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Board appoints Sherry Olsen to lead Northland CTC and Ritu Raju as South Central College president
Summary
Following national searches, the board unanimously approved two presidential appointments: Dr. Sherry Olsen at Northland Community and Technical College (effective 04/16/2025) and Dr. Ritu Raju at South Central College (anticipated effective 07/01/2025).
The Minnesota State Board of Trustees unanimously approved two presidential appointments at its meeting after the Workforce and Organizational Effectiveness Committee forwarded recommendations from Chancellor Olsen.
Chancellor Olsen recommended Dr. Sherry Olsen to be appointed president of Northland Community and Technical College, following a national search conducted with ACCT Search that drew 29 applicants and produced four campus finalists. The chancellor noted Dr. Sherry Olsen had served as interim president of Northland for the previous year, oversaw a 9% enrollment increase during that time, and previously served as president of South Mountain Community College (Arizona) from 2011 to 2022. Trustees approved forwarding the recommendation to the full board; the board then voted to appoint Dr. Sherry Olsen with an anticipated effective date of April 16, 2025, subject to completion of an employment agreement.
Chancellor Olsen also recommended Dr. Ritu Raju (listed in materials as Ritu/Rita Raju) for president of South Central College after a national search run with Academic Search that produced 49 applicants and four finalists. The chancellor highlighted Dr. Raju’s 20 years of higher-education experience, recent presidency at Gateway Technical College (Wisconsin), and work with regional business partnerships. The board authorized the chancellor, in consultation with board leadership, to negotiate and execute an employment agreement under the Minnesota State personnel plan for administrators. The anticipated effective date for Dr. Raju’s appointment is July 1, 2025, subject to completion of an employment agreement.
Both candidates addressed the board after the votes. Dr. Sherry Olsen spoke of returning to Northland — where she grew up near East Grand Forks and had previously held multiple roles — and committed to program and community partnerships. Dr. Ritu Raju thanked the board, referenced South Central’s regional role in workforce development, and affirmed a focus on student success, partnerships, and equity.
The appointments were the two recommendations the Workforce and Organizational Effectiveness Committee forwarded to the full board and were approved by unanimous vote at the meeting.
