Hotline // November 18, 2025
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
- NDUS announces co-chairs of VCSU’s presidential search committee
- 85 students attend ‘Tomorrow’s Teachers events
- LaFave receives Difference Maker award
- Students and faculty attend National Science Teacher’s Association conference
- Fisheries and wildlife student presents at research symposium
- Meet Alyssa Thomsen
- Viking Sports Update
- What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…
NDUS announces co-chairs of VCSU’s presidential search committee
The North Dakota University System (NDUS) announced the selection of co-chairs to lead the Valley City State University (VCSU) Presidential Search Committee. State Board of Higher Education Vice Chair D.J. Campbell and VCSU Vice President for Business Affairs Erica Buchholz will serve as co-chairs of the search process.
The search committee is being established following the announcement that VCSU President Alan LaFave, who has served since 2018, will become president of his alma mater, Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D. His final day at VCSU will be December 31, 2025.
“Campbell brings significant expertise in talent identification and recruitment, while Buchholz offers substantial insight into VCSU’s operations and priorities,” said NDUS Commissioner Brent Sanford. “Their leadership will be instrumental as the committee evaluates candidates to carry VCSU’s mission into the future.”
The Presidential Search Committee will include representatives from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members. The committee’s work will begin immediately, with the goal of recommending finalists to the State Board of Higher Education in the coming months.
“This is an important moment for VCSU,” said Campbell. “We are committed to leading a transparent and inclusive process that ensures the next president is well prepared to guide the university into the future. Our goal is to engage the entire VCSU community and identify a leader who will continue to build on the university’s strong foundation of student success and innovation.”
Until a permanent president is selected, an interim president will be needed. Under SBHE policy, the SBHE selects an interim president based on recommendations from the NDUS Commissioner Sanford, who issued a Request for Letters of Interest from individuals wishing to be considered for the VCSU interim presidency. It is expected that this interim appointment will continue until the permanent president is hired, likely in late spring 2026.
An executive session will be added to the SBHE’s December 4, 2025, agenda. During that session, the Board will discuss the appointment of an interim president at VCSU.
About Valley City State University
Valley City State University, a member of the North Dakota University System, is a student-focused institution committed to academic excellence and innovation. Founded in 1890 and located in Valley City, North Dakota, VCSU offers more than 65 undergraduate programs and graduate degrees. Known for its nationally recognized teacher education program and small class sizes, VCSU prepares students for success through hands-on experiences and strong faculty support. Learn more at www.vcsu.edu.
About NDUS
The North Dakota University System is a unified system of higher education governed by the State Board of Higher Education. Organized in 1990, the system includes two research universities, four regional universities and five community colleges.
The mission of the State Board of Higher Education and the Commissioner of the North Dakota University System is to unleash the potential of higher education in the state to enhance the quality of life, and the social and economic vitality of all served by its public colleges and universities.
85 students attend ‘Tomorrow's Teachers events
The VCSU School of Education hosted two events for ‘Tomorrow’s Teachers’, welcoming 85 high school juniors and seniors to campus in late October and early November. This was the seventh time the program has been hosted for North Dakota students expressing an interest in the K-12 teaching field.
High school students attended classes in their field of interest, experiencing a typical day for education majors at the university level. Elementary Education participants explored math materials, joined small group discussions, observed student presentations, and experienced social-emotional learning circles. Secondary Education participants joined 100 and 200 level classes in their preferred subject area, exploring education majors in trigonometry, technology, history, English, chemistry, biology, business, art and music. All students attended a practicum class that examined why this might be a great time to consider the education profession and defined the characteristics of effective teachers.
University students led the remainder of the day’s activities, visiting with the prospective teachers at lunch, sharing stories on campus tours, and discussing high school students’ questions at a Q&A panel. This collaborative event involved numerous VCSU departments with the shared vision of recruiting new teachers to this important career.
LaFave receives Difference Maker award
President LaFave recently received the ‘Difference Maker’ award. He was nominated by the Technology Services staff.
His nomination read, “Al LaFave is nominated for the Difference Maker award because of his significant contributions and active involvement on campus. He consistently represents our community with excellence and dedication. Al is never too busy to welcome groups or visitors, like stopping by the recent Blackboard Days hosted by VCSU or welcoming new students to campus. His eagerness and skill at making personal connections with students, faculty, staff and external constituents embodies a core value of VCSU. His positive, can-do attitude has been instrumental in launching the first ever capital campaign, growing enrollment, and successfully advocating for funding of the AI Institute for Teaching and Learning.”
Congratulations, Al!
Students and faculty attend National Science Teacher's Association conference
Science education students took on the National Science Teacher Association’s conference in Minneapolis, Minn. Cameron Pero, Megan Lahtonen and Michael Ouradnik traveled to Minneapolis with their advisor, Lindsey Kiecker, for an eventful two-day experience centered around teaching science. This conference is the largest in the US put on by science teachers for science teachers. We collaborated with educators from across the country to learn more about effective science teaching practices.
VCSU students hosted a session in which they networked with other preservice science educators from around the country and gathered advice from seasoned science teachers in preparation for their own teaching career. A few memorable pieces of advice included:
- Collaborating with other teachers outside of your department to ensure students are being presented material in a similar fashion. An example of this is speaking with the math department on teaching algebra and unit conversion to ensure format and presentation is consistent.
- Student-led inquiry is valuable in the science classroom. Allow for variation in lab results to teach students there isn’t always one right answer when it comes to science!
- Strategies to keep students motivated and involved in the science classroom – whether it be hands-on activities or worksheets.
The group also attended sessions, learning more about phenomena-based teaching, justice centered science activities, differentiated science instruction, and many new lab activities!
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Fisheries and wildlife student presents at research symposium
Janet King, a fisheries and wildlife student, presented at the NDSU School of Natural Resource Sciences Research Symposium on Friday, Nov. 14. Her presentation was a poster on the Evaluation of Donkey Browsing for Woody Plant Control in Rangelands. This research is spearheaded by Janet, with a collaboration between Trista Montgomery in the VCSU Science Department and Dillon Fogarty and Justin Clarke in NDSU’s School of Natural Resource Sciences.
Meet Alyssa Thomsen
Name: Alyssa Thomsen
Hometown: Valley City, N.D.
Major/Minor: Business Administration
Graduation Year: 2027
What are you involved in on campus?
My involvement on campus includes being a Cru leader and a student employee doing videography work with the VCSU marketing department.
How has your perspective on your career changed since switching majors?
Originally coming to VCSU to major in elementary education, I switched to a business major to pursue my personal photography business. My perspective has shifted to having a singular focus on my business over splitting my time between teaching and photography. It has made my future and perspective clearer as to where I’m supposed to be.
How did you get started in photography?
I started my photography journey as a sophomore in high school while helping create the yearbook. Starting in sports photography, I expanded to lifestyle photography and began my business adventure. After four years, my business has grown and continues to do so into something I never thought possible as a sophomore in high school.
What has been your favorite event or moment to capture on camera?
I have an equal passion for both sports and lifestyle as they each have their own personalities that make them special to me. I love getting to capture the joy athletes experience on the court. A core memory of mine is being able to capture the Valley City Hi-Liners girl’s state basketball championship win. In the lifestyle world, I have recently gotten into the wedding department and love being a part of people’s special day. Apart from weddings, seniors are my favorite to capture and be creative with.
How do you plan to combine your business skills with your photography passion?
Getting a business degree, I hope to grow in knowledge and skill in owning my own business. Taking business classes will help me learn how to have a successful business to go along with my photography skills I already have acquired over the years.
Have you faced any challenges as the photographer “behind the camera,” and how did you overcome them?
Creating a business while still being in high school, I sometimes struggle with imposter syndrome having a successful business so young. I have learned to just believe in myself and my passion and trust that I know what I’m doing, and others will trust me too. Having others trust my skills and abilities, I need to be confident and trust in myself as much as others do.
What advice would you give to students looking to pursue creative careers alongside their academic studies?
My advice for others is to just go for it and believe in yourself. Entrepreneurship is hard and can be challenging but you have to trust in your abilities to do what you love and do it well.
Viking Sports Update
FOOTBALL
Valley City State wrapped up the season on the road at #4 Montana Tech. Vikings season ends with loss to #4 Montana Tech. The Vikings end the season 6-4 overall and 3-3 in their first year in the Frontier Conference.
VOLLEYBALL
The season wrapped up for the Viking volleyball team at the Frontier Conference Tournament. Vikings fall to Bellevue in quarterfinals of the Frontier Conference tourney. Four Viking players earned Post Season honors at the Frontier Conference awards. The Vikings end the season with a 13-15 record and were 11-11 in their first year in the Frontier Conference.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
The Valley City State Men split their two games this week. Vikings move to 4-0 with another thriller on the road. Vikings fall in conference opener to Mayville State. The Vikings are home this weekend. Montana Western comes to the Bubble on Friday for a 7 p.m. tip. Montana Tech is here Saturday for a 7 p.m. tip. VCSU will be celebrating 100 years of Being Vikings by recognizing past VCSU Men’s basketball players on Saturday.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The Viking Women’s basketball team also split its two games this week. Vikings pick up first loss of the season, fall to Bemidji State. Vikings open the conference season with a big win in Mayville. Montana Western and Montana Tech come to town Friday and Saturday respectively. Both days tipoff is at 5 p.m. On Saturday, VCSU will be celebrating 100 years of Being Vikings by recognizing past VCSU Women’s basketball players.
What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...
October 28 – November 28
VCSU Art Gallery Presents: Uncensored: The Art of Politics, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Gallery
Gallery Hours: M-F 8 a.m – 5 p.m.
November 20
4 p.m. Reception and curator talk by Reagan Koppelman for Uncensored: The Art of Politics, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Choir Room
November 24
Barnes County Music Festival, VCSU campus
November 27
VCSU closed for Thanksgiving Day
Find out what’s happening at VCSU: https://www.vcsu.edu/news-events/
Find out what’s happening in the community: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/