North Dakota State University - Fargo, North Dakota
NDSU Extension Service

Marie Hvidsten
RLND Program Director
marie.hvidsten@ndsu.nodak.edu

North Dakota State University
309 Morrill Hall
PO Box 5437
Fargo, ND 58105-5437
Phone: 701-231-5803
Fax: 701-231-8378   

Marie Hvidsten

Marie Hvidsten is the Rural Leadership Specialist and Rural Leadership North Dakota Program Director with NDSU Extension Service. She has been in her extension position since October 2002. Prior to coming to NDSU, Marie was the Corporate Learning and Development Manager for 8 years at Digi-Key in Thief River Falls, MN.  

Marie’s professional experience includes 11 years as a music teacher, 8 years working with numerous grant programs including a teacher center, mentorship program, Arts School, Center for School Change initiative with the University of Minnesota, and Curriculum Director for the Thief River Falls School District.  Marie was part of a community team that created and implemented a nine-month leadership program for the Thief River Falls Community as a result of completing a year long Blandin Community Leadership Program. 

Marie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Bemidji State University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of North Dakota, and is currently working on a Doctor’s Degree in Organization Development from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis.  Marie’s doctoral dissertation is on women entrepreneurs in North Dakota. 

Marie and her husband Larry have a blended family with five children and eight  grandchildren.