Job Details
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 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.
EXPECTATIONS
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.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITY AREAS
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 while sustaining trust, engagement, accountability, and performance. Uphold academic freedom and engage transparently in collaborative consensus and shared governance.
Advocacy and Place-Based Leadership
Serve as a visible, engaged leader who secures support from legislators and strengthens VCSU’s role as a trusted partner and anchor institution within Valley City and the surrounding region.
Student Experience and Program Relevance
Champion a high-quality, student-centered experience supported by relevant academic programs and co-curricular offerings that promote engagement, retention, completion, and successful post-graduation outcomes. Actively support excellence in teaching and learning to nurture and educate students as engaged citizens in an increasingly complex and diverse society.
System Collaboration and Governance
Successfully navigate complexities within higher education and NDUS governance, maintaining strong system relationships while advocating for VCSU's mission and interests.
Advancement, Philanthropy, and External Relations
Serve as chief ambassador, strengthening VCSU’s reputation with alumni and other stakeholders for increased financial and community support.
Financial Stewardship and Institutional Sustainability
Strengthen VCSU's long-term financial health through responsible budgeting, resource allocation, infrastructure, and revenue diversification.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum
- Demonstrated senior-level executive leadership experience
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution
Preferred
- Experience as a faculty member and/or in an academic leadership role
- Earned doctorate or other terminal degree
NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS
For best consideration, nominations and applications should be received by 11:59 p.m. on March 15, 2026. The application must include a letter of interest of not more than three pages; a current résumé (or curriculum vitae); and the names of five professional references with each person's position, office or home address, e-mail address, and telephone numbers. The current Interim President of VCSU is fully eligible to apply and will be given equal consideration alongside other applicants. References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the applicant. The new President will assume office on or before July 1, 2026. Semi-finalists will agree to an on-campus visit which will include public forums with constituent groups.
The VCSU Presidential Search is being coordinated internally through the North Dakota University System office and VCSU Human Resources. Nominations and applications should be sent electronically to VCSU.PresidentialSearch@VCSU.edu (MS Word or PDF format). Additional information may be found at www.VCSU.edu. Additional information on the VCSU Presidential Search may be found at www.vcsu.edu/about-vcsu/president/search/. Questions may be directed to Jane Grinde, NDUS Chief Human Resource Officer at 701.877.5717 jane.grinde@ndus.edu or Jennifer Larson, Director for Human Resources, VCSU at 701.845.7401 jennifer.larson@vcsu.edu.