Kumara Jayasuriya named president of Southwest Minnesota State University
The Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has named Kumara Jayasuriya to serve as the 10th president of Southwest Minnesota State University. The appointment will become effective July 1, 2019.
“Dr. Jayasuriya has the academic credentials, the experience, and the leadership skills required to guide Southwest Minnesota State University into the future,” said Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of Minnesota State. “He also has the personal traits that will allow him to not only identify the tasks ahead, but also to work in a collaborative, authentic, and transparent manner to bring about a shared responsibility among each and every member of the Southwest community and take the university to the next level.”
Dr. Jayasuriya has served as the provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, and a professor of mathematics, at West Virginia State University (WVSU) since 2014.
His many other qualifications include serving as a peer reviewer and an accreditation officer for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colombo, a master’s from Southern Illinois University, and a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Dr. Jayasuriya will replace Connie Gores, who has served as the president of Southwest Minnesota State University since 2013 and has announced her intention to retire.
