Minnesota West announces hiring of new dean, provost

Minnesota West Community & Technical College last month welcomed Daniel de Moraes as the new Dean of Liberal Arts and K–12 Partnerships. With over a decade of experience in faculty leadership, academic program development, and statewide equity initiatives, de Moraes is recognized for his student-centered approach and innovative strategies that help shape the future of higher education in Minnesota.

“We are thrilled to welcome Daniel de Moraes to our leadership team. His deep commitment to equity, innovative thinking, and collaborative leadership style align perfectly with Minnesota West’s mission,” Minnesota West President Terry Gaalswyk said. “Daniel’s experience across the Minnesota State system will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our liberal arts programming and expand partnerships that support college readiness and student success in our region.”

De Moraes joins Minnesota West from the Minnesota State system office, where he served as Director of Program Support and Quality Assurance. In this role, he led system-wide initiatives that addressed educational equity, legislative compliance, and program quality across 30 colleges and seven universities. His leadership in implementing the Academic Program Review Process ensured institutional alignment with Higher Learning Commission (HLC) standards while advancing Minnesota State’s Equity 2030 goals.

In addition to his administrative leadership, de Moraes brings a strong academic background. He served as a faculty member and coordinator of the Exercise Science Department at North Hennepin Community College from 2012 to 2023. His teaching and research empowered students to bridge academic theory with real-world application, resulting in greater student engagement and success.

He also contributes at the state level as a Board Member for the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership (MnEEP) and a Council Member on the College Race Equity Advocacy Advisory Council (CREAC). In these roles, he offers thought leadership to advance educational equity and racial justice throughout Minnesota.

“Education is a powerful catalyst for individual growth, collective impact, and societal change. As a fundamental human right, it should be inclusive, adaptable, and focused on creating long-term positive outcomes,” said de Moraes. “In my work, I focus on innovating within higher education to empower learners to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities,” states de Moraes.

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Minnesota West also announces the appointment of Dr. Craig R. Leager as Provost, effective June 24. Dr. Leager brings over two decades of leadership across higher education, K-12 schools, corporate and nonprofit sectors, offering a blend of strategic vision, academic innovation, and a deep commitment to student success.

Dr. Leager joins Minnesota West from Indian Hills Community College (IHCC) in Iowa, where he most recently served as Executive Dean of Instruction. In this role, he oversaw academic operations across three campuses, supervised over 200 faculty and adjunct instructors, and implemented institution-wide innovations such as the New Faculty Academy Aspiring Leaders Institute and college-wide, monthly Learning Walks to develop instructional capacity and collaboration. He implemented multiple grants including from the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Education.

Prior to his tenure at IHCC, Dr. Leager served as Executive Director and National STEM Certification Lead Consultant for the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE), where he led national initiatives to certify STEM educators and institutions. Under his leadership, NISE expanded its reach to over 12,000 educators across the United States, developed partnerships with higher education institutions, and contributed to state legislation supporting STEM education in Alabama.

“Dr. Leager brings a wealth of experience in academic leadership, faculty development, and strategic planning,” Gaalswyk said. “His passion for innovation, equity, and student-centered learning aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are excited to welcome him to our leadership team.”

Dr. Leager earned his Doctor of Education in Adult Learning and Development from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, a Master of Education in Educational Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Iowa State University. He is widely recognized for his ability to foster inclusive learning environments, build high-performing teams, and drive institutional effectiveness through collaboration and data-informed decision-making.

“I am honored to join Minnesota West,” said Dr. Leager. “I look forward to working with faculty, staff, and students to advance academic excellence, support innovative teaching, and enhance the educational experience for all learners.”