Vice President for Strategic Initiatives University of Minnesota | Minneapolis, Minnesota We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Schmiesing as the inaugural Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at the University of Minnesota.Dr. Schmiesing brings more than three decades of leadership experience in roles at the Ohio State University and in government. Formerly Ohio State’s Senior Vice Provost of External Engagement, he was tasked with leading the design and implementation of external engagement strategies that connect the University’s expertise, scholarship and service to local, statewide, national and international communities. At Ohio State, Ryan also provided leadership of regional campus strategy and operations, in close collaboration with its deans and directors.In his new role, Ryan will collaborate and coordinate with senior leaders and stakeholders in shared governance, along with academic and administrative units, to identify and advance key systemwide priorities. He will play a primary role in advancing multiple cross-cutting initiatives that will elevate the University’s shared mission and goals across the system and the broader University community.Schmiesing, a three-time Ohio State graduate, holds a B.S. and M.S. in agricultural extension education, and a Ph.D. in extension and community education.Jeff Kessner and Keight Tucker Kennedy led this search with Ivan Ceballos and Jenny Rubin.
