Screen Photo North Dakota Board of Higher Education Chairman Kevin Black, left, speaks following the vote approving Brent Sandford, right, as commissioner of the North Dakota University System.

The North Dakota Board of Higher Education appointed former Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford as North Dakota University System commissioner at a meeting held at Minot State University on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Sanford was named the interim University System chancellor in April after former chancellor Mark Hagerott stepped down. Sanford gave a presentation to the board on the status of the system during the interim period, and answered questions from board members ranging from the monetization of research at the system’s universities, to the perception from some of the public regarding his lack of experience in academia.

Sanford said his experiences with higher education as lieutenant governor was valuable during his time as interim chancellor, and that he has truly enjoyed the role.

“I find it a better fit than I thought it would be, because it’s turning out that this job is very much a government leadership, government administrator, political administrator, type job that I’m used to,” Sanford said.

After an executive session, the board moved to vote to approve Sanford’s appointment, Board Chairman Kevin Black addressed discourse in the media about the decision to forgo a national search for a permanent chancellor.

“I certainly appreciate the call and the desire from all of our stakeholders in the university system for a process. I think that’s something this board will obviously take up this year. That being said — I think this is a once in a generation opportunity to put someone in the seat who can make a true difference for higher education, and I do mean it when I say once in a generation,” Black said. “For those reasons, I do think doing the right thing and putting the right person in the seat trumps process in this case. I think it’s 100 percent worth it.”

Black commended Sanford for his performance and approach as interim president of Bismarck State College, which he said showed an “innate ability to connect the dots across the continuum of education in North Dakota.”

Black’s endorsement was echoed by other members of the board, including member Danita Bye who said, “We could have done a national search and Brent would be our top candidate. He has everything that we need and want for the North Dakota University System at this time in history.”

Board member Tim Mihalick said he was incredibly excited to have Sanford on board, noting he had “that ‘it’ factor.”

The board also approved a motion changing the title to commissioner, which also received unanimous approval. Black said the position’s duties were not being changed, but that changing it to commissioner was better aligned with the state constitution.

The change in title required further amendments to other leadership titles in the University System. The vice chancellor for academic and students affairs will become deputy commissioner/chief academic and student affairs officer, and the vice chancellor for administrative affairs will become deputy commissioner and chief financial officer.