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Tim Flakoll, who has served as a Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) commissioner for more than 20 years, received the Phillip Sirotkin Award during MHEC’s annual meeting, held in Cleveland, OH, November 6-8.

Phillip Sirotkin was the early visionary behind the regional higher education compact in the Midwest.MHEC established the honor in his name in 1999 and periodically confers the award upon individuals who have been voted upon by the entire MHEC commission.

“Tim has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to higher education and students across the Midwest,” said MHEC President Susan Heegaard. “He played a key role in North Dakota becoming the second state to join the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, which increases student access. He also has been a tireless advocate for open educational resources and has drawn on his experience as a North Dakota legislator to offer valuable insight for higher education policy. Receiving MHEC’s highest award is a testament to Tim’s outstanding contributions and leadership.”

In accepting the award, Flakoll reflected on his journey from a young boy who was indifferent to school to his decades as a passionate higher education advocate. “I wish my mother and father were here to see me receive this award,” he said. “When I was a college freshman, I told my mother I wasn’t sure I was going to make it, and she simply said to me, ‘Tim, do the best you can.’ I have tried to live by those words.”

Flakoll grew up in Forbes, ND, and currently lives in Fargo, where he serves on the Cass County Commission. He was a member of the North Dakota State Senate from 1998–2016. He served on the Senate Education committee for 18 years and was vice-chairman and chair from 2012–2016. He also served as provost for Tri-College University of Fargo-Moorhead and was named provost emeritus by North Dakota State University in 2024. He served as MHEC chair (2017–18), vice chair (2016–2017), and past chair (2018–2019).