Louters resigns from State Board of Higher Ed

Vice Chair Dr. Jill Louters has resigned from the State Board of Higher Education. Louters first four-year term on the Board was scheduled to conclude at the end of June and she was eligible for reappointment for a second term.

"It has been a pleasure to serve on the state Board and to work with the North Dakota University System and the state's 11 campuses. I am resigning my position from the Board effective [May 13] as I have accepted a new, part-time position as a parent educator with the North Dakota State University Extension Service. This type of parent support is something that is desperately needed at this time and place, and I am anxious to build networks in my area that support these critical constituents," Louters said. She will also continue in her post as the superintendent at the New Rockford-Sheyenne School District.

"It has been a pleasure to work with fellow board members, system staff, and campus leadership. Your professionalism, thoughtfulness, and student-focused work renews my confidence in the quality of the North Dakota people, their lands, and their educational system. A huge thank-you to all who have offered me inspiration, confidence, and enlightenment," Louters said.

NDUS Chancellor Mark Hagerott and SBHE Chair Dr. Casey Ryan offered their encouragement to Louters and thanked her for her service to higher education in North Dakota. "The Board appreciated the school superintendent perspective that Dr. Louters brought. She helped connect higher education to our K-12 public education for the benefit of all students in North Dakota. She truly wanted to see students succeed and her work reflected the compassion and care she has for education throughout the state," said Hagerott. "We thank her for her service and wish her the very best in her continued educational efforts."

On May 17, State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler announced the names of applicants for the SBHE, and those names will be advanced to Governor Doug Burgum for a selection to fill two open SBHE seats. The Governor's office will proceed with the assumption that her position will remain vacant until a selection has been made through the traditional process based on her original term completion date.