Finalists Named for Presidency of Minnesota State University, Mankato

ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 4, 2021 – Minnesota State has named five finalists in the search for the next president of Minnesota State University, Mankato. The candidates are Sandra Haynes, Edward Inch, John Jasinski, Debra Larson, and Mrinal Mugdh Varma.

The candidates were recommended by a search advisory committee that was comprised of students, faculty, staff, and community leaders, and was chaired by Robbyn Wacker, president of St. Cloud State University. The candidates are scheduled to conduct virtual campus visits between Feb. 8 and Feb. 10. The virtual campus visits provide an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to meet each of the candidates and offer feedback. Details of the candidates’ virtual campus visits and the process for providing feedback are available at https://mankato.mnsu.edu/presidential-search/.

Sandra Haynes has served as the chancellor of Washington State University Tri Cities since 2018. Previously, she served Metropolitan State University of Denver from 2001 to 2018 in several capacities including deputy provost and vice president for academic affairs; dean or interim dean of the College of Professional Studies; interim associate vice president for academic programs; and interim associate dean of the School of Professional Studies. She has served on the faculty of Metropolitan State University of Denver since 1994 as an assistant professor, associate professor, and a professor. She holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s, and a doctorate from Colorado State University. She will conduct a virtual campus visit on Feb. 8.

Edward Inch has served California State University, East Bay as provost and vice president of academic affairs since 2016. Previously, he served California State University, Sacramento as dean, College of Arts and Letters from 2011 to 2016; Capital University (OH) as provost and vice president for academic affairs from 2009 to 2010; and Pacific Lutheran University from 1986 to 2009 in several capacities including dean of the School of Arts and Communication, chair of the Department of Communication and Theatre, and director of forensics. He is currently on the faculty of California State University, East Bay and has previously served on the faculty at California State University, Sacramento, Capital University, and Pacific Lutheran University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University, a master’s from the University of Oregon, and a doctorate from the University of Washington. He will conduct a virtual campus visit on Feb. 10. 

John Jasinski has served as president of Northwest Missouri State University since 2009. Previously, he served Northwood University from 2007 to 2009 as executive vice president, chief academic and operating officer. From 2001 to 2009, he provided consulting and training on leadership, organizational assessment, and process improvement issues for a variety of organizations including two- and four-year public and private colleges and universities and public K-12 education systems. He also served Northwest Missouri State University from 1986 to 2001 in various capacities including associate provost, Baldrige Category Council co-chair, and associate professor and chair of the Department of Mass Communication. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s from Central Michigan University, and a doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He will conduct a virtual campus visit on Feb. 9.

Debra Larson has served California State University, Chico since 2017 as provost and vice president of academic affairs, and as president of Chico State Enterprises. Previously, she served California Polytechnic State University from 2011 to 2017 as dean of the College of Engineering. She also served Northern Arizona University from 1994 to 2011 in several capacities including associate vice provost for academic affairs, associate dean of the College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences, and department chair, and she served as a member of the faculty from 1994 to 2011. Prior to her academic career, Larson worked as a professional civil engineer. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s from Michigan Technological University and a doctorate from Arizona State University. She will conduct a virtual campus visit on Feb. 9.

Mrinal Mugdh Varma has served Auburn University at Montgomery since 2017 as provost and senior vice chancellor. He also serves as a professor of Healthcare Administration. Previously, he served the University of Houston - Clear Lake as associate vice president for academic affairs and deputy chief academic officer from 2008 to 2017; the University of Texas at Brownsville as director of institutional research and planning from 2004 to 2008; State University of New York (SUNY) Empire State College as director of institutional research from 2002 to 2004; and the University of Wisconsin System as an institutional planner from 2001 to 2002. He holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s, and a doctorate from the University of Delhi, and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater. He will conduct a virtual campus visit on Feb. 8.

The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is expected to consider Chancellor Devinder Malhotra’s recommendation at its March 17, 2021 meeting. The anticipated start date of the new president is July 1, 2021.