Photo courtesy of Minnesota State David Jones was named interim president of Southwest Minnesota State University.

ST. PAUL — The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities on Wednesday has named Dr. David Jones to serve as interim president of Southwest Minnesota State University.

According to the press releae, the appointment becomes effective July 1.

“David is an experienced leader with an extensive background in enrollment management and student affairs,” Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson said in the release. “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. I am so pleased he has agreed to serve as the interim president at this pivotal time for the university.”

The release stated that Jones has devoted his career to education, including over three decades of experience in higher education both in the classroom and leadership roles.

“He has a proven track record of developing innovative enrollment management strategies leading to enrollment growth and strong retention numbers as well as a commitment to, and experience with, shared governance,” the release stated.

Jones currently serves as vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Minnesota State University, Mankato, a position he has held since 2012. In this role, he authored the university’s first and second strategic enrollment management plans to redesign recruitment, which grew the number of undergraduate and graduate applications, resulting in nine of the university’s ten largest first year classes and improved retention rates to 78% for undergraduate first-time students.

From 2011-2012, he served Minnesota State University, Mankato as the associate vice president for student affairs and enrollment management and from 2015-2016, and again in June of 2025, he served as the interim vice president for information and technology services.

Prior to joining Minnesota State University, Mankato, Jones served the University of Alabama in various roles. From 2008-2011, he was the assistant vice president for student affairs and executive director of housing and residential communities. Between 2007-2008 he served as interim assistant vice president for student affairs and executive director of housing and residential communities. He was the executive director of housing and residential communities from 2006-2007 and the director of housing and residential communities between 2005-2006. He also served as a temporary assistant professor in the school of education at the university.

From 2000-2005, he served the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the assistant director of housing and residential education and was an adjunct professor and adjunct assistant professor at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University. Jones began his career as a social studies teacher in Carlisle, Iowa.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from State University of New York at Oswego, a master’s from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and a doctorate from the College of William & Mary.

Jones succeeds Deb Kerkaert who has been serving as acting president for Southwest Minnesota State University since the retirement of Dr. Kumara Jayasuriya in May.