THREE UPPER LEVEL ADMINISTRATORS LEAVE SOUTHEAST

Southeast Missouri State University's dean of students and associate vice president for enrollment management will leave the school later this summer for new jobs.

Dean Kimberly Barrett and Associate Vice President Robert Parrent are the second and third administrators to resign this summer. Dr. Patricia Lipetzky, dean of extended learning, resigned in June to take a job at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich.

Dennis Holt has taken over supervision of extended learning and off-campus programming as the university's vice provost and executive director of the Southeast Missouri Educational Consortium.

Barrett is leaving to take a position as vice provost at Lakehead University in Thunderbay, Ontario, Canada. She will begin her new job on Aug. 8.

The university is situated on Lake Superior. "My husband is a fisherman so he can do lots of fishing there," she said Wednesday.

Barrett's husband was a psychology professor at Murray State University in Kentucky before retiring in December.

Barrett said his retirement "opened up opportunities" for her to consider jobs elsewhere.

She said she and her husband have "spent a lot of time in Canada."

The Canadian school has 7,000 students. Its mission includes working with aboriginal people.

Barrett was the first black woman to serve as dean of students at Southeast and served in that post for three years. The last two she also served as associate provost.

Barrett said she worked at Southeast to expand student services, particularly in the area of health and counseling.

During her tenure, the Center for Health and Counseling added nurse practitioner services and a Ph.D.-level psychologist.

The university also has established an office to serve commuter and non-traditional students.

Barrett said she expects the university will have an interim dean for the time being.

Parrent is leaving to take a position as chief operations officer for Sheldon Management Industries in Bowling Green, Ky. He will start his new job on Aug. 7.

The company has a variety of business interests. It owns pharmacies in Kentucky and has been involved in the real estate business.

Parrent said the company hired his twin brother as chief executive officer about two years ago.

Parrent said his new job offers him a chance to return to his hometown and work with his brother. It also allows him to be close to his ailing father.

"This corporation is just growing by leaps and bounds. It fits my personality and my eagerness," he said. "It is just something that I couldn't pass up."

Parrent helped direct Southeast's efforts to boost enrollment over the past three years.

He said he will miss working at Southeast. "Our service region is first class. Our students are the best," said Parrent.

Both Parrent and Barrett said they were leaving on good terms with the university. Said Parrent, "Change is the only constant and change is good."