Interim Chancellor Brent Sanford presents to the State Board of Higher Education during a meeting at Minot State University on Sept. 23, 2025. Board members voted to appoint Sanford to the position permanently, changing the title to commissioner. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

MINOT, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota’s State Board of Higher Education voted Tuesday to make interim Chancellor Brent Sanford the long-term leader of the state’s University System.

Board member Tim Mihalick said Sanford has the “it factor” that rarely comes along in a leader. The board chose not to do a national search after meeting for about an hour in a closed-door executive session.

Board member Danita Bye said a national search would have led the board back to Sanford, echoing previous

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