Montana University System Launches Search for New President of Montana State University

The Montana University System (MUS) is initiating a comprehensive national search to find a successor for Waded Cruzado, who has announced her retirement as President of Montana State University (MSU) at the end of the academic year.

To facilitate the recruitment process, MUS has engaged the services of Greenwood Asher and Associates, a firm specializing in higher education executive searches.

A search advisory committee, chaired by Commissioner Clayton Christian, has been established to lead the national recruitment efforts and build a pool of qualified candidates. The committee is set to begin its work soon, with its first meeting and a schedule for campus and community listening sessions expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The search marks a significant transition for MSU as it seeks to identify a leader who will guide the university into its next chapter.

The following individuals have been appointed to the committee:

• Chair: Clayton Christian, commissioner of higher education.
• Joyce Dombrouski, MUS regent.
• Dean Folkvord, MUS regent.
• Stefani Hicswa, chancellor of Montana State University Billings.
• Sean Chandler, president Aaniiih Nakoda College.
• Steven Swinford, MSU vice president for student success.
• Sarah Shannon, MSU dean, Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing.
• Megan Lasso, MSU associate vice president, University Budgets and Financial Services.
• Jovanka Voyich, MSU professor and head of the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology.
• Chere LeClair, MSU teaching professor, School of Architecture
• Stephanie McCalla, MSU associate professor, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering.
• Sarah Stoneback, MSU associate professor, School of Music.
• Korrin Fagenstrom, MSU senior associate director, University Student Housing.
• Joseph Shaw, MSU Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
• Leon Costello, MSU director of athletics.
• Nancy Seleski, MSU Alumni Foundation.
• Madisan Chavez, MSU graduate student.
• Jacob Zink, MSU student.
• David Kelsey, MSU Extension advisory committee member.
• Ryan McCormick, MAES advisory board member.
• Michael Sanderson, Sanderson Stewart Transportation and Engineering.
• Garrett Leach, Next Frontier Capital.
• Alan Deibert, MSU MilTech and Applied Research Lab executive director.

By; DNU staff