Sheri Sargent, Chief of Staff and Vice President for Administrative Services

Sheri Sargent serves as the Chief of Staff and Vice President of Administrative Services and member of the President’s Cabinet. Sheri provides leadership to the Administrative Services Unit, which includes the office of the president, government relations, human resources, equal opportunity and title IX, and university scheduling and conference services. She also serves as the University’s data practices compliance official. Sheri has been with the president’s office since 2017.

Background

Prior to serving in the president’s office, Sheri served for five years in various leadership positions in the office of human resources, including as the Assistant Director, Associate Director, and Acting Director. Before coming to Minnesota State University, Mankato, she was the Regional Human Resources Manager for Oldcastle Materials Group – Midwest Division.

Sheri is a two-time alumna of Minnesota State Mankato with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Management, Human Resources emphasis and a Minor in Business Administration. She is a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach and holds an inactive SPHR certification. Sheri is also a 2023 graduate of The Academy for Leadership and Development (locally known as MinnState Luoma Leadership Program).

Activities

Sheri is an active member of the National Association for Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE) and is engaged in the Chiefs of Staff arm of the organization. She serves on the NAPAHE Professional Development Committee and the 2024 Conference Planning Committee. She also serves as the President’s Liaison to the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, University Budget Sub-Meet, University Meet and Confer Administrative Team, Campus Space Utilization Work Group, and other ad-hoc committees.

Sheri and her husband, Josh, have four children, and they both regularly volunteer in their community, school and youth sporting programs and their church youth group. Sheri also enjoys working out – mostly lifting weights or running – and has run two full marathons, a handful of half marathons, and too many 5ks to count.