MSU board names 3 finalists to succeed Smart

The Missouri State University Board of Governors has named three finalists in the search to succeed President Clif Smart.

The finalists' names were disclosed this morning after a special meeting by the board yesterday. Smart, who las led MSU since 2011, is set to retire from the university this summer.

The finalists are:
• John Jasinski, MSU provost since 2022.
• Roger Thompson, vice president for student services and enrollment management at the University of Oregon.
• Richard Williams, president of Utah Tech University from 2014 through early 2024.

“We were fortunate to attract an exceptionally strong and diverse pool of candidates for the position,” board Chair Lynn Parman said in the release. “Following interviews and thorough vetting, the search committee endorsed, and the board approved, three outstanding finalists. We’re pleased to have these experienced candidates who could become the next president of Missouri State University.”

The MSU Presidential Search Committee received 48 completed applications for the president role, according to the release. Eleven candidates were invited for in-person interviews, and after four finalists originally were selected, one withdrew from consideration for personal reasons.

Each of the finalists is scheduled for a two-day visit in Springfield and West Plains during the second and fourth weeks of February.