ST. PAUL, Minn., May 25, 2023 – Minnesota State has named two finalists in the search for the next president of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC). The candidates are Anita Hanson and Kimberly Spoor.

The candidates were recommended by a search advisory committee that was comprised of students, faculty, staff, and community leaders, and was chaired by Joe Mulford, president of Pine Technical and Community College, and Dr. Robert Peacock, Director/CEO of the Tribal College Board. The candidates are scheduled to conduct campus visits between May 30 and May 31. The campus visits provide an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to meet each of the candidates and offer feedback. Details of the candidates’ campus visits and the process for providing feedback are available at https://fdltcc.edu/presidential-search/.

Anita Hanson has served FDLTCC since 1994, beginning her career as a faculty counselor and disability services coordinator from 1994 to 2008. She currently serves the college as acting president, a position she has held since November 2022. Previously, she served the college as vice president of student services and enrollment management during the fall of 2022; dean of student services from 2018 to 2022; faculty counselor and disability services coordinator from 2016 to 2018; interim dean of student services and disability services coordinator from 2010 to 2012; and faculty counselor, disability services coordinator, and athletic director from 2008 to 2010. She also served North Dakota State University as a disability specialist from 2012 to 2016. An enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, she holds a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University and a master’s from the University of Minnesota Duluth. She will visit FDLTCC on Wednesday, May 31.

Kimberly Spoor has served FDLTCC as dean of education since 2020. Previously, she served Capella University from 2002 to 2020 in several capacities including academic director of accreditation and program quality; academic director of accreditation; faculty chair, teacher education and licensure programs; faculty chair, education innovation and technology; faculty chair, post-secondary and adult education; first course faculty lead; and core faculty in professional studies. She also served the College of St. Scholastica (MN) as the director of the Ojibwe Culture and Language Education Program from 1998 to 2003; as the director of student affairs, Teacher Education from 2000 to 2003; and as an instructor and as an assistant professor from 1999 to 2003. An enrolled member of the Fond du Lac Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa, she holds an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Scholastica, a master’s from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a doctorate from Capella University. She will visit FDLTCC on Tuesday, May 30.

The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is expected to consider Chancellor Devinder Malhotra’s recommendation at its June 21, 2023 meeting. The anticipated start date of the new president is July 1, 2023.

 

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Minnesota State includes 26 community and technical colleges and seven state universities serving approximately 300,000 students. It is the third-largest system of two-year colleges and four-year universities in the United States.

 

Testimonials

My favorite thing about FDLTCC is the people. I’ve met fantastic students, faculty and staff who go above and beyond what I expected.

I chose FDLTCC because of its size and the curriculum. When I first came here in 2019, I was just looking for what I needed to volunteer, perhaps in a crisis shelter. I met with Don Jarvinen, and the rest is history.

It is awesome here at the FDLTCC Education Program because it is like a family here, if you need help or are struggling with anything, you have quite a few people who will help you out.