On Monday, I was thrilled to introduce MizzouForward — a transformative $1.5 billion investment in the continued excellence of our university. MizzouForward is a first-of-its-kind initiative to strengthen key research disciplines and help us improve lives around the world.

There are countless ways MizzouForward will impact our ambitious work, and I’m thrilled to share more details in the weeks ahead. Every groundbreaking discovery begins with amazing researchers. That’s why we’ve already started recruiting new faculty members who will help us realize MizzouForward’s vision of collaborative, interdisciplinary innovation. We’re aiming to recruit 150 new faculty by 2026 who will supercharge our research in three high-priority areas:

• NextGen Precision Health
• New Frontiers in Science, Engineering and Technologies
• Innovations in Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts

Our first candidates came to campus last week for interviews, and I was so impressed with their accomplishments and ambition. We are scheduling the next round of candidates who will all deliver a public keynote lecture about their cutting-edge research. I encourage our entire campus community to attend these presentations and hear firsthand from those who will help build the future of Mizzou.

— Mun