With just a little over a week at his new job, it’s not surprising that David Jones appeared in front of a nearly empty bookcase for a Zoom call. To be fair, it’s a very big, floor-to-ceiling shelving unit, and all he brought was one box of belongings.
But he’s got more important things to worry about as he steps into a one-year interim position as president of Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall.
Jones, 55, is proud of what he has learned during his 14 years in the Minnesota State system, serving in Mankato as vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Minnesota State University. Since July 1 he has been president for the Southwest State Mustangs.
“I have no idea what he had before, but I can’t imagine it was all books,” he said of the shelves in the office of former President Kumara Jayasuriya, who retired suddenly in January after nearly six years in the position. Deb Kerkaert was acting president since January.
“As the spring semester began for myself and anybody else who considered this opportunity, it wasn’t even on the radar,” he said. “I had people reach out, not only from Minnesota State Mankato, but as well as from this campus, to encourage me to consider it. And so I did.”
Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson was a colleague in Mankato for many years as well, so in the transition — as fast as it has been — he felt fully supported. Currently, Jones returns home to wife Jennifer, who is on the adjunct faculty at St. Cloud State University, nearly every weekend; their two children have graduated from college.
In the announcement, Olson said: “He knows our system, our students, faculty, and staff, and our processes and will be a steady and effective leader for SMSU during this year of transition.”
Although this opportunity came about suddenly, it was not unplanned for, he said.
“It is something I’ve kind of had my eye on over the years, and have been super selective about where I’ve been looking. In particular, I really am a fervent believer of what Minnesota is trying to do and the approach (the) Minnesota State (system) has for education on the whole,” Jones said.
Specifically, he supports the idea that each regional university plays an important role in helping improve the region and the community in which it is located. SMSU is one of Marshall’s largest employers, with 506 full- and part-time employees, he said.
In fall 2024, there were 7,868 total students, with 2,151 degree-seeking undergraduates, 456 graduate students and 5,261 non-degree seeking students. Top majors are biology, business, exercise science, computer science and education.
By comparison, Mankato’s student enrollment is 15,251, with 1,600 faculty and staff.
Overall, Jones said Marshall is a good place for him to be right now.
“They recently completed their reaccreditation cycle with the Higher Learning Commission and received great compliments on the quality of education, the planning strategies they put in place here and the overall management of the university,” he said. “So I’m coming to a place that has some momentum.”
As he gets his feet under him for a fast-approaching fall semester, he is getting to know his staff and seeking their advice. He’s excited to see Mustangs represented around town and the appreciation the community and university have for each other.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. David Jones here serving as interim president on our beautiful campus here at SMSU,” said Lori Hebig, executive assistant to the president and provost. “He has been an absolute delight to work with and for in my short time providing assistance to him.”
Agriculture is a strong study area for SMSU, he emphasized, and that offers many growth opportunities. All while continuing as an integral part of their community.
“Every community in Minnesota would be thrilled to have a university in their community,” Jones said. “It’s not only a great kind of engine for learning, obviously, but also entertainment, for opportunities to engage with young adults in a way that keeps the community vibrant. But the reality is, in today’s world, a university is an economic engine.”