January 28, 2026
Rhonda Nelson has been named Dean of Student Affairs at Mayville State University effective Feb. 1, 2026. Nelson has served as Interim Dean of Student Affairs over the last several months. She is an accomplished leader in higher education who has extensive experience in student affairs, academic administration, and faculty development.
Nelson came to Mayville State University in 1998 as an employee of Child Development Programs. She is recognized for driving student success initiatives, fostering inclusive campus environments, and leading strategic programs that enhance institutional effectiveness. In addition, she is skilled in program development, committee leadership, and mentoring faculty and students to achieve academic and personal growth.
During her Mayville State tenure, Rhonda has served as a professor of business and chair of the Division of Business. She served as Co-Dean of Student Affairs from 2022 to 2023, and she has experience in Student Affairs leadership, strategic planning and enrollment support, program development and assessment, faculty mentorship and evaluation, budget management and fiscal oversight, and student success and retention initiatives.
Nelson’s committee and service activities have included acting as chair of the North Dakota University System Envision 2035 Values Committee, a group that contributed to statewide educational vision. As a member of the Mayville State Strategic Planning Committee, her work focused on student success and engagement strategies. In addition, she has served as a campus Title IX investigator and a member of the COVID taskforce.
Rhonda earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mayville State University in 2004 and a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Mary in 2010.
She is a long-time board member and secretary for the Comet Athletic Club, the athletics fundraising organization of the Mayville State University Foundation. As a member of the community, she is active in her church and serves as a board member for May-Port CG Office Work Experience and May-Port CG Area Dollars for Scholars.