Missouri State University is conducting its first national search for a new provost in at least 13 years, and casting a wide net is paying off so far.
“We’ve had tremendous interest,” said President Richard “Biff” Williams. “I think we’re at 84 individuals and they’re all walks of life. We’ve got a lot of great individuals from great institutions.”
The last two provosts — the long-tenured Frank Einhellig and the short-lived John Jasinski — were both recruited by former president Clif Smart.
Einhellig, at the university since 1992, stepped into the role in 2011 at the behest of Smart. The two worked closely and upon Einhellig’s retirement in 2022, Smart reached out to Jaskinski.
Jasinski had just left the presidency at Northwest Missouri State University. He had a lengthy career at the institution and agreed to help out for a short time.
Named a finalist to replace Smart, Jasinski agreed to remain provost during the first year of Williams’ tenure, while the search was conducted.