Logo for InfluenceWatch InfluenceWatch

Donate
Other Group

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Website:

www.mnsu.edu/
Location:

Mankato, MN
Type:

Public University
Formation:

1868
President:

Edward S. Inch

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

Minnesota State University, Mankato is a public university located in Mankato, Minnesota, in the Minnesota River Valley. It is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and ranks as the second-largest university in that system. The institution enrolls approximately 15,000 students and offers undergraduate and graduate programs across five academic colleges. 1 2

Background

Minnesota State University, Mankato was founded in 1868 as Mankato Normal School, Minnesota’s second teacher-training institution. It later became Mankato State Teachers College in 1921, Mankato State College in 1957, Mankato State University in 1975, and later Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1998. The university is the second-oldest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and is governed by the Minnesota State Board of Trustees. It occupies a 303-acre campus in the Minnesota River Valley and consists of five academic colleges: Science, Engineering, and Technology; Allied Health and Nursing; Business; Education; and Humanities and Social Sciences. The institution fields NCAA Division II athletic teams known as the Mavericks. The Minnesota State University Mankato Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1958, serves as its separate philanthropic arm to secure private gifts. 3 4

Historically, the school is noted for left-leaning early leadership and for student activism, including the 1873 “Sears Rebellion” and 1970s anti-war protests. In 1873, students protested the demotion of Julia Sears, who had been the first woman to head a U.S. public college, from her position as principal; 41 students walked out in support, resulting in at least 30 expulsions. In spring 1972, anti-Vietnam War protests took place, including a march of about 4,000 participants, a highway blockade, and a brief takeover of Old Main. Today, the university operates as a major center for Nursing, Engineering, and Business programs, supported by facilities such as the Centennial Student Union and the Andreas Observatory. 5 4

Financials

Minnesota State University, Mankato, as part of the Minnesota State University system, receives primary funding through state appropriations. In fiscal year 2025, the university received approximately $61 million in general funding from the state, with additional targeted allocations. 6 7

The Minnesota State University Mankato Foundation, a separate charitable nonprofit established in 1958, handles private fundraising for scholarships, programs, and facilities. In fiscal year ending June 2025, the foundation reported revenue of $30,343,857 (with $22,527,311, or about 74 percent, from contributions and grants), expenses of $9,131,149, and total assets of $127,735,165. Revenue rose from $16,316,150 in fiscal year 2024. 8

Significant donors include alumni such as Sherry L. Arndt, a 1970 nursing graduate, who donated 160 acres of farmland valued at more than $1.6 million in 2025 to create an endowment and research farm for the School of Applied Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. 9

Controversies

Kevin Parsneau

In September 2025, U.S. Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN) called for the resignation of tenured political science professor Kevin Parsneau after Parsneau posted on social media that assassinated conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was a “POS who died of the violence he promoted happening to others” and made a remark praising the Minnesota Vikings for “ignoring that racist POS.” Rep. Finstad described the statements as part of repeated instances of inflammatory comments that excused or glorified violence. This followed a similar call from Finstad in late 2024 after Parsneau posted comments interpreted as expressing disappointment that the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson might be a “one-off” event. The university responded by stating it would follow standard faculty review processes, which resulted in no discipline for Parsneau. 10 11 12

ICE Enforcement

In late March 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Mohammed Hoque, an international student from Bangladesh, at an off-campus residence. Hoque was held in custody for more than a month before a U.S. District Court judge ordered his release in early May 2025 after ruling that the government failed to provide sufficient evidence for continued detention. Hoque filed a federal lawsuit claiming the action violated his First and Fifth Amendment rights and stemmed from his social media posts supporting human rights in relation to Palestinians in Gaza. Minnesota State president Edward Inch confirmed the detention occurred off campus. Student protests related to Mohammed Hoque’s detention occurred outside the Centennial Student Union on the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus and at the Freeborn County Jail in Albert Lea, where he was held. 13 14 15

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Minnesota State University, Mankato has maintained a structured Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion under vice president Henry Morris, who has led the office for 17 years as of 2025. The division oversees multicultural, women’s, LGBT, and accessibility centers, along with programs such as the annual Diversity Dinner and a DEI Graduation Celebration. Job postings in 2025 required demonstrated ability to apply an “equity lens,” including “social justice” and/or anti-racism approaches. Following the second Trump administration’s  January 2025 executive orders targeting DEI programs, Morris stated the university was “not rushing to dismantle” its initiatives. Listening sessions occurred in November 2025 on possibly renaming the division amid federal pressure, but no major changes were implemented, and operations continued into 2026. 16 17

Pro-Palestinian Protests

In May 2024, the student group Mavericks for Change established a pro-Palestinian encampment that was maintained through commencement weekend. Participants demanded a university statement supporting a ceasefire in Gaza, disclosure of investments linked to Israel, and divestment from Israel-related companies and programs. University president Edward Inch affirmed respect for students’ right to peacefully assemble and protect free speech. The encampment remained in a designated area, and concluded after dialogue with administrators, who were described as receptive to some requests. Coverage from local media reported about 40 participants at peak. 18 19 20

Leadership

As of March 2026, Edward S. Inch was working as the president of Minnesota State University, Mankato, having assumed office on July 1, 2021. Prior to this appointment, Inch held the positions of provost and vice president for academic affairs at California State University, East Bay. He earned a doctorate in communication from the University of Washington and brings more than 36 years of experience in higher education administration, including roles at the University of Maryland Global Campus and Appalachian State University. Inch was selected by the Minnesota State Board of Trustees. 21 22 23

As of March 2026, other senior administrators include Henry Morris, who continues as vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, a position he has held for 17 years. 24

References

  1. [1] “Minnesota State University, Mankato,” Britannica, accessed March 2026, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Minnesota-State-University-Mankato.
  2. “Colleges Expect Positive Enrollment Trend to Continue,” Mankato Free Press, January 2, 2026, https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/colleges-expect-positive-enrollment-trend-to-continue/article_f4ae8853-3577-47af-8078-26c20f457079.html.
  3. [1] “Minnesota State University, Mankato,” MNopedia, Minnesota Historical Society, accessed March 2026, https://www.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/place/minnesota-state-university-mankato.
  4. “Campus Facilities,” Minnesota State University, accessed March 2026, https://mankato.mnsu.edu/about-us/campus-facilities/.
  5. [1] Mankato State Normal School controversy, 1873 | MNopedia, Minnesota Historical Society, April 1, 2015, https://www.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/event/mankato-state-normal-school-controversy-1873.
  6. Minnesota House of Representatives, “Minnesota State Overview & Budget,” March 11, 2025 presentation. https://www.house.mn.gov/comm/docs/NkwZxd83MEeD9FHhKitYPw.pdf
  7. Minnesota State system, “Supplemental Packet SP-1 to SP-13 FY25 Operating Budget.” https://www.minnstate.edu/system/finance/budget/docs/supplemental-packet-sp-1-to-sp-13-fy25-operating-budget.pdf
  8.  ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Minnesota State University Mankato Foundation, Form 990 for fiscal year ending June 2025, accessed March 2026, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/416033423.
  9. “MSU Mankato Receives Donation of Farmland Valued at Over $1.6 Million,” KEYC News, August 22, 2025, https://www.keyc.com/2025/08/22/msu-mankato-receives-donation-farmland.
  10. Brad Finstad, “Finstad Calls on MSU Mankato to Demand Immediate Resignation of Professor over Repeated Inflammatory Remarks,” press release, September 22, 2025, https://finstad.house.gov/2025/9/finstad-calls-on-msu-mankato-to-demand-immediate-resignation-of-professor-over-repeated-inflammatory-remarks.
  11. “GOP Lawmaker Demands Minnesota Professor Resign after Charlie Kirk ‘POS’ Comments,” The College Fix, September 22, 2025, https://www.thecollegefix.com/gop-lawmaker-demands-minnesota-professor-resign-after-charlie-kirk-pos-comments.
  12. “Finstad Renews Call for Resignation of MSU Professor,” Mankato Free Press, September 22, 2025, https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/finstad-renews-call-for-resignation-of-msu-professor/article_ed61877d-6bcf-41e3-816f-4c8f72669c2d.html.
  13. “No. 4: MSU International Student Detained, Visas Revoked,” Mankato Free Press, December 30, 2025, https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/no-4-msu-international-student-detained-visas-revoked/article_eb78af27-2ad5-42a1-a47c-f4b6fa7a628a.html.
  14. “Mankato International Student Sues Feds after Surprise ICE Arrest,” MPR News, April 18, 2025, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/04/18/mankato-international-student-sues-feds-after-surprise-ice-arrest.
  15. “Federal Judge Orders Release of Mankato Student Arrested by ICE,” Star Tribune, May 6, 2025, https://www.startribune.com/federal-judge-orders-release-of-mankato-student-arrested-by-ice/601345689.
  16. “MSU Officials Worried about Future of DEI Initiatives,” MSU Reporter, January 16, 2025, https://www.msureporter.com/2025/01/16/msu-officials-worried-about-future-of-dei-initiatives.
  17. “MSU Community Speak Out on Potential Renaming of DEI Division,” MSU Reporter, November 20, 2025, https://www.msureporter.com/2025/11/20/msu-community-speak-out-on-potential-renaming-of-dei-division.
  18. “MSU Mankato Pro-Palestinian Encampment Continues into Commencement Weekend,” MPR News, May 3, 2024, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/05/03/msu-mankato-pro-palestinian-encampment-continues-into-commencement-weekend.
  19. “Updated: Minnesota State University Students Begin Pro-Palestine Encampment,” Mankato Free Press, May 2, 2024, https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/updated-minnesota-state-university-students-begin-pro-palestine-encampment/article_cfcdfd74-08a6-11ef-acc4-5337f7e3b85e.html.
  20. “Protest Encampment Ends; MSU Students Say They Will Meet with Inch,” Mankato Free Press, May 6, 2024, https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/protest-encampment-ends-msu-students-say-they-will-meet-with-inch/article_c245265e-0bea-11ef-aa1a-439a7cb050c0.html.
  21. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, “Edward Inch Named President of Minnesota State University, Mankato,” press release, March 17, 2021, https://www.minnstate.edu/media/newsreleases/2021/031721-mnsu.html.
  22. Minnesota State University, Mankato, “About the President,” accessed March 2026, https://www.mnsu.edu/about-msu/office-of-the-president/about-the-president.
  23. Cal State East Bay News Center, “Provost Edward Inch Named President of Minnesota State University, Mankato,” March 17, 2021, https://www.csueastbay.edu/news-center/2021/03/provost-edward-inch-named-president-of-minnesota-state-university,-mankato.html.
  24. Henry Morris, “MSU Community Speak Out on Potential Renaming of DEI Division,” MSU Reporter, November 20, 2025, https://www.msureporter.com/2025/11/20/msu-community-speak-out-on-potential-renaming-of-dei-division.
  See an error? Let us know!

Minnesota State University, Mankato


Mankato, MN