Southeast Missouri State University has commenced a search for its 19th president. The Board of Governors is working with a Presidential Search Advisory Committee and a leadership recruitment firm to identify outstanding candidates committed to SEMO's mission, values, and future.
Founded in 1873 as a teacher’s college, Southeast Missouri State University has grown into a regional comprehensive, master's level university providing student-centered education with a foundation of liberal arts and sciences, experiential learning opportunities, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional instruction.
Southeast is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and 80 percent of our academic programs hold specific accreditations with various accrediting bodies around the nation. In addition
to offering more than 200 degree programs, including 147 undergraduate majors and options, 50 master’s and specialist’s degree programs, and 20 certificate programs, SEMO continues to focus on staying ahead of changing market demands. We give every student personal support that instills a strong sense of confidence and helps them exceed their potential, so they are ready to launch tomorrow’s careers today.
Presidential Profile
View or download the Presidential Profile for more information about Southeast Missouri State University and the qualifications for an outstanding candidate.
Feedback Form
If you were unable to attend a listening session, you may provide your input directly to Greenwood Asher & Associates via a comment form. Your feedback is CONFIDENTIAL, and all raw data will go directly to Greenwood Asher to be summarized for the Board of Governors and the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. The input will also be used to inform the leadership profile used during recruitment. You may provide feedback on the stakeholder input form.
Presidential Search Advisory Committee
- 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
- Ross McFerron '04, Interim Chair, Southeast Missouri Univ. Foundation Board, Attorney
- 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)
The ultimate selection of the 19th President of SEMO rests with the University’s Board of Governors who are charged with selecting the President of the University. The Board has appointed a Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC) that includes representatives from the board, faculty, staff, students, Foundation, alumni, and the external community. The Board has also engaged Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A), a national search firm with extensive experience in higher education searches to assist in the search.
August 28 – President Vargas announced his final year as President, ending June 30, 2025
September 3 – Board of Governors met to authorize final negotiations with an executive search firm and to establish a Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC)
September 9 – Search Firm and PSAC announced.
October 3 & 4 – Listening Sessions with University community
October 9 – Candidate recruitment begins
January – February – Tentative on-campus finalist visits
March – Announcement of the 19th President of Southeast Missouri State University
July 1 – New President begins
The presidential search will be a confidential search. This is necessary to attract the best candidate pool. Many prospective candidates will not participate in a search unless they know it is confidential to not jeopardize their current positions.
Please note, a confidential search does not mean it is a closed search. All this means is that the identity of the candidates will remain confidential until the finalists are named by the Board of Governors. All PSAC members are expected to adhere to strict confidentiality standards.
The aim will be to announce a new President during the spring 2025 semester. The new president will start July 2025.
The SEMO community will be kept informed about the progress of the search through periodic emails from the chair of the PSAC. Additionally, the presidential search webpage will serve as the primary source for news and information regarding the search.
Yes. Representatives from GA&A, the search firm, will be on campus on early October to conduct listening sessions. Additionally, a comment form will be available for individuals to submit comments directly to the search consultants.
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701