[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6135889,"mediaKeyId","5670502-40b26d84e52876fbb73e57d62e3e62f9","parentId",5670502,"title","Dickinson State President outlines workforce focus, new cybersecurity and health programs during legislative campus visit","audioSeconds",11340,"startMs",1738000,"endMs",13078000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5670502-40b26d84e52876fbb73e57d62e3e62f9&start=1738&end=13078","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5670502-40b26d84e52876fbb73e57d62e3e62f9/thumbnail_1738000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6135889/North-Dakota/Dickinson-State-President-outlines-workforce-focus-new-cybersecurity-and-health-programs-during-legislative-campus-visit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135889-90f025582bb55a9b5d04faf67167901b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770581298&Signature=cy4Hx4DrCdnmqum~AcDkTl15XRp9k1uQEOtyWA3QPdiTZe~DTsDWMKIyAN4os3C8hB2PTfimluzBQGjoeYT17VL-YV~~VFqnbbcXLs~N1ta6LZzBPcJuc4lKWSICV~bnMHXA7YYgxjg~BjAxxwjpnsG1ny-GbWEVUJrzdDbCZlTrl6bqDsa3kr2I62RIJUxBFuhzD2untCEWzQ-Tf22rtzL1cVq09PSbsAU8~GPVthqBWxt6HJAa~mtuvkAASNVZKF55ucdvrWmCBvXEaCmqTL49HWx1Xs0RNc8g8nOQxwNaQe45HLL8NQcZ9PznsXzmc~~vPzAqVxpdS7NM3Z6uVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota Legislature","date","2025-08-21T00:00:00Z","article","Dickinson State University President Scott Molander told a North Dakota Higher Education Institutions Committee meeting in Dickinson that the university will push workforce-aligned programs, expand online and hybrid delivery, and strengthen partnerships with local K-12 and industry to meet regional labor needs. \"I'm 82 days on the job now,\" Molander said as he outlined plans to grow enrollment and to make campus offerings more workforce ready.

The presentation emphasized Dickinson State's dual mission — pairing career and technical education (CTE) with traditional bachelor programs — and several near-term program goals. Molander described a planned Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence and a proposed master’s in athletic training, and said faculty have completed Quality Matters training to raise online-course quality. \"We
re going to create a workforce advisory board to make sure our students are learning exactly the skills that they're going to need out in our regional workforce,\" Molander said.

Nut graf: Committee members and community partners said Dickinson State
nd local K-12 schools have expanded shared programming and facilities to address immediate workforce needs — particularly in health care, trades and technology — while university leaders seek state and private support to scale new program capacity.

Community and employer speakers described active coordination. Marcus Luton, Dickinson Public Schools superintendent, listed five ways the district collaborates with Dickinson State — from dual-credit early entry courses to shared CTE facilities — and said last year 34% of graduating students left with relevant work experience. \"We share space. We utilize our softball complex, their soccer complex, their football field,\" Luton said, describing facilities and program sharing that school and campus leaders use to expand local training options. Local manufacturers also said DSU is a key talent pipeline. Guy Most, president of Baker Boy, told the committee the university helps upskill employees and supply technicians for automated manufacturing. Chris Johnson of TMI Systems described internships and seasonal student hires as an important recruitment channel.

Health and allied programs were a major emphasis. Dickinson State has retooled nursing to increase capacity: faculty reported rising applications and higher enrollment in pre-nursing, and a planned traditional BSN pathway designed to shorten time to licensure for returning students. Nursing coordinator Melissa Wagner told the committee that adjusted program structure and investments in simulation and an Anatomage virtual cadaver table aim to raise graduate preparedness. \"We have invested in advanced simulation and virtual training,\" Wagner said, and noted the program expects to place students into regional clinical partners.

Academic leaders described new and expanded hands-on resources. Doctor Liz Friedman (School of Applied Science) said DSU now has both a virtual cadaver lab and access to UND-supplied cadavers for anatomy instruction, and said agreements with NDSU are in progress to create pathways in pharmacy and other health fields so students can remain in western North Dakota for advanced training.

CTE and college pipeline: Dickinson
nd the local CTE center, housed in repurposed industry buildings, serve hundreds of credit hours per year and can deliver welding, health careers, emergency responder and construction skills with industry partners on site. Luton and Dickinson State officials said articulation agreements are being developed so high-school students can apply dual-credit and CTE coursework toward DSU certificates and degrees.

Online and enrollment strategies: Molander said online course enrollment has risen sharply and forms a key pillar of recruitment, especially for working adults. The university has a goal to segment markets — traditional, CTE/technical, online, master’s programs and returning adults — and tailor programs accordingly. He emphasized targeted marketing to regional high school cohorts and said the campus is pursuing stackable credentials and short-certificate options for business and IT skills that local employers asked for.

Funding and foundation: Ty (DSU Foundation) summarized the foundation's fundraising growth and said the foundation now awards about $2 million in scholarships annually. He credited state challenge grants and many small annual donors with building endowment and scholarship capacity that helps student affordability.

What was not decided: Committee discussion highlighted that many DSU efforts rely on external funding (state match grants, philanthropic gifts, federal grants) and internal reallocation; no new legislation or committee motions were taken at the meeting.

Ending: Committee members said they will follow up with system and legislative staff on program outcomes and workforce fund grant details; Dickinson State offered optional campus tours after the meeting.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Higher Education Institutions Committee Aug 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dickinson State University President Scott Molander told a state higher-education committee in Dickinson that DSU will expand workforce-focused programs, sharpen online delivery and deepen K-12 and employer partnerships to meet regional labor demand.","taxTitle","Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28306,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6135870,"State Board retreat prioritizes shared services, clearer alignment and pilot approaches to dual credit and three-year degrees",615,11130000,11745000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5670502-40b26d84e52876fbb73e57d62e3e62f9&start=11130&end=11745","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5670502-40b26d84e52876fbb73e57d62e3e62f9/thumbnail_11130000.jpg","/articles/6135870/North-Dakota/State-Board-retreat-prioritizes-shared-services-clearer-alignment-and-pilot-approaches-to-dual-credit-and-three-year-degrees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135870-0dd5e034e8813ad1bce3cc19b7e7dbbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770581298&Signature=az~e7iKBS9phTEGoaX06ldmiH1lA1YRVWhRej2mE1nxBzc0hEgih73u6Zgi26LYx4A4JW5qggLjIFK37C0BmtqOFoQlIBkSVUkcaIfuOefmyILGXwPIX6oaEdvOuvY3Ib2JaLfW5r79piMeZfNC9fSDpEUUswkhUaNU2LPQAC4SalGO7vUnoc2UHPtEESOEzq~6UQVyg2FTMfdgUAEiciMw7cPmKQ6XH9DRzMNBUT2PX2QfEmhq6GMeWLzenbnrNPRBu2c8AP2RC85l7U01rEP~Kx4jVSJmv6F0bjnkosnDrlb4MVQ~pDaCAb6n9Tmr9yX6bXJKy2eUvUmil1AMCwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education told the Higher Education Institutions Committee that retreat discussions produced a set of near-term priorities: sharpen system strategic focus, pursue shared services to reduce administrative costs, provide clearer institutional alignment, and explore carefully piloted approaches to expand dual credit and three-year bachelor-degree options.

Board members said the retreat emphasized that students and taxpayers are the board's primary customers and the system should be both proactive and responsive to workforce needs. The board asked the interim chancellor to coordinate a shared-services effort that would consolidate financial, human-resources and related administrative functions across system institutions in order to reduce duplication and strengthen small campuses.

Nut graf: The board also asked staff and presidents to explore responsible expansions of dual-credit and three-year degrees, strengthen program approval processes (including \"fast lanes\" for urgent workforce programs), and consider post-tenure-review standardization and the suitability of tenure at two-year institutions.

Board member Amber Black said presidents asked for clearer, faster decision-making and more support instead of bureaucratic obstacles. The board plans listening sessions and directed staff to draft policy options for review by committees in the coming months.

Ending: The board will report back on shared-services proposals, dual-credit policy drafts and any pilot proposals for 3-year bachelor programs, and will engage legislative leaders as the work proceeds.","At a recent State Board retreat summarized for the committee, board members said they will pursue sharper strategic priorities: consolidate back-office shared services, redefine institutional alignment and missions, study expansion of dual-credit offerings and pilot three-year bachelor\npproaches while preserving quality and transferability.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6135875,"Universities warn of grant delays, program losses and indirect-cost threats after federal changes",1740,9540000,11280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5670502-40b26d84e52876fbb73e57d62e3e62f9&start=9540&end=11280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5670502-40b26d84e52876fbb73e57d62e3e62f9/thumbnail_9540000.jpg","/articles/6135875/North-Dakota/Universities-warn-of-grant-delays-program-losses-and-indirect-cost-threats-after-federal-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135875-ef63374bc544850bef7243040b1dceb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770581298&Signature=USt7LZKXgqjDRB5-22mhdtAK7IvjdIWJHXH0Y8fGWbnvbsNG7Nm0Fy5esuneT5D08Wdloi3HSWXtkPyGtt6XEnc17R8ebpOv0pd6qvLrO3z0JlpcB~VEcLAgf7TBlAfz7ssZia8ovpbxwWGtGnHF1J0npVWD3ADR80jLjQmkXQwOIQ5a1MF3JR4zSO8j57fvLZ42ByNM4USyGI1uzYcM5rKciADWPTKuLeLhi~t5R1IaJKITs2xub2qJrUF2eO-WXnnBk~s8caCx~5dVmR23wy-FDkMSd78tsw5NDDrE1mizzeFUHpbqLXcPcGg0-AnMGGs7wm6y7PFJFHNlUC~opA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Officials from the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University briefed the committee on the effects of recent federal actions on campus research and training programs, saying slowed agency approvals and possible future cuts could cost campuses millions and affect students and rural health-care capacity.

UND Vice President for Research Scott Schneider said the university has seen eight awards canceled for a loss of roughly $3 million and that \"at-risk\" spending (work the university expects to fund before federal payments arrive) reached roughly $1 million, driven by delays in Department of Energy and other awards. He warned of a proposed cap on administrative (indirect) cost reimbursement that agencies pay to universities; a 15% cap proposed in some budgets would reduce UND's research support by an estimated $15 million annually, he said.

Schneider also said the elimination of the Graduate PLUS loan program and limits on Parent PLUS loans could squeeze medical and law students, and cited Pell-rule changes that will change eligibility for certain students. \"The elimination of the grad plus student loan program ... could ultimately affect how many students can go into medicine and go into law,\" he said.

NDSU interim research vice president Holly Grunwald said NDSU lost 14 grants totaling $1.6 million from agencies including CDC, USDA and NSF; she described USDA cooperative agreements capped at 85% that will cost NDSU about $1.1 million per year and have already reduced college staff. She warned that executive actions to require additional administrative review of funding announcements and potential deep cuts at NSF and NIH could further reduce the number of available awards.

Nut graf: University leaders asked lawmakers to monitor federal budget and regulatory actions closely, citing impacts to student training (including medical residencies tied to rural hospitals), workforce development grants and research infrastructure that support state economic activity.

Both universities said they have been working with North Dakota's congressional delegation and asked the committee for legislative attention to the issues. Committee members said they would continue to track federal budget and regulatory changes and invited system and campus leaders to return with updates.

Ending: Universities will provide follow-up briefings on specific program impacts, and the committee will monitor federal appropriations and administrative rule changes that affect campus research and student aid.","University officials told the committee that recent federal actions and executive orders have delayed awards, cancelled grants and could sharply reduce federal indirect-cost reimbursements — measures that could cost UND and NDSU millions and affect student training, medical programs and research infrastructure.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6135879,"State Board signals intent to name Brent Sanford permanent chancellor; board weighs role and title",580,9585000,10165000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5670502-40b26d84e52876fbb73e57d62e3e62f9&start=9585&end=10165","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5670502-40b26d84e52876fbb73e57d62e3e62f9/thumbnail_9585000.jpg","/articles/6135879/North-Dakota/State-Board-signals-intent-to-name-Brent-Sanford-permanent-chancellor-board-weighs-role-and-title","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135879-b1dd98baacb2d70fa03e63e6889fcf10/orig.mp4?Expires=1770581298&Signature=gQYlkMKbm72aZkV~JQc5zTR-OtKnlTxdxm7MeKZnbaaV1C1s9PbW-taEt4NDx3uvrc8gGnZ~JJLFJkBPcSPeT0ARcDUDr8JZyJzhJ7s5P2t33tQuy8cPdNDsqFwMD~0~M3clUHUPjx8bDJtlB6odSI4BFH3slvW58VFX5se3MS33SXCWx7YgjdGJhPZ6e8GPtkN4gHCGMHwD68QFmsHzl~ZxKQVDCkALvx7XxIcECJTrMeB9HVvkRrpzq~9TM5ElyIZgIyWhTfE3mz5KLwUeu1HMBqLG9En8lSveHKvIS6VWTxzVxuaNx0zk~ZrkGB~7a7vC3bJ~3QAClVe3d5gyuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education told a legislative interim committee it intends to seek a vote in September to name Brent Sanford as the permanent head of the university system, while the board continues to review the role's title and responsibilities.

At the committee meeting Member Black, chairing the board item, said the state constitution designates the university system's chief executive officer as a commissioner but that the board historically has used the title chancellor. He told legislators that the board will evaluate the job's responsibilities and report recommendations next year. \"Our constitution calls for commissioner and a chief executive officer of the State Board of Higher Education,\" Black said, adding that the post is chiefly an executive leadership role rather than an academic post.

The board discussed whether to conduct a national search but cited cost and timing. Black said a nationwide search can exceed $100,000 and that, because Sanford is a known, experienced choice with executive and statewide leadership experience, the board would propose his appointment in September. \"It's my intention to ask my fellow board members to make Brent Sanford the permanent Chancellor of Higher Education at our September meeting,\" Black said.

Nut graf: The board framed the position as an executive CEO role focused on coordination, financial stewardship and external relations, not a faculty academic appointment; it will undertake a listening and role-definition process and accept stakeholder input prior to finalizing structural decisions.

Board members acknowledged the sensitivity of bypassing a national search, but said a targeted process to define the role and seek stakeholder input will accompany any appointment. The board plans listening sessions with presidents and sector stakeholders and may draft role-and-responsibility language or an RFP for third-party assistance to refine the office description.

Ending: The committee asked the board to provide an update after the September board meeting and to include documentation of the role definition and any search or appointment material requested by the board.","At the committee meeting the State Board of Higher Education reported its intent to ask members to appoint interim Chancellor Brent Sanford to the permanent \"chief executive officer\" role, citing the board\fonstitutional charge and the candidate's statewide experience. The board also discussed whether to run a national search and examined the ch",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6135884,"State board announces Workforce Education Innovation Fund grants to expand healthcare, cyber and CTE programs",225,10380000,10605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5670502-40b26d84e52876fbb73e57d62e3e62f9&start=10380&end=10605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5670502-40b26d84e52876fbb73e57d62e3e62f9/thumbnail_10380000.jpg","/articles/6135884/North-Dakota/State-board-announces-Workforce-Education-Innovation-Fund-grants-to-expand-healthcare-cyber-and-CTE-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135884-1275f5af37a4d2ed15193fc7a3cffdf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770581298&Signature=Te5P5POzFrmjjKlsmz7289G78u39Pu4V6X-iJ38HWUxuK0gFru2ia6NhEJPdsHdDC5KHb9N7nODbWwDLLiL7M~I2t3bYcqjDvEpwuNUZC5D3hQB5n8EmDQoXg9Y-kARxmwW1eoOOURMd1vooNo7jz0iVaYZnXTS-Z0TQXLvpWN0KURvhG04dOPKXkxaLFJT2U00hFhAowTSM5jm6c4yfbciw~MXfUcrOnEhFMtJMizAt95qN~AAoIGKnwjEAdzsksSHIb8sSUPZdGMj7RmEdrFqWdK9ou7S5LW8C9H3gSmkSy95hyskURkWdwdUtsWev5hJZdb-8-rzdX3jnD5doWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A review committee convened by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education awarded grants from a $10 million state appropriation to institutions across the North Dakota University System to support workforce-focused education, the board told the Higher Education Institutions Committee.

The Workforce Education Innovation Fund, created by the Legislature in 2023 and appropriated $10,000,000 in the 2025 biennium, provides one-time grants to help campuses stand up or expand programs that prepare skilled workers. The committee that reviewed applications included system board members, state agency representatives (Job Service, Department of Commerce, Department of Career and Technical Education), and industry and higher-education stakeholders.

Awarded uses listed by the system office included curriculum development, equipment and facility modifications, instructor hiring and training, program promotion, and partnership enhancements. Committee members said funded proposals covered health care, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, engineering and construction management, fire science, and aviation, among other areas.

The system\rescribed the award evaluation criteria as including efficiency, partnership potential, uniqueness, agility and sustainability; members also committed to follow-up reporting and a year-ahead review of outcomes. \"We will continue to look at these on a quarterly basis,\" one review panel member said to the committee.

The funds are one-time appropriations; campuses acknowledged a need to demonstrate program sustainability after initial funding, and the system said projects that show sustained credit production could be supported later through the state funding formula.

Ending: The committee asked the system office to return with program outcome updates and details on how one-time awards will be sustained or transitioned into recurring funding.","The North Dakota University System received $10 million appropriated by the Legislature for the Workforce Education Innovation Fund. A review committee awarded grants to NDUS campuses for curriculum development, equipment, instructor hiring, and partnerships in health care, cybersecurity, AI, and CTE.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dickinson State President outlines workforce focus, new cybersecurity and health programs during legislative campus visit

State Board retreat prioritizes shared services, clearer alignment and pilot approaches to dual credit and three-year degrees

Universities warn of grant delays, program losses and indirect-cost threats after federal changes

State Board signals intent to name Brent Sanford permanent chancellor; board weighs role and title

State board announces Workforce Education Innovation Fund grants to expand healthcare, cyber and CTE programs