These individuals have been appointed to permanent administrative positions over the past six months:

Darrin Strosahl
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Northwest Technical College 

Darrin Strosahl in July became vice president for academic affairs at Northwest Technical College, Bemidji State’s partner institution.

Since 2015, Strosahl had been academic dean of skilled trades at St. Cloud Technical and Community College in St. Cloud. He previously spent 18 years as a high school administrator throughout Minnesota, most recently as superintendent at Foley Public Schools and Kingsland Public Schools.

Dr. Jim Barta
Dean, College of Health Sciences & Human Ecology

Dr. Jim Barta was named dean of BSU’s College of Health Sciences and Human Ecology in May, returning to Bemidji after a two-year term at Mercer University as dean and professor of the Tift College of Education. Barta was interim dean of health sciences and human ecology at BSU for nearly two years before joining Mercer.

Dr. Randy Ludeman
Director, Housing & Residential Life

Dr. Randy Ludeman was promoted to director of housing and residential life in January. He has been at BSU for more than 25 years in multiple roles, most recently as university conduct officer and associate director of residential life. The 1985 BSU graduate also has served as assistant director of residential life and hall director.

Nina Johnson
Director, Hobson Memorial Union

Nina Johnson was promoted to director of the Hobson Memorial Union in May. She spent the previous three years as the union’s associate director. Johnson came to BSU from Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she was assistant director of admissions and a residence hall area director. As union director, she is responsible for facilities rental, as well as advising Student Senate and other organizations.

Travis Barnes
Director of Facilities, BSU & NTC

Travis Barnes was promoted to director of facilities in August. He previously was facility supervisor at Northwest Technical College. Barnes graduated from BSU in 2004 with a degree in industrial technology.