Dickinson State University President, Dr. Thomas Mitzel, has resigned from his position, citing challenges with the North Dakota Board of Nursing as a primary reason for his decision.
In a letter addressed to the university’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Mitzel expressed his frustrations with the nursing board and its handling of accreditation issues at the university’s nursing program. He claimed that the nursing board’s actions had hindered the university’s ability to properly educate and train nursing students, ultimately leading to his resignation.
The accreditation issues with the nursing program have been ongoing for several years, with the nursing board placing the program on probation in 2019 due to concerns about the program’s curriculum and faculty. Despite efforts to address these concerns, the nursing board continued to impose restrictions on the program, making it difficult for the university to meet the board’s accreditation standards.
Dr. Mitzel’s resignation comes as a blow to Dickinson State University, as he had been serving as president since 2015. Under his leadership, the university had seen growth and improvement in several areas, including increased enrollment and academic programs.
In his letter, Dr. Mitzel expressed his disappointment in having to resign, but felt that he had no other choice given the challenges posed by the nursing board. He stated that he hopes his resignation will serve as a wake-up call to the nursing board and prompt them to reconsider their approach to working with universities.
The Board of Trustees at Dickinson State University is now tasked with finding a replacement for Dr. Mitzel and addressing the ongoing issues with the nursing program. The university’s students, faculty, and staff will be closely watching to see how the situation unfolds and what steps will be taken to address the accreditation issues.
Overall, Dr. Mitzel’s resignation highlights the challenges that universities face when dealing with accreditation bodies and the impact that their decisions can have on the institution as a whole. It serves as a reminder of the importance of strong leadership and effective communication in navigating such challenges in the higher education sector.
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