Semi-Finalists

Each semi-finalist will be visiting the campuses. See the campus visit schedule for more information.

Dr. Linda Krug

Dr. Linda Krug is currently on sabbatical after an 11-year tenure as dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Krug has been with the University of Minnesota, Duluth, since 1986, when she joined the faculty as an instructor in UMD's Department of Communication. She began her administrative career in 1992 when she was named chair of UMD's Department of Women's Studies. In 1996, she was named chair of the Department of Communication, and in 1998 she was named dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Krug also served two terms as interim director of UMD's International Education Office and was director of the school's interdisciplinary studies program from 1998-2003.

Krug earned her bachelor's degree in speech communication in 1980 and master's degree in rhetoric in 1981, both from the University of Miami (Ohio). She earned her doctorate in socio-political influence of language at the University of Nebraska in 1987.

Dr. Richard Hanson

Dr. Richard Hanson has been interim president at North Dakota State University since Dec. 1, 2009. Previously, he served as president of Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, from 2005-09. Hanson began his career in higher education at California State University-Chico in 1974, where he served as chair of the department of home economics from 1979-80. In 1980, he returned to his alma mater, North Dakota State University. At NDSU, he was named chair of the child development and family science department in 1983, and from 1992-95 he served as associate vice president for academic affairs. After leaving NDSU in 1995, Hanson spent 10 years as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., before taking the presidency at Waldorf College in 2005.

Hanson earned his bachelor's degree in sociology in 1971 and his master's in child development and family relations in 1974, both from North Dakota State University. He earned a doctorate in applied behavioral science at the University of California-Davis in 1980.

Dr. Betsy Vogel Boze

Dr. Betsy Vogel Boze is currently a senior partner at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, providing policy analysis and leadership on the future of higher education in the United States. To fill this role, she is on leave from her position as campus dean and chief executive officer at Kent State University Stark, a position she has held since 2005. From 1994-2005, she was dean of the business school at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. She also served as chief academic officer at the University of Texas Telecampus MBA Online from 1996-2005. Vogel Boze served as assistant to the president at Tulane University from 2003-04 as part of an American Council on Education fellowship. Additionally, she was chair of the business administration department at the University of Alaska Anchorage from 1989-94.

Vogel Boze earned her bachelor's degree in psychology in 1974 and master's degree in business administration in 1975, both from Southern Methodist University. She earned a doctorate in business administration at the University of Arkansas in 1983.

Dr. Jason A. Laker

Dr. Jason A. Laker has been associate vice principal and dean of student affairs at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada since July, 2006. Prior to that, Laker was dean of campus life at St. John's (Minn.) University from 2002-06, and was at the University of Arizona from 1998-2002. There, he was assistant director of residence life from 1998-2000, manager of professional programs and conference services from 2000-01, and director of business programs and workforce development from 2001-02. Laker was complex coordinator for five residence halls at the University of Delaware from 1995-98 and was residence hall director and residence director for education/family housing manager at Fort Lewis (Colo.) College from 1992-95.

Laker earned his bachelor's degree in interpersonal and public communication at Central Michigan University and a master's degree in community counseling at Adams State (Colo.) College. He holds a doctorate in higher education administration and organization from the University of Arizona.

Dr. Philip C. Williams

Dr. Philip C. Williams is the president of the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Ala., a position he has held since 2006. Previously, he was vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college at Methodist (N.C.) College from 2003-06 and served as assistant vice president for academic affairs at Gardner-Webb University from 1999-2002. Williams was an Association of Schools of Public Health fellow with the National Standards Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Practice Program Office from 1998-99.