University of Missouri chancellor applies for job in Florida

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

University of Missouri Chancellor Alexander Cartwright has applied to take the top job at the University of Central Florida.

UCF, located in Orlando, said in a tweet Wednesday morning that Cartwright had entered his name into the search for a new president. He began as chancellor at MU in August 2017.

Since then Cartwright has been part of major changes at MU, including large-scale restructuring to devote more resources to research and hiring quality faculty.

UCF's campus media reported Cartwright had entered the race as the "mystery candidate" just 48 hours before school leaders are set to make their decision. A professor reportedly started a petition to stop the decision, citing the rushed timeline and Cartwright's late entry.

Cartwright is a native of the Bahamas. He was the provost at the University of Buffalo before taking the MU job. He holds a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Iowa.

"Over the last three years, we’ve established a talented leadership team at the University of Missouri-Columbia," UM System President Mun Choi said in a statement. " I’m confident that the administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters at Mizzou, will continue the exciting and innovative trajectory at our AAU institution."

"Together, we’ll continue to achieve excellence in student success, research breakthroughs & creative works, inclusive excellence, engagement and precision health," Choi said.