Posted: June 21, 2023
Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426
ST. PAUL, Minn., June 21, 2023 – The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has named Kenneth Janz to serve as interim president of Winona State University (WSU). The appointment becomes effective August 1, 2023.
“Ken Janz is well regarded by faculty and leadership and has garnered the respect and trust of the broader Winona State University community during his time at WSU,” said Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of Minnesota State. “Both Chancellor Designate Olson and I are confident that he will provide effective and strong leadership to the university through this transition period.”
Dr. Janz has served WSU since 2008 as associate vice president for Academic Affairs and CIO and added the role of dean of the library in 2015. In these roles, he provides leadership and vision for the planning and implementation of information services that support the teaching, learning, and research mission of the university and leads strategic planning efforts by working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students. Previous appointments include serving Indiana State University as the director of the Center for Instruction, Research, and Technology from 2003 to 2008, and as the director of information technology – College of Education from 1998 to 2003. He holds bachelor’s degrees from Dickinson State University (ND), a master’s from North Dakota State University, and a doctorate from Indiana State University.
Janz succeeds Scott Olson who has served as president of Winona State University since 2012 and recently accepted an appointment to serve as the chancellor of Minnesota State. The search for a permanent president of WSU will be launched in the fall.
About Winona State University
Founded in 1858, Winona State University is a regional public university and the oldest member of the Minnesota State system. With campuses in both Winona and Rochester, Winona State offers more than 200 majors and programs in five colleges: Business, Education, Liberal Arts, Nursing & Health Sciences, and Science & Engineering.
More than half of WSU's 6,000-plus students are Minnesota residents, and the university also hosts international students from 42 countries. Winona State University's mission is to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic vitality of the people and communities we serve: a community of learners improving our world.
For more information, visit winona.edu.
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Minnesota State includes 26 community and technical colleges and seven state universities serving approximately 300,000 students. It is the third-largest system of two-year colleges and four-year universities in the United States.