Vargas-Aburto chosen as SEMO's next president

The Southeast Missouri State University board of regents announced Wednesday the appointment of Carlos Vargas-Aburto as the 18th president of Southeast.

Vargas, acting president at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, will succeed president Kenneth Dobbins on July 1.

"I have an internal feeling that I cannot express in words," Vargas said at the announcement. "Just please believe me when I say to you that this is something that I had never dreamed of. You have in front of you somebody who is the typical low-income, first-generation student. I never thought that I would be here."

Vargas earned a doctorate in physics and aerospace science at the University of Michigan. He was named acting president of Kutztown University in July and served as the provost and vice president for academic and student affairs.

Forty-six people applied for the presidency after Dobbins announced his plans to retire last September.

A presidential search and screening advisory committee was established, and 10 applicants were chosen to interview in St. Louis. Nine participated after one applicant withdrew.

Doyle Privett, who served as chairman of the committee, said each applicant was interviewed for about an hour and 15 minutes. The candidates were asked about their leadership style, philanthropy, fundraising history, the role of athletics and their personal histories.

Four finalists were invited to visit campus during the weeks of Feb. 16 and 23, where they met with faculty, staff, students, local organizations and the public.

The board of regents reviewed evaluations submitted by those involved in the interview process. On Saturday, the board unanimously selected Vargas to assume Southeast's top leadership position.

"We're almost ecstatic that we found the person who we think is the perfect person to lead Southeast Missouri State University into the future," Privett said, adding Vargas' experience and commitment makes him an ideal choice for the position.

Before working at Kutztown, Vargas was at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, where he served as provost and vice president for academic affairs. He served in several roles at Kent State University in Ohio for 18 years, including the director of a program on electron beam energy.

He also was Kent's associate dean for research, interim assistant dean for research and served as interim assistant dean for the School of Technology. He started his tenure at Kent State in 1985 as a professor and continued to teach until he left the university.

Vargas began his career in higher education at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, from which he received his bachelor's degree in physics. He was a senior associate researcher for the Institute of Geophysics and held the same role for the university's Institute of Physics.

He is married to Pam Vargas, who works as executive director of Kutztown University Research Center. They are the parents of two children.

Vargas said he wanted to thank the search committee, as well as the board of regents, faculty, staff, students and other members of the public who participated in the interviews.

"I take this appointment as a very serious matter," he said, adding he'll be working hard with everyone at the university to implement its strategic plan. "Because for the university to move forward, everyone has to contribute to it. I am somebody who is very interested in inclusion. I truly believe that good ideas come from any place and we need to pay attention to them."

Vargas said he also wants to continue to enhance the relationship the university has with the public.

"You will see in me somebody who is an engaged president," he said. "Engaged internally with every single group and externally with the community, the business community, with industry, with the legislators, with whoever is out there we can explore forming partnerships that will eventually turn into opportunities for our students. Student success is very dear to me."

klamb@semissourian.com

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