The list of presidents, including acting or interim, are those appointed by the governing board of the institution.
| Presidents | |
|---|---|
| 2016-2018 | Ashish Vaidya, interim President |
| 2007-2016 | Earl H. Potter III |
| 2000-2007 | Roy H. Saigo |
| 1999-2000 | Suzanne R. Williams, interim President |
| 1995-1999 | Bruce F. Grube |
| 1992-1995 | Robert O. Bess, interim President |
| 1982-1992 | Brendan J. McDonald |
| 1981-1982 | Lowell R. Gillett, interim President |
| 1971-1981 | Charles J. Graham |
| 1965-1971 | Robert H. Wick |
| 1952-1965 | George F. Budd |
| 1947-1952 | John W. Headley |
| 1943-1947 | Dudley S. Brainard |
| 1927-1943 | George A. Selke |
| 1916-1927 | Joseph C. Brown |
| 1915-1916 | Isabel Lawrence, acting President |
| 1902-1915 | Waite A. Shoemaker |
| 1895-1902 | George R. Kleeberger |
| 1890-1895 | Joseph Carhart |
| 1884-1890 | Thomas J. Gray |
| 1881-1884 | Jerome Allen |
| 1875-1881 | David L. Kiehle |
| 1869-1875 | Ira Moore |
| Name of Institution | |
|---|---|
| 1975-present | St. Cloud State University |
| 1957-1975 | St. Cloud State College |
| 1921-1957 | St. Cloud State Teachers College |
| 1873-1921 | State Normal School at St. Cloud |
| 1869-1873 | Third State Normal School |