University Officials Designate Dr. Kathrine Swanson as Interim President for Park University
Park University Welcomes Interim President Kathrine Swanson
Shane Smeed, the former president of Park University, announced his departure in February 2025, and he will begin his new role as president at Utah Tech University on May 1, 2025. Smeed's successor, Kathrine Swanson, was appointed as the interim president of Park University, effective April 23, 2025.
Swanson, a resident of Parkville, has an impressive background in higher education administration. Prior to her work at Park University, she served as the vice chancellor for student success and engagement at Metropolitan Community College (MCC) in Lee's Summit, Mo., from August 2015 to June 2023. Before her career in community colleges, Swanson started her career in student services at Montana State University and Northern Arizona University.
Swanson's academic credentials are equally impressive. She holds a doctorate degree in higher education administration from the University of North Texas, a master's degree in adult and higher education from Montana State University, a bachelor's degree in business management from Northern Michigan University, and a graduate certificate in leadership coaching from Avila University.
Swanson has also been actively involved in various community organisations. She has served 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, Raytown (Mo.) Chamber of Commerce, and the Executive Women's Leadership Council with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Parkville Rotary Club.
The University presidential search committee will develop a prospectus in the fall, followed by a national search of candidates for the permanent president position. The expected start date for the new president of Park University is by June 2026. In the meantime, Swanson will step down from Park's Board of Trustees to assume the interim president role at Park University.
Despite the lack of extensive documentation about Swanson's background before being appointed as the interim president of Park University, her impressive credentials and community involvement suggest a strong fit for the role. Further details about her appointment and the selection process are yet to be disclosed.
A search for Park University's permanent president will begin in the coming months. Until then, Park University welcomes Kathrine Swanson as the interim president.
- Kathrine Swanson's impressive background in higher education administration, focus on personal growth, and extensive skills training suggest a dedication to education-and-self-development and career-development, making her a strong fit for her role as interim president at Park University.
- With her new role as interim president of Park University, Kathrine Swanson will have ample opportunities for learning and further skills training, aimed at the betterment of the university and her own personal growth.
