Southwestern Oklahoma State University
02/11/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/11/2026 09:26
SWOSU Selects Dr. Jason Johnson as Provost
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.
About Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.
For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit https://www.swosu.edu/.
Thinking about becoming a Bulldog?
Choosing the right university comes with plenty of questions about applications, costs, and campus life. At SWOSU, students benefit from strong programs, a supportive community, and plenty of opportunities to get involved. This FAQ highlights answers to some of the questions students most often ask when considering SWOSU.
FAQs
How to apply to SWOSU?Start your application process by visiting SWOSU's admissions page to choose the path that fits you to submit your application!
To learn more, visit the SWOSU Admissions page.
For graduate degrees, you submit your application through the Graduate Application Portal and include transcripts and immunization records. Deadlines vary by program.
To learn more, visit the Graduate School Admissions page.
Tuition rates for SWOSU vary based on residency status and credit hours. For the most accurate and current tuition information, please refer to the official SWOSU Tuition and Fees page.
SWOSU welcomes transfer students! Requirements depend on hours completed: if under 24 hours, submit an application, test scores, and transcripts. For more than 24 hours, submit your application, transcript(s), and immunization records. A GPA of 1.7 is required for up to 30 hours; 2.0 is required beyond that.
To learn more, visit the Transfer Students page.
SWOSU offers a range of financial assistance, including scholarships, grants, and loans. These can come from academic departments, foundations, or federal and state resources.
To learn more, visit the Scholarships & Grants page.
SWOSU's "In-State + $1 Tuition Program" allows non-resident (including transfer and international) students to pay the in-state tuition rate plus $1 per credit hour. No extra application is needed. Savings can exceed $3,450 per semester (based on 15 credit hours).
Note: This rate applies to tuition only, not fees, housing, meal plan, or books. To learn more, visit the In-State + $1 Tuition page.
Yes! SWOSU offers graduate programs in areas such as Education, Business, Nursing, Allied Health, and more.
To learn more, visit the Graduate School Admissions page.
Yes. SWOSU offers online courses and degree options across undergraduate and graduate levels to give students flexibility with their schedules.
To learn more, visit our SWOSU Online page.
On-campus housing includes traditional residence halls and apartment-style living. These options offer amenities like meal plans, laundry, and social spaces.
To learn more, visit our Residential Life page.
SWOSU hosts more than 80 student clubs and organizations-ranging from Chemistry Club, Scuba Club, Gaming Club, Honors Associations, Hispanic American Leadership Organization, to Faith-based, academic, and recreational groups.
To learn more, visit the Student Organizations page.
SWOSU offers services including academic advising, tutoring, writing support, health and counseling services, financial aid assistance, residence life, library, and more.
To learn more, visit the Student Services page.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University published this content on February 11, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 11, 2026 at 15:26 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]