NDSU Chief of Staff and co-chair of the presidential search committee Jace Beehler visits with Flag Family News reporter Chris Larson
FARGO, N.D. – The search for the next leader at NDSU is well underway.
President Dr. David Cook has been announced as the new leader at his alma mater, Iowa State University in Ames, where he’ll take over the reins on March 1.
Now, it’s up to leaders in the higher education community to look for a new leader. Jace Beehler serves as co-chair of the search committee and is the Chief of Staff to President Cook, and said NDSU is proud of Cook and his wife, Dr. Kate Cook, and their accomplishments while at the university.
“We’re incredibly proud of President Cook and Dr. Kate Cook, who’ve been just amazing leaders here on campus for NDSU and really just done an incredible job of representing NDSU and ensuring that the reputation of NDSU is built and emboldened across the state of North Dakota,” Beehler told Flag Family News on Friday. “NDSU is going to be better for decades to come for the time that Dr. Kate Cook and President Cook spent here at NDSU. And we’re thrilled for them as they return home to Iowa State and hopefully look forward to continuing to partner with them in their new roles.”
The search committee has met once already, with another meeting coming up in the near future.
“(We’re) just excited to get things rolling with the search committee,” Beehler said.
A survey has been open to campus faculty, staff and students, along with members of the alumni foundation, to allow them to provide feedback on the next leader at NDSU.
“One the common themes has been to build on the momentum of President Cook and to keep his strong presence, and the belief of connection with students – the connection with the community and connection with the state in the next president,” Beehler said.
NDSU is positioned for a strong transition after Cook leaves – thanks to the strong leadership team around the president.
“We’ve got leaders across campus – within the cabinet, within the faculty, staff and students, a tremendous group of shared governance leaders – that are really all believe in the common goals that President Cook has set forward and want to maintain that momentum going forward,” Beehler said. “I think you’re going to see us continuing to move the ball down the field, if you will, and make sure that we don’t lose any yardage in the transition period.”
There will be opportunities for the community to become involved in the process of choosing the next president, he said.
