Biography

Portrait of a man in a suit and tie wearing glasses against a white background.

Dr. Brock Tessman currently serves as the 17th president of Northern Michigan University.

During his tenure at NMU, Tessman has already led a number of successful campus initiatives, such as the development of a new strategic plan (“Our Compass”), adoption of the Okanagan Charter, realignment of the University’s administrative structure around core priorities, transition to a new student advising system, launch of new formal and informal programs to boost internal communication (especially with labor unions), and implementation of a comprehensive outreach strategy to the rural communities NMU serves across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

These initiatives have generated positive momentum across a wide range of key indicators related to the overall health of the university, including but to limited to: steady enrollment growth at the graduate and undergraduate levels, record retention rates (78%), budget stability and top-tier bond ratings, record levels of private giving, major faculty research and teaching accomplishments, and the planning, funding, and completion of major capital projects.

Dr. Tessman came to NMU from Montana where he served as the Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education for 40,000+ students and 8,000 employees on 16 campuses that comprise the Montana University System (MUS). There, he was responsible for driving success across the wide-ranging sectors of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Research & Economic Development. He helped expand college access for rural communities and adult learner
populations across Montana. Tessman was also a key part of MUS partnerships with the Montana legislature, state agencies, and the Governor’s office.

He oversaw the design and launch of the MUS’s Montana 10 Student Success Initiatives, which employs targeted financial aid, student incentives, comprehensive advising, mental health and academic momentum strategies that resulted in significantly increased retention rates and on-time completion rates for program participants, he oversaw a period of major growth in the system-wide research enterprise; and was responsible for statewide development of new accelerated degree programs, business and industry partnerships, rapid workforce training
programs, public-private ventures, and Career & Technical Education operations. He also was the statewide director for Montana’s community colleges.

Prior to the Montana University System, Dr. Tessman was a professor of political science and dean of the Davidson Honors College (DHC) at the University of Montana in Missoula. In leading the Honors College, he added a several new programs, including a comprehensive Career Development Program, a student-led think tank that addressed community challenges, and a Global Experience Fund for students.

Dr. Tessman began his academic career at the land-grant University of Georgia, where he earned tenure in the School of Public and International Affairs for his research and teaching on national security, foreign policy, and the relationship between environmental conditions, risk tolerance and leadership decision making. At UGA, he served as associate director of the Center for the Study of Global Studies, undergraduate program director and graduate program director.

He has published extensively in political science journals such as the Journal of Conflict Resolution, Security Studies, International Studies Review, and Foreign Policy Analysis. He authored a widely adopted teaching text titled International Relations in Action. Dr. Tessman graduated with an honors degree in international relations from Brown University and received both his master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Tessman was a multisport athlete in high school and competed in collegiate track and field at Brown and Colorado. He continues to be an avid trail runner. He and his wife, Kristin, are the parents of young daughters Frances and Leona. They are a family of outdoor enthusiasts. Among Dr. Tessman’s favorite pastimes is a love for board games. He is also a lifelong Detroit Lions fan.

Schedule

Wednesday, March 26

  • Candidate Arrives to Bozeman. Tour of Campus.
  • 6 p.m. Dinner with Board of Regents and Commissioner of Higher Education

Thursday, March 27

  • 8–9 a.m. Breakfast meeting with Search Advisory Committee | Alumni Legacy Lounge
  • 9:15–10 a.m. Meet with President’s Executive Team/Cabinet | Alumni Legacy Lounge
  • 10:15–11 a.m. Meet with Deans & Vice Provosts | Alumni Legacy Lounge
  • 11:15–Noon Meet with Associate Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents’ Direct Reports (by invitation) | Alumni Legacy Lounge
  • 12:15–1 p.m. Lunch with Student Leaders (by invitation) | (ASMSU, RHA, Athletics Leadership Group) | SUB 235
  • 1:15–2 p.m. Meet with Faculty Senate | Alumni Legacy Lounge
  • 2:15–3 p.m. All Staff Council | Alumni Legacy Lounge
  • 3:15–4 p.m. Meet with Department Heads | Alumni Legacy Lounge
  • 4:30–5:30 p.m. Open Forum | SUB Ballrooms
  • 5:30-6:30 p.m. Community Reception | SUB Ballrooms

Friday, March 28

If you are participating in one of the Virtual Participation Options, please register using the appropriate link above. Please email [email protected] with any questions.