Bismarck State College President Larry C. Skogen has created a new vice president position, which adds a fourth vice president to the college's organizational structure.

The new position is Vice President, Energy Technology Programs, and Director, National Energy Center of Excellence.

Kari L. Knudson joined BSC in September to fill the new position. Knudson has over 17 years of domestic and international experience in the energy industry. After graduating with a bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Oklahoma, she began working for Conoco in Houston. Knudson advanced through the company to financial leadership positions in Stavanger, Norway, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Before joining BSC, she was Vice President of Finance and Administration for Centennial Energy Resources, an independent power production subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, Inc.

According to President Skogen, the creation of this new position will enhance Bismarck State College's ability to provide a skilled workforce for the nation's energy industry while also developing partnerships for economic growth. "The significance of our energy technology training programs on the state and national levels has been steadily increasing. The college needs someone at the vice president level who can be devoted to all the college's various energy initiatives," Skogen said.

The Division of Energy Technology Programs is the largest instructional department on campus in terms of the number of students enrolled and the number of full- and part-time faculty.

Skogen said the division will continue growing, as the college is pursuing partnerships with the military. For example, BSC grants credits for training completed through the Army's Prime Power School.

All Energy Technology Programs faculty and staff, as well as on-campus energy technology classes, will be located in the National Energy Center of Excellence building, slated for completion in summer of 2008.

"With Vice President Knudson's industry and international experiences," said Skogen, "we have the expertise needed to develop national and international partnerships to capitalize fully on the new facility and the programs it will house."

BSC's other vice presidents are Executive Vice President Dave Clark, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Wayne Boekes, and Vice President for College Advancement and Federal Relations Gordon Binek.

"Kari joins a remarkable team of executive leadership for the college," Skogen said. "We're fortunate she has joined us."