The president of Southeast Missouri State University has a new, three-year contract, which keeps his salary and annuity at the current level, school officials said Friday.

The Board of Regents voted to offer the contract to president Carlos Vargas-Aburto earlier this week.

Under the new contract, which begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2021, Vargas will continue to receive a $278,000 salary and a $30,000 annuity, university spokeswoman Ann Hayes said.

In a news release, board president Donald LaFerla praised Vargas� leadership.

�This University is very fortunate to have a man of Dr. Vargas� character and credentials as our president, and we want him to know how much we appreciate what he means to us,� LaFerla said.

The board president cited some of the accomplishments that have occurred under Vargas� leadership:

• Continued progress toward its retention and graduation goals; retention and graduation rates reported in fall 2017 were both at the highest rate since Southeast began tracking the data
• Success in securing three new program-specific accreditations from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the National Association of Schools of Dance, and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
• Development of multiple new graduate and undergraduate programs, including a Master of Science in cybersecurity
• Execution of the voluntary retirement incentive program, which exceeded participation goals endorsed by the Board of Regents
• Ability to increase giving and identify new donors through various initiatives
• Implementation of SE Alerts, a communication/notification system
• Efforts to implement innovative solutions to enhance enrollment and create alternate degree paths

Vargas said in the university release he was �honored� the regents renewed his contract.

�I continue to be committed and excited to work with the university community to enhance the visibility and recognition of Southeast Missouri State University,� he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641