Interim Presidency Assignment Given to Dr. Kathrine Swanson at Park University
In a significant move for Park University, Kathrine Swanson has been appointed as the interim president, effective from April 23, 2025. This appointment follows the departure of Shane Smeed, who has accepted the presidency at Utah Tech University.
Swanson joins Park University after a distinguished career in community colleges, having served as president of the Metropolitan Community College Longview Campus in Lee's Summit, Mo., from August 2021 to August 2024. Prior to this, she held leadership roles at Montgomery County (Pa.) Community College and Collin County (Texas) Community College (now known as Collin College).
Swanson holds a Master's degree in Adult and Higher Education from Montana State University and a Doctorate degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of North Texas. She also completed a graduate certificate in Leadership Coaching from Avila University.
Before her work in community colleges, Swanson started her career in student services at Montana State University and Northern Arizona University, but there is no direct information linking her to higher education or her academic background.
In her new role at Park University, Swanson will be responsible for leading the institution during the search for a permanent president. A search for Park University's permanent president will begin in the coming months, with a prospectus being developed by a university presidential search committee in the fall. A national search of candidates is expected, with an anticipated start date for the new president by June 2026.
Swanson is a resident of Parkville and has been actively involved in the community, serving on the boards for Saint Luke's East Hospital, Lee's Summit Creates, Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce, Lee's Summit Workforce Alliance, Lee's Summit Civic Roundtable, and Raytown (Mo.) Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Parkville Rotary Club.
Swanson earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Northern Michigan University. She recently completed a term on the Executive Women's Leadership Council with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
With her extensive experience in community colleges and her educational background, Swanson is well-equipped to lead Park University during this transition period. The university community looks forward to her leadership and guidance as they embark on the search for a permanent president.
Swanson's past roles in community colleges and her educational background in higher education administration, specifically her Doctorate degree from the University of North Texas and Leadership Coaching certificate from Avila University, will be instrumental in her leadership role at Park University as she guides the institution during the search for a permanent president. In the coming months, Swanson, with her business management degree from Northern Michigan University, will also oversee the development of a prospectus for a national search of candidates to fill the permanent president position, with an anticipated start date set for June 2026.
