Important Facts

History

Founded in 1839, the University of Missouri was established in Columbia as the first public university west of the Mississippi River and the first in the Louisiana Purchase territory. In 1870, the University of Missouri was approved as a land-grant university under the Morrill Act of 1862. The original mission of land-grant institutions was to make higher education accessible to more people. Gradually, that mission has expanded to include research, service and outreach enabling the state’s citizens to benefit directly from the knowledge gained through university research. As Missouri’s flagship university, MU continues its historic mission through its emphasis on excellence in teaching, research, service and economic development.

Students

  • Students come from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The diversity of backgrounds, opinions and lifestyles improves the overall quality of the student experience.
  • The university has more than 30,000 undergraduate students who choose courses from a broad range of academic disciplines.
  • The university also has more than 5,000 graduate and professional students enrolled in more than 150 different degree programs. The professional schools include more than 1,400 students in law, medicine and veterinary medicine.
  • MU is nationally recognized for its Freshman Interest Groups, in which students with shared academic interests live in the same residence hall and attend classes together. These communities provide a strong academic and social foundation for new students, as well as increased faculty involvement with students.

The Campus

  • The University of Missouri prides itself on respecting the past while embracing the future. The 1,262-acre Mizzou campus is a testament to that belief, including the six Ionic Columns adorning Francis Quadrangle, the Memorial Union Tower honoring fallen soldiers and the MU Student Center completed in 2010.
  • The campus is also a living museum with hundreds of plant species from all over the world that make up the Mizzou Botanic Garden. The garden features more than 42,000 plants and invites a stroll through more than 170 years of history as MU was transformed into the global university it is today. National magazines and newspapers consistently rank Columbia among the top cities in the nation for its excellent quality of life.

Alumni

With more than 340,000 living alumni, Mizzou’s influence spans the globe. Notable graduates include Grammy Award-winning musician Sheryl Crow, Academy Award-winning actor Chris Cooper, Emmy Award-winning actor Jon Hamm, Peabody Award-winning journalist Jim Lehrer and Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Max Scherzer. Mizzou alumni succeed after graduation: 95 percent of MU graduates find successful career outcomes including employment, continued education and military service.

University of Missouri Board of Curators

Robert Blitz, St. Louis
Julia G. Brncic, St. Louis
Jeanne Cairns Singuefield, Westphalia
Todd P. Graves, Edgerton
Robert Fry, Greenwood
Keith A. Holloway, Cape Girardeau
Jeffrey L. Layman, Springfield
Robin R. Wenneker, Columbia
Michael A. Williams, Kansas City
 

University of Missouri System Administration

Mun Y. Choi, President UM System
John Middleton, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Chief of Staff
John Denker, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Chad Higgins, Chief Engagement Officer
Stephanie McClelland,Chief Online Learning Officer
Ryan Rapp, Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations
Ben Canlas, Vice President Information Technology
Marsha Fischer, Vice President, Human Resources, Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Equal Opportunity Officer
Mark Menghini, General Counsel
Dustin Schneiders, Assistant Vice President of Government Relations

Leadership of the University of Missouri

Mun Y. Choi, Chancellor
Thomas Spencer, Vice Chancellor for Research & Economic Development
Chris Smith,  Interim Vice Chancellor for Advancement
Maurice D. Gibson, Vice Chancellor for Division of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
Rhonda Gibler, Vice Chancellor for Finance & Chief Business Officer
Ryan Rapp, Chief Financial Officer
Sarah Chinniah, Vice Chancellor of Operations & Strategic Inititives
Angela King Taylor, Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Jeni Hart, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, Dean of Graduate School
Mackenzie Moorfield, Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resource & MU Human Resources Officer
Todd McCubbin, Associate Vice Chancellor of Alumni Relations and Mizzou Alumni Association Director
John Denker,Vice Chancellor for Marketing & Communications
Chad Higgins, Vice Chancellor for Extension and Engagement
Andy Hayes, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA
Matthew Martens, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Jim Spain, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies
Kim Humphrey, Vice Provost of Enrollment Management & Strategic Development
Mary Stegmaier, Vice Provost for International Programs
Laird Veatch, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Christopher R. Daubert, Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Dean, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Cooper Drury, Dean, College of Arts and Science
Balaji Rajagopalan, Dean, Trulaske College of Business
Sarah Diem,  Interim Dean, College of Education
Marisa Chrysochoou, Dean, College of Engineering
Kristofer Hagglund, Dean, School of Health Professions
David Kurpius, Dean, School of Journalism
Paul Litton,  Interim Dean, School of Law
Richard Barohn, Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs & Dean, School of Medicine
Lori Popejoy, Interim Dean, Sinclair School of Nursing
Srinand Sreevatsan, Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine
Kara Whatley, Vice Provost for Libraries
Tom Warhover, Chair, Faculty Council
Jessica Hosey, Chair, Staff Advisory Council
Clay Van Eaton, President, Missouri Students Association
Parker Owens, President, Graduate Professional Council
Mindy Mazur, President, Mizzou Alumni Association