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 28consecutive 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 Dakotafor five consecutive years, and the No. 2 ranking in the 12-state Midwestfrom U.S. News.

VCSU, founded as a normal school in 1890, now offers more than
65 undergraduateprograms 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  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 mission of the VCSU Foundation is to support Valley City State University by involving alumni and friends in activities and private giving that meet the university’s needs and advance its welfare. The incoming VCSU President will take a lead role in fundraising and actively cultivate,solicit, and secure major financial support for the university.

The University has completed major renovation projects on three academic buildings since 2013 and opened the brand new $32 million Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts in 2022. The campus is nearing completion of its Forward Together Capital Campaign, which helped fund a $13.5 million renovation to the McCarthy Hall School of Education in 2025 and an $11 million expansion to VCSU’s athletic facilities – currently under construction.

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,…