The State Board of Higher Education named Dr. Carmen Simone as the permanent president at Lake Region State College (LRSC). Simone has been interim president at LRSC since July 1, 2025. The SBHE also voted to move forward on a competitive search process for a new president at Bismarck State College.

“Dr. Simone has been part of our system for many years and the leader of three different institutions during her career. She has been part of many competitive search processes and her work at Lake Region has been well received. We are happy to keep her talent and expertise in our state and see her lead LRSC into the future,” said Black.

Simone previously served as Dean and Chief Executive Officer at Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) since August 2022. Simone has an extensive administrative background and has served more than 30 years in higher education and specifically has leadership experience at two-year colleges. Prior to serving at DCB, she was president of Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Neb. Simone earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Dakota and her doctorate from Colorado State University, both degrees in chemistry.