Northern Michigan University | Allison R. Donahue
The Montana Board of Regents announced Monday that Brock Tessman, former deputy commissioner in Montana and current president of Northern Michigan University, will serve as the next president of Montana State University in Bozeman.
Tessman has verbally accepted an offer and will take the reins on July 1, 2025, pending final negotiations and Board of Regents approval at its May meeting, according to a news release from the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.
Clayton Christian, Commissioner of Higher Education and chairperson of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, said the committee saw “intense interest” in the position.
“I’m confident the process has yielded an outstanding, visionary leader in Dr. Tessman,” Christian said in a statement. “We believe Dr. Tessman is exceptionally well positioned to guide MSU to new heights.”
Brock Tessman is named the next president of Montana State University in Bozeman and will take the reins in July 2025 following the retirement of President Waded Cruzado. (Provided by MSU)
MSU is the largest university in Montana, with enrollment that topped 17,000 in fall 2024, a record. It also saw a record $257 million in research expenditures in 2024.
Tessman, who visited the campus last month along with one other finalist, will serve as MSU’s 13th president if confirmed.
He’ll lead the flagship in a time of significant challenge for higher education, with cultural pressure from the Trump administration. MSU faces its own difficulties, with previous opened investigations by the federal Office for Civil Rights for numerous discrimination allegations.
Details of the offer to Tessman were not immediately available Monday morning.
Current MSU President Waded Cruzado is a top paid public official in Montana, with an estimated $576,300 in salary and other compensation as of last August.
The search for a new president started in August 2024 when Cruzado announced her plans to retire after 15 years. A news release from the Commissioner’s Office said “her administration has left an indelible mark on the university and the MSU community.”
However, Regent Dean Folkvord and member of the Search Advisory Committee said he knew the charge was not to replace Cruzado but to identify a successor who would lead with passion and dedication.
“I think we succeeded, and I look forward to working with Dr. Tessman as he takes the reins,” Folkvord said in a statement.
The news release said Tessman’s accomplishments at Northern Michigan include steady enrollment growth at both undergraduate and graduate levels, record retention rates (78%), financial stability with top-tier bond ratings, unprecedented levels of private giving, and the completion of major capital projects.
“Dr. Tessman’s stewardship has fostered positive momentum across all aspects of university operations,” the news release said.
Tessman previously served as deputy commissioner for academic affairs in the Montana University System and dean of the Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana. He earned his bachelor’s degree in international relations from Brown University and both his master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
The news release said Tessman is known for his energy, dedication to students, strong communication skills, and ability to deliver results — “qualities that make him uniquely suited to lead MSU into its next chapter.”
“Montana State University holds a special place in my heart given my previous work within the Montana University System,” Tessman said in a statement. “I am honored by this opportunity to serve as MSU’s next president and look forward to building on its incredible legacy.”
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