North Dakota University System Commissioner Brent Sanford’s interview with Flag Family News reporter Chris Larson
MINOT, N.D. – Former North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford has been named North Dakota University System commissioner by the State Board of Higher Education.
“I am ready for this challenge,” Sanford said in a statement obtained by Flag Family News. “I look forward to enhancing collaboration of campuses on systemwide efforts and responding to the state’s workforce challenges.”
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put the right person in this leadership position. Our highest priority is our students and building collaborative partnerships with the state’s workforce to meet their needs. Brent has an innate ability to connect the dots across the continuum of education,” SBHE Chair Kevin Black said.
Sanford served as NDUS interim chancellor after Dr. Mark Hagerott announced his retirement in April. He also served as Bismarck State College’s interim president this year.
“It was a good affirmation that the five months been in the right direction for what the board was expecting and wanting us to do,” he said in an interview with Flag Family News reporter Chris Larson.
At a meeting in Minot, Tuesday, Sept. 23 where the board picked Sanford to lead the university system, it also changed the position’s title from chancellor to commissioner.
The panel also named Dr. Carmen Simone as the permanent president at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake.
“Dr. Simone has been part of our system for many years and the leader of three different institutions during her career. She has been part of many competitive search processes and her work at Lake Region has been well received. We are happy to keep her talent and expertise in our state and see her lead LRSC into the future,” Black said.
