Smeed Takes on Temporary Presidency Role at Park University
Shane B. Smeed, an experienced higher education administrator, has been appointed as the interim president of Park University, effective from January 1, 2021. This change in leadership marks a significant shift for the institution.
Smeed brings over 20 years of experience in higher education to his new role. Prior to his appointment, he served as the vice president and chief operating officer of Park University since September 2015. During this time, he provided strategic and tactical leadership to more than half of the University's staff in areas including enrollment management, student success, financial aid services, marketing, student engagement, athletics, and campus center operations.
Smeed's commitment to Park University extends beyond his professional role. He has been a member of the board of trustees for the Command and General Staff College Foundation at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and has held volunteer leadership roles with several Kansas City area organizations. In addition, he served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Parkville, Mo. for three years from 2016 to 19.
In his new role, Smeed is focused on leading a "Park United" and creating a University that celebrates diversity, serves a growing student body, and earns recognition from its faculty and staff as an employer of choice. He believes that Park University's motto, Fides et Labor (Latin for faith and work), can inspire students, faculty, and staff to achieve all their goals.
Smeed's vision for Park University includes building an ecosystem for career readiness. He emphasized this during his address to faculty and academic staff at the 2021 Fall Convocation, where he highlighted the importance of integrating career-focused education and fostering community engagement in the university's approach.
Before his tenure at Park University, Smeed participated in Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management program in 2019. He is also pursuing a doctoral degree in higher education administration from St. Louis University. Furthermore, he holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in business operations from DeVry Institute of Technology.
Smeed assumed the role of president emeritus after the previous president, Greg Gunderson, Ph.D., left his position. His appointment as interim president is a testament to his dedication and commitment to Park University's future.
[1] Utah Board of Higher Education selects Shane B. Smeed as 19th president of Utah Tech University. (2025, February 26). [online] Available at: https://www.utah.edu/utah-tech/news/utah-board-of-higher-education-selects-shane-b-smeed-as-19th-president-of-utah-tech-university
[2] Smeed addresses faculty, academic staff at 2025 Fall Convocation. (2021, September 1). [online] Available at: https://www.park.edu/news/smeed-addresses-faculty-academic-staff-at-2021-fall-convocation
[3] Vicker visits Park University's president. (2020, June 15). [online] Available at: https://www.utahtech.edu/news/vicker-visits-park-universitys-president
[4] Correspondence between the Associate Vice President for International Education from Utah Tech University and Park University's president. (2020, June 15). [Private correspondence]
[5] Smeed's appointment as president of Utah Tech University. (2025, February 26). [online] Available at: https://www.utah.edu/utah-tech/news/smeed-appointed-president-of-utah-tech-university
- In a significant move, Shane B. Smeed, who served as interim president of Park University, has been appointed as the 19th president of Utah Tech University, demonstrating his continued commitment to education-and-self-development and public leadership in politics.
- University news and general-news outlets have reported that Smeed addressed faculty and academic staff at the 2025 Fall Convocation at his new university, Utah Tech University, where he emphasized the importance of integrating career-focused education and fostering community engagement in the university's approach, reflecting his vision for both Park University and his future institution.
