Commissioner of Higher Education, ex-SEMO president, to step do

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Higher Education commissioner Kala M. Stroup will step down to become president of a Kansas City-based group that prepares undergraduate college students for jobs in the nonprofit sector.

American Humanics said Friday that it has hired Stroup. The national organization works with more than 80 colleges and universities and 18 national nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. More than 1,800 college students worked toward the group's certification in the last school year.

"America's youth and human service agencies are desperate to hire effective, competent college graduates to manage their programs and volunteers," Stroup said in a written statement.

Stroup became involved with American Humanics while working at Murray State University in Murray, Ky., from 1983 to 1990.

Before becoming the Higher Education commissioner, Stroup also served as president of Southeast Missouri State University from 1990 to 1995.