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Chancellor Search

Minnesota State seeks a visionary and inspirational higher education leader for what is the largest and most diverse provider of higher education in Minnesota, and the third-largest system of colleges and universities in the United States.

Minnesota State is a diverse and vibrant network of 26 colleges and seven state universities that provides a safe and inclusive environment for all students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to Equity 2030, a systemwide shared vision to close the educational equity gaps at all Minnesota State colleges and universities by the year 2030.

The next Chancellor will be joining the Minnesota State system at a pivotal time, requiring a leader who is able to transform public higher education while focusing on student success to meet the needs of a rapidly changing society. In addition, our next leader will encourage and honor the innovation and dynamism of the individual colleges and universities and foster their collective vivacity while also harnessing the power of operating as a system.

The successful candidate will have significant experience in a mission-driven, complex organization, a demonstrated record of leading transformative change and financial sustainability efforts, and an entrepreneurial mindset to support new approaches for meeting the changing needs of the state. They will be a champion for equity and inclusion; and will be a collaborative leader with humility and integrity, who can set the strategic vision for Minnesota State. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in marshalling the combined assets of a system to serve students and the state.

In this rapidly changing world, there are many challenges and opportunities ahead for the next generation of Minnesota State students. The Board of Trustees seeks an equity-minded and transformational leader who will leverage the strengths of the entire Minnesota State system to maximize the role of public higher education in successfully addressing those challenges on behalf of students and realizing opportunities for the state of Minnesota and beyond.

Find the print version of the Chancellor Search.

Chancellor Designate

Minnesota State held a press conference on May 9, 2023 to announce the next chancellor. Here are full resolution photos of the announcement.

Contact Doug Anderson (doug.anderson@minnstate.edu) if you have questions about the use of these photos.

Position And Process

The chancellor serves as the executive officer of this $2 billion public enterprise, directly reporting to the governor-appointed Board of Trustees. The role has full executive responsibility for providing effective management, operations, and educational leadership to the 33 colleges and universities of Minnesota State, ensuring that the system meets the current and long-term educational and workforce development needs of all Minnesotans.  

The Chancellor’s responsibilities include implementing board policy; providing for academic leadership; recommending operating and capital budgets; recommending allocation of resources; planning; oversight of collective bargaining; providing information systems; management of personnel resources; direct supervision and annual evaluation of the 30 presidents and chancellor’s cabinet. Learn more at MinnState.edu/system/chancellor.

Preferred Qualifications

  • An understanding of the value and unique missions of the system’s community colleges, technical colleges, comprehensive colleges, and state universities, along with the shared mission of the enterprise
  • An understanding of the unique attributes of higher education and the current opportunities and challenges facing public higher education in Minnesota and nationally
  • Demonstrated commitment to serving students and leading an enterprise dedicated to student success
    Proven experience of strategic and inclusive planning with the ability to anticipate, evaluate, and adapt to changing conditions through innovation
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, communicate, and execute change in a large, complex organization
  • Demonstrated ability to establish strong relationships and deliver a compelling message with local, state, and federal government officials, business, philanthropic and community leaders, and other diverse constituencies to support students, champion Minnesota State, and advance programs and services that support workforce and economic development
  • Demonstrated commitment to public service and public education
  • An experienced leader in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and establishing working and learning environments of trust and mutual respect
  • A demonstrated record of financial acumen and ability to effectively manage human, fiscal, and capital resources
  • Proven success in working with a governing board
  • A demonstrated understanding and ability to work effectively in an unionized environment
  • Ability to collaborate with key stakeholders to develop strategic goals and allocate resources across Minnesota State to achieve those goals
  • Demonstrated effective leadership with strong emphasis on accountability for results
  • Experience in a multi-location, geographically dispersed operating environment
  • A record of working with the highest level of integrity, exceptional interpersonal skills, strong influencing skills, high degree of self-awareness, and empathy
  • An earned doctorate or terminal degree

Benefits and Compensation

The position is covered by the Minnesota State Administrators plan: MinnState.edu/system/working.

The chancellor’s office is located in the system office in downtown St. Paul. Statewide travel is required.

Search Advisory Committee

Pam Wheelock, Co-chair
Community Leader

George Soule, Co-chair
Board of Trustees

Carrie Brimhall               
President, Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Jenna Chernega              
President, IFO

Alex Cirillo                        
Trustee

Jay Cowles                        
Trustee

Nicole Emerson               
Chair, MAPE

Jennifer Erwin                  
President, Minnesota State Policy Committee, AFSCME

Joyce Ester                       
President, Normandale Community College

David Fredrickson
Former Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, State Senator, and President of National Farmers Union

Satasha Green-Stephen
Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs

Kumara Jayasuriya         
President, Southwest Minnesota State University

Gary Kloos                     
Executive Director, MMA

Alex Kromminga             
President, MSUAASF

Kevin Lindstrom              
President, MSCF

Tuleah Palmer
President and CEO, Blandin Foundation

Mike Raich                        
President, Minnesota North College

John Runningen              
President, LeadMN

Kathy Sheran                   
Trustee

Jaime Simonsen              
Chief of Staff

Andrea Walsh
President and CEO, HealthPartners

Kaileigh Weber                              
State Chair, Students United


Timeline

December 15, 2022          Search Advisory Committee appointed

January 9, 2023                Advertising begins

February 21, 2023            Deadline for full application consideration

Mid-March, 2023              Confidential first round of interviews with select candidates

Week of April 24, 2023     Public announcement of finalists and finalist interviews

April 27, 2023                    Finalists will participate in hosted open forums

May, 2023                          Board Meeting to appoint the next Chancellor

August 1, 2023                 Contract start date

Finalists And Forums

The Board of Trustees will begin the final process of selecting the next Minnesota State chancellor on Wednesday, April 26 with a series of in-person interviews. On Thursday, April 27 you are invited to attend open forums either in person or via Zoom beginning at 9:00 a.m. and concluding at 11:15 a.m. Each finalist will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and share some thoughts on how Minnesota State, as the third largest system of state colleges and universities in the nation, best demonstrates the value and relevance of public higher education for meeting the current and future needs of our students and the Minnesota economy. This short presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. If attending in person, the Open Forums will be held at the system office in conference room 3304/3306, Wells Fargo Place Atrium. 

Open Forum for Dr. Johnson

April 27, 2023
9:00 - 10:00am
Conference Room 3304/06
Facilitator: President Peaslee
Hosts: Deb Gehrke and Toni Munos

Open Forum for Dr. Olson

April 27, 2023
10:15 - 11:15am
Conference Room 3304/06
Facilitator: President Peaslee
Hosts: Deb Gehrke and Toni Munos

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