Tim Mihalick was appointed to the State Board of Higher Education to fill the remainder of an open term vacated by a previous member. Mihalick was also appointed to a four year term (2019-2023) beginning July 2019.

Mihalick is employed at First Western Bank & Trust as a Senior Vice President responsible for Business Development and Facilities. Prior to that, he was part of IRET and its affiliated companies for over 36 years before his retirement. He served as the President and CEO during his last eight years at IRET. Throughout the years, he has been involved in numerous civic organizations dedicated to Minot’s betterment. He is a current member and past chair of the MSU Board of Regents, past member of the board of the Minot Family YMCA,  and he is a past board member of Trinity Health.

Ohio native Mihalick attended Minot State University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 1981. During his college career, he played football for four years and participated in track for two. He was inducted into the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 and received the MSU Alumni Golden Award in 2014.

He and his wife, Laura, have been married for 40 years and are partners in their conviction to civic engagement. Laura is a past member of the Minot Public School Board. The Mihalicks have two adult children living in Minot, ND.

Karen Erickson serves as the Dean of Enrollment Management at Bismarck State College, where she leads strategic initiatives that support student recruitment, enrollment, outreach, and overall enrollment success. In her role, she collaborates across academic and student service areas to strengthen pathways for prospective and current students.
 
Erickson has extensive experience in higher education and has been with BSC for 17 years. Before joining BSC in 2008, she held positions at the University of Mary, Bemidji State University, and the University of Minnesota–Crookston.
 
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Recreation Management from the University of Minnesota–Crookston and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from North Dakota State University. She is also ABD toward her Ph.D. in Adult and Occupational Education from North Dakota State University.
 
Erickson resides in Bismarck, ND, with her husband, Mark, and their children, Kate, Anna and the golden child (the dog), Lucy.

Brent Sanford is Commissionfor the North Dakota University System.

Brent Sanford was born and raised in Watford City, North Dakota. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1994. He is a certified public accountant. He worked as an auditor and consultant for Eide Bailly LLP from 1994 through 2002, and then became the chief financial officer of Transwest Trucks in Denver, Colorado.

Brent moved back home to Watford City in 2004, purchasing and operating his third-generation, family-run car dealership. He increased sales each of the first 10 years in business with unique approaches based on the rural economic conditions. He was elected to the Watford City Council in 2006 and became mayor in 2010. Watford City became the fastest growing community in America from 2010-2020. Most of the growth occurred during the incredible early days of the Bakken oil boom from 2010-2014. With Brent’s leadership, the community focused on infrastructure investment and community development activity to address the rapid growth including:  investing in the historic Main Street area, new retail, new and affordable housing, new schools, new community center, new healthcare, new daycare and new airport investments.

Doug Burgum chose Brent as his running mate in the 2016 gubernatorial election. The ticket won the general election. They won a second term in the 2020 election. The pair entered office with a state budget crisis and the DAPL pipeline protests, weathered the storm of COVID-19 and throughout focused on infrastructure and economic opportunities for the state.

In addition to presiding over the State Senate, Brent chaired the State Investment Board, State Water Commission, ND Trade Office, Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site Board, the Higher Ed Challenge Grant Board and numerous other statutory state boards as lieutenant governor. Brent’s accounting and entrepreneurial background, as well as his years spent in business and local community leadership, served him well in the statewide elected leadership position.

On Dec. 20, 2022, Sanford announced his resignation as lieutenant governor, effective Jan. 2, 2023, in order to return to the private sector and spend more time with his family. Brent has continued in his passion for progress in North Dakota through his newest venture, Sanford Consulting LLC, assisting various organizations with innovative workforce and energy solutions.

In January 2025, Sanford was named the interim president of Bismarck State College and on April 30, 2025, Sanford was named the interim chancellor of the ND University System.

Brent and his wife Sandi have three children and reside in Bismarck.

Scott Becker is a retired engineering professional with more than 25 years of experience at Bobcat Co., where he worked in New Product Development Engineering. Throughout his career, Becker contributed to the design and development of innovative equipment and solutions that supported Bobcat’s global operations.

Becker has served as a trustee of the Bismarck State College Foundation since 2014, continuing his long-standing commitment to BSC and its mission of workforce-focused, applied education.

A proud alumnus, Becker earned an Associate of Science degree from BSC in 1992. He went on to complete a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from North Dakota State University in 1995.

Becker and his wife, Kristie, have two daughters, both of whom are currently attending the University of North Dakota.

Todd Brickhouse is the chief executive officer and general manager of Basin Electric. He joined Basin Electric in 2022 as its senior vice president and chief financial officer. He was named chief executive officer and general manager in December 2023. Brickhouse leads a team of nearly 1,800 employees who work to provide value to the cooperative’s membership by providing affordable and reliable power, products, and services produced in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. Basin Electric’s service territory includes 3 million consumers across nine states in the Upper Midwest, Great Plains, and Rocky Mountain regions. Basin Electric’s largest subsidiary, Dakota Gasification Company, operates the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, a coal gasification facility which produces synthetic natural gas and 12 additional products. Dakota Gasification Company captures and sequesters approximately 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Brickhouse started working in the utility industry at Old Dominion Electric Cooperative in 2000 and served as Old Dominion’s vice president and treasurer from 2010-2022. He spent his early career in the financial services industry and has a background in securities trading, investment banking, and investment management.

Brickhouse holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and business from the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington.

Dr. Marko Davinic is a ninth-year associate professor of Agriculture, Technology, and Natural Resources at Bismarck State College, where he teaches plant and soil science, agricultural economics, and entrepreneurship. He also advises the BSC Ag Club, leads departmental outreach, and actively supports undergraduate research, securing multiple grants to advance student-led projects.

He holds a B.S. in Biology/Microbiology from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, an M.B.A. in Finance and Statistics from the Rawls College of Business, an M.Sc. in Microbiology, and a Ph.D. in Plant and Soil Science from Texas Tech University.

Dr. Davinic is committed to preparing future agricultural professionals to make sound management decisions that improve soil health, strengthen ecosystem function, and advance the productivity and sustainability of North Dakota agriculture.

Kelli Kuether serves as an assistant professor of nursing at Bismarck State College, where she has been teaching for 1.5 years. In this role, she is dedicated to preparing and mentoring the next generation of nurses through hands-on instruction and student-centered learning.

Prior to joining BSC, Kuether spent 10 years at Mid Dakota Clinic, where she worked primarily in pediatrics. She also served as a school nurse with Bismarck Public Schools for two years, bringing a strong background in clinical care and community health to her teaching.

Kuether earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from North Dakota State University in Fargo in 2010. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in nursing education through Western Governors University and is expected to complete the program in February 2026.

Kuether is deeply passionate about nursing education and finds great fulfillment in helping shape future nurses. She and her husband, Kyle, have three children: Harper, Lincoln and Niklynn.

Dr. Kevin Moberg serves as dean of institutional effectiveness at Bismarck State College, a role he assumed on Aug. 1, 2025. In this position, he leads efforts related to assessment, accreditation, data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement in support of the college’s mission and strategic goals.

Prior to this role, Moberg served as assistant dean of humanities, arts and sciences at BSC. Before joining the college, he held administrative and faculty positions at both the postsecondary and secondary levels, bringing a broad perspective on education and student success.

Moberg earned a Doctor of Philosophy in teaching and leadership, a Master of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Arts in English, all from the University of North Dakota.

Now in his third year at BSC, Moberg comes from a family deeply rooted in education. His wife is a high school teacher and librarian, and one of their three daughters is a high school teacher. All three daughters also serve as adjunct instructors at the college level.

Brenda Nagel serves as the President and CEO of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC. In this role, Brenda leads the Chamber EDC’s economic development and business advocacy efforts, guiding the implementation of its Strategic Plan. With a focus on advancing goals in economic growth, public policy, professional development, networking, and leadership, she brings experience in team leadership, relationship building, and strategic communication with both public and private sector stakeholders.

Prior to joining the Chamber EDC, Brenda spent 6 years at the University of Mary as Vice President for Public Affairs and 25 years in an accomplished career at Aetna where she worked globally in Operations.  Brenda holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science degree in Business from the University of Mary. Brenda and her husband own and operate their family farm and they’ve raised three children in the Bismarck-Mandan community and enjoy spending time with their granddaughter.

Cassy Russell serves as human resources coordinator at Bismarck State College, a role she has held for 1.5 years.

Prior to joining BSC, Russell worked in public service in Virginia, including roles as a legislative and policy analyst with the Virginia Department of Military Affairs and as legislative director for the Senate of Virginia. Her background brings valuable experience in policy development, government relations and organizational support.

Russell holds a Bachelor of Science with honors in government from Berry College in Rome, Georgia.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, Russell is actively engaged on campus. She serves as chair of Embracing BSC and is a member of the Sunshine Committee, helping foster an inclusive and welcoming campus community.

David Sagsveen serves as assistant dean of automation, energy and advanced technologies at Bismarck State College. In this role, he provides leadership and support for academic programs that align with industry needs and the college’s polytechnic mission.

Prior to his current position, Sagsveen spent 22.5 years as an associate professor of civil engineering technology at BSC, where he was dedicated to hands-on instruction and workforce-focused education. His long tenure reflects a deep commitment to student success and applied learning.

Sagsveen holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from North Dakota State University.

Cory Wrolstad serves as the Development Manager for the Bismarck State College Foundation, a role he has held for the past 7.5 years. In this position, he supports philanthropic initiatives that advance BSC’s mission and strengthen student opportunities through scholarships, programs and campus development.

In addition to his work with the BSC Foundation, Wrolstad serves as a field director with the Boy Scouts of America, where he supports youth leadership, community engagement and character development.

Wrolstad holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of North Dakota.

Ayden Olson is a Bismarck State College student from Bismarck, N.D., studying Mechanical Maintenance Technology.