Carol Goodman, executive director of the Cavalier County Job Development Authority and a farmer, is the second recipient of Rural Leadership North Dakota’s Joseph A. Chapman Leadership Award.

Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) is a two-year North Dakota State University Extension Service program that enables participants from farms, ranches and rural communities to become effective leaders with the ability to overcome challenges facing rural North Dakota. They participate in eight in-state seminars, a six-day study tour to Washington, D.C., and a four-day seminar in Canada. Participants also create and implement a project that benefits their organization, community or region.

The award was named for NDSU President Joseph Chapman, under whose leadership RLND was created. He also was the first recipient of the award.

Goodman received the award earlier this month during graduation ceremonies in Bismarck for RLND’s third class.

She and her husband, Bernie, farm near Milton, where she grew up and graduated from high school. Their farm has been in the family since 1881. She also serves on the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education and Governor’s Military Task Force, has been chair of the RLND Council for six years and is past president of Economic Developers of North Dakota. She was executive director of the Langdon Chamber of Commerce from 1991 to 1996.

She earned a bachelor of science degree in home economics from NDSU in 1969.

Marie Hvidsten, RLND director, says Goodman has been and continues to be committed to the RLND program. Goodman served on the search committee for the director’s position, was chair of the RLND Council during its formative years and presented at several RLND seminars.

“Carol is an outstanding leader for North Dakota,” Hvidsten adds. “She embodies the five attributes that are the foundation of RLND’s leadership theory, a theory of transformational leadership. She models the way for others, inspires a shared vision for the future, looks for opportunities to improve, fosters collaboration and partnerships, and coaches and mentors others and recognizes them for their work. Carol’s mission is to improve the quality of life for North Dakotans.”

NDSU Agriculture Communication