St. Paul, MN —  The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has a new leader. Last year, current Chancellor Devinder Malhotra announced his intention to retire  in July. The board announced that Winona State President Scott Olson has been appointed to the role. Olson has worked in the Minnesota State System for 20 years and has spent the last 11 years as president of Winona State University.

“Scott has deep roots in Minnesota State and is known throughout the system as a collaborative and strategic leader,” said Roger Moe, Minnesota State board chair. “He has amassed an outstanding reputation in every role he has played, and has the skills needed to build a common vision of what Minnesota State can become. We are very pleased that he has accepted our offer to serve as the next chancellor of Minnesota State.”

During his tenure at Winona State, Olson presided over a 95% increase in enrollment for students of color, cut outcome gaps almost in half, and achieved the highest success rates of students of color among the colleges and universities of Minnesota State

“I am both honored and humbled to be selected to serve as chancellor of the Minnesota State system,” said Olson. “I will work diligently to meet the opportunities as well as the challenges that lie ahead. What our colleges and universities do every day is nothing short of remarkable, and I look forward to working collaboratively with our faculty, staff, business partners, community leaders, and especially our students, towards a prosperous, inclusive, and innovative future.”

Olson will succeed Devinder Malhotra who has served as chancellor of Minnesota State since 2017 and has announced his intention to retire, effective July 31, 2023.