MSU appoints interim provost

Missouri State University has appointed an interim provost after recently disclosing its current chief academic officer would exit sooner than expected.

Tamera Jahnke, who serves as dean of the MSU College of Natural and Applied Sciences, is slated to serve as interim provost starting Dec. 21 until a new permanent provost is named, according to a news release.

Current Provost John Jasinski's last day in his office will be Dec. 20, and he'll use vacation leave until his last official day on Feb. 1, Springfield Business Journal reported last week. Jasinski previously announced his intention to retire in summer 2025.

“Dr. Jasinski has made lasting contributions to Missouri State University during his tenure as provost, particularly in unifying our academic affairs initiatives,” MSU President Richard “Biff” Williams said in the release. “While we will miss his leadership, we are fortunate to have Dr. Tamera Jahnke step into this crucial role. Her service to our university and extensive leadership experience make her exceptionally qualified to guide our academic affairs forward during this transition period.”

Jahnke was appointed interim provost by Williams, said Emily Letterman, public relations strategist at MSU. Jahnke has served as dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences since 2006, and she's been a member of the chemistry faculty since 1986.

“I am deeply honored to accept the role of interim provost and am committed to serving Missouri State University with humility, integrity and dedication,” Jahnke said in the release.

At the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Jorge Rebaza-Vasquez has been tapped to serve as interim dean during Jahnke's appointment as interim provost. Starting at MSU in 2002, Rebaza-Vasquez has been associate dean of the college since 2021.

In the provost search process that started this fall, more than 60 candidates have applied, MSU officials said in the release. The search committee – led by Brad Bodenhausen, vice president for community and global partnerships, and Marjorie Shavers, College of Education associate dean – is slated to select semifinalists this month and hold first-round interviews in January. Finalists are expected to be on campus in February.

Jasinski did not respond to a request for comment from SBJ last week about the reason for his early exit. He began in his current role in 2022 after having served as president of Northwest Missouri State University 2009-22, and he was one of three finalists to replace outgoing President Clif Smart.