Board of Governors

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:

Open, First District
Michael Duggan, Second District, Vice Chair

John Winston, Third District
Brian Hammons, Fourth District

Phyllis Washington, Fifth District

Cathy Smith, Sixth District

Gordon Elliott, Seventh District
Mary Sheid, Eighth District, Chair

Open, Ninth District
Ryan Childress, Student Member

The President is the chief executive officer of the University, responsible to the Board of Governors for the administration of institutional policies and operations. The senior administrative officers of the University serve as an advisory body to the President and are responsible for specific operational divisions of the University. The Faculty Senate is an elected body of academic faculty established to provide a means of dealing with curricular matters and concerns of the faculty. The Graduate Council is an elected body of graduate faculty established to address matters concerning graduate education (i.e. programs, curricula, and policies). The Staff Advisory Council is an elected body from the University support staff that addresses concerns related to the staff. The Student Government Association provides the means by which students can participate in campus governance, student discipline, and management of student activities. 

To formulate policy, to facilitate decision-making, and to promote a spirit of collegiality, the University is committed to participatory governance and to an open system of communication throughout the University. 

Administrative Council 

System administration and coordination is the responsibility of the Missouri State University Administrative Council, which reports to the System President. The Council is responsible for helping develop administrative and support systems that ensure that the campuses operate cooperatively, efficiently, economically and without duplication. The Administrative Council provides effective administration of the System while requiring minimal administrative overhead. No positions have been or will be added for System purposes. The responsibility for academic programs remains with the faculty with accepted review and approval procedures. Present Administrative Council members include:

Dr. Michael T. Nietzel, President
W. Brent Dunn, Acting Vice President for University Advancement
Dr. James P. Baker, Vice President for Research and Economic Development
Clif Smart, General Counsel
Dr. Lorene Stone, Dean of College of Humanities and Public Affairs
Gregory L. Burris, Vice President for Administrative and Information Services
Dr. Earle Doman, Vice President for Student Affairs
D. Kent Kay, Chief Financial Officer
Paul K. Kincaid, Chief of Staff/Assistant to the President for University Relations
Dr. Drew Bennett, Acting Chancellor of Missouri State University-West Plains Campus
John W. McAlear, Secretary to the Board of Governors
Dr. Belinda McCarthy, Provost
June McHaney, Director of Internal Audit