The State Board of Higher Education has chosen Dr. David Cook as the new President of North Dakota State University.
Cook will assume the position in June of this year, following the departure of Dr. Dean Bresciani from the role. He will be NDSU’s 15th President.
Cook is currently vice chancellor for the Office of Public Affairs and Economic Development at the University of Kansas. He says he’s excited to get on campus and learn as much as he can.
"I think I want to take some time to get to know people, do a nice listening session - of course, people within the university - students, staff and faculty. And it's very clear to me that NDSU has an incredibly important brand in place across the state and with the other higher education institutions, so I want to spend some time meeting and talking with people and listening to them and looking for opportunities where we could collaborate, and continue to do great things, but continue to do great things together moving forward."
Cook says he plans to be very hands on and focused on building relationships. He says the role of a good leader is supported by “good people,” and there is no shortage of that at NDSU.
Cook is a father of three, two of whom are still in college. He says he is able to assume the role of President with the perspective of a parent of college aged kids.
"One of the great things about higher education is that it changes lives. I know I'm a first generation college student and it's done pretty great things for me, and we have a great opportunity to help and change lives for these next generations of kids and students who are going to be coming up from high school and all the rest."
Cook joined Fargo-Moorhead area reporters via zoom after being named to the post.