Mizzou’s nearly 6,000 graduate students are a key part of our research mission. Cheering on their success is the caring faculty and staff affiliated with our Graduate School.

Over Zoom, I recently met with the Graduate School’s team to discuss our collective progress and how to inspire talented Mizzou undergraduates to consider pursuing a PhD.

We plan to do more to encourage applications for graduate and post-doctoral fellowships funded by federal programs and foundations (like the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship). These kinds of prestigious external fellowships contribute to professional development, bolster funding and improve future job prospects.

For those considering a career in academia, pipeline initiatives like the Preparing Future Faculty – Faculty Diversity (PFFFD) program help exceptional emerging scholars – including many from underrepresented communities – get ready for tenure-track positions. Of the 13 post-docs who completed PFFFD, 11 went on to become tenure-track faculty (including 7 who are still at Mizzou).

Our successful programs reflect the university’s investments in and commitment to research excellence and student success. Our Graduate School is on an upward trajectory.

— Mun