The State Board of Higher Education, SBHE, unanimously voted Steven Shirley as the new president of Minot State University, Thursday, effective July 2014.
"His strong understanding of what's important to students, especially in North Dakota, clearly demonstrates that he is someone who can continue to drive the growth of this university," SBHE Chair Kirsten Diederich said in a statement.
Shirley, currently the Valley City State University president, will succeed David H. Fuller, who will be retiring in June after serving the Minot State University's presidency post since 2004.
The Fargo native was in higher education for 17 years. Shirley was named the president of Valley City July 1, 2008. Prior to Valley City, he was the vice president and dean of student affairs at Dakota State University and an assistant professor and director of study abroad at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.
Shirley holds a bachelor's degree in business administration; Master of Business Administration degree (M.B.A.) in marketing and global business, and a doctorate in teaching and learning, all from the University of North Dakota.
The Minot State president also heads Dakota College at Bottineau.
Minot State University established 1913 is the third-largest higher educational institution in North Dakota. MSU, a member of the North Dakota University System, offers nine master's degrees and one education specialist degree in areas like communication disorders, management, and mathematics. The school simultaneously also offer courses in Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education and Health Sciences. The North Dakota institution also offers more than 60 majors at the undergraduate level with a mix of liberal arts and professional programs.