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, Mizzou continues its historic mission through its emphasis on excellence in teaching, research, service and economic development.

Students

Mizzou has more than 32,000 students who take courses from a broad range of academic disciplines to complete their specific degree requirements. That includes undergraduate students seeking bachelor’s degrees; graduate students seeking master’s and doctoral degrees; and students in professional programs including law, medicine and veterinary medicine.
The university is recognized for preparing students through the Missouri Method, our philosophy of learning by doing. In addition to hands-on education, students gain real-world leadership skills through involvement in numerous organizations, clubs and activities.
Mizzou offers Freshman Interest Groups that allow students with shared majors to live in the same residence hall and attend classes together, creating strong academic and social communities.

The Campus

Mizzou is committed to being a good steward of its physical campus and long-held traditions while preparing for the future. Our 1,262-acre campus doubles as the Mizzou Botanic Garden, featuring native plants, gardens, trails and trees. Mizzou is known for its six iconic columns on Francis Quadrangle, the tower of Memorial Student Union that honors fallen soldiers, and the MU Student Center, which provides space for dining, shopping, meeting and studying. Innovative facilities such as the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building, the NextGen MU Research Reactor and the Energy Innovation Center ensure Mizzou students and researchers are helping shape tomorrow’s world.
Our campus is steps away from a vibrant downtown district that includes restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. Consistently ranked as one of the top college towns in the U.S., Columbia is also home to trails, parks and other outdoor recreation areas.

Alumni

With more than 370,000 living alumni, Mizzou’s influence spans the globe. Notable graduates include Emmy Award-winning actor Jon Hamm, Grammy Award-winning musician Sheryl Crow, Peabody Award-winning journalist Jim Lehrer, Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Max Scherzer and prominent internet personality Greg Miller. Mizzou alumni succeed across industries. More than 95 percent of Tigers successfully find employment, continue their education or launch careers in military service or volunteer programs within six months of graduation.

University of Missouri Board of Curators

Robert D. Blitz, St. Louis
Robert W. Fry, Greenwood
Todd P. Graves, Edgerton
Lyda Krewson, St. Louis
Jeffrey L. Layman, Springfield
Blaine Luetkemeyer, St. Elizabeth
John M. Raines, Senath
Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, Westphalia
Michael A. Williams, Kansas City

University of Missouri System

Mun Y. Choi, President
Ben Canlas, Vice President for Information Technology & MU Chief Information Officer
Marsha Fischer, Vice President for Human Resources & Chief Human Resources Officer
Chad Higgins, Chief Engagement Officer
Mark Menghini, General Counsel
John Middleton, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs & Chief of Staff
Jody Mitori, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Ryan Rapp, Executive Vice President for Finance & Operations & MU Chief Financial Officer
Dustin Schnieders, Assistant Vice President for Government Relations

University of Missouri Leadership

Mun Y. Choi, Chancellor
Matthew P. Martens, Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Ben Canlas, Chief Information Officer
Marsha Fischer, Vice President for Human Resources & Chief Human Resources Officer
Rhonda Gibler, Vice Chancellor for Finance & Chief Business Officer
Andy Hayes, Assistant Vice Chancellor & Title IX Coordinator
Chad Higgins, Vice Chancellor for Extension & Engagement
Angela King Taylor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Stephanie McClelland, Chief Online Learning Officer
John Middleton, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs & Chief of Staff
Jody Mitori, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
Todd McCubbin, Mizzou Alumni Association Executive Director
Ryan Rapp, Executive Vice President of Finance & Operations & MU Chief Financial Officer
Steve Robinson, Vice Provost of Enrollment Management
Matthew Sanford, MU Research Reactor Executive Director Christine
Smith, Vice Chancellor for Advancement
Jim Spain, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies
Thomas Spencer, Vice Chancellor for Research
Mary Stegmaier, Vice Provost for International Programs
Laird Veatch, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Kara Whatley, Vice Provost for Libraries & University Librarian

Council of Deans

Richard Barohn, Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs & Hugh E. & Sarah D. Stephenson School of Medicine Dean
Marisa Chrysochoou, College of Engineering Dean
Christopher R. Daubert, Vice Chancellor for Agriculture & College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Dean
Cooper Drury, College of Arts & Science Dean
Kristofer Hagglund, College of Health Professions Dean
Jeni Hart, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies & Graduate School Dean
David Kurpius, Missouri School of Journalism Dean
Paul Litton, School of Law Dean
Lori Popejoy, School of Nursing Dean
Balaji Rajagopalan, Trulaske College of Business Dean
Catherine Rymph, Honors College Dean
Srinand Sreevatsan, College of Veterinary Medicine Dean
Kui Xie, College of Education & Human Development Dean