After seven years at California State University, Stanislaus, President Hamid Shirvani is moving to the Midwest, as he recently was named chancellor of the North Dakota University System.
“The chancellorship in North Dakota presents an exciting new opportunity for me to move from being a campus president to a chancellor overseeing a diverse system of research universities, comprehensive universities, and community colleges,” said President Shirvani.
President Shirvani will begin his new position on July 1, 2012, succeeding the current chancellor, William Goetz, who is retiring in August. 
As chancellor, President Shirvani’s new duties will include implementing policies of the board of higher education, as well as serving as chief executive officer of the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) and the North Dakota University System (NDUS). 
“Dr. Shirvani’s record of leadership, working with students, and his visionary approach to higher education makes him the perfect fit to lead the North Dakota University System,” SBHE President Grant Shaft said.
President Shirvani commended North Dakota for the quality of higher education it provides to its students.
He previously served on faculties and held leadership and management positions at multiple schools on the east coast. He additionally received his doctorate from Princeton University and his master’s degree from Harvard University. 
“This is also a special opportunity to serve a state that is committed to becoming the national leader in educational attainment” Shirvani said.
An interim president for CSU Stanislaus has yet to be named. According to Stephanie Thara, Web Communications Specialist of Public Affairs at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, the process of naming an interim president at CSU universities differs in each situation.
“We will not necessarily be naming an interim president,” Thara said. “There could either be a national search, or an interim appointed, or both could occur simultaneously.”
Thara explained that an interim president could be replaced by a new president or voted in as the permanent president by the CSU Board of Trustees. Also,  if a current president leaves before a new president is chosen, the Chancellor then appoints an interim president.
Shirvani said that he will be happy to reach out and offer assistance in the event an interim president is selected. He also has confidence that the new president of CSU Stanislaus will be successful in their position.
“I am certain, however, that the interim president, and later the permanent president, will be able to carry their responsibilities without any mentoring from me,” Shirvani said.