Southeast Missouri State University president Dr. Carlos Vargas announced on Wednesday, Aug. 28, that he will not renew his contract and will end his tenure on June 30, 2025.

“Earlier today, I announced that this will be my final year as president, and I will leave the University effective June 30, 2025,” he wrote in an email to students. “It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as president of Southeast Missouri State University for the past decade.”

Vargas first announced that he would not renew his contract at a luncheon with faculty and staff in the University Center.

A professor who attended the luncheon and chose to remain anonymous said that Vargas did not explicitly say he was retiring but told the staff members that his contract was ending. The university will begin a search for a new president.

“During his time at Southeast, Vargas cemented himself as a champion of students and a strong partner for business, industry and other causes in the community,” said SEMO Board of Governors president Tina Klocke in a news release. “All the while, first lady Pam Vargas has been by his side and is a beloved figure on campus and in the community. The two of them are loved by students, and they will be missed by the entire community, and the university could not have asked for better ambassadors over the past 10 years. On behalf of the board and the entire university community — past, present and future — I want to thank both President Vargas and Pam for their leadership, friendship, and unwavering passion for SEMO.”

According to SEMO’s website, Dr. Vargas assumed the role of Southeast Missouri State's 18th president in 2015. During his tenure, he supported the development of innovative degree programs in Geographic Information Science, Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Industrial and Systems Engineering.

SEMO also saw the departure of former university provost and chief academic officer Mike Godard last May.