Dr. David Jones named the 11th President of SMSU
Published Wednesday, February 18, 2026
“We are facing challenging budget times in higher education and David brings an extensive background in enrollment growth and student affairs that will serve the Southwest Minnesota State University community well at this moment,” said Scott Olson, chancellor of Minnesota State. “He cares deeply about institutions in greater Minnesota and has a strong vision for what SMSU can be in the future.”
Dr. Jones has devoted his career to education, including over three decades of experience in higher education both in the classroom and leadership roles. He has a proven record of developing innovative enrollment management strategies leading to enrollment growth and strong retention numbers as well as a commitment to, and experience with, shared governance.
Dr. Jones has served as interim president at Southwest Minnesota State University since July 2025. As interim president, he has been providing strategic and operational leadership and engaging with stakeholders to advance the university’s mission and strategic objectives.
Previously, Dr. Jones served as vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Minnesota State University, Mankato between 2012 and 2025. In that role, he authored the university’s first and second strategic enrollment management plans to redesign recruitment, which grew the number of undergraduate and graduate applications substantially and improved retention rates to 78 percent for undergraduate first-time students.
From 2011-2012, he served Minnesota State University, Mankato as the associate vice president for student affairs and enrollment management and from 2015-2016, and again in June of 2025, he served as the interim vice president for information and technology services.
Prior to joining Minnesota State University, Mankato, Dr. Jones served the University of Alabama in various roles. From 2008-2011, he was the assistant vice president for student affairs and executive director of housing and residential communities. Between 2007-2008 he served as interim assistant vice president for student affairs and executive director of housing and residential communities. He was the executive director of housing and residential communities from 2006-2007 and the director of housing and residential communities between 2005-2006. He also served as a temporary assistant professor in the school of education at the university.
From 2000-2005, he served the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the assistant director of housing and residential education and was an adjunct professor and adjunct assistant professor at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University. Dr. Jones began his career as a social studies teacher in Carlisle, Iowa.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from State University of New York at Oswego, a master’s from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and a doctorate from the College of William & Mary.
About Southwest Minnesota State University
Southwest Minnesota State University is a four-year public university and a member of Minnesota State. The university prepares students to meet the complex challenges of this century as engaged citizens in their local and global communities. Comprehensive degree programs, taught in the liberal arts tradition, are dedicated to connecting students’ academic and practical professional development experiences in southwest Minnesota to the wider world. For more information visit www.smsu.edu.
About Minnesota State
Minnesota State includes 26 community and technical colleges and seven state universities serving approximately 270,000 students. It is the third-largest system of two-year colleges and four-year universities in the United States.
MEDIA CONTACT
Noelle Hawton
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
651-728-8156
noelle.hawton@minnstate.edu
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