Third class of Presidential Engagement Fellows announced

Columbia, Mo. — Today at the University of Missouri Board of Curators meeting, UM System President Mun Choi introduced the 2020-21 Presidential Engagement Fellows. As a Presidential Engagement Fellow, select faculty members represent the UM System and share their research discoveries and expert knowledge with Missouri citizens in every county. 

“The Presidential Engagement Fellows are among our best scholars and are widely respected by their peers," Choi said. "This group also demonstrates the breadth and depth of the expertise among our faculty. I’m excited as we welcome them. This is yet another example of our commitment to serving the state of Missouri and improving the lives of our fellow citizens.” 

The 2020-21 Presidential Engagement Fellows are:

• Scott Christianson, business management, University of Missouri-Columbia
• Dima Dandachi, infectious diseases, MU
• Jill Delston, philosophy, University of Missouri-St. Louis
• William Horner, political science, MU
• Jamila Jefferson-Jones, law, University of Missouri-Kansas City
• Joey Lightner, nursing and health studies, UMKC
• Joan McDowd, psychology, UMKC
• Jerome Morris, educator preparation and leadership, UMSL
• Kathleen Preble, social work, MU
• J. David Rogers, geosciences and petroleum engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology
• Lee Slocum, criminology and criminal justice, UMSL
• Julija Sukys, creative nonfiction, MU
• Dave Westenberg, biological sciences, Missouri S&T
• Virginia Ramseyer Winter, social work, MU
• Guirong (Grace) Yan, engineering and computing/civil architectural & environmental engineering, Missouri S&T

Faculty members were selected based on their demonstrated excellence and their ability to communicate their research to the public. Bookings for the new class of speakers will begin in August. For more information, please visit: www.umsystem.edu/forms/pef-speaking-request-form

There is no cost for an organization or individual to host a speaker. For more information, please visit: www.umsystem.edu/president/presidential_engagement_fellows  

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