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St. Scholastica professor to teach course at management institute

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A management professor at The College of St. Scholastica will lend his expertise to a well-known East Coast institute focused on behavioral science.

Bob Hartl, an expert in organization development, has been invited to teach a week-long course at the Cape Cod Institute. The Institute, celebrating its 40th anniversary, is known worldwide for its continuing education courses. From July 1-5, he will present a seminar on “The Contemporary Use of Organization Development.” 

Hartl is an associate professor of management at St. Scholastica and directs its Master of Business Administration program in Leadership and Change. The program, steeped in the principles of organization development, prepares mid-career professionals to become leaders and agents of change in their organizations, industries, and professions. 

Hartl began his career in municipal government, serving as the chief administrative officer for the City of Duluth. Following his work as the Vice President of Human Resources and Organization Development for the St. Mary’s/Duluth Clinic Health System (now Essentia Health System), he became chair of the Management Department at St. Scholastica in 2001. He began his OD consulting practice in 1987. When not teaching, he is CEO and senior partner at Hartl Pearson Consulting, LLC. He works in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, frequently with health care organizations, government agencies, and in higher education.

St. Scholastica is nationally recognized for quality and value. It has been named the top Minnesota college for economic mobility, and rankings by U.S. News & World Report classify it as one of the Midwest’s top regional universities. It is one of SmartAsset.com’s top 10 “Best Value” colleges in the state and ranks on Money magazine’s “Best Colleges for your Money” list. The Center for First-Generation Student Success has named it one of the top 80 colleges in the country for commitment to first-generation students. Learn more at css.edu.

Seymour named president of Alexandria Technical and Community College

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Seymour

Michael Seymour, Lake Superior College’s Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, has been named by the Minnesota State College and Universities Board of Trustees to serve as the next president of Alexandria Technical and Community College starting on July 1, 2019.

“Michael Seymour is well prepared for the transition to the presidency,” said Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of Minnesota State. “He has the experience, expertise, and leadership traits needed to assume the role. He understands that each institution has its own history, culture and locational context.”

Seymour has served higher education in Minnesota for 30 years, primarily at Minnesota State two-year colleges. He has served as vice president of academic and student affairs at Lake Superior College since 2015, where he leads academic, enrollment, athletics, student service, and workforce initiatives. His accomplishments in this capacity include contributing to the development of a strategic enrollment management plan that increased enrollment of new degree-seeking students and retention rates of existing students; increasing net customized training revenues; and strengthening partnerships with universities, high schools, and employers.

“While I’m excited to begin this new chapter at Alexandria, I know Duluth and Lake Superior College will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Mike Seymour. “I wouldn’t trade my time in Duluth for anything. I have grown both personally and professionally. This is a special place and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been involved in this community and campus. Thanks to our dedicated faculty and staff, LSC is poised for continued growth and success.”

Prior to LSC, Seymour served as Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations at the University of Minnesota Duluth from 2012 to 2015. He served Anoka-Ramsey Community College from 1997 to 2012 in several capacities including as the vice president for administration, vice president of educational services, and the director of technology. In these roles, his many accomplishments contributed to the alignment between campuses of finance, facilities, technology, safety/security, and customized training; improvements in diversity and campus climate; implementation of innovative instructional technology; new and enhanced academic offerings; many donations and grants; and new facilities.

Seymour has experience teaching at St. Cloud State University, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, and Riverland Community College. He also serves as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission. His entrepreneurial endeavors include serving as Vice President for WaveFront Communications, a pioneer in providing Internet access to the Twin Cities market. He holds an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s from Ferris State University, and he also earned a Graduate Certificate in Management Information Systems from Metropolitan State University. He is completing a doctorate in education and leadership at the University of South Dakota.

Seymour is a long time contributor to the community serving on multiple service clubs and boards including Duluth’s Greater Downtown Council and currently serves as president of Kiwanis of Friendly Duluth.

“Mike has been a strong advocate for the Greater Downtown Council, Lake Superior College and our community,” said Kristi Stokes, President of the Greater Downtown Council. “He truly understands the importance of higher education being connected in the community. Alexandria is fortunate to be inheriting a great leader and community member. We will miss him here in Duluth, but we look forward to hearing about his ongoing success in Alexandria.”

Seymour will replace Laura Urban, who has served as the president of Alexandria Technical and Community College since 2014 and has announced her intention to retire. His final day at Lake Superior College will be Friday, June 28, 2019. A search for an Interim Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Search Committee is already underway. The two finalists for the position will be on campus today for interviews and an open forum. The first candidate will hold an open forum at 9:00 a.m. and the second candidate will hold an open forum at 1:00 p.m., both in S2941.