Former Minnesota congressman Mark Kennedy has been tapped to lead the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

Kennedy was selected from among three finalists. In a statement, Kennedy said Tuesday he is "focused on the future" and will be "collaborative, accessible and seek input from all constituents to connect and have a shared vision for UND."

The state Board of Higher Education's presidential search committee announced the decision. Kennedy, who is expected to start no later than July 1, will be the university's 12th president.

He succeeds Robert Kelley, who retired in January. Former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer has been the interim president.

Most recently, Kennedy was a professor of political management and the director of graduate studies at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He was among three finalists for the job. Kennedy will be paid $365,000 annually.

Kennedy, 60, served three terms in Congress as a Republican starting in 2001. In 2006, he ran for U.S. Senate and lost to Democrat Amy Klobuchar.

Kennedy

"I am honored and humbled to serve as the next president of UND," Kennedy's statement said. "It is important to have quality education for students and research that impacts our community, state and nation."

Kennedy graduated from Pequot Lakes High School in 1975 and from St. John's University in 1979; he received his MBA from the University of Michigan in 1983.

The news release noted that Kennedy is the founder and chairman of the Economic Club of Minnesota, a nonpartisan group of business and public policy leaders that provides a platform for members to express their views on world leadership.

He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has been a presidentially appointed trade adviser under both President Obama and former President George W. Bush.

Before going into politics, he was a senior vice president and treasurer of Macy's. He worked at Accenture and helped Pillsbury acquire Häagen-Dazs.

The university has about 11,500 undergraduate students this year.

Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747

Twitter: @rochelleolson