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.”