The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has named Dr. Gregory Tomso as the next president of St. Cloud State University.
He will begin his appointment as SCSU’s 26th president on Jan. 5, 2026. Tomso was selected from four finalists who visited the campus earlier this month.
“I came home from my campus and community visits inspired and energized because of all the wonderful people I met and their enthusiasm for St. Cloud State and the region,” Tomso said to the Board on Nov. 19. “It’s quite a special place, and I truly look forward to calling it home.”
Tomso was most recently the vice president of Academic Engagement and Student Affairs at the University of West Florida (UWF), a position he held from 2021-25.
As vice president, he led a unit comprised of over 160 fulltime employees across 34 departments and programs. He focused on improving student success, increasing enrollment, creating a vibrant campus culture and forging community partnerships.
As a leader in change management, he conducted an extensive divisional self-study resulting in a five-year strategic plan prioritizing student well-being, academic success, experiential learning, civility/inclusion and staff development, which resulted in significant gains in student retention and enrollment. He also established the Office of Workforce Development while at UWF and built new internships and partnerships with local employers and nonprofits.
He was previously the director for the Kugelman Honors Program at UWF from 2017-21 and the English department chair from 2014-17. Tomso was a tenured professor of English at UWF from 2010-25 and an assistant professor of English at UWF from 2004-09. Prior to joining UWF, he was assistant professor of English at Ithaca College (NY) between 2001 and 2004.
Tomso holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a doctorate from Duke University.
“Dr. Tomso has the vision, experience and leadership skills to lead St. Cloud State University into a bright future,” said Scott Olson, chancellor of Minnesota State. “Throughout 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. He has a clear and inspiring vision for St. Cloud State, and I look forward to seeing the University flourish under his leadership.”
Tomso succeeds Dr. Larry Dietz, who began his term as interim president on July 1, 2024.
