Lake Superior College’s Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, Michael Seymour, has been named by the Minnesota State College and Universities Board of Trustees to serve as the next president of Alexandria Technical and Community College starting on July 1, 2019.
“Michael Seymour is well prepared for the transition to the presidency,” said Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of Minnesota State. “He has the experience, expertise, and leadership traits needed to assume the role. He understands that each institution has its own history, culture and locational context.”
Seymour has served higher education in Minnesota for 30 years, primarily at Minnesota State two-year colleges. He has served as vice president of academic and student affairs at Lake Superior College since 2015, where he leads academic, enrollment, athletics, student service, and workforce initiatives. His accomplishments in this capacity include contributing to the development of a strategic enrollment management plan that increased enrollment of new degree-seeking students and retention rates of existing students; increasing net customized training revenues; and strengthening partnerships with universities, high schools, and employers.
“Mike has been a tremendous asset to Lake Superior College and the surrounding communities,” according to Pat Johns, President of Lake Superior College. “He brought to LSC academic, student affairs, technology and finance knowledge and experience from his previous roles at the two year colleges and the university. Mike has been a uniting factor on campus by including faculty, staff and students in the consultation process allowing them to be included in many ways. His strategic thinking allowed us to grow and retain more students, receive additional equipment funds and experience an increase in state and local grant funding. Another strength was building community partnerships with the college and innovations to allow the partnerships to be created. Mike will be missed.”
Prior to LSC, Seymour served as Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations at the University of Minnesota Duluth from 2012 to 2015. He served Anoka-Ramsey Community College from 1997 to 2012 in several capacities including as the vice president for administration, vice president of educational services, and the director of technology. In these roles, his many accomplishments contributed to the alignment between campuses of finance, facilities, technology, safety/security, and customized training; improvements in diversity and campus climate; implementation of innovative instructional technology; new and enhanced academic offerings; many donations and grants; and new facilities.
“While I’m excited to begin this new chapter at Alexandria, I know Duluth and Lake Superior College will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Mike Seymour. “I wouldn’t trade my time in Duluth for anything. I have grown both personally and professionally. This is a special place and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served the community. Thanks to our dedicated faculty and staff, LSC is poised for continued growth and success.”
Seymour has experience teaching at St. Cloud State University, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, and Riverland Community College. He also serves as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission. His entrepreneurial endeavors include serving as Vice President for WaveFront Communications, a pioneer in providing Internet access to the Twin Cities market. He holds an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s from Ferris State University, and he also earned a Graduate Certificate in Management Information Systems from Metropolitan State University. He is completing a doctorate in education and leadership at the University of South Dakota.
Seymour is a long time contributor to the community serving on multiple service clubs and boards including Duluth’s Greater Downtown Council and currently serves as president of Kiwanis of Friendly Duluth.
“Mike has been a strong advocate for the Greater Downtown Council, Lake Superior College and our community,” said Kristi Stokes, President of the Greater Downtown Council. “He truly understands the importance of higher education being connected in the community. Alexandria is fortunate to be inheriting a great leader and community member. We will miss him here in Duluth, but we look forward to hearing about his ongoing success in Alexandria.”
Seymour will replace Laura Urban, who has served as the president of Alexandria Technical and Community College since 2014 and has announced her intention to retire. His final day at Lake Superior College will be Friday, June 28, 2019.
