Dickinson State launches national search for new Vice-President

James B. Miller, Jr., The Dickinson Press, N.D.
·2 min read

Jan. 12—DICKINSON — Dickinson State University (DSU) has launched a national search for the next vice president and provost for academic affairs, with the goal of welcoming a new provost this summer, prior to the start of the 2023-24 academic year. The preferred application deadline for this position will be January 31.

The position is considered the second officer in command and is directly responsible to the President for planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of all academic programs, and for all matters pertaining to faculty appointment, retention, and evaluation. The search committee is composed of four faculty members, five staff members, one student and one community member, including Krissy Kilwein as the search committee chair.

The current interim vice president and provost, Dr. John Miller, will be concluding his service at the end of the academic year.

Miller is a career educator with 38 years of teaching and administrative experience spanning both K-12 and post-secondary education. Miller previously served as vice president for academic affairs and later as president of Williston State College before taking the position with Dickinson State University. Miller was touted extensively by the university upon hiring in July of 2022 as being well known for his contributions to the development and administration of a state broadband system connecting high schools with college and university partners for the delivery of dual credit.

This newest search, six months removed from Miller being named to the position, comes in a year where DSU received recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the top colleges in the Midwest. The university was ranked as the No. 7 for Top Public Schools — Regional Colleges (Midwest) for the seventh consecutive year.

President of DSU Steve Easton noted that the ranking was a testament to the hard work the university does to provide an amazing range of experiences for students both in and beyond the classroom, at a very low cost — a responsibility that rests within the long list of oversight for the open vice-president and provost position.

The search committee say that they are looking for a candidate with a strong record of leadership and administrative experience, with a commitment to student success and an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities of regional comprehensive universities. The committee will also be looking for a candidate who is dedicated to the university's mission of providing access to higher education for all students, and who is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive and equitable community.

For questions regarding the open position, please contact director of human resources, Krissy Kilwein, at krissy.kilwein@dickinsonstate.edu.