Dr. Alan Smith speaks at NDSU, laying out his case to be the next NDSU president.

FARGO — The third and final NDSU presidential candidate visited campus and made his case to take the university’s top position on Wednesday, March 25.

Dr. Alan Smith is a tenured professor at Utah State University, where he has also served as interim president.

On top of increasing enrollment, Smith says he is committed to making education accessible, and to promote student success and wellbeing.

Smith says he is also interested in continuing the university’s commitment to research and development.

“As we enable our students to be involved in our research programs, you’re sending now our undergraduates,” Smith said. “When they graduate into their respective industries and communities with an appreciation for science, so we should be investing in those things.”

NDSU’s search committee will officially recommend candidates to the State Board of Higher Education on Friday.

The next president will be announced by the board on Monday.