Cowden, Johnson, Sabin named Minnesota North College finalists; campus visits Feb. 23-26

Minnesota State announced that Clint Cowden, Bart Johnson and Jessalyn Sabin are the three finalists in the search for the next president of Minnesota North College, a move revealed in a Feb. 19 announcement and followed by campus visits slated Feb. 23-26. The finalists were recommended by a search advisory committee made up of students, faculty, staff and community leaders, according to the search materials.

The search advisory committee was chaired by Anita Hanson, president of Fond du Lac Tribal Community College, and Chancellor Scott Olson will make a recommendation to the Minnesota State Board of Trustees. The Board is expected to consider that recommendation at its March 18, 2026 meeting; Minnesota North College’s current president, Michael Raich, is retiring effective June 30, and the new president’s anticipated start date is July 1, 2026.

Minnesota North College serves roughly 3,425 students across six campuses in northern Minnesota. The campuses include Minnesota North College–Itasca in Grand Rapids, Minnesota North College–Hibbing in Hibbing, Minnesota North College–Mesabi Range in Virginia and Eveleth, Minnesota North College–Vermilion in Ely, and Minnesota North College–Rainy River in International Falls. Minnesota State’s announcement noted that “With a commitment to accessible, affordable, and high-quality education, Minnesota North College offers a wide range of programs to prepare students for rewarding careers and successful futures.”

Jessalyn Sabin currently serves as academic dean for career and technical programs and as Eveleth campus director for Minnesota North College, positions she has held since 2021. Her prior positions listed in the announcement include biology instructor at Hibbing Community College from 2013 to 2019, interim dean of academics for Hibbing Community College from 2019 to 2021, interim dean of academics for Rainy River Community College from 2020 to 2021, and graduate teaching assistant and researcher at the University of Minnesota Duluth from 2011 to 2013. Sabin’s education credentials in the release list a bachelor’s and master’s from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a doctorate from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Mesabi Tribune reports Sabin is scheduled to visit Minnesota North College campuses Feb. 24-26 starting at Vermilion; Minnesota State’s release contains a truncated schedule line that also references Feb. 24-26.

Clint Cowden is listed as assistant superintendent/vice president of instruction and student services at Palo Verde Community College District in California and has held that role since 2024. The Mesabi Tribune item shows a Cowden image file labeled cowden_clint_hs_2026.png but provides no further biographical detail in the materials reviewed.

Bart Johnson is named as a finalist in Minnesota State’s announcement and appears in local reporting and social posts; the Mesabi Tribune image asset is labeled johnson_bart_hs_2026.png. The available announcement and news snippets do not include Johnson’s current position, past roles or education; similar gaps exist for full campus schedules for Cowden and Johnson in the materials provided.

Minnesota State’s press contact for the announcement is listed as Noelle Hawton, Noelle.Hawton@MinnState.edu, 651-728-8156, for anyone seeking the full, uncut press release, complete campus visit schedules, or additional candidate biographies. The Board decision at its March 18 meeting and the July 1 start date if a finalist is selected will determine leadership for the six campuses serving about 3,425 students across northern Minnesota.