shirleyawardMINOT, N.D. (AP) – Former Valley City State University President Steven Shirley has taken the reins at Minot State University.

Shirley began his tenure as the northern North Dakota school’s ninth president on Tuesday. He succeeds David Fuller, who retired at the end of June from the century-old school that has about 3,500 students.

Shirley spent six years as president of Valley City State, after working at schools in South Dakota and Minnesota. He says he’s excited to be in a new community and has been preparing for his new role since the state Board of Higher Education chose him as Minot State’s new leader in February. Shirley beat out 36 other candidates for the job.

Shirley holds undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of North Dakota.