Collins recommended for NHED presidency

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor James H.McCormick said Thursday he will recommend that the board of trustees appoint Sue Collins as president of the Northeast Higher Education
District, a consortium of five colleges in northeast Minnesota.
Collins, 52, has been vice president of the Northeast Higher Education District since 2006. She was one of three finalists recommended by a search committee chaired by Kevin Kopischke, president of Alexandria Technical College. The chancellor's recommendation will be considered by the board of trustees at its regular meeting March 19.
“Dr. Collins has a wealth of administrative experience and has demonstrated a passion for advancing the regional economy by aligning education and training with the needs of regional industries and small
businesses,” McCormick said. “She also has a strong vision for developing high quality and innovative programs that will serve students well in the 21st century.”
Before becoming vice president for the district, Collins was provost for Vermilion Community College in Ely; dean of students and administration, director of student development, coordinator of student services, a faculty member and athletic director at Rainy River Community College in International Falls; instructor and supervisor of student teachers and a coach at North Dakota State University Fargo. She holds a doctorate in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree in education from the Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Illinois University and an associate degree from Danville Area Community College in Illinois.
The new president will replace Joseph Sertich, who is retiring. The Northeast Higher Education District, which is made up of Hibbing Community College, Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, Mesabi
Range Community and Technical College in Eveleth and Virginia, Rainy River Community College and Vermilion Community College, serves more than 7,000 students in credit courses annually and provides a variety of educational programs and delivery options.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities, community colleges, technical colleges and combined community and technical colleges located on 53 campuses across the state. The system serves approximately 242,000 students annually in credit-based courses and another 140,000 in non-credit courses.