Two New Faces Coming To North Dakota’s Higher Education Board

Gov. Kelly Armstrong will choose from six finalists to fill two vacancies on the North Dakota Board of Higher Education, following a nominating committee decision Tuesday to advance three candidates for each open seat.

The selections will determine replacements for outgoing board members Danita Bye of Stanley and Kevin Black of Minot, whose four-year terms expire June 30, 2026.

For the vacancy created by Bye’s term expiration, the committee forwarded Retha Mattern, Anna Nelson and Joshua Deere. For the second seat, replacing Black, the finalists are Black, Nadine Butts and Brenten Seaks.

Kelly Armstrong will make the final appointments, though both selections must later be confirmed by the North Dakota Senate before appointees can continue serving long term.

The new members will begin serving immediately upon appointment but will require legislative approval to remain on the board.

The nominating committee is established in the North Dakota Constitution and includes state Superintendent of Public Instruction Levi Bachmeier, North Dakota Education Association President Nick Archuleta, Supreme Court Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers, state Sen. Kyle Davison, R-Fargo, and House Speaker Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield.

Get our free mobile app

The Board of Higher Education sets policy and oversees North Dakota’s 11 public colleges and universities, including governance, budgeting priorities and systemwide academic standards.