sports along with a coed Shooting Sports club added in 2024.

The next President at VCSU will be personable, visible, and a trustworthy leader who listens with intent, collaborates transparently, and builds authentic relationships across campus and the community. They must understand and honor VCSU’s mission while supporting innovation and academic excellence, prioritizing student success, and fostering a positive, inclusive environment that engages employees in shared governance. The role calls for an energetic, inspiring, and forward-thinking strategist who can navigate the evolving higher-education landscape, communicate a compelling vision, make informed and timely decisions and represent the university effectively.

A strong community presence, partnership-building mindset, and political savvy are essential to advocating for VCSU and strengthening its regional impact. The president will be expected to build partnerships and collaborate for the well-being of the university, the system, and the state of North Dakota.

• Strategic Leadership and Vision

  Lead the university with strategic clarity by driving purposeful, sustainable growth in enrollment, programs, partnerships, and institutional impact.

• Leadership, Culture, and Talent Development

  Build and foster leadership capacity and an institutional culture that enables the university to grow and evolve…