On Campus Blog

MnSCU names three college presidents

Trustees of the state's college and university system have chosen interim or permanent presidents for three of its colleges:

  • Minnesota West Community & Technical College: Barbara McDonald (interim)

  • Alexandria Technical & Community College: Laura Urban

  • Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical: Dorothy Duran

Below are excerpts from the MnSCU announcements.

Minnesota West:

[McDonald's] appointment becomes effective July 1, 2014.

McDonald
McDonald (Courtesy of MnSCU)

Dr. McDonald has served at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids since 2000. She presently serves as provost, a role she has held since 2013. Previously, she served as dean of academic affairs and student services from 2009 until 2013, as dean of academic affairs from 2000 until 2009 and as director of institutional effectiveness in 2000. Prior to her tenure at Itasca Community College, she served as a faculty member and assessment coordinator at Rainy River Community College from 1997- 2000.

McDonald holds a bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Colorado, Boulder, a master’s in teaching English as a foreign language from the American University in Cairo and a doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota.

McDonald will serve a one year appointment from July 1, 2014 until June 30, 2015. She succeeds Dr. Richard Shrubb, who has served as president since 2008 and has announced his intention to retire from his presidency. A national search will be conducted to find a permanent replacement.

Alexandria:

Urban
Urban (Courtesy of MnSCU)

[Urban's] appointment becomes effective July 1, 2014.

Urban has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Gateway Community and Technical College since 2010. Previously, she served at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College (WI) as chief academic officer and academic dean from 2006 to 2010, and at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College from 1997 to 2006. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northland College, a master’s degree in college student personnel administration from Colorado State University and a doctorate in education from Capella University.

Dr. Urban succeeds Dr. Kevin Kopischke who has announced his intention to retire after serving as president of Alexandria Technical & Community College since 2004 and as vice president from 1991 until 2004.

Southeast Technical:

[Duran's] appointment becomes effective July 1, 2014.

Duran
Duran (Courtesy of MnSCU)

Dr. Duran has served as vice president for academic affairs at Iowa Western Community College since 2006. Previously, she served at Northern New Mexico College as dean/director of the El Rito campus from 1998 to 2006, and at Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute from 1988 to 1996. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and sociology and a master’s degree in educational foundations from the University of New Mexico and a doctorate in education administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Duran succeeds Jim Johnson, who has served as president of Southeast Technical since 1995 and has announced his intention to retire.