North Dakota University System chancellor requests leave

The leader of the North Dakota University System is requesting a month of paid leave this year. 

Chancellor Mark Hagerott put in the request to the State Board of Higher Education for approval when the board meets Thursday. 

In a letter to the board, Hagerott said the time off would allow him to prepare to teach a class on artificial intelligence at North Dakota State University. He also would complete a book on changes in technology and how they are adapted by the education system. 

The letter says the book would expand on his doctoral dissertation and use the U.S. military as a case study. Hagerott said a publisher, the U.S. Naval Institute, asked him to put his dissertation into book form. 

Hagerott is a U.S. Navy veteran and earned a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy. 

He later taught courses in cyber security at the Naval Academy. 

Hagerott cited a North Dakota higher education policy allowing the chancellor and presidents with more than five years on the job to take a developmental leave of absence. 

Hagerott intends to return before the 2025 North Dakota Legislative session. 

If he is unavailable to perform duties as chancellor, Chief of Staff Mark Gorenflo would be in charge.  

Hagerott was hired as chancellor in 2015.