Transition team formed for new Southeast president

A 15-person transition team has been formed at Southeast Missouri State University to assist Carlos Vargas-Aburto when he assumes the role of university president July 1.

Brady Barke, senior associate to the president and board of regents' secretary, and Willie Redmond, professor of economics, will co-chair the team.

The 13 others include university faculty, staff and students.

"The team's main function will be to provide initial points of contact as Dr. Vargas is introduced to various constituent groups on campus," Barke said in an email. "Members of the team may also serve as a resource to Dr. Vargas for questions he may have as he learns more about the institution."

Southeast's board of regents and members of the executive staff also will help Vargas become acquainted with stakeholders outside of the university, Barke said.

Jay Knudtson, president of the board of regents, said the board will discuss at its May 8 meeting to what degree they will be involved in transition.

Knudtson said the transition team members will serve as "ambassadors" to Vargas as he meets with groups at the university and in the community.

"They'll accompany him not in a way to protect, but to serve as an ambassador and introduce him," he said.

Vargas serves as acting president of Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. He was announced as the 18th president of Southeast in early March and will succeed Kenneth Dobbins, who is retiring June 30 after serving as Southeast's president for 16 years.

Vargas was raised in Mexico City, where he received his bachelor's degree in physics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He then attended the University of Michigan and earned a doctorate in physics and aerospace science.

Knudtson said Vargas will make monthly trips to the university to meet with various people, "and that will continue until his permanent arrival."

Vargas will be in town this week for a private reception, Knudtson said. And Friday, he will be at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee as the university's marketing team rolls out its new branding initiative.

Vargas won't be making a formal speech during the event, Knudtson said, and the focus will remain on the branding initiative.

"We're very excited about rolling that out," he said. "We're going to be very careful to make sure we don't dilute that process."

klamb@semissourian.com

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