BISMARCK, N.D. - The Valley City State University presidential search committee today recommended two presidential finalists to the State Board of Higher Education. They are Steven W. Shirley, Ph.D., and Blake Faulkner, D.B.A. The search committee interviewed five semi-finalists, who also met with campus and community members during open forums April 7 - 10, 2008.

A brief description of the two finalists follows.

Steven W. Shirley, Ph.D.: Shirley is vice president and dean of student affairs at Dakota State University, Madison, S.D. He is responsible for undergraduate admissions and oversees the university relations department. He is a former business faculty member and director of study abroad at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Shirley holds a doctorate in teaching and learning: higher education, a master's degree in marketing and global business, and a bachelor's degree in marketing and management, all from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D. He also is a graduate of the Institute for Educational Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education Program in Professional Education, Cambridge, Mass.

Blake Faulkner, D.B.A.: Faulkner is president of the online campus/system vice president for international affairs at National American University in Rapid City, S.D. He has worked for the university for 14 years, serving in a variety of roles, including vice president of enrollment, vice president of administration and president of the Rapid City residential campus and online campus. He also has served as athletic director/associate athletic director at Western New Mexico University, Silver City, N.M.; as an instructor at Cameron University, Lawton, Okla., and Peru State College, Peru, Neb.; and as a graduate assistant at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kan. Faulkner holds a doctorate in business administration from Argosy University, a master's degree from Pittsburg State University and a bachelor's degree from Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colo.

Finalists will be interviewed by the SBHE April 21, 2008. The beginning date for the new president is subject to negotiation with the successful candidate. Dr. Ellen Chaffee, VCSU president, announced her upcoming retirement in Sept. 2007.