Michael Raich will continue to oversee the merging of the five community colleges into one accredited school. Written By: News Tribune | × Northeast Higher Education District President Michael Raich. (Photo courtesy of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees has named the next president of the five colleges in the Northeast Higher Education District. Michael Raich assumes the role immediately. He served as the interim president since 2019. During that time, he has been leading the merging of the five colleges into the district into one accredited college, according to a news release from Minnesota State. That process should be complete by fall 2022.