Mehner was selected following a national search, and began his duties today, March 1.

Southeast’s assistant vice president for economic and workforce development is responsible for leading the University’s economic and workforce development and related training initiatives, and reports to Southeast President Carlos Vargas. 

The assistant vice president for economic and workforce development is responsible for aligning workforce and non-credit training programs with academic, industry and public sector needs. The new unit will develop effective partnerships with business and industries throughout southeast Missouri and the University’s service region in the identification of training needs and leading to the development and delivery of revenue producing workforce education and training solutions. They will also plan and coordinate events to promote the University’s continuing education, workforce education and training opportunities. 

The assistant vice president for economic and workforce development supervises Southeast’s Office of Career Services, Continuing Education, the Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC), the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Catapult Creative House, and the Law Enforcement Academy to ensure alignment to industry-sector standards and effective programming for student success. 

“We are excited to welcome John to Southeast Missouri State University,” Vargas said “His significant experience leading local and regional economic and workforce development initiatives make him a strong candidate to lead the University’s new office of economic and workforce development.”

Mehner said he is honored to be selected at Southeast’s first assistant vice president for economic and workforce development.

“I am excited to join Dr. Vargas and the entire Southeast Missouri State University team in this new role,” Mehner said. “I look forward to continuing to work with our regional business community and our local, state and federal partners in economic and workforce development. Southeast plays such a critical role at so many different levels regionally and beyond. We are committed to enhancing these specific areas outlined in this new office.” 

Mehner comes to Southeast with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the state and regional economic and workforce issues. 

“John has a large network and is respected locally, regionally and throughout the state for his work,” Vargas said. “We look forward to leveraging his relationships to strengthen existing University  partnerships and to create new ones with business, industry and local, state and federal entities in the areas of workforce development, continuing education and employee training.” 

Mehner recently served as president and chief executive office of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce where, since 1993 he oversaw a four-star accredited (2005) non-profit organization with more than 1500 members. He was also a founder member of the Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET, serving as director of from 2013-2021, and has experience in other business leadership roles and law enforcement. 

He holds a Master of Science in public administration and Bachelor of Science in criminal justice with a minor in computer science, all from Southeast. He also attended the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Notre Dame, and the Greater St. Louis Police Academy.

Mehner has served in several capacities with a number of professional business organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management, American Chamber of Commerce Executives, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Missouri Economic Development Council, Small Business Development Center Advisory Board, Missouri Development Finance Board, Missouri Research Corporation Board, Missouri Partnership Advisory Committee, Missouri Partnership Board of Directors, Missouri Speaker of the House Economic Development Advisory Committee, Regional Technical Education Council (RTEC), and the Southeast Missouri Regional Industrial Training Group.