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Northland Community & Technical College

About the President

Office of the President

President Shari Olson

President Shari Olson

The Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has appointed Dr. Shari Olson as president of Northland Community & Technical College, effective immediately.

“Dr. Olson has tremendous understanding of the region and of what makes Thief River Falls and East Grand Forks amazing and distinctive from each other,” said Scott Olson, Minnesota State chancellor. “During her year as interim president, Dr. Olson has shown a real commitment towards shared governance and towards serving the communities of northwest Minnesota. It’s clear that she is the right choice to continue to lead Northland.”

Dr. Olson is an experienced educator who is deeply committed to the mission of comprehensive and technical colleges. She brings a passion for continuous learning, self‑improvement, and shared governance.

Leadership at Northland

Dr. Olson has served as interim president at Northland since July 2024, providing strategic and operational leadership during a period of transition. In this role, she has worked closely with faculty, staff, students, and community partners to advance the college’s mission and strengthen its regional impact.

Previous Presidential Experience

Before returning to Northland, Dr. Olson served as president of South Mountain Community College in the Maricopa County Community College District (AZ) from 2011 until her retirement in 2022. Under her leadership, the college achieved several major milestones:

  • A 10‑year reaffirmation of Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation
  • A nearly $3 million Title V grant from the U.S. Department of Education
  • HLC approval to offer a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science
  • Completion of a $19 million Science Complex renovation
  • Recognition by the Aspen Institute as one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges four times between 2015 and 2021

Additional Leadership Roles

Dr. Olson previously served as interim president of Anoka Technical College (2010–2011), where she led development of the college’s master technology plan and redesigned the organizational structure to better leverage employee talent and improve efficiency. In 2011, she received the President of the Year Award from the Minnesota State College Student Association (now LeadMN).

She also served Minnesota State as System Director of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) from 2009 to 2010, designing and leading a systemwide project related to federal stimulus legislation.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Olson served as president of Eastern Wyoming College (2007–2008), where she led a comprehensive strategic planning process and implemented a new organizational structure.

Roots at Northland

From 1995 to 2007, Dr. Olson held several leadership roles at Northland, including vice president of planning and administrative services, vice president of outreach and planning, and vice president of outreach and technology. Her accomplishments during this period include:

  • Securing a $7.8 million capital bonding project for Nursing
  • Leading revitalization of classroom space for a new Automated Systems Technology program
  • Facilitating creation of Digi‑Key University, a corporate college partnership
  • Collaboratively developing multiple new academic programs, including:
    • Associate of Applied Science degrees in Electronic Technology and Robotic Technology
    • An Associate of Science degree in Manufacturing Technology designed for working adults
    • Several credit‑based manufacturing certificates

National Recognition & Service

Dr. Olson has received numerous national awards, including:

  • Paul A. Elsner International Excellence in Leadership Award (Chair Academy, 2021)
  • Shirley B. Gordon Leadership Award of Distinction (Phi Theta Kappa, 2019)
  • Entrepreneurial President of the Year (National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, 2014)

She has also served on national boards, including the International Leadership Advisory Board and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, where she was Board Chair from 2020 to 2022.

Education

Dr. Olson holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from North Dakota State University, and a doctorate from the University of North Dakota.