President Choi’s Blog
J-School collaboration receives national spotlight
Oct. 27, 2022
A new reporting network headquartered at the University of Missouri School of Journalism is receiving national attention, including a feature on NPR.
The story is adapted from a five-part multimedia series by the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk that looks at the impact of increased rainfall in the region.
Launched last year with a $1.4 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation, the Ag & Water Desk is a collaboration between the J-School, Reynolds Journalism Institute, Report for America and more than 10 other organizations and newsrooms around the country. The Desk’s network of reporters investigates complex issues facing communities in the river basin – a massive area stretching from Idaho to New York and Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The series, “When it Rains,” is the team’s first collaborative project.
The Ag & Water Desk puts students at the center of important issues facing our country. It’s part of our commitment to the Missouri Method of experiential learning that makes a difference.
— Mun
Supporting accomplished student scholars
Oct. 26, 2022
Mizzou’s top students can compete with the best from any university. Central to recruiting and encouraging these high-achieving Tigers is our Honors College.
To think through ways to better support their work and expand access for more students, John Middleton, associate vice president for academic affairs, and I recently met with their faculty and staff. Catherine Rymph, interim director, gave us a tour of their space in Lowry Hall – featuring student art and photography.
This semester, more than 2,700 students are enrolled in the Honors College. Affiliated faculty teach classes that inspire interdisciplinary discovery, while academic advisors help students connect with valuable resources such as prestigious fellowship opportunities. Among many other initiatives, the Honors College administers the Missouri Scholars Academy, a three-week summer program that introduces some of the state’s top high school students to our campus community.
The work of the Honors College is vital to the university and we appreciate their dedicated staff.
— Mun
A hub for teaching excellence
Oct. 24, 2022
The newly renovated Teaching for Learning Center (T4LC) supports all educators on campus – from graduate instructors to tenured professors.
On a recent visit with other MU leaders, we met with Founding Director Victoria Mondelli, members of their advisory board and staff. Together, we discussed the center’s programing and opportunities for wider use of their many resources.
Established in 2018 and housed on the ground level of Ellis Library, T4LC offers individual or small group pedagogical consultations, asynchronous training courses as well as innovative lessons on topics such as game-based learning. This semester alone, 706 participants have engaged in T4LC programing. I hope to attend one of their many upcoming events.
Visit the T4LC Gateway to schedule an appointment or drop by the center (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) any weekday.
— Mun
One year of NextGen
Oct. 19, 2022
Just one year ago, we welcomed state and national leaders – including then-director of the National Institutes of Health Francis Collins – to Mizzou’s campus for the grand opening of the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building.
In that short time, we’ve made incredible research breakthroughs, announced world-class hires (including Dr. W. David Arnold as executive director of the NextGen Precision Health initiative) and continued to grow the facility’s impact. Since Oct. 2021, we’ve brought in $97 million in grants.
NextGen is also connecting students with the tools and expertise they need to launch groundbreaking careers in science. This semester, we welcomed our inaugural cohort of 16 students for the Translational Biosciences Graduate Program. Across six emphasis areas, this program leverages NextGen’s strengths to further biomedical research and improve the health of our communities.
In the coming years, we look forward to welcoming additional faculty, students and industry partners. We’re also building out the fourth floor to serve as the future home of NextGen neuroscience and reproductive biology researchers.
Together, we’re revolutionizing how we deliver personalized health care for Missouri and the world.
— Mun
Showing Tiger pride by saving lives
Oct. 18, 2022
Last week, our Mizzou community came out in force for the Homecoming Blood Drive. Over four days, 4,148 people gave 4,055 units of blood to support the Red Cross. That donation will potentially save more than 12,165 lives.
Our annual event is one of the largest student-run blood drives in the country. And it’s not over yet! Satellite blood drives in Cole, Boone and Callaway Counties continue through the end of the month.
To schedule an appointment at one of the satellite locations, visit the Homecoming Blood Drive page to find the right sponsor code and then enter it on RedCrossBlood.org.
— Mun
A center for the future
Oct. 17, 2022
On the second floor of Lafferre Hall, Mizzou Engineering faculty and students are building the technology of tomorrow.
The team at the Cyber Education, Research and Infrastructure (CERI) Center, under the direction of Professor Prasad Calyam, investigates topics such as cloud-edge computing, artificial intelligence and cyber security. And our undergrads are at the center of the action.
The center also hosts a “Hacker Tracker Training” every summer that teaches middle and high school students about coding and cyber defense. Their work aligns well with MizzouForward’s commitment to discovering new frontiers in science, engineering and technologies.
I enjoyed visiting the CERI Center with Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs John Middleton and Dean Noah Manring. Professor Calyam and his students showed us some of their exciting projects, such as the Mizzou CAVE – a virtual reality system for expert decision making and immersive learning funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The applications of this technology are nearly endless. For example, a simulated disaster scenario could help train first responders. Mizzou CAVE is the only virtual reality system of its kind in the region and is part of a cross-campus collaboration with the College of Engineering, School of Information Science & Learning Technologies and Department of Architectural Studies.
Professor Calyam and his team are developing an impressive and impactful center at Mizzou. We appreciate his strong mentorship of both undergraduate and graduate students.
— Mun
We (HEART) Mizzou transfer students
Oct. 13, 2022
Next week isn’t just Mizzou Homecoming – it’s also National Transfer Student Week. Across campus, our Transfer Center & Transfer Experience & Advising Mentors (TEAM) are hosting events to celebrate.
• Monday, Oct. 17 – from 9 to 1 p.m., free donuts and “I HEART Mizzou Transfers” swag for staff, faculty and transfer students in Speakers Circle
• Tuesday, Oct. 18 – from 6 to 7:30 p.m., glow party on Stankowski Field (with glow-in-the-dark games, karaoke and root beer in Transfer Center cups)
• Wednesday, Oct. 19 – at 4 p.m., transfer student online panel about undergraduate research experiences hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research
There are 1,280 new transfers at Mizzou this semester, bringing our total transfer population to 4,247 students. That’s a lot of transfer Tigers! Make Transfer Week activities part of your Homecoming fun.
— Mun
Homecoming outreach continues with Roaring for Rainbow House
Oct. 11, 2022
We kicked off Homecoming 2022 in a big way with our annual Tiger Food Fight, collecting a record 44,002 pounds of food and $415 for the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri.
And that was just the start. The food fight is the first part of our campuswide “Battle of the Columbias,” a friendly competition with the University of South Carolina leading up to the Oct. 29 football game. Each item collected counts for one point.
The next opportunity to get involved takes place Oct. 14 to 16 and Oct. 21. Roaring for Rainbow House collections will benefit a local children’s emergency shelter.
From Oct. 14 to 16, student organizations – including many fraternities and sororities – will staff tables outside Sam’s Club on Conley Road and other retail locations to collect donations for Rainbow House’s wish list, such as cleaning supplies and backpacks. On Oct. 21, bring donations when you visit Campus Decs in Greek Town Friday evening, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Similar collection sites will be located throughout.
The winner will be announced during the South Carolina game. Help us ensure the best Columbia wins!
— Mun
World War II cadet nurse (and Mizzou alum) visits campus
Oct. 10, 2022
Edith Harrington, BSN ’46, recently spoke to more than 130 pre-nursing students in our Sinclair School of Nursing building. I had a chance to visit with her, and many others stayed afterwards to learn further details about her incredible life.
In 1943 – while studying at Mizzou – Edith served in the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. She shared her experiences as a cadet nurse, nursing student and a practicing nurse in Missouri.
Edith is part of the Greatest Generation and will turn 100 next April. She remains active in the community. Last year, Gov. Mike Parson selected her to serve as Missouri’s 2021 Bicentennial Inaugural Parade grand marshal.
I’m thankful the next generation of Mizzou nurses could meet Edith and learn from her example of service. This Friday, we’ll gather again to dedicate our new Sinclair School of Nursing facility.
— Mun
Tigers, register to vote!
Oct. 5, 2022
It’s almost Election Day. Before heading to the polls on Nov. 8, you’ll need to make sure you’re registered to vote. The registration deadline for Missouri residents is next week, Wednesday, Oct. 12.
No matter where you’re from, there are helpful resources to make the process simple.
Boone County residents can register through the County Clerk’s office. Our own Hearnes Center will serve as a central polling location where any registered county residents can vote. Information for all Missouri voters can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.
More details about how to be prepared for Election Day 2022 can be found on Show Me Mizzou.
Tigers support our local, state and national communities in so many ways – including by voting. It’s an essential part of our civic duty, so register today and make sure your voice is heard.
— Mun