Missouri State University is under the general control and management of the Board of Governors, which according to statutes of the state of Missouri, possesses full power and authority to adopt all needful rules and regulations for the guidance and supervision of the University.

Currently, Missouri State University is governed by a nine-member Board of Governors. All members are appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Missouri Senate, to serve six-year terms.

The nine-member Board of Governors shall represent each of Missouri's nine congressional districts. A non-voting member, a current Missouri State University student, also sits on the Board.

The present Board of Governors consists of the following members:

 

Michael Duggan Second District (Chair) 8/28/2005 to 8/28/2011	Brian Hammons Fourth District (Vice Chair) 3/9/2006 to 8/28/2011	Orvin Kimbrough First District 9/12/2008 to 1/1/2009	John L. Winston Third District 12/5/2005 to 8/28/2011	Phyllis Washington Fifth District 8/28/2005 to 8/28/2011
Cathy Smith Sixth District 7/25/2006 to 1/1/2013	Gordon Elliott Seventh District 7/2/2007 to 1/1/2013	Mary Sheid Eighth District 8/28/2005 to 8/28/2011	Elizabeth Bradbury Ninth District 4/23/2008 to 1/1/2011	Ryan Childress (Student Member) 4/2/2008 to 12/31/2009