PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Board of Regents announces three finalists for the President position at Dakota State University in Madison, S.D. The selected finalists will visit the university on March 25-26. 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. John R. Ballard is President of the National Intelligence University, leading a multi-campus institution that offers workforce-ready certificates and technology-focused degrees. He serves as the university's chief ambassador to federal and state officials, industry representatives, and the security sector, enhancing NIU's reputation through strategic initiatives and securing national laboratory designation. He has strengthened shared governance, expanded partnerships with organizations like Pacific Northwest National Laboratories and the University of Virginia, and boosted student outcomes, including a 10% increase in graduation rates over two years. His career spans three continents, with founding roles in New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, and senior positions in Virginia, Rhode Island, New York, and Washington, D.C. He was the first Provost of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, leading successful efforts to recover accreditation and modernize the curriculum. As Vice President of the American Association of State Colleges, he promoted student success nationwide and helped establish the National Defense College of the UAE.

Dr. Ballard serves on the executive committee of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area and has authored seven books, along with numerous articles on national security and leadership. He has received awards such as the Director of National Intelligence Distinguished Service Award and military honors, including the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. He holds a B.S. from the Naval Academy, an M.A. from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America.

Dr. Ashley Podhradsky is Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Dakota State University, where she has advanced research, partnerships, and visibility in cybersecurity and applied technology. A nationally recognized leader in cybersecurity and innovation, she has positioned Dakota State as a hub for applied research, workforce development, and industry collaboration. Her teams have secured over $26.5 million in grants from organizations such as the National Security Agency, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Google, and others. She has helped develop programs that create opportunities for students and strengthen the talent pipeline, including co-founding CybHER®, which has engaged thousands in cyber education. Her leadership has generated nearly $2 million in philanthropic support.

Additionally, she serves on the First Bank and Trust Board and is a sought-after speaker on cybersecurity, innovation, and workforce development. Her work earned her recognition as a New America Cybersecurity Fellow, an American Association for the Advancement IF THEN Ambassador, and was one of 120 women honored at the Smithsonian for STEM excellence.

Dr. Gillian Wilson is Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Economic Development and Professor of Physics at the University of California, Merced. She leads the university's research enterprise, strengthens partnerships with industry, federal agencies, and national laboratories, and advances the translation of innovation into economic opportunity. Her responsibilities include research administration, core facilities, research units, the Agricultural Experiment Station, the Natural Reserve System, and the Central California Small Business Development Center network.

Previously, she was Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at the University of California, Riverside, where she held roles including Interim Divisional Dean, Director of the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology, Director of the Multidisciplinary Research Building, Interim Deputy Director of the University of California Observatories, and Chair of the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Executive Committee.

A nationally recognized physicist, her research focuses on cosmology and galaxy evolution. She leads international collaborations, has published approximately 150 papers, and secured over $12 million in research funding and telescope time. She is dedicated to expanding student access to research and experiential learning in science and technology. Dr. Wilson holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Durham University and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Physical Society, and the American Astronomical Society.

On Thursday, March 26, 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.

Full candidate details and photos can be found at dsu.edu/presidential-search/finalists.