President Search

President Search

°µÍø½ûÇø will welcome a new president on July 1, 2025. Current president, Dr. Patricia Rogers announced her retirement on August 22, 2024. On this page, we will post important information about the search process.

Presidential Profile

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for this leadership position, please review the presidential profile and follow the instructions.

Search Committee

has been hired as the search firm led by consultant Cindy Lopez. Jestina Vichorek, associate vice president of Human Resources, is the campus liaison.

The search committee chair is Dr. Sharon Pierce, president of Minneapolis College. The Minnesota State chancellor, Dr. Scott Olson, has appointed the following members of the search committee:

AFSCME

  • Sherri Maisuk - Records Specialist

MSCF

  • Amy Jo Swing - English Faculty, Center for Faculty Innovation
  • Joel Krochalk - Nursing Faculty

MAPE

  • Stephanie Wainionpaa - College in the Schools Director (MAPE Academic Professional 2)

MMA

  • Melissa Leno - Academic Supervisor 2 – Registrar

Student Senate

  • Christopher Nikcevich - Student Senate Secretary °µÍø½ûÇø

Administrators

  • Wade Gordon - Dean of Students
  • Timothy Brandon - Dean of Business and Industry

Community Members

  • Christina Woods - Executive Director of the Duluth Art Institute. Member of the Anishinaabe community.
  • Carl Crawford - St. Louis County’s Equity and Inclusion Specialist. A former employee of °µÍø½ûÇø past chair of the °µÍø½ûÇø Foundation.
  • Vance Okstad - Director of Talent Acquisition at Cirrus Aircraft in Duluth. Veteran of the National Guard and currently serves as a Human Resources Advisor for the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth. Current board member of the °µÍø½ûÇø Foundation.

Timeline

Campus Visits Schedule - April 28-29

If you have a question but can’t attend in-person (no virtual option) we are accepting anonymous questions via a

Day 1 - Monday, April 28 - Candidate 1

TimeEventLocation
9:00 - 9:45 amStudent ForumS255Add to Calendar
10:00 - 10:45 amFaculty ForumS255Add to Calendar
11:00 - 11:45 amStaff Forum (AFSCME, MAPE, MMA, Commissioners Plan)S255Add to Calendar
12:30 - 1:15 pmOpen ForumS255Add to Calendar
1:30 - 2:15 pmAdministrator ForumS207Add to Calendar
2:30 - 3:15 pmCommunity SessionS255Add to Calendar

Day 2 - Tuesday April 29 - Candidate 2

TimeEventLocation
9:00 - 9:45 amCommunity SessionS255Add to Calendar
10:00 - 10:45 amStaff Forum (AFSCME, MAPE, MMA, Commissioners Plan)S255Add to Calendar
11:00 - 11:45 amFaculty ForumS255Add to Calendar
12:30 - 1:15 pmStudent ForumS255Add to Calendar
1:30 - 2:15 pmOpen ForumS207Add to Calendar
2:30 - 3:15 pmAdministrator ForumS207Add to Calendar

Day 2 - Tuesday April 29 - Candidate 3

TimeEventLocation
9:00 - 9:45 amStudent ForumS165Add to Calendar
10:00 - 10:45 amFaculty ForumS165Add to Calendar
11:00 - 11:45 amStaff Forum (AFSCME, MAPE, MMA, Commissioners Plan)S165Add to Calendar
12:30 - 1:15 pmOpen ForumS165Add to Calendar
1:30 - 2:15 pmAdministrator ForumS111Add to Calendar
2:30 - 3:15 pmCommunity SessionS165Add to Calendar

Feedback

If you have feedback to share, please reach out directly to Chancellor Scott Olson at .