The Missouri State University Board of Governors has approved three finalists to be considered as the next president of the university.
Officials announced on Thursday the candidates, Drs. John Jasinski, Roger Thompson and Richard Williams, will be on campus for interviews in February. The Presidential Search Committee recommended four finalists to the board. One of the candidates withdrew for personal reasons.
The board approved the recommendation at a special meeting on Jan. 17.
“We were fortunate to attract an exceptionally strong and diverse pool of candidates for the position,” said board Chair Lynn Parman.
“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.”
Jasinski has served as provost of Missouri State University since 2022. He is also a senior consultant for the American Association of State College and Universities. Prior to joining Missouri State, Jasinski was president of Northwest Missouri State University from 2009 to 2022.
Thompson is vice president for student services and enrollment management at the University of Oregon (UO). During his 14 years at UO, he also served as vice president for enrollment management and vice provost for enrollment management.
Williams served as president of Utah Tech University (previously Dixie State University) from 2014 through early 2024. Previously, he served as provost and vice president for academic affairs and founding dean of the College of Nursing, Health and Human Services at Indiana State University.
The Presidential Search Committee, a diverse group of campus and community members which includes Missouri State University-West Plains Associate Vice-Chancellor for Business and Support Services Crockett Oaks, received 48 completed applications for the president position.
Following extensive review and discussion, 11 candidates were invited to an in-person interview with the search committee. These candidates were diverse in terms of race, sex, age, geographic region, institutional size and professional background.
As previously noted, four of the 11 semifinalist candidates were moved forward as finalists to be recommended to the board. Following successful background and reference checks, one of the finalists withdrew from consideration for personal reasons. The board considered and approved the three remaining finalists.
Each finalist will be scheduled for a two-day visit in Springfield and West Plains during the second and fourth weeks of February. Detailed information regarding opportunities to meet the candidates will be posted on the Presidential Search website, www.missouristate.edu/President/Search/default.htm.
