Perryville Higher Education Center gets new director

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- New direction is coming for the Perryville Higher Education Center with the retirement of longtime director Sally Werner.

Werner will retire Feb. 29 after 13 years at the center. The center is a joint venture between Mineral Area College and Southeast Missouri State University, where both schools offer courses applicable to various certificate programs and two-year degrees, or transfer credits into a four-year degree program.

Mary Bauwens will take over as director following Werner's retirement. Bauwens worked in the Perry County School District for 18 years as an educational programs director, facilitator and specialist.

Dr. Steven Kurtz, president of Mineral Area College, said the job of director of the center is one that requires much collaborative effort because the director is essentially working for two bosses, or the two schools. Werner had that quality, he said, and the same is seen in Bauwens.

"Sally has meant a lot to the college. She has had a long, distinguished career with us and led the campus to tremendous growth," Kurtz said. Increased capacity of the center, including larger class sizes and adding new programs have been a goal of Werner's tenure, Kurtz said, and projects to continue growth will stay on track with the new director.

Sally Werner

During Werner's time as director, overall enrollment at the center has been steady, according to representatives from both schools. Duplicated student enrollment has also more than doubled. Additions to the center Werner oversaw included construction of a science lab that accommodates 24 students, construction of a digital monument sign that welcomes visitors to Perryville and directs them to the center and multiple new course and degree program offerings through both schools. In fall 2011, 266 students were enrolled at the center from Mineral Area College. The college's spring census is not yet completed. Southeast did not have recent enrollment numbers available Tuesday.

Southeast spokeswoman Ann Hayes released a statement Tuesday from Dr. Gerald McDougall, university provost of extended and online learning who worked closely with Werner, commending her for effective leadership.

eragan@semissourian.com

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