During the Sept. 3 Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) Board of Governors, the Board unanimously voted to authorize negotiations with an executive search firm to finalize a contract to aid in its search for the University’s 19th President, and to establish a Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC) not to exceed 15 people.
After reviewing proposals, and interviewing selected firms, the Board of Governors has finalized a contract with Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A), a national firm with extensive experience in higher education presidential searches. In an update to the University community, Board of Governors President Tina Klocke ’82 said “GA&A has successfully completed hundreds of presidential searches for higher education institutions across the country, and the Board is confident in their ability to help identity the University’s next president.”
The PSAC will assist in reviewing applications, interviewing candidates, and making finalist recommendations to the Board of Governors. In establishing the committee, Klocke said “it was important to the Board that the committee include as many representative groups as possible; specifically, faculty, staff, students, Foundation, alumni, and the external community.” The PSAC will be chaired by Mr. Jim Limbaugh ’76, vice president of the Board of Governors.
The Presidential Search Advisory Committee members are:
- Jim Limbaugh ’76, Vice President, SEMO Board of Governors, Chair PSAC
- Tina Klocke ’82, President, SEMO Board of Governors
- Lloyd Smith ’73, SEMO Board of Governors
- Jenny Cropp, Chair, Faculty Senate
- Brad Deken, Moderator, Chair’s Forum
- Erin Fluegge ’02, Past Chair, Faculty Senate
- Dustin Hopkins ’04, Chair, Professional Staff Council
- Tom Matukewicz, Head Football Coach, SEMO Athletics
- Dayna Northington ’97, Chair, CTS Staff Council
- Lydia Pobst, President, Student Government Association
- Maureen Clancy-May ’79, Chair, Southeast Missouri Univ. Foundation Board, Retired Superintendent
- The Honorable Abbie Crites-Leoni ’93, President Emeritus, SEMO Alumni Association Board, U.S. Magistrate Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
- Jeff Davis ’94, President Emeritus, SEMO Alumni Association Board, Director of State Affairs, BNSF Railway
- Charles “Bud” Hilburn, III ’19, Alumni & Community Representative, Baker Implement Company
- Erica Wilson ’01, Alumna & Community Representative, VP of Global Security and Privacy Risk Management, Reinsurance Group of American Inc.
- Chris Martin, SEMO General Counsel & Board Secretary (ex-officio)
PSAC Chair Jim Limbaugh said, “I look forward to working with the entire committee during this process. In identifying potential committee members, the Board of Governors made intentional decisions to identify individuals that could represent multiple constituencies and geographic locations to ensure a good cross section of our SEMO community is represented.”
In the coming weeks, the University community will have an opportunity to participate in the search process. Representatives from GA&A, the search firm, will be on campus the first week of October to host listening sessions to gather feedback from internal and external constituents regarding qualities and characteristics they feel the next president should embody. Details regarding the listening session will be communicated in the near future.
In addition to the listening sessions, the University community will be kept informed about the progress of the search through periodic emails from the chair of the PSAC. The committee will also establish a presidential search webpage that will serve as the primary source for news and information regarding the search. Among other resources, the webpage will include a listing of the PSAC members, search updates and other pertinent communications, a tentative search timeline, and potentially other information.
“Under President Vargas’ leadership, Southeast Missouri State University has achieved many successes and many more opportunities lie ahead. From affirmation of institutional reaccreditation, new innovative academic programs, the successful launch of the Transforming Lives capital campaign, the celebration of the University’s 150th anniversary, and much more, SEMO is on solid ground, and we are well positioned to continue soaring to new heights. We look forward to moving ahead together as we write the next chapter for Southeast Missouri State University,” said Klocke ’82.
It is anticipated that the University’s 19th president will begin July 1, 2025.