ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 19, 2014 – The Board of Trustees of ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë Colleges and Universities today appointed Dr. Barbara McDonald as interim president of Minnesota West Community & Technical College. Her appointment becomes effective July 1, 2014.

Dr. McDonald has served at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids since 2000. She presently serves as provost, a role she has held since 2013. Previously, she served as dean of academic affairs and student services from 2009 until 2013, as dean of academic affairs from 2000 until 2009 and as director of institutional effectiveness in 2000. Prior to her tenure at Itasca Community College, she served as a faculty member and assessment coordinator at Rainy River Community College from 1997- 2000.

McDonald holds a bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Colorado, Boulder, a master’s in teaching English as a foreign language from the American University in Cairo and a doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota. In recommending McDonald for the role, Chancellor Steven Rosenstone said, “Dr. McDonald is well-prepared to lead as Minnesota West’s interim president. She understands rural Minnesota and she understands working across multiple campuses.  I am confident that she will work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff and community leaders to address the college’s challenges and position Minnesota West in its search for the next president.”  McDonald will serve a one year appointment from July 1, 2014 until June 30, 2015. She succeeds Dr. Richard Shrubb, who has served as president since 2008 and has announced his intention to retire from his presidency. A national search will be conducted to find a permanent replacement.

Minnesota West Community & Technical College is a comprehensive community and technical college with campuses in Canby, Granite Falls, Jackson, Pipestone, and Worthington, with centers in Fairmont, Luverne, Marshall, and Redwood Falls. The college offers associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in more than 60 disciplines.

The ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë Colleges and Universities include 24 two-year community, technical, and comprehensive colleges and seven state universities serving more than 430,000 students. It is the fifth-largest higher education system of its kind in the United States.

###