Northern State University

The president of Valley City State University has been announced as the next president of Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. 

Alan LaFave will take over the Northern State presidency in January. LaFave’s last official day at Valley City State is Dec. 31, the college said in a news release. 

LaFave has been president at Valley City since Dec. 17, 2018. Fall student headcount has grown 18% during LaFave’s tenure, reaching a record of 1,827 students this fall, the release said. 

His time at Valley City also saw the opening of the $32 million Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts in 2022 and the launch of the university’s first-ever capital campaign in 2021. A new athletic facility is set to open next year. 

NDSU President David Cook hired to lead Iowa State University

In a statement, North Dakota University System Commissioner Brent Sanford thanked LaFave for his time in the state. “His commitment to advancing VCSU’s mission has left a lasting impact on the university and the broader educational landscape of North Dakota,” Sanford said. 

LaFave had previously spent nearly three decades at Northern State, advancing from music instructor to provost and vice president for academic affairs, a news release from Northern State said. He also earned a bachelor’s degree from Northern State. 

North Dakota State University President David Cook on Tuesday was named president of Iowa State University. 

The North Dakota University System is starting a presidential search at Bismarck State College. 

Carmen Simone in September was named president of Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, leaving her position as CEO and dean at Dakota College at Bottineau.

North Dakota Monitor Deputy Editor Jeff Beach can be reached at [email protected]