Dr. David Cook
Cook, 55, will succeed Dr. Wendy Wintersteen, who is retiring after nine years leading the land-grant institution. He will assume office March 1, 2026.
An Iowa State alumnus, Cook has led North Dakota State since 2022. The Fargo-based land-grant university enrolls 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students across five academic colleges and operates on a $971.5 million biennial budget.
At NDSU, Cook implemented a data-driven strategic plan that reversed a decade of enrollment and revenue declines. The university increased first-year student retention by 3% and graduation rates by 12% through enhanced advising and mentoring programs.
Under Cook's leadership, North Dakota State achieved record research funding levels. An NDSU-led coalition secured a National Science Foundation regional innovation engines grant in agricultural technology worth up to $160 million in potential federal investment. Cook also initiated fundraising campaigns for artificial intelligence leadership programs and modern agriculture solutions.
Before joining North Dakota State, Cook served as vice chancellor for public affairs and economic development at the University of Kansas, where he established the institution's first university-wide economic development office and strategic plan. He previously held leadership positions at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
As a faculty researcher, Cook has been principal or co-principal investigator on grants totaling nearly $11 million and published approximately 70 articles, book chapters and abstracts. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and speech communication from Iowa State and earned both his master's degree and doctorate in organizational communication from the University of Kansas.
