Forums to collect input on Southeast's ideal president

Representatives from Parker Executive Search, hired by the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents to help in the search for a new president, will be in town from Oct. 1 to 3 to meet with faculty and staff, students, alumni and community members.

President Kenneth Dobbins announced his retirement Sept. 8, effective at the end of June.

Parker Executive Search will hold three open forums on the campus in the University Center Heritage Room on Oct. 1.

On that day, Southeast faculty and staff members will gather from 1 to 1:45 p.m.; students from 3 to 3:45 p.m.; and members of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation and Redhawks Club, alumni and community members from 4 to 4:45 p.m.

The forums are meant to gather input on areas such as recent successes, challenges and opportunities at Southeast. Parker Executive Search representatives also will ask for opinions on key attributes the next president of Southeast needs.

Information from these events will be used to create the position statement to recruit candidates.

Smaller group meetings with executive staff, deans and chairmen, Faculty Senate executives and committee chairmen, members of the Presidential Search and Screening Advisory Committee and the Board of Regents also have been scheduled.

Those unable to participate in an open forum but who would like to make suggestions may email to the Presidential Search and Screening Advisory Committee at regents@semo.edu.

Nominations for candidates also may be sent to that email address.

A 16-member Presidential Search and Screening Advisory Committee was appointed by the board of regents. It will be led by board president Doyle Privett.

The complete itinerary is available at semo.edu/presidentialsearch.