The district seeks a President willing to make a commitment to the district and the region and who will lead the district in meeting these challenges and opportunities:

Challenges & Opportunities:

1. To capitalize on the potential for economic growth in Northeastern Minnesota by fashioning programs and services that respond to the emerging needs of an economically and socially diverse rural population and to the challenges confronting regional industries seeking highly trained incumbent and replacement workers in a region with a declining pool of new entrants to the workforce..
2. To promote enhanced educational service by pursuing opportunities for greater collaboration among district colleges while preserving the college autonomy required to encourage institutional initiative.
3. To ensure strong advocacy for the district and its programs in the regional community with civic, business and governmental leaders, within the Minnesota State College and University System, and with all national and international partners.
4. To lead in securing both public and private resources necessary to support the growth and positioning of the district colleges.
5. To strengthen the presence and visibility of the district colleges as important educational and economic resources for their host communities.
6. To pursue ways to use technology for the effective delivery of educational services in a large rural region not always widely served by broadband internet service.

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics:

1. A demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the mission of community and technical colleges.
2. A demonstrated understanding of the special challenges confronting small, rural colleges working to meet the needs of communities throughout a very large geographic area.
3. The ability to be an approachable and visible leader on and off campus and with all elements of the district colleges and the communities that they serve.
4. Highly developed writing and speaking skills
5. Experience in developing effective partnerships with businesses and industries, community organizations and public schools.
6. Demonstrated success in generating financial support, both public and private, to sustain and enhance college programs.
7. Experience in academic leadership and administration, especially in a multi-college system.  Teaching experience in higher education is highly desirable.
8. The ability to provide an engaging and visionary future for all NHED colleges through effective strategic and operational planning.
9. A strong commitment to students, to their involvement in the life of district colleges and to their success as learners.
10. A positive attitude toward collective bargaining, and the ability to manage effectively within a collective bargaining environment with multiple bargaining units.
11. A willingness to travel regularly to the colleges and their communities throughout a large service region.
12. The ability to promote the district’s advancement while working collaboratively with colleagues in a complex multi-college state system.
13. A doctorate from an accredited institution is preferred; a masters degree is required.