Valley City (CSi) The Valley City State University presidential search committee met in Valley City Tuesday. The committee interviewed nine candidates via distance-learning technology. Each interview lasted approximately 45 minutes with a 10-minute break in between.

Board Chair Kirsten Diederich who also chairs the presidential search committee, says, “Today’s interviews were impressive, and we’re confident we will find the right candidate for the position. Thank you to Interim President Margaret Dahlberg for stepping up to lead VCSU during the search process.”

The committee narrowed the pool to five semi-finalists who will be invited to the VCSU campus for interviews Oct. 13-15.

The semi-finalists are:

· Tisa A. Mason <http://www.vcsu.edu/cmsfiles/185/7124268f87.pdf>, Ed.D., vice president for student affairs, Fort Hays State University;

· Greg Summers <http://www.vcsu.edu/cmsfiles/185/565de925ff.pdf>, Ph.D., provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point;

· Daniel Shipp <http://www.vcsu.edu/cmsfiles/185/f9ab1c1cb8.pdf>, Ed.D., chief student affairs officer/dean of students and associate vice chancellor, University of Nebraska at Omaha;

· Richard G. Shrubb <http://www.vcsu.edu/cmsfiles/185/838f351ff0.pdf>, Ph.D., former president, Minnesota West Community and Technical College; and

· Debra Thatcher <http://www.vcsu.edu/cmsfiles/185/37657166b6.pdf>, Ph.D., acting president, State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill.

Following the on-campus interviews, the search committee will recommend a slate of finalist candidates to the State Board of Higher Education which will conduct final interviews on the VCSU campus on Thursday, Oct. 30 with the selection of the next VCSU president announced thereafter.