Minnesota State Mankato will tap its College of Graduate Studies and Research dean to fill in as its academic and student affairs vice president.
President Richard Davenport announced that Anne Blackhurst will fill the post left temporarily vacant by Scott Olson, who is temporarily filling a top-level post in St. Paul with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities headquarters.
“It’s an extremely important position,” Blackhurst said. “I’m not sure anyone could fill Scott’s shoes, but it is gratifying to know President Davenport has confidence in me.”
Blackhurst will assume her duties July 1. She will oversee MSU’s academic colleges, student affairs and student support services, and institutional diversity programs.
“Dr. Blackhurst brings an expansive breadth of experience to this position,” Davenport said in a university-issued statement Thursday. “Her leadership skills, her commitment to diversity and her vision will allow us to maintain our strong position as an innovative leader within the MnSCU system.”
Blackhurst is a bit of a rising star at MSU. She was named dean of graduate studies and research in 2008 and had served for 12 years as a faculty member in, and chairperson of, MSU’s Counseling and Student Personnel department.
She came to MSU in 1994 and was promoted to full professor in 2004.
The new role will be a challenge, she said, but she’s looking forward to it.
“It will be a very delicate balance between both continuing the outstanding work Scott Olson has done as well as having new ideas,” she said. “And President Davenport was clear that he was wasn’t looking for a placeholder.”
For the complete Free Press story, go to http://mankatofreepress.com/local/x657343697/Blackhurst-to-replace-Olson-at-MSU
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