Central ND News

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) has appointed Brent Sanford as the interim chancellor of the North Dakota University System (NDUS). The announcement was made during a special board meeting following the retirement of Chancellor Mark Hagerott, effective April 29, 2025. Sanford, who is the former North Dakota lieutenant governor, took on the role of interim president at Bismarck State College (BSC) in January 2025. Concurrently, Dr. Dan Leingang has been appointed as the interim president of BSC.

Commenting on the transition, SBHE Chair Tim Mihalick expressed gratitude towards Hagerott for his decade-long service. He also commended Sanford, stating, "I thank Mark for his service to the state’s higher education system over the past decade, and I welcome Brent for stepping up not once, but twice in a few short months to serve where he was needed in the system. Our highest priority is our students and building collaborative partnerships with the state’s workforce to meet their needs. Brent will lead systemwide collaboration among our campuses and he has the leadership experience in business and state government to ensure that connection remains strong between the system and community needs."

Sanford will officially begin his role on April 30, 2025, expressing his enthusiasm for the position, "I appreciate the opportunity to serve in a leadership role that includes all of the state’s higher education campuses. I am ready for this challenge. I look forward to leading collaboration of campuses on systemwide efforts and responding at speed and scale to workforce challenges. I am confident that the North Dakota University System can become the number one workforce solution for North Dakota and our region."

Sanford's career began with a degree in accounting from the University of North Dakota in 1994. His professional journey includes working as a CPA at Eide Bailly, serving as chief financial officer of Transwest, Inc., and eventually returning to Watford City, N.D. He owned a family-run car dealership, served on the Watford City Council, and was elected mayor. He also served as lieutenant governor for the first six years of former Gov. Doug Burgum’s tenure.