Bismarck, N.D. — The Williston State College Presidential Search Committee, charged by the North Dakota University System to evaluate candidates for the WSC presidency, has narrowed the pool of applicants to six candidates who have been invited to campus for interviews to be scheduled April 6-8, 2021.
Twenty-nine candidates met qualifications and were forwarded to the Presidential Search Committee for their initial review. The committee met in executive session on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, to discuss candidates. After thorough discussion and analysis, some candidates were offered an opportunity for a virtual interview, March 15-16. Following these virtual interviews, the search committee narrowed the pool to the five candidates invited to campus. Open forums for the community will be held on the WSC campus in the Teton Lounge the following dates:
Candidate 1: Tuesday, April 6, 2021 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Candidate 2: Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 10:15 -11:15 am
Candidate 3: Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Candidate 4: Thursday, April 8, 2021 from 10:15 -11:15 am
Candidate 5: Thursday, April 8, 2021 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Co-chairing the WSC Presidential Search Committee are Kathleen Neset, State Board of Higher Education member, and Kim Wray, WSC vice president for academic affairs and instruction.
According to Neset, the search committee appreciated the depth and breadth of the candidate pool. “We had vast interest in the WSC presidency, and we’re very excited to bring these talented leaders to the Williston community and provide them an opportunity to interact with our people and spend time on campus,” she said.
During their campus visits, the candidates will meet with students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and campus and community leaders, with the search committee soliciting feedback from all of these key stakeholder groups.
Following the on-campus interviews, the search committee will recommend an unranked slate of finalists to the State Board of Higher Education. The board will conduct final interviews on the WSC campus on Thursday, April 29, 2021, with the selection of the next WSC president announced thereafter. It is anticipated that the new WSC president will assume office following the retirement of Dr. John Miller in June 2021.