D.J. Campbell, Vice President for Sanford Health, Appointed to WICHE Commission

BOULDER, Colorado – D.J. Campbell, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Sanford Health, has been appointed to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) by Gov. Kelly Armstrong. 

 Alongside his role at Sanford Health, Campbell serves as the Vice Chair on the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, Chair of the North Dakota Workforce Development Council, Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and board member for Make-A-Wish North Dakota, the Greater North Dakota Chamber Workforce Policy Committee, and the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. At Sanford Health, Campbell has served on the enterprise human resources executive team since 2020, helping shape workforce and people strategies supporting more than 60,000 employees across 26 states and over 500 locations. 

He attended Bismarck State College and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration.  

 “Commissioner Campbell brings a rare combination of experience in higher education governance, workforce development, healthcare, and business leadership,” said WICHE President Demarée Michelau. “His work with the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education and the North Dakota Workforce Development Council gives him valuable insight into the needs of states, institutions, and employers. That perspective will be an important addition to the WICHE Commission.” 

The WICHE Commission is comprised of 48 Commissioners appointed by governors of 15 Western states and, in the case of the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States, the presidents of three sovereign nations. WICHE Commissioners are leaders in higher education and include state higher education executive officers, college and university presidents, legislators, business and community leaders, and other key partners. Together, they guide WICHE’s strategic direction and assure that the Western Regional Education Compact adopted by the Western states in 1953 is carried out for the benefit of the region. 

 “I’m honored to represent North Dakota on the WICHE Commission and grateful to Gov. Armstrong for his confidence in me,” said Campbell. “Higher education creates opportunities for individuals and helps build the workforce our communities need to thrive. I look forward to working with the Commission to expand access to education and strengthen the connections between learning, meaningful careers, and the vitality of our region.” 

Campbell joins Kyle Davison, Senator, North Dakota Legislative Assembly, and Brent Sanford, Commissioner, North Dakota University System, representing North Dakota on the WICHE Commission.