Congratulations to LSC president Patrick M. Johns who has been with the Minnesota State system for 40 years, starting on April 18, 1977. He is the longest standing current president in the Minnesota State system.

The  Minnesota State Board of Trustees named Dr. Patrick M. Johns president of Lake Superior College in May 2010. Prior to LSC, he served as president of Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids for nearly 21 years.

Johns has held various leadership positions in higher education. He served as dean of academic affairs at Minnesota West Community and Technical College; and dean at Riverland Community College. He also served as financial aid director, counselor, recruitment coordinator and adjunct instructor at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College. Johns also worked as an assistant men’s basketball coach at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

He holds bachelor’s degrees in history and psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth, a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Superior, and a doctorate in educational administration and adult and higher education from the University of South Dakota.

He is the third president to serve since the merger of Duluth Technical College and Duluth Community College Center established Lake Superior College in 1995.

Dr. Johns is originally from Duluth. His great-grandfather was one of the original settlers on Isle Royale in the late 1800s.