UM Board of Curators appoints Choi interim chancellor at MU

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The University of Missouri Board of Curators voted unanimously to appoint UM System President Mun Choi as the interim chancellor at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Choi will lead the university following Alexander Cartwright’s acceptance of a position at the University of Central Florida.

“We are taking this action to maintain critical leadership at Mizzou and its continued excellence among the nation’s leading research institutions,” said Julia Brncic, chair of the Board of Curators. “During this time of unprecedented challenges, it is important that our continuity of proven leadership is enabled for swift and efficient actions that benefit our students, faculty, staff and communities.”

At this time, the board is not supporting a search for a new chancellor and plans to evaluate and discuss the organizational structure of the University in the coming months.

Choi was appointed UM System president in March 2017 and has led the System and its four universities through several transformative projects, including the NextGen Precision Health Initiative, an expansion of online learning, a transformation project focused on efficiencies across the system, the launch of new innovative partnerships with industry and sweeping scholarship programs that increased access to higher education for all students. Additionally, Choi has been recognized nationally for his leadership, as he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) in November 2019.

“I am committed to ensuring continuity of leadership at Mizzou at a time when partnership and collaboration among all four of our universities is more essential than ever – not only for our institutions, but also for our state,” Choi said. “I am proud to have been part of our world-class Mizzou community. The faculty, staff, supporters, alumni and students of the University of Missouri-Columbia are the lifeblood of this university, and I will do all I can to support them and help us work together to not only get through this challenge, but continue our vital mission for the future.”

Prior to his appointment as UM System president, Choi served on the faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago, was department chair of mechanical engineering and mechanics at Drexel University, and dean of engineering as well as provost and executive vice president at the University of Connecticut.

“During his tenure, Dr. Choi has inspired renewed confidence of elected officials, alumni, community leaders and citizens throughout Missouri,” Brncic said. “His leadership has brought improved access to education for all students, drove university enrollments, increased research, enacted operational efficiencies, enhanced engagement and service to all corners of our state, and expanded and improved health services.”

Brncic also recognized the efforts of faculty, staff, alumni, supporters, students and families as the university works to continue its educational mission and providing health care and other community support.

The appointment is effective immediately. Choi’s salary will not change as a result of the new appointment.

NOTE: Brncic is pronounced “BURN – sick”

-30-