MSU President's column for Traill County Tribune

September 26, 2015

Mayville State delighted to host NDUS Chancellor Dr. Mark Hagerott

 

mark-hagerott---ndus-chancellor-1-web.jpgNewly appointed North Dakota University System Chancellor Dr. Mark Hagerott will visit Mayville State Friday, Sept. 25. His stop in Mayville will wrap up his “Listen and Learn” tour. The tour is part of the chancellor’s initial work in office. Hagerott’s goal for the tour is to hear legislative, business, and community leaders’ thoughts and ideas about the state’s higher education system. While at Mayville State, he’ll meet with faculty, staff, students, and community personnel.

Dr. Mark Hagerott’s first day on the job as North Dakota University System (NDUS) Chancellor was July 1, 2015. The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education unanimously selected him for the position in April. 

Hagerott held several academic leadership positions at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland during the past seven years. His last position was that of senior civilian and deputy director of the new Center for Cyber Security Studies. With a full career in the U.S. Navy, he has held several leadership roles, including dean of humanities and social sciences, special assistant to the provost, chair of the admissions board, and leadership of senior faculty senate committees pertaining to assessment and accreditation.

Hagerott is originally from North Dakota and he has family connections to the state. He is tied to a fourth-generation family farm that his great-grandfather settled. His 80-year-old dad still farms there, and Mark helps out on the farm from time to time.

Dr. Hagerott spent the first part of his career in engineering and technology, and then 10 years ago he switched to higher education. He has been studying and writing about the evolution of technology during that time. His qualifications include several years of experience both in the military and civilian world and revolve around integration and collaboration.

Hagerott feels that communication flow and transparency will enhance the collaboration between the universities and stakeholders of the state. He is personally committed to the students and other stakeholders of North Dakota. He is also dedicated to helping each of the member colleges and universities of the NDUS achieve greater success. “One of the great benefits of the NDUS is its diversity – academically, geographically, and variable size of student body,” he said.

Chancellor Hagerott believes that the NDUS needs to be positioned for a changing future, and that this is a time of wonderful opportunity for the university system. He said, “What I see are continuous demands, and we need to give our workforce a strong foundation of knowledge through higher education so that they can teach us in the future. We need to look at our education programs and give our faculty the resources to continue to advance technology as well as support the arts and humanities through adaptive education.”

The community is cordially invited to visit with Chancellor Hagerott during a meet and greet social planned for Friday, Sept. 25 from 9 to 9:30 a.m. in the MSU Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center. We hope you will join in welcoming Dr. Hagerott to the Mayville-Portland community and Mayville State University.