RSS

Northland College names Miller as president

April 9, 2010

The Northland College Board of Trustees has named Michael A. Miller, Dean of the College of Education at Minnesota State University, Mankato, as the next president of the college. The selection was announced by Trustee Chair John N. Allen and is the culmination of a national search that began last July and attracted nearly 200 candidates.

“We have been blessed with very strong candidates and particularly strong finalists,” said Allen. “During the search, it quickly became clear that Mike is an accomplished leader. His colleagues have described him as ‘innovative and strategic,’ ‘one of the best deans I’ve ever seen,’ and ‘consultive in his approach.’ I am delighted that Dr. Miller has agreed to bring his energy and vision to Northland College, and I want to thank the members of the search committee for their excellent work. As Northland’s fourth president in the last 40 years, Mike continues an impressive tradition of presidential leadership.”

“The opportunity to join the Northland College community feels good on many levels,“ said Miller. “The environmental mission of the College fits well with my personal values, and I enjoy being a part of a small college where we are uniquely able to connect with students on personal levels as they develop the skills needed to create solutions to the complex problems facing our society. Also, my wife and I love the community of Ashland and the surrounding area.”

The 12-member search committee included faculty, staff, student, alumni, Trustee, and community representation. Chair Lowell Noteboom said Miller became the committee’s favored candidate because of his consistent record of effective leadership, successes attested to in a succession of exceptional recommendations. “The breadth of Mike’s experience in higher education was a persuasive factor. He has successfully led efforts in strategic planning, fundraising, and is credited with creating the conditions for academic departments to grow toward their full potential.”

“One of the reasons this search went so well is the level of involvement all campus constituencies had in the process,” said Anthony Kern, search committee member and chair of the Faculty Council. “Mike Miller brings both impeccable credentials and valuable experience as a dean, faculty member, and in advancement. These are important areas for any college. In addition, Mike did an outstanding job connecting with faculty from across all of our academic disciplines.”

Miller said he enjoys connecting the missions of the academic world with the needs of the greater society, something particularly relevant given Northland’s long standing commitment to the environment and sustainability and the growing world-wide level of interest in these matters.

“My initial priorities will be to work to grow enrollment and increase funding opportunities while at the same time articulating the vision of the College in a way that continues to set Northland College apart from other institutions of higher education. I am looking forward to building relationships with the people of this college and the surrounding community.”

Miller’s wife, Mary Trettin, has been a higher education administrator for nearly 25 years and most recently as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. She looks forward to joining the Northland College and Ashland communities.

Dr. Rolf Wegenke, president of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) made the following statement on the new president of Northland College: "Michael Miller's election to the presidency of Northland College is the culmination of a life-long dedication to quality education. A college president, to lead effectively, has to focus on the "big picture." In the case of a college like Northland, the big picture is really a mosaic, and Dr. Miller has had hands-on experience in a variety of educational roles in that mosaic. Northland College has made an outstanding choice."

Miller earned a Ph.D. in School Psychology at Ball State University, an Ed.S. and M.A. also at Ball State and a B.A. in Mathematics at Hanover College. At Minnesota State University, Mankato, Miller served as Interim Vice President of University Advancement; he was Professor and Education Department Chair at Gustavus Adolphus College for ten years. He has also served as a school psychologist.

The search committee was assisted by the firm Isaacson Miller and charged with recommending a successor to President Karen Halbersleben who resigned in July 2009. Interim President James Peterson will continue his leadership until Miller begins his duties in July, 2010.