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About the Office of Engagement and Outreach

Engagement is the extension of knowledge, offerings, and influence of the University of Missouri System in communities for the betterment of people. This includes learning opportunities that lead to behavior change, research that leads to improvement in the quality of life of citizens, donor investment in research, teaching and communities, and partners who serve as champions to advance the mission of the UM System. Engagement is wide-ranging.

At the heart of engagement is the relationship and connectivity between citizens and higher education. This is based on a university presence with people in communities that is relevant, timely, and grounded. As a result of this relationship, engagement can serve to identify local and state needs and therefore inform teaching, research and philanthropy goals.

The Office of Engagement and Outreach works to support the Missouri Compacts for Excellence, and, like its name suggests, has a particular focus of furthering the Compact for Excellence in Engagement and Outreach:

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Staff Directory

Marshall Stewart

Marshall Stewart

Chief Engagement Officer, UM System
Vice Chancellor for Extension and Engagement, MU Extension

108 Whitten Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-2394
stewartmars@umsystem.edu

Alison Copeland

Alison Copeland

Deputy Chief Engagement Officer, UM System
210 Whitten Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 884-4655
copelanda@umsystem.edu

Nathaniel Hansen

Director of Advancement, UM System
210 Whitten Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-7781
nhansen@umsystem.edu

Ashley Rhode

Ashley Rhode

Outreach and Engagement Associate, UM System
210 Whitten Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 884-3257
rhodea@umsystem.edu


University Contacts

MU

Sarah Traub

Sarah Traub
Director of Education and Impact

Sara Vassmer

Sara Vassmer
Director, The Connector

UMKC

Troy Lillebo

Troy Lillebo
Assistant Vice Chancellor, External Relations

Nate Addington

Nate Addington
Director of Engagement

S&T

Andy Careaga

Andy Careaga
Executive Director, Marketing and Communications

Melanie Keeney

Melanie Keeney
Director of Engagement and Outreach, Marketing and Communications

UMSL

Patricia Zahn

Patricia Zahn
Director, Des Lee Collaborative Vision/Community Outreach and Engagement

Karl Guenther

Karl Guenther
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Economic and Community Engagement

Reviewed 2021-09-13