Posted: February 19, 2026
Contact: Noelle Hawton, Noelle.Hawton@MinnState.edu, 651-728-8156
ST. PAUL, Minn., February 19, 2026 – Minnesota State has named three finalists in the search for the next president of Minnesota North College. The candidates are Clint Cowden, Bart Johnson, and Jessalyn Sabin.
The candidates were recommended by a search advisory committee that was comprised of students, faculty, staff, and community leaders, and was chaired by Anita Hanson, president of Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College. The candidates are scheduled to conduct campus visits the week of February 23. The campus visits provide an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to meet each of the candidates and offer feedback. Details of the candidates’ campus visits and the process for providing feedback are available at https://minnesotanorth.edu/presidential-search-update/.
Clint Cowden currently serves as the assistant superintendent/vice president of instruction and student services at Palo Verde Community College District in California, a role he has held since 2024. Previously, he served in several positions at Hartnell Community College District, California, as dean of academic affairs and campus chief administrative officer from 2020 to 2024, dean of academic affairs—fine arts, social sciences, early childhood education, curriculum and scheduling from 2019 to 2020, and dean of academic affairs—career technical education and workforce development 2017 to 2019. Between 2014 and 2017 he served as Director of the Farm of the Future at West Hills Community College, California, and as a faculty member there from 2004 to 2014. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from California Polytechnic State University. He is scheduled to visit the various Minnesota North College campuses February 24-26 starting at Mesabi Range.
Bart Johnson currently serves Minnesota North College as the vice president of academic and student affairs, a position he has held since 2021. Prior to his current role, he served Itasca Community College as provost between 2016 and 2022, interim provost from 2015 to 2016, dean of academic affairs from 2013 to 2015, and faculty member and co-founder of the Iron Range Engineering program between 2004 and 2013. He worked for John Deere as an engineer from 2001 to 2004 and as a research fellow for the Whirlpool Corporation from 2000 to 2001. He completed pre-engineering studies at Minnesota State University Moorhead, and holds a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University, a master’s from the University of Michigan, and a doctorate from the University of Aalborg (Denmark). He is scheduled to visit the various Minnesota North College campuses February 24-26 starting at Itasca.
Jessalyn Sabin serves as the academic dean for career and technical programs and the Eveleth campus director for Minnesota North College, roles she has held since 2021. From 2019 to 2021 she was the interim dean of academics for Hibbing Community College and between 2020 and 2021 she also served as the interim dean of academics for Rainy River Community College. She was a biology instructor at Hibbing Community College from 2013 to 2019 and served as a graduate teaching assistant and researcher at the University of Minnesota Duluth from 2011 to 2013. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a doctorate from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She is scheduled to visit the various Minnesota North College campuses February 24-26 starting at Vermilion.
The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is expected to consider Chancellor Scott Olson’s recommendation at its March 18, 2026, meeting. The anticipated start date of the new president is July 1, 2026.
About Minnesota North College
Minnesota North College is a comprehensive community and technical college serving students on six campuses across northern Minnesota and a member of Minnesota State. With a commitment to accessible, affordable, and high-quality education, Minnesota North College offers a wide range of programs to prepare students for rewarding careers and successful futures. More information at MinnesotaNorth.edu.
About Minnesota State
Minnesota State includes 26 community and technical colleges and seven state universities serving approximately 270,000 students. It is the third-largest system of two-year colleges and four-year universities in the United States.
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