The Board of Regents at Southeast Missouri State University will meet with a consultant on July 24 and 25 as it readies to launch a presidential search.

The times of the meetings haven't been set.

The board seeks to replace Dr. Kala Stroup, who will resign at the end of August to become the state's commissioner of higher education.

The regents will meet in open session on July 24 with consultant Allan Ostar.

Ostar is a senior consultant with Academic Search Consultation Service of Washington, D.C.

For 26 years he headed the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, based in Washington.

Stroup worked for that educational organization as a consultant before being hired as Southeast's president in 1990.

Ostar will be reimbursed for his time and expenses for the two-day trip, Regent Don Dickerson said. Ultimately, the board could hire him to help conduct the search.

"We want to hear a presentation from him," explained Dickerson. "We would like for him to discuss with us what they do, what services they can offer us."

Ostar will tour the university and speak with members of the campus community to hear their ideas about a presidential search.

The board will meet again with the consultant on July 25. Part of that meeting likely will be open to the press and the public, Dickerson said.

At some point, the board may go into closed session to discuss entering into a contract with the consultant.

Dickerson said consulting firms generally offer a range of services.

"I think we are looking for guidance as much as anything else," he said.

Dickerson said the board wants Ostar's advice about both the search for a new president and the appointment of an interim president.

"We are trying to do as thorough a search as we can. But at the same time, we don't want to drag it out nine or 10 months."