Semifinalists for President of Bemidji State University, Northwest Technical College Named

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 18, 2016 – Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has named three semifinalists who are under consideration to be president of Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College. The candidates are Rodney Hanley, Faith Hensrud, and Al Thompson.

The candidates were recommended by a search advisory committee comprised of students, faculty, staff, and community leaders, and chaired by Connie Gores, president of Southwest Minnesota State University. The candidates are scheduled to visit the campus between March 21 and March 23, 2016. The campus visits provide an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to meet each candidate and offer feedback. 

Rodney Hanley has served Fisk University (Tenn.) as provost and vice president for academic affairs since 2014. Previously, he served Lakehead University (Ontario, Canada) as provost and vice president from 2011 to 2014, and acting vice president of research, economic development, and innovation from 2013 to 2014. He served the University of Winnipeg from 2008 to 2011 as dean of science, and as interim principal of the Richardson College for the Environment from 2009 to 2011. He served the University of North Dakota as senior researcher of the Northern Great Plains Center for People and the Environment; as director of graduate studies of the Department of Earth System Science and Policy; and as chair of the Department of Earth System Science and Policy. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s from Eastern Illinois University, a master’s from the University of Cambridge (England), and a doctorate from the University of Kansas. His campus visit is scheduled for Monday, March 21.

Faith Hensrud has served the University of Wisconsin-Superior since 1995 in several capacities including provost/vice chancellor for academic affairs since 2012; interim provost/vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean of faculties from 2010 to 2012; associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and outreach from 2006 to 2010; leader of distance education and continuing education programs and activities from 2002 to 2006; and associate professor since 2006. She served the U.S. Army from 1986 to 1989 and the U.S. Army Reserve from 1989 to 2000. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, a master’s from the College of St. Scholastica (Duluth), and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota. Her campus visit is scheduled for Wednesday, March 23.

Al Thompson has served the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as vice chancellor for student affairs since 2011 and chief diversity officer since 2012. Previously, he served Eastern Washington University as associate vice president for student affairs and dean of student life from 2008 to 2011; the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as the assistant to the chancellor for affirmative action and diversity from 1997 to 2008; and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville as assistant to the chancellor for minority affairs and director of multi-cultural services from 1988 to 1997, and director of the ethnic studies program from 1994 to 1997. He served on the graduate faculty of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse from 2004 to 2008. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s from the University of Iowa, and a doctorate from Saint Mary’s University (Minneapolis). His campus visit is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22.

Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College have been formally aligned since 2003 and operate under the leadership of a single president.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees is expected to consider Chancellor Steven Rosenstone’s recommendation at its April 20 meeting. The anticipated start date of the new president is July 1, 2016.