North Dakota Board Makes Presidential Appointments
Vendors should monitor how these new leaders at public colleges affect procurement and institutional partnerships.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in People
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The North Dakota Board of Higher Education has appointed new presidents for two state institutions, opting to skip a formal search process for both roles. Allen Burgad will lead Valley City State University, while Lisa Karch has been named president of the State College of Science at Wahpeton.
Why it matters
The decision to bypass traditional executive search procedures highlights a shift in administrative staffing strategy for North Dakota higher education institutions. This approach streamlines the hiring cycle for key leadership positions at public schools, potentially altering institutional stability and governance expectations.
The North Dakota Board of Higher Education confirmed these appointments through formal voting, with two members dissenting on the selection for the State College of Science. This selection occurred without any formal search process for the presidencies.
The players
North Dakota Board of Higher Education
The state authority responsible for the governance and executive oversight of North Dakota public colleges and universities.
Allen Burgad
The newly appointed president of Valley City State University.
Lisa Karch
The newly appointed president of the State College of Science at Wahpeton.
Alan LaFave
The predecessor and former president of Valley City State University.
The details
The board reached these decisions during a meeting in Bismarck, N.D. Allen Burgad assumes the presidency of Valley City State University, replacing Alan LaFave. Lisa Karch, who returned to the State College of Science campus on July 1, 2026, officially takes on the top leadership role following the board's vote.
Timeline
July 1, 2026: Lisa Karch returned to the State College of Science campus.
October 29, 2026: The Board of Higher Education voted to confirm the presidential appointments.
Market Landscape
The selection process marks a departure from standard institutional hiring patterns for public higher education in the state. This action sits outside the typical search protocols historically utilized by the North Dakota Board of Higher Education to fill executive vacancies.
Operators and stakeholders should track how these leadership changes influence institutional resource allocation and local hiring policies. Decisions made by these new presidents regarding facility projects and procurement will define the operational environment for regional vendors.
The takeaway
The move to skip formal searches signals a faster, centralized approach to state-level administrative staffing. Business leaders should monitor the board's future meeting agendas for any changes to internal governance policies that could impact public contracting or higher education partnerships.
Further reading
For more on leadership shifts in the region, see People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News Dakota.
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