FARGO (KFGO) – Former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp says even though the job isn’t open yet, she would consider an opportunity to be the next president of the University of North Dakota.
Heitkamp’s name has been mentioned as a possible successor to Mark Kennedy, who’s applied for at least two other jobs during his short tenure of less than three years.
“It’s not something that, number one, is available right now, but, you know, I would never say never to any kind of opportunity” Heitkamp said. “I love UND. Why would you automatically discount an opportunity if it would present itself?”
Kennedy is the lone finalist to be the next president of the University of Colorado. Last year, he was a finalist for the presidency at the University of Central Florida.
“This is the second time now that he (Kennedy) has basically been pursuing other opportunities” Heitkamp said. “I think that UND needs committed leadership. So the question is, if he doesn’t get this job, how committed is he really to the University of North Dakota?”
Heitkamp is a 1977 UND graduate. “I would not be the person I am today if I hadn’t had an opportunity to go to the University of North Dakota.”
