St. Cloud State University has named its next leader after a nationwide search.
The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has appointed Gregory Tomso as the universityโs next president, effective January 5, 2026. Tomso holds a bachelorโs degree from the University of Virginia and a doctorate from Duke University.
SCSU is in the middle of a strategic plan to right-size its campus after cutting dozens of programs in the face of declining enrollment, a process started under outgoing interim President Larry Dietz.
Tomso brings more than two decades of higher education experience to the role, most recently serving as vice president of Academic Engagement and Student Affairs at the University of West Florida from 2021 to 2025. UWF has nearly 15,000 students and 1,900 employees.
His leadership focused on improving student success, increasing enrollment and creating a vibrant campus culture at UWF. He spearheaded a comprehensive divisional self-study that resulted in a five-year strategic plan emphasizing student well-being, academic success, experiential learning, civility and inclusion, and staff development. The initiatives led to significant gains in student retention and enrollment.
โDr. Tomso has the vision, experience and leadership skills to lead St. Cloud State University into a bright future,โ said Scott Olson, chancellor of Minnesota State. โThroughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the success of students, to partnering with faculty and staff, and to building strong relationships with the community.โ
