Normandale is committed to being a student ready college that supports the whole student inside and outside of the classroom.
Our vision believes in limitless human potential, and we are dedicated to meeting our students at any point in their academic journey to help achieve our goals. These efforts are centered around our Big Three Goals:
Normandale Community College Interim President Pakou Yang began her appointment on June 4, 2025. She is the seventh individual to serve as president/interim president of Normandale.
Dr. Yang previously served as provost and vice president of academic and student affairs at Century College in White Bear Lake, Minn., from 2021 to 2025. Prior to that position, she was the vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at Century from 2018-2021. She also served as system director at the Minnesota State system office from 2014-18, as an academic dean from 2008-2014 for the division of behavioral and social science, communication, physical education and health, humanities, and the translation and interpreting program at Century, and was a full-time tenured communication instructor at Century from 2003-2008.
Throughout her dedicated years of administrative leadership, Dr. Yang has worked to increase student success and narrow equity gaps through data-driven, evidence-based practices and strategies. In her prior roles, she implemented a comprehensive approach to recruitment and retention across academic and student affairs, which maintained or grew enrollment at Century during her tenure. She has supported academic innovations in academic programs, delivery models, and strategic scheduling, and also led the student affairs division to implement new strategies, best practices, and measurable outcomes focused on holistic student development. Dr. Yang has cultivated strong college partnerships with K-12, business and industry, and community partners.
As system director for P-20 and college readiness at the Minnesota State system office, Dr. Yang provided leadership on systemwide positions, policies, procedures, and legislative actions regarding issues pertaining to dual enrollment, admissions, college access, course placement, developmental education, and K-12 higher education alignment.
National and statewide recognition Dr. Yang has received, includes the Leadership Excellence Award from the National Institute of Staff and Organizational Development (2024), the Teaching Excellence Award from the National Institute of Staff and Organizational Development (2007), and the Melvin H. Miller Award for Outstanding Service from the Department of Communication, University of Wisconsin.
Dr. Yang holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth, a master’s from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
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