BISMARCK, N.D. — The State Board of Higher Education selected Mark Hagerott as the next chancellor of the North Dakota University System on Thursday.
The board unanimously tapped Hagerott to replace Interim Chancellor Larry Skogen, whose term ends in July.
The announcement concluded a monthslong process that saw more than 20 candidates vying for the position, including one of the system's former chancellors. Hagerott beat out finalists Paul Turman and Robert Donley for the top spot.
Hagerott is a Mandan native and Rhodes scholar who became a leading cybersecurity expert and professor with the Navy. He has held several academic leadership positions over the past seven years at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he currently serves as the senior civilian and deputy director of the new Center for Cyber Security Studies.
"I am honored to be here and to be your chancellor choice from a field of very qualified candidates," Hagerott said in a statement. "You have a great system framework and I thank you for putting your faith in me and allowing me the opportunity to take the system forward into the future."
Hagerott will formally take over on July 1. His contract includes a salary of $372,000 per year, standard benefits package and $15,000 in moving expenses.
Skogen has served as interim chancellor since June 2013, when he took over for Hamid Shirvani following complaints about Shirvani's leadership style. Skogen will return to his duties as president of Bismarck State College when his term ends.
The Associated Press
Published May 1, 2015