NDSU presidential candidate Dean L. Bresciani discussed a clear goal for the institution during his open forum presentation, “A Vision for NDSU,” held on April 27. Bresciani, the former vice president for student affairs at Texas A&M University, is the first of four candidates who will visit the NDSU campus for interviews and meetings.
“The vision is for NDSU to be recognized as the best student-focused land-grant university in the nation,” Bresciani said to an audience of approximately 200 faculty, staff, students, legislators, alumni and members of the NDSU Presidential Search Committee.
He noted NDSU’s success in recent years, as evidenced by the university’s enrollment growth and its development as a research institution. “The enthusiasm of the people, the excitement about the progress you have made and the vision you have for your future is really inspirational,” he said.
Bresciani was vice president for student affairs at Texas A & M University from 2004-08, where he continues as an adjunct full professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resources Development. Bresciani previously served as interim vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2002-04). He also held student affairs and Residential Life positions at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
He called NDSU a leader among its land-grant peers, with a history of getting the job done. But, he said NDSU can do more. “NDSU is truly unique among major research institutions with a window of opportunity,” Bresciani said. “I encourage you to seize that opportunity.”
He continued, “The best university planning is done as part of a very inclusive process, hearing the voices of everyone in the university community from students to people living outside the community that the university serves.”
Bresciani earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Humboldt State University, Arcata, Calif.; master’s degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio; and doctorate in higher education finance from the University of Arizona, Tucson.
Among his professional associations and activities, his vita lists the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, National Association of State University and Land-Grant Colleges, EDUCAUSE, National Association of College and University Business Officers, Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
Other candidates are scheduled to hold open forums, which are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in Festival Concert Hall. Gary Miller, provost and vice president for academic affairs and research at Wichita State University, is scheduled to make his presentation on Friday, April 30. William Ruud, president at Shippensburg University, is set for Tuesday, May 4, and John Gardner, vice president for economic development and global engagement at Washington State University, is set for Friday, May 7.
The NDSU Presidential Search Committee is scheduled to meet May 13 to select finalists to forward to the State Board of Higher Education. The committee has been charged with providing the board at least three unranked candidates for consideration. Board members are scheduled to interview finalists on May 24.
For more information, go to www.ndsu.edu/news/transition.