Open Forum Schedule for MSU Billings Chancellor Search Candidates
Contacts:
John E. Cech, deputy commissioner of academic, research, and student affairs, Montana’s
Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
(406) 670-0848, jcech@montana.edu
Tracy Ellig, executive director of university communications, Montana State University
(406) 994-5607, tellig@montana.edu
MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — The MSU Billings Chancellor Search committee invites the community to interact
with the candidates as they visit campus on February 20-26. On the below days, open
forums will be held at 4:30 p.m. at Petro Theater. These sessions are open to the
public.
• Tuesday, February 20 - Dr. Carmen Simone
• Wednesday, February 21 - Dr. Dan Edelman
• Thursday, February 22 - Dr. Susan Elrod
• Friday, February 23 - Dr. Ron Larsen
Below are brief biographical descriptions of the candidates. The MSUB Chancellor Search website includes the candidates’ full CVs and feedback surveys. This site will also have
live stream and recordings of the forums.
Carmen Simone is currently the president of Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad
and Alamosa, Colorado, a post she has held since 2013. Simone holds a doctorate in
chemistry from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Prior to her presidency
at Trinidad State Junior College, Simone was provost and vice president for academic
affairs at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, from 2011 to 2013.
Dan Edelman is currently the executive vice president of administration and chief
financial officer of the University of North Texas at Dallas, a post he has held since
2014. Edelman holds a doctorate in mathematics education with an accounting related
dissertation from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Prior to his vice
presidency at the University of North Texas, Edelman held progressive leadership positions
at Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas, between 2007 and 2014 culminating in a
position as associate provost and vice president of academic affairs.
Susan Elrod is currently provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs
at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, a post she has held since 2016. Elrod holds
a doctorate in genetics from the University of California, Davis. Prior to serving
as provost at the University of Wisconsin, Elrod was interim provost and vice president
for academic affairs at California State University, Chico, from 2014 to 2016.
Ron Larsen is currently the interim chancellor of Montana State University Billings,
a post he has held since 2017. Larsen holds a doctorate in chemical engineering from
Pennsylvania State University in State College. Prior to serving as interim chancellor
at Montana State University Billings, Larsen was associate provost at Montana State
University in Bozeman from 2011 to 2017.
