Dr. Ronald Rosati, who has been the Southeast Missouri State University provost since February of 2010, has accepted a job as the dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Neb.

"I appreciate the opportunity to join the team at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture," Rosati said, according to KTIC Radio, a station in West Point, Neb. "I studied the institution extensively and I've been very impressed by the quality and dedication of its faculty and staff, and the support NCTA receives from the University of Nebraska, state legislators, Nebraska's agricultural community, and the town of Curtis.

"NCTA offers some creative and visionary academic programs that are very high quality and serve the needs of its students very well. I look forward to working with the NCTA community to continue to grow the institution, including its enrollment, programs and service to Nebraska's agricultural community."

Rosati earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Cornell University and a doctorate from Iowa State University.

He will join NCTA in the summer.

University spokesperson Ann Hayes said university president Dr. Kenneth W. Dobbins doesn't speak on personnel issues, but he did release a statement via a university press release Wednesday afternoon.

"We have appreciated the skills and strengths Ron has brought to the position of Provost at Southeast," said Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast. "We especially want to thank him for his leadership in the recent Higher Learning Commission Reaffirmation of Accreditation for our University. His background in agriculture and his experience in leading collaborations and partnerships will be a great benefit to the University of Nebraska system."

Rosati also released a statement in the press release.

"I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with the Southeast Missouri State University community during my tenure in Cape Girardeau," Rosati said. "While I have sincerely enjoyed my tenure at Southeast and the accomplishments we've had during the past three years, I'm looking forward to combining my administrative, leadership and research skills in this new endeavor.

"The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture offers the challenge of working closely with students and faculty in my primary academic discipline -- agriculture, and also in workforce development, entrepreneurship and research."

The Arrow will continue to provide updates on this story.