Kent Sandstrom, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, announced Gary Totten, associate professor of English, has been named interim head of the Department of Criminal Justice and Political Science. 

Sandstrom said Totten brings a number of strengths to the position, including a strong commitment to collaborative, democratic and transparent forms of leadership; a commitment to promoting and sustaining a departmental climate characterized by equity and inclusivity; and a clear willingness to mentor colleagues, champion faculty research and pedagogical initiatives, and promote the intellectual and professional development of graduate students.

Totten received the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Outstanding Service Award in 2012 and Outstanding Research Award in 2008. He also received the English department’s Vogel Teaching Award in 2007. Totten also has served as president of the Faculty Senate and a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Totten joined NDSU in 2004. He earned a doctorate in English from Ball State University and a master’s degree in English and bachelor’s degree in humanities from Brigham Young University.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.