Cape Girardeau, Missouri - A new era of leadership begins at Southeast Missouri State University today as Dr. Carlos Vargas takes the reins as the 18th president of the University.
“I am very proud to have been selected as the 18th president of the University,” Vargas said. “I am eager … to live up to the expectations of the students, the staff and the faculty of the institution.”
Vargas will hit the ground running with his first day spent with the University’s executive staff who will brief him on numerous University initiatives. During the next couple of weeks, he also will meet with Interim Provost Dr. Gerald McDougall, members of the Board of Regents and Student Government President Peter Jacobsen. He also plans on attending divisional retreats throughout the summer.
“I want everybody to know that I am going to do my absolute best and I am going to work very hard to make sure this institution continues on the path that it has been for a long time. I just want to make sure that we do whatever it takes to help the students be successful.”
Vargas’ presidency at Southeast culminates a comprehensive and wide-ranging search process that began following the announcement in September 2014 that President Kenneth W. Dobbins would retire effective June 30, 2015.
The Southeast Board of Regents announced the appointment of Vargas on March 4. Vargas has been serving as acting president at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania since last July. He previously served as the provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, and had been the school’s chief academic officer since 2006. For more information on President Vargas’ career in higher education, visit http://www.semo.edu/president/about.html.
Southeast also welcomes Vargas’ wife, Dr. Pamela Vargas, who begins her new duties today as the director of the Office of Research and Grant Development on campus. She has served as executive director of the Kutztown University Research Center since 2006. She previously served as the director of Sponsored Programs in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and the Graduate School of Engineering and Management at the Air Force Institute of Technology. She also has served as the director and in several other capacities with The Graduate School, Office of Research with the University of Notre Dame.
President and Mrs. Vargas – the campus welcomes you and wishes you much success here at Southeast Missouri State University!
