Why It Matters
North Dakota State University’s next president will lead one of the state’s largest higher education institutions during a critical period of enrollment management, research funding, and academic program development. The selection of NDSU’s 16th president carries implications for the university’s strategic direction, regional economic partnerships, and ability to compete for federal research grants. The position also sets the tone for North Dakota’s broader higher education landscape, as the state simultaneously fills leadership vacancies at other major institutions.
What Happened
A search committee has narrowed the North Dakota State University president search to three finalists, each scheduled to visit the Fargo campus during the week of March 24-26, 2026. The candidates will make 20-minute public presentations at 2 p.m. on consecutive days in the Anishinaabe Theater of the Memorial Union, with sessions also streamed via Zoom followed by meet-and-greet opportunities.
The three finalists are Marshall Stewart, executive vice president for external engagement at Kansas State University; Bernie Savarese, vice president for academic affairs, research and student success at the University of Tennessee; and Alan Smith, dean and professor of kinesiology and health science at Utah State University, who previously served as interim president there.
Stewart’s presentation is scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m., Savarese’s for Tuesday at 2 p.m., and Smith’s for Wednesday at 2 p.m. The search committee will formally recommend candidates to the State Board of Higher Education during a meeting Friday. The board will conduct final interviews on the NDSU campus on March 30, with the new president announced that same day. A public introduction event is scheduled from 4-5 p.m. on March 30 in the Memorial Union.
The new president will replace David Cook, who resigned in 2025 to become president of Iowa State University. Rick Berg has served as interim president during the search process.
By The Numbers
- 3 finalists selected from the applicant pool for NDSU’s presidential position
- 16th president to be selected in NDSU’s institutional history
- 20-minute duration for each candidate’s public presentation
- 1 day allocated for final interviews by the State Board of Higher Education (March 30)
- June beginning date expected for new president to assume office
Zoom Out
The NDSU presidency search occurs as North Dakota faces a leadership transition across its higher education system. Bismarck State College is simultaneously in the final stages of selecting a new president to replace Doug Jensen. The State Board of Higher Education will interview four Bismarck State finalists—Gaby Hawat of Catalyst Partners, Brian Kalk (chief research officer at the University of North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center), Rai Kathuria (former provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Empire State University), and Dan Leingang (interim president at Bismarck State)—on March 31 on the Bismarck State campus.
These concurrent searches reflect national trends in higher education leadership transitions. Public research universities like NDSU frequently experience presidential turnover as leaders pursue opportunities at peer institutions or different sectors. The selection of university presidents typically involves multi-stage processes including national searches, committee review, campus visits with public forums, and governing board approval.
NDSU’s three finalists represent diverse backgrounds in higher education administration. Stewart brings external engagement expertise from a major research institution in the Midwest. Savarese’s experience centers on academic affairs, research operations, and student success at a large university. Smith combines faculty credentials in health sciences with interim executive leadership experience, providing familiarity with university operations and decision-making.
What’s Next
The State Board of Higher Education will receive the search committee’s formal recommendations on Friday following the campus visit week. Final interviews with the three candidates are scheduled for March 30 on the NDSU campus. The board is expected to announce the selection on the same day, with a public introduction event immediately following.
The selected president must transition into the role and assume full responsibilities by early June 2026. During the interim period, Rick Berg will continue serving as interim president. The new president will face immediate priorities including finalizing the 2026-2027 academic year budget, confirming administrative appointments, and developing strategic initiatives aligned with the university’s research mission and student enrollment goals.