WINONA Minn. — The pending departure of Scott Olson as president of Winona State University, to become state chancellor, leaves a leadership vacuum. In a message to campus people, Olson said: “I’m not leaving yet. However. I will remain president into the summer and will confer with Chancellor Malhotra about my last day here, as well as plans for an interim leader.” Olson’s term as chancellor begins officially August 1. An interim president at Winona state would be in place while a national search is organized for a new president. An interim leader usually is a high-level executive already on staff. This would be the choice of the current chancellor, Devinder Malhotra. But Olson will be in the position to choose his own permanent successor at Winona State once he’s installed as chancellor and a national search has been completed. The usual protocol involves recommendations from a campus committee representing faculty and staff unions and students.
Earlier: New MinnState chief plans statewide “listening tour”