Scott Snyder, Ph.D.

Vice President for Research and Economic Development, University of North Dakota

With more than 20 years of higher education experience, Dr. Scott Snyder, Ph.D., is a supporter of both research and student success. He has focused on building research opportunities for both faculty and students, while engaging industry partners.

Snyder came to the University of North Dakota from Idaho State University, where he served for five years as dean of the College of Science and Engineering. During his tenure, he worked closely with regional industry and the Idaho National Laboratory to provide research opportunities for faculty and students and to assist these partners in meeting critical workforce needs through curricular innovation and development. He also served on several advisory boards, including Idaho’s Leadership in Nuclear Energy Commission, the steering committee for the Center for Advanced Energy Studies, the Governor’s Cybersecurity Task Force and the Idaho Regional Optical Network board.

Prior to his work at Idaho State, Snyder was a faculty member in the Department of Biology at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, becoming a full professor as he mentored students and developed an international research program. During his time at UNO, he served for two years as a program director with the National Science Foundation, where he worked across multiple federal agencies to help initiate the Dimensions of Biodiversity grants program.

Additionally, Snyder served as chief research officer at UNO for nearly eight years. While in this role, he initiated a successful grants program to support faculty-mentored student research and teamed with regional and national partners to develop and fund a number of lasting research programs and centers in areas such as biomechanics and counterterrorism. Additionally, Snyder led federal relations efforts for the UNO campus, served as an advisor to the Strategic Advisory Group of the U.S. Strategic Command, was a board member of the National Strategic Research Institute and was ex officio on the board of the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s technology transfer organization, UNeMed.

Snyder earned his doctorate in parasitology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he also earned his bachelor’s degree in biology. His master’s degree, also in parasitology, comes from Wake Forest University.

Foundation Board
Term Expires: December 31, 2025