Photo by Samantha Davis Dr. David Jones began his interim year as the Southwest Minnesota State University president early July, coming in with over two decades of higher education experience.

With eagerness and plans to continue driving Southwest Minnesota State University in a positive direction, Dr. David Jones has begun his year of service as the university’s interim president.

He came on board July 1.

“It didn’t take too much of a nudge to really seriously consider (the job),” Jones said regarding what about SMSU interested him. “Not only is it a strong university, but it’s got a lot of positive momentum, whether it’s enrollment or to the strong leaders that have been here for a long time … To know (what) the quality of the team here was, that was attractive to have an opportunity to work with them.”

Jones is serving as president in the retirement of Dr. Kumara Jayasuriya, while the Minnesota State Board of Trustees looks for a permanent replacement over the next year.

Coming to Marshall with over two decades of higher education experience and off the role of vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Minnesota State University Mankato since 2012, Jones has hopes to continue SMSU’s trending enrollment while helping with the development of the bachelor of science in nursing and master of social work programs. The two plan to launch fall 2026.

“I would even look beyond just those two programs … To look (at) what is the inventory of courses, and inventory of degrees and majors we have here at the university, and where there’s opportunities to meet the needs of the region,” Jones said. “Nursing is a big one. I was just reading some data this morning, about 50% of nursing vacancies are just in the metro area, which means the other half are in Greater Minnesota … Marshall is a perfect example. It’s (a) health care hub … What can we do to be a part of the solution, to make sure that we’re providing the talent.”

“Social work at an undergraduate level … It’s just massive growth,” Jones added. “Not only is there greater awareness, I think, especially in the K-12 system of what can we do to help support students, families and those who might be struggling with any of their life challenges … (It’s about) How can we provide professionals who are trained to really help them navigate.”

Among his to-do list of hopes and goals he wants to achieve in his year to propel SMSU, is also continuing the university’s enrollment growth.

For the 2024-25 school year, SMSU had an overall 14.9% enrollment increase with a 2.8% jump in undergraduate students. The transfer student enrollment saw a 43.9% hike for both in-person and online, and there was a 42% increase for international enrollment. There also was a 17.8% spring semester increase the previous year’s spring term.

Jones brings in experience with helping Mankato’s enrollment and recruitment management team reach new heights.

“We had nine of the 10 largest first-year classes in the 155 year history of the institution,” Jones said, with Mankato also improving its retention rates to 78% for undergraduate first-time students during his time.

Jones noted that he expects to see SMSU off to another strong start this year.

“Early indications are that we’ll continue that momentum again, and early numbers are looking positive,” Jones said. “The opportunity to work with that (enrollment) team, Jeremy Reed in particular, the (associate) vice president in that area, has been strong. He’s been a good colleague the last three years to work on various things. So, I have great confidence in the team to continue to do the work they’re doing.”

Jones has held roles such as interim vice president for information and technology services at Mankato, and several higher-up positions with the University of Alabama in the student affairs and housing departments, where he also was an assistant professor in the School of Education for some time. In the early 2000s, he worked as an adjunct professor and was an assistant director of housing between the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University.

Jones 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 in Virginia.

“I consider upstate New York home. That’s where I grew up from like age 12 and on. I lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa, before that and I was actually born in Oregon,” Jones said. “I taught high school outside of Des Moines as my first career (job).”

Jones first got his interest in higher education as a resident assistant during his undergrad.

“I enjoyed that experience (as an RA). I was heading to my senior year, I was still getting my social studies teaching license … I had a great hall director who pulled me aside and said, ‘Yeah, you seem to like this work, working with students, peer leadership and that sort of thing,'” Jones said. “So, I went to the University of Nebraska-Kearney to go be a graduate assistant … I did go there initially with the idea that I’d get my master’s in community counseling, which I did, and then go back and be a high school guidance counselor. But, I ended up liking the college environment so much that I just stayed.”

Arriving in Marshall just over two weeks ago, Jones’ early impressions of the area stands firm with his expectations.

“It’s great,” Jones said. “I believe in what Minnesota believes when it comes to higher education, and how we can continue to try and be the best solution for all of our citizens across the state, and Southwest has a rich history of being part of that. I was fortunate, I’ve had a couple friends and their kids here, and spoke highly of the experience, as well as knowing a couple alums during my time in Mankato.”

With about five weeks to go until college students begin to arrive back at SMSU and fill campus back up, Jones looks forward to being able to connect with students, along with getting to know the Marshall community.

“I am super impressed with the care and appreciation this community has for this university,” Jones said. “There’s no doubt that you see hallmarks all throughout the city … I had an opportunity to attend the Chamber of Commerce event (last week) and met some of the community leaders, opinion leaders and various business owners in town. Clearly, there’s great pride in this university and what it adds to their community.”