MSU provost opts to leave his role early 

Missouri State University Provost John Jaskinski is leaving Missouri State University earlier than anticipated. 

Andrea Mostyn, MSU’s director of strategic communication, verified that Jasinski’s last day in his office will be Dec. 20. He will use vacation leave in January, and his last official day is Feb. 1. 

An interim provost will be named in the next few weeks to fill the role until a new provost begins, Mostyn said. The search for an interim provost is now in progress. 

On Oct. 22, MSU opened the window for applications in its search for a provost to replace Jasinski, who announced his intention to retire on June 20, 2025. 

A 17-member search committee, composed of faculty and staff, is headed by Brad Bodenhausen, vice president for community and global partnerships, and Marjorie Shavers, College of Education associate dean. 

The committee is scheduled to conduct semifinalist interviews in January 2025, with on-campus interviews of finalists in February and the selection by President Richard “Biff” Williams in March. 

The provost is the university’s chief academic officer and provides primary administrative leadership, direction and evaluation for faculty affairs, according to the portion of MSU’s website devoted to the provost search. 

The position description states that the provost role requires academic credentials consistent with the rank of professor, including a distinguished teaching record with scholarly publications or creative accomplishments that reflect a commitment to academic excellence. 

The role also requires “a history of progressively responsible, successful experience as an academic administrator at the dean level or above.” 

The provost reports to the president. 

Jasinski began in his current role in 2022 after having served as president of Northwest Missouri State University 2009-22. He was one of three finalists interviewed on campus in January to replace outgoing President Clif Smart. 

The other candidates were Roger Thompson, vice president for student services and enrollment management at the University of Oregon, and Williams, who was president of Utah Tech University for over a decade. 

Williams’ presidency began July 1, but four months later, news emerged that he was the lead defendant in a federal lawsuit, filed in Utah by three staff members responsible for enforcing Title IX gender equity law. The lawsuit alleges Williams and other defendants created a hostile work environment at Utah Tech and established a culture of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. 

While the MSU Board of Governors announced its intention to stand behind Williams, following four closed meetings on the subject, the university’s Faculty Senate passed a resolution of no confidence in the president. 

Jasinski could not be reached immediately for comment by deadline on the reason for his early exit.