Weatherford, OK — Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the appointment of Dr. Jason Johnson as the University’s next provost and vice president for academic affairs. Johnson will officially begin his role April 1, pending approval by the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) Board of Regents, and will report directly to Interim President Dr. Joel Kendall.

“Dr. Johnson has upheld SWOSU’s academic standing in many roles at SWOSU, and I look forward to his leadership in helping SWOSU meeting its mission and strategic goals,” Kendall said.

As provost and vice president for academic affairs, Johnson will serve as SWOSU’s chief academic officer, providing leadership for academic programs, faculty affairs, and student academic success across SWOSU campuses.

Johnson has served as dean of the SWOSU College of Arts and Sciences since 2019 and has been employed at SWOSU since 1996. As dean, he provided oversight of the Departments of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry and Physics, Creative Media and Visual Arts, Language and Literature, Mathematics, Music, and Social Sciences.

Prior to serving as dean, Johnson was chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics. He also served as a professor of chemistry, teaching courses ranging from general education electives to upper-division coursework and leading an active undergraduate research laboratory. He earned tenure and promotion to associate professor in 2001 and promotion to professor in 2006.

Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Natural Science Education from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in 1988. In 1993, he earned a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Oklahoma. Following graduation, he received a National Research Service Award from the National Institutes of Health supporting three years of postdoctoral work as a research assistant at Texas A&M University.

During his tenure at SWOSU, Johnson has held leadership roles across campus, including service as secretary and treasurer of Faculty Senate, chair of the Institutional BioSafety Committee, chair of the Research and Scholarly Activity Committee, and long-term member of the Pre-Medical Advisory Committee.

Johnson succeeds Dr. Patsy Parker, who has served as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs since July 2025.

Kendall also thanked Parker for her service and steady leadership during the transition.

“Dr. Parker has provided exceptional leadership as interim provost, supporting our faculty, staff, and students while maintaining momentum on academic priorities,” Kendall said.

A search will begin immediately for the next dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

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