MoWest president finalist Jay Johnson speaks at open forum

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The search for Missouri Western State University's seventh president is now down to two candidates, one of whom took his turn speaking at a public forum Monday.

Jay Johnson is the current Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at MoWest and is now looking to become the university's president.

"I have a real passion for education," said Johnson. "I really believe that higher education, our K-12 system and our city needs to improve to help the state. I'm just hoping I can be a part of it."

Johnson joined MoWest in January of 2025 and sees his time with the University as an advantage.

"I feel like I'll be able to hit the ground faster than perhaps someone who doesn't have that background," said Johnson. "I know the people well and I know how things work. When you look at the institution and what it needs, there's a lot of things I bring with the knowledge I already have given our timeline to get something done."

Johnson was thrilled to see the public show up to this meeting. He sees it as people caring about MoWest and the direction it is heading.

"The faculty and staff were in there asking questions that came from their heart," said Johnson. "They love this institution, as do I, and we've got to make it grow."

The second candidate is Lenny Klaver, who is the President of North Central Missouri College. Klaver's public forum will be at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, in Spratt Hall.