Morea Simmons Named CFO at
Southwestern College
Winfield, Kan., May 8, 2024 — Morea Simmons has officially joined
Southwestern College as the vice president for finance and chief financial
officer.
“Morea is a Builder, and she brings expertise and leadership to this
critically important role,” said President Liz Frombgen. “The search committee
was committed to finding someone who exhibited integrity and a high level of
technical ability, but who also deeply loves our college and Winfield – as a
graduate and long-time member of our affiliate faculty, Morea, is the perfect
fit and we are excited for all that she brings to our team.”
A native of Winfield, Morea received both her bachelor’s and master’s
degrees from Southwestern College. She has over 27 years of experience in
accounting, finance, and operations. Having previously worked for the Kansas
City Star and Cargill, for the past 10 years Simmons has worked for the Kansas
Department of Corrections as the business administrator and chief fiscal
officer for the Winfield Correctional Facility and Wichita Work Release
programs. There, Simmons offered leadership and financial oversight to a
facility with over 250 employees and nearly 1,000 residents. She has
demonstrated success in the areas of budget management, multi-location site
planning, strategic planning, leadership development, policy development, and
asset management.
Simmons has served the college as an adjunct professor since 2018
teaching online courses, primarily to employed professionals and military
learners looking to complete their degrees. She has taught courses in
managerial accounting, cost accounting, financial accounting, intermediate
accounting, corporate accounting, and strategic management and finance for
non-financial managers.
“I am thrilled to serve Southwestern College in this new capacity, and I
understand the importance of the work,” said Simmons. “Under the leadership of
President Liz, our college is on the move and the team has plotted a
necessarily bold course forward. I come into the position with a great love for
Southwestern and I recognize the important role the college plays in our
community. We must be diligent and strategic in decision making, always
considering the experience of our students today and planning for students who
will come to campus in the decades to come.”
Simmons has already begun work at the college having shared a period of
overlap with Bob Schmoll who served the college as interim chief financial
officer for the past year. Schmoll will continue to consult for the college and
will work closely with President Frombgen on the launch of several
undergraduate and graduate-level programs.
“Morea has truly hit the ground running and is doing a fantastic job as
we look toward our fiscal year-end on June 30, and plan for the academic year
ahead,” said Frombgen. “Most immediately, Morea is taking up the oversight of
several important facilities projects on campus this summer and she’s done a
good job getting up to speed. We continue to be grateful for the experience and
skill that Bob offers our college as we strengthen our financial position and
leverage strategic opportunities. The transition of this role is so critical to
our success, and we are blessed by the leadership that Morea and Bob offer.”
