John Woolsey has been selected as NDSU’s director of human resources following a national search. He began his new role on Sept. 3.
Woolsey brings more than 30 years of human resource management experience to NDSU, serving most recently as vice president for human resources and employee development at National American University located in Rapid City, South Dakota. While there, he provided strategic oversight in employee training, leadership development, performance management, crisis/change management, diversity and inclusion, compliance, HRIS and succession planning for university employees and locations in multiple states.
Woolsey previously was vice president of human resources at The Art Institutes Midwest Group; human resource director for The Art Institute of Tampa/South University Tampa, Tampa, Florida; human resource manager, BKM Total Office, East Hartford, Connecticut; and in several positions with the U.S. Marine Corps during a 20-year career at locations around the world.
Woolsey earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Averett College in Virginia and his master’s degree in human resource management from National University in California.
“I am truly thrilled and honored to be selected for the position of director of human resources for the NDSU community. My goal is to continually look for new and innovative ways to improve our processes and service delivery and to be the preferred employer for the regional area,” he said. “I look forward to building on the great work that has already been done to transform Human Resources. It is exciting as a human resources leader to have the opportunity to join an organization already fully committed to a transformational process. I look forward to cultivating strong relationships with colleagues, leadership and all other members of the community to make the process a success. I will also focus on other strategic priorities related to recruiting, organizational development, retaining exceptional talent and supporting faculty and staff. I am convinced that nothing we do is more important than developing our most important asset – our people at NDSU.”
Bruce Bollinger, vice president for finance and administration, said, “I am pleased that John has joined NDSU and the finance and administration team as the new director of human resources. We look forward to utilizing his many talents and abilities to continue to develop our employees and to enhance NDSU as the preferred employer for Fargo-Moorhead and the region. Please join me in welcoming him to NDSU."
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