​MN Names Finalists In Search For Education District President

SAINT PAUL, MN — Minnesota State this week announced it has identified four finalists for the position of president of the Northeast Higher Education District.

In a news release, the university said the candidates were chosen by a search advisory committee made up of students, faculty members, staff and community leaders.

Before the district's next president is chosen, the finalists are set to make virtual campus visits between March 15 and 17. During the visits, the candidates can meet with stakeholders, including faculty and students, and allow them to offer feedback.

The candidates are:

William J. Ehmann — Ehmann most recently served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Hartwick College. He has also worked in variuos roles at Marymount University, Mercy College, Seattle University and SUNY Empire State College. He has a bachelor's degree from University of Notre Dame, a master's degree from Brown University in Rhode Island and a Ph.D. from Utah State University.

Jonathan Keiser — Keiser served most recently as Finger Lakes Community College's provost and vice president of academic and student affairs. He also worked in various roles at City Colleges of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago and The Higher Learning Commission. He has a bachelor degree from Drexel University, a master's degree from the University of Alabama and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.

Sandra Kiddoo — Since 2018, Kiddoo has worked as chief academic officer at Hazard Community and Technical College. She has also worked in various roles at Mid-State Technical College, the Wisconsin Technical College System and Roehl Transport. Kiddoo has a bachelor degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, a master’s from Capella University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Michael Raich — Since 2019, Raich has served as the interim president of the Northeast Higher Education District. Before that he worked at Hibbing community College, Itasca Community College and Hibbing High School. He has a bachelor degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth, a master's degree from St. Cloud State University and a Ph.D. from University of North Dakota.

The Northeast Higher Education District is made up of five colleges in Minnesota: Hibbing Community College, Itasca Community College, Mesabi Range College, Rainy River Community College, and Vermilion Community College.

According to the release, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities board of trustees will consider its chancellor's recommendations in its April 21 meeting. The new president is expected to start July 1.