NDSCS President Rod Flanigan announces retirement plans

WAHPETON, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – North Dakota State College of Science President Rod Flanigan announced Friday that he will retire at the end of the year, concluding a four-year tenure marked by historic enrollment growth and campus expansion.

Flanigan’s retirement will be effective Dec. 31, 2026. He has served as the head of NDSCS since June 2022.

During his leadership, the college experienced a nearly 32% increase in enrollment over a four-year period.

“It has been an honor to serve the college community,” Flanigan said in a statement. “I am confident that the future of NDSCS is bright, and I truly believe the best days of NDSCS are still ahead.”

Flanigan’s presidency included several academic milestones for the institution, notably the launch of its first four-year degree, a Bachelor of Applied Science in dental hygiene. Under his direction, NDSCS also opened its Career Innovation Center and introduced new academic tracks in aviation maintenance technology, community health, and fire science.

Officials with the North Dakota University System and the State Board of Higher Education will begin succession planning in the coming weeks. The college stated that further details regarding the presidential search and transition timeline will be shared as they become available.

Flanigan said he and his wife, Michele, look forward to moving closer to family and spending more time with their grandchildren.

The couple plans to hold a virtual press conference in the coming days for media interviews.