About BSC

BSC Interim President Brent Sanford

Brent Sanford was appointed the interim president of Bismarck State College (BSC) by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education on January 9, 2025. Most recently, Sanford worked with the BSC Office of Workforce and Economic Development on workforce-related initiatives to create a robust workforce pipeline from higher education to industry in high-demand and high-priority occupations. Prior to his work with BSC, Sanford was the 38th lieutenant governor of North Dakota from 2016 to 2023 and the Mayor of Watford City from 2010 to 2016.

Sanford graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1994 and is a Certified Public Accountant. He worked for Eide Bailly from 1994 through 2002 and then became the chief financial officer of Transwest Trucks in Colorado. In 2004 he moved back to Watford City, N.D., to take over his family-run car dealership. He was elected to the Watford City Council in 2006 and was elected mayor in 2010. Sanford served as lieutenant governor for the first six years of former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum’s two-term tenure. After leaving state government, Sanford started working as a consultant with Minnkota Power Cooperative on its Project Tundra — a venture to capture and store carbon beneath North Dakota soil — and also with the North Dakota Petroleum Council to recruit immigrants to work in the North Dakota oil industry.

Invite Interim President Sanford

Bismarck State College Interim President Brent Sanford greatly appreciates invitations to engage with members of the college community, communities across North Dakota, and organizations through participation in meetings and special events. To submit an invitation for consideration, please complete the request form below.

Since many such requests for participation are received each week, please complete the online request form with at least one-month advance notice. Your request will be reviewed and a response will be sent to the email address provided on the form within five business days. Additional information may be requested before an event is confirmed. Please note that if details (e.g., location, date, time, etc.) change after a request has been submitted or confirmed, the Office of the President must be notified immediately by calling 701-224-5431.

If Interim President Sanford is able to attend your event, you will be asked to provide all final event details no later than five business days prior to the event.

If you have questions about the form or the invitation process, please contact Janell Campbell by calling 701-224-5431 or emailing janell.i.campbell@bismarckstate.edu

COMPLETE THE BSC PRESIDENT APPEARANCE REQUEST FORM