ST. PAUL — Bill Maki, a Bemidji State University (BSU) administrator, was chosen as the next president of the Northeast Higher Education District (NHED), Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) announced Wednesday.

Maki has been vice president of finance and administration at both BSU and Northwest Technical College since 2004, and has experience on the Iron Range with NHED.

He’ll assume the role as president of the five-college consortium — which includes Hibbing Community College (HCC) — on July 1.

The MnSCU board of trustees also considered HCC’s Interim Provost Michael Raich and Barbara McDonald, interim president of Minnesota West Technical and Community College, for the position.

Maki stated in a release after the announcement that he’s looking forward to getting to work on improving academic opportunities for students.

“It is an incredible privilege to have been selected for this role,” he said. “I look forward to working with the outstanding NHED colleges as we focus together on increasing access and improving learning opportunities for students, and improving alignment with regional businesses, industries, organizations and education providers.”

MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone, who recommended Maki to the board of trustees, stated that Maki is a leader who’s worked hard to advance public higher education in Northern Minnesota.

“He is a gifted leader with experience on the Iron Range,” he said. “He understands rural campuses, and he knows how to make them work financially. President Maki will help ensure the economic vitality of NHED’s five colleges and will deepen their partnerships with communities across the Iron Range.”

Maki’s work on the Iron Range includes a stint with NHED as the chief financial and facilities officer from 2003 to 2004. Before that he worked at Itasca Community College (ICC), first as a business manager/officer, then as a director of finance and facilities and finally as dean of student and administrative service from 2000 to 2003.

Maki will replace Dr. Sue Collins, who announced her intention to retire after serving as president since 2008.