Nels Onstad
Meet Our Faculty
Dr. Nels M. Onstad
Dr. Nels Onstad earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with a 7–12 coaching certification from Minnesota State University, Moorhead. He continued his education at Minnesota State University Moorhead, earning a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration with licensure as a principal and district superintendent. He received his Doctor of Education degree in Educational Administration and Leadership from St. Cloud State University in 2018. His doctoral dissertation examined Minnesota secondary school principals’ perceptions of the effectiveness of classroom management skills among traditionally trained teachers and non-licensed community experts.
Dr. Onstad has more than three decades of experience in K–12 education, serving as a teacher, coach, secondary principal, state education leader, superintendent, and consultant. He served as the superintendent at Wabasha-Kellogg Public schools and Atwater-Cosmos Grove City.
He also served as Director of Educator Licensing at the Minnesota Department of Education and for over 14 years as the principal at West Central Area Public Schools. His career started as a Math Teacher and Coach at Greenbush-Middle River.
Dr. Onstad's experience in higher education includes adjunct instructor at St. Cloud State University and Winona State University. He teaches graduate-level courses in school finance, educational policy, and personnel administration and has experience delivering courses in in-person, online, and hybrid formats.
Professional Credentials/Licensure
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Educational Administration and Leadership
- Master of Science, Educational Administration
- Principal Licensure
- District Superintendent Licensure
- Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
- 7–12 Coaching Certification
Program Areas
- School Finance and Business Management
- Educational Administration and Leadership
- Educational Policy
- Personnel Administration
- K–12 Leadership
- School-Community Relations
Courses Taught
- School Finance
- Educational Policy
- Personnel Administration
- Educational Administration and Leadership