Jones has been serving as the interim president for SMSU since July 1, 2025, and will continue his stay in Marshall after bringing in decades worth of higher education experience across a handful of colleges and universities in numerous roles.

Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson made his recommendation to the board in Wednesday’s meeting, along with insight regarding the hiring process. The motion passed unanimously to make Jones’ appointment permanent.

“It was clear to me that they (the Marshall community and SMSU) were looking for a president who was a strong, strategic planner, had a proven track record of improving and increasing student enrollment and retention, and was committed to the university in the southwest Minnesota region. I am confident that David Jones is precisely that person,” Olson said in his recommendation. “He cares deeply about institutions in greater Minnesota, and has a strong vision for what SMSU can be in the future.”

Olson detailed that 67 candidates applied for the president position, and the search committee interviewed 13 of those applicants. There were then three finalists selected, including Jones, for campus interviews and public forums, along with completing references and background checks. Minnesota State cabinet members and Olson also completed interviews with the three finalists.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Dr. David Jones, the new permanent president of Southwest Minnesota State University as of Wednesday, talks at the annual state university address on Oct. 10, 2025.

According to Minnesota State, the search advisory committee was comprised of students, faculty, staff and community leaders, and was chaired by Ginny Arthur, president of Metropolitan State University.

During his time as interim president, Minnesota State specifically noted Jones’ impressive success in “providing strategic and operational leadership,” while “engaging with stakeholders to advance the university’s mission and strategic objectives.”

“He (Jones) has served as interim at SMSU since last July, and in that time, he has built strong relationships both on campus and off campus in the community. He has proven he can make difficult decisions when needed, and he has demonstrated his commitment to SMSU and the southwest Minnesota region,” Olson said. “Dr. Jones has three decades of experience in higher education, a proven track record in enrollment management — Really a key strength of his — Strategies that have led to significant enrollment growth at MSU Mankato, strategies that led to increases in retention and graduation rates, classroom experience during his tenure in higher ed, as well as shared governance.”

Prior to coming to SMSU, Jones served as vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Minnesota State University Mankato from 2012 to 2025, where he managed two strategic enrollment plans to redesign recruitment, and saw notable improved retention rates for undergraduate students.

Jones also worked as the associate vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, and as interim vice president for information and technology services at MSUM.

Jones’ other experiences over the years and across other universities include stints as executive director of housing and residential communities or as a professor at the University of Alabama, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University. His first teaching gig was as a social studies teacher in Carlisle, Iowa.

“His (Jones’) formal references described him as authentic, a servant leader who builds strong teams, sets clear visions and goals, and empowers his colleagues,” Olson said. “In direct reports, they said he demonstrates a transparent, ethical and sometimes difficult decision making balance, balancing empathy with accountability. They talked about his unwavering commitment to student success, engagement and well being.”

“Feedback from campus visits … Students noted his responsiveness, his presence at campus events, his clear vision for athletics and community engagement,” Olson added. “Faculty members noted his strength and strategic thinking, and his familiarity with SMSU having already been serving as the interim president. They said his background in enrollment is well suited for what SMSU needs right now.”

Olson went on to say in his recommendation that SMSU administration gave supportive feedback regarding Jones’ “operations competency” and “the leadership continuity” he would bring.

Additionally in his reasoning, Olson mentioned that community members said they appreciate Jones’ visibility in the community, his open communication, and understanding of SMSU’s needs.

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

“It didn’t take too much of a nudge to really seriously consider (the job),” Jones told the Independent in July at the beginning of his interim term. “Not only is it a strong university, but it’s got a lot of positive momentum, whether it’s enrollment or 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.”