April 16, 2012
Three Semifinalists for President of Winona State University Named
Contact:
Melinda Voss, (651) 201-1804, melinda.voss@so.mnscu.edu
Campus visits scheduled for the weeks of April 16 and April 23
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) has named three semifinalists who are under consideration to be president of Winona State University. The candidates are Anne Huot, Scott R. Olson and Jem Spectar.
The candidates were recommended by a search advisory committee comprising students, faculty, staff and community leaders, and chaired by Earl Potter, president of St. Cloud State University. The three candidates will visit the Winona State University campus and University Center Rochester during the weeks of April 16 and April 23. The campus visits present an opportunity for faculty, staff, students and members of the community to meet and offer feedback on each of the candidates. Details of the candidate’s campus visits are available at www.winona.edu/presidentialsearch/default.asp.
Anne Huot has served as provost, vice president of academic affairs and professor at the College at Brockport, State University of New York (SUNY) since 2007. Previously, she has served as executive vice provost and head of the Office of Academic Affairs for the SUNY system; chancellor’s designee at Alfred State College; SUNY system liaison to doctoral degree granting institutions; executive dean and interim dean for the Graduate College, director of the cell and molecular biology graduate program, assistant professor, associate professor and professor, all at the University of Vermont; medical technologist at IBM; supervisor of clinical chemistry and medical technologist Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; and adjunct professor at the University of New Hampshire. Huot holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire, and a master’s degree and Ph.D., both from the University of Vermont. Her campus visits will take place April 25-26.
Scott R. Olson has served as provost and vice president for academic and student affairs and professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato since 2003. In addition, he has served as interim vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; acting president of Minnesota State University, Mankato; dean of the College of Communications, Information and Media at Ball State University in Indiana; associate and assistant to the dean of Arts and Sciences, director of graduate studies in the Department of Communication, and professor at Central Connecticut State University. Olson holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and a Ph.D., all from Northwestern University in Illinois. His campus visits will take place April 18-19.
Jem Spectar has served as president and professor of the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown since 2007. Previously, he was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Western Oregon University; 
assistant provost for academic affairs and professor at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania; director of studies at Princeton University; and assistant dean of students in the College of Law, associate professor and assistant professor at the University of La Verne in California. Spectar holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of La Verne; a master’s degree from Frostburg State University in Maryland; a master’s degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; a law degree from the University of Maryland; and a master’s degree and Ph.D., both from Claremont Graduate University. His visits campus will take place April 23-24.
The MnSCU Board of Trustees is expected to act on Chancellor Steven Rosenstone’s recommendation on a final candidate at its May 16 meeting. The new president is expected to begin July 1.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system includes 24 two-year community and technical colleges and seven state universities. It is the fifth largest higher education system of its kind in the United States. Each year, more than 420,000 students from all walks of life attend MnSCU colleges and universities for undergraduate and graduate degree, certificate and diploma programs, training and retraining classes and courses to enrich their lives. MnSCU educates:
- 63 percent of Minnesota’s undergraduates;
- 49 percent of the state’s new teaching graduates;
- More than 80 percent of new nursing, construction trades, law enforcement and mechanics graduates; and
- 9,000 firefighters and emergency first responders each year.
These are recent high school graduates, adult learners, workers and professionals retooling to meet the current and future needs of Minnesota’s businesses. More than 80 percent of MnSCU graduates stay in Minnesota to work or continue their education. Nearly 86 percent of MnSCU graduates get jobs related to their field of study. In addition, MnSCU partners with 6,000 employers throughout the state to provide customized training to 122,000 employees, helping to ensure that these Minnesota companies remain competitive. MnSCU delivers the most affordable and cost effective higher education option in Minnesota.
Minnesota's 31 state community and technical colleges, and universities serve more than 420,000 students across the state.
