President Cook is committed to the core principles of effective shared governence and transparency regarding decision-making authority. He has created a process through which administration, faculty, staff, governing bodies, and students participate in the decision-making and the development of policies that affect the institution.   

Several councils have been formed, under the direction of President Cook, to work on issues affecting NDSU and to support the university's strategic plan.  A member of each of the faculty, staff and student senates hold a seat on the president's cabinet as well as leaders of the president's councils.  These leaders meet regularly to share information and to come together to work towards the betterment of NDSU, the employees, faculty and students. 

Read about NDSU's governing bodies:

• Faculty Senate
• Staff Senate
• Student Government
• President’s Councils
• University Distinguished Professors
• Leadership Assembly
• State Board of Higher Education