ST. PAUL, Minn., January 22, 2026 – Three candidates have been selected as finalists for the presidency at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU). They are Amy Clark, David Jones, and Shadow Robinson.
A committee made up of students, faculty, staff, and community members recommended these candidates. This committee was led by Ginny Arthur, president of Metropolitan State University. Each candidate will visit SMSU during the week of January 26. These visits are a chance for the university community to engage with the candidates and share their thoughts. You can find more information about the visits and how to provide feedback at smsu.edu.
Amy Clark recently served as the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Nebraska Methodist College until October 2025. Before that, she was dean of health professions at the same college. Clark holds a Bachelor’s from Nebraska Wesleyan University, a Master’s from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She will visit SMSU on Tuesday, January 27.
David Jones is currently the interim president of SMSU. He took on this role in July 2025 after working at Minnesota State University, Mankato, for several years in various student affairs roles. Jones earned his Bachelor’s from the 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. His campus visit is set for Wednesday, January 28.
Shadow Robinson has been the provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith since 2022. He previously served as the dean of engineering and natural sciences at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Robinson holds two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Kentucky and a doctorate from Rutgers University. He will visit SMSU on Thursday, January 29.
The Board of Trustees for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will discuss Chancellor Scott Olson’s recommendation on February 18, 2026. The new president is expected to start on July 1, 2026.
Southwest Minnesota State University is a four-year public university focused on preparing students for the challenges of today. With a mix of degree programs that emphasize professional and practical experiences, SMSU aims to connect students to their local communities and beyond. For more details, visit www.smsu.edu.
Minnesota State oversees 26 community and technical colleges alongside seven state universities that cater to around 270,000 students. It stands as the third-largest educational system of its kind in the United States, emphasizing both academic excellence and community engagement.
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