NSU Finalists Named for President Role | 11/03/25PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Board of Regents announces [...]

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Board of Regents announces four finalists for the President position at Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. The selected finalists will visit the university on November 5-6. During their visit, they will meet with area leaders, faculty, staff, and students, giving the university community an opportunity to learn about each candidate's vision and leadership style.

Dr. Amy Clark:
Dr. Amy Clark most recently served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Nebraska Methodist College (NMC), a leadership role she held from 2018 to October 2025. Previously, she served as Dean of Health Professions at NMC from 2013 to 2015. Dr. Clark has also held roles as a clinical researcher at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and as a faculty member at Nebraska Wesleyan University and Clarkson College. She earned her doctoral degree in sociology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a master's degree in social work from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Dr. Alan LaFave:
Dr. Alan LaFave has served as President at Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota, since 2018. Previously, he served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Northern State University, where he spent most of his career advancing through the faculty ranks from instructor to full professor in the music department. He also served as the Chair of the Music Department, Associate Dean, and Dean of the School of Fine Arts. An accomplished musician, Dr. LaFave, holds doctoral and master's degrees in clarinet performance from Arizona State University and has a bachelor's degree in music education from Northern State University.

Dr. Erin Fouberg
Dr. Erin Fouberg currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of Graduate Studies at Northern State University, roles she has held since 2019. She has been part of Northern State University since 2007, holding various faculty positions and serving as the Honors Program Director for 10 years. Before her time at Northern, she was a faculty member at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia for six years. Dr. Fouberg earned her doctoral and master's degrees in geography from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and obtained her bachelor's degree in foreign service from Georgetown University.

On Thursday, November 6, the Board of Regents is scheduled to meet with each finalist and representatives from the search committee who represent the campus constituencies. These discussions aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of each candidate's qualifications and vision for the institution.

-30-

Full candidate details and photos can be found at northern.edu/nsu-presidential-search .