SAINT PAUL, MN — The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has appointed David Jones as president of Southwest Minnesota State University, effectiveimmediately.
Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson said Jones’ background in enrollment management and student affairs aligns with the university’s current needs.
“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,” Olson said. “He cares deeply about institutions in greater Minnesota and has a strong vision for what SMSU can be in the future.”
Jones has served as SMSU’s interim president since July 2025, overseeing strategic and operational leadership and working with campus stakeholders.
He previously worked at Minnesota State University, Mankato for more than a decade, including as vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. In that role, he developed strategic enrollment management plans that increased applications and improved first-time undergraduate retention rates to 78 percent.
Jones also held leadership positions at the University of Alabama and worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He began his career as a social studies teacher in Iowa.
