UM System Board of Curators extend Mun Choi’s contract
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -
The UM System Board of Curators agreed to keep system president Mun Choi on until 2031.
The board agreed to the extension at its Friday meeting in Columbia. The extension keeps Choi in his role as leader of both the system and as chancellor of the University of Missouri for three more years past his original end of 2028.
Salary terms for the extension were not immediately available.
Choi has led the UM System since 2017. He came in after protests over racial equality in 2015, which upended both system president Tim Wolfe and MU chancellor R. Bowen Loftin. A news release from the UM System said Choi's hiring gave the school a path forward after a loss of state support and enrollment.
“President Choi is a proven leader,” Graves said in the statement. “Under his guidance, the University of Missouri System is thriving. From world-class research to historic student success to athletics prowess, he has enhanced our universities’ national prominence.”
The UM System touted recent retention, graduation and job replacement rates in the UM System since his hiring. Choi also helped the school land state investments, like $50 million for the NextGen nuclear research reactor planned for south Columbia.
“I applaud President Choi for his strong leadership and close collaboration with my office and the people of Missouri,” Gov. Mike Kehoe said in the news release. “The University of Missouri System is one of our strongest and most valuable assets, transforming lives and lifting our economy. All Missourians should rejoice at the news that President Choi will continue to elevate the university and the state.”
Choi has also faced pushback from some student groups and faculty. Missouri Students for Justice in Palestine sued Choi and the school last month for Choi's denial of their participation in the 2024 Homecoming Parade. Faculty in 2020 criticized Choi for his handling of some tenure and promotion matters.
