BISMARCK, N.D. - The State Board of Higher Education today named Steven W. Shirley, Ph.D., president of Valley City State University in Valley City, N.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.

"Members of the State Board of Higher Education were very impressed by Dr. Shirley's passion for and understanding of Valley City State University. His leadership and teambuilding skills will be strong assets to this university," said John Q. Paulsen, SBHE president. "The Valley City State University presidential search committee brought a tremendous amount of energy and commitment to this process, and they forwarded two highly qualified finalists for this position. In the final analysis, however, Steven Shirley's professional experience more closely parallels the expectations of the VCSU presidency."

"Dr. Shirley has a strong understanding of what's important to students," said Bill Goetz, chancellor of the North Dakota University System. "His background clearly demonstrates that he is someone who can drive the growth of this university."

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.

Shirley will become president of VCSU July 1, 2008. He will succeed Dr. Ellen Chaffee who announced her upcoming retirement in Sept. 2007 after 15 years of distinguished service. He will be paid an annual salary of $155,000 and will have a three-year contract.