Hess named interim president of OSU

Friday, February 7, 2025

Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | mack.burke_iv@okstate.edu

The OSU/A&M Board of Regents has approved the appointment of Dr. Jim Hess as interim president of Oklahoma State University following a special board meeting Friday in Stillwater. 

“The board is confident that Dr. Hess will provide the steady leadership needed to continue advancing OSU’s momentum and its land-grant mission,” the OSU/A&M Board of Regents said in a statement. “His deep institutional knowledge and dedication to student success make him the ideal choice to guide the university during this time. Dr. Hess has a proven track record of leadership and innovation, and his ability to drive meaningful progress will serve the university well in the months ahead.”

Hess assumes the OSU presidency immediately and will work closely with university leadership to ensure a smooth transition. The board will provide further updates as it moves forward with a search for the university’s next president, following the resignation of Dr. Kayse Shrum. 

A native of Henryetta, Oklahoma, Hess has served the higher education system in Oklahoma for over 43 years, and, in 2023, was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame.

“I have known Jim Hess for many years,” Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Chancellor Sean Burrage said. “His colleagues highly respect him. He brings a deep understanding of Oklahoma higher education and a proven track record of advancing institutional excellence. His many years of leadership within the OSU System demonstrate his ability to build programs that serve our state's needs and create opportunities for students. The State Regents for Higher Education looks forward to working with Jim as he guides Oklahoma State University during this important period.”

Hess most recently served as vice provost for graduate programs at the OSU Center for Health Sciences, where he has exhibited exemplary leadership and vision in various roles going back to 2003. 

While chief operating officer of the Center for Health Sciences, his efforts led to the acquisition of the teaching hospital, creating what is now OSU Medical Center — the only osteopathic teaching hospital in the United States. He now serves as the CEO of the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority and is designated as a Riata Faculty Fellow in the OSU School of Entrepreneurship.

“I’m honored and humbled by the call to serve Oklahoma State at the highest level and am thankful to the OSU A&M Board of Regents for offering me the opportunity,” Hess said. “My goal is to make an immediate impact on the university by working with students, faculty, staff, alumni and our partners to continue to advance our shared land-grant mission and help usher in a bright future for our beloved university."

Lawmakers offered strong public support for the appointment. 

“As a two-time OSU graduate, I know firsthand the transformative power of Oklahoma State University,” said Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert. “Jim Hess understands that OSU’s impact extends far beyond our campuses — it touches all 77 counties. His leadership at the OSU Center for Health Sciences demonstrates his deep commitment to expanding OSU's positive influence on Oklahoma's communities, workforce and economy. I look forward to working with Dr. Hess and the OSU A&M Board of Regents as we strive to be the premier land-grant institution in the country.”

"Dr. Hess is an Oklahoma native with more than 43 years of experience serving in our state’s higher education system and through his dedicated work and leadership at OSU’s Center for Health Sciences he has continuously demonstrated his capabilities and commitment to the University,” said U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas. “Perhaps most notably, he played a critical role in the creation of the OSU Medical Center — the only osteopathic teaching hospital in America. I’ve seen firsthand the exceptional work he has done through my role as Chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, and I am more than confident he will continue to serve and lead our great institution well in this role.”

Hess began his higher education career at Rogers State College in 1981, serving in a number of senior leadership positions there over the next 15 years. In 1996, the University Center at Tulsa and Rogers State were merged to form Rogers University, where Hess served as vice president for administration. Two years later, the institutions were legislatively separated, and Hess was appointed transition CEO to spin off the four campuses to create OSU-Tulsa and Rogers State University. Hess continued with Oklahoma State University, serving as vice president and chief operating officer for OSU-Tulsa from 1999 to 2003, doubling enrollment and creating BOB, the Big Orange Bus shuttle service between Tulsa and Stillwater.

Hess initiated several innovative online graduate programs, including the Master of Science in Health Care Administration, the Master of Science in Global Health, the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, the Doctor of Health Care Administration and the Doctor of Forensic Sciences. The result of these innovations was the recognition of the OSU Center for Health Sciences as the only institution in the state’s higher education system to achieve consecutive year-over-year enrollment growth over the last 10 years. 

Hess resides in Owasso, Oklahoma, with his wife, Angela. They have a son, John; a daughter, Bonnie; one grandson, Johnny; and three granddaughters, Brooklyn, Billie and Bradley.