UM Board of Curators officially announces Mun Choi as next system president

The Board of Curators officially introduced the 24th UM System President, Mun Choi, on Wednesday morning at the Capitol Plaza Hotel.

After thanking Interim President Middleton for his leadership, Choi explained his appreciation for the position and how he plans to be an accountable president.

Choi wrapped up his address with the idea that the UM System will emphasize inclusion. “It’s going to be a welcoming environment where I can listen and learn.”

University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst sent out the following message to students and faculty:

“Dear Colleagues and Students,

I write to tell you that after serving as UConn’s Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs for the last four years, Mun Y. Choi has been named the next President of the University of Missouri System.

While we are sorry to lose a terrific Provost, trusted colleague, and great friend, I also know how much this advancement means to Mun and his family, and we wish them all the best. He will begin in Missouri on March 1, 2017.

The job market in higher education is a national one, and Mun is a talented and tenacious leader, so it comes as no surprise that other high quality institutions would seek him out. Any university would be lucky to have him.

Mun first came to UConn in 2008 as the Dean of the School of Engineering, and was named Provost in 2012. Since that time, we have worked closely together on countless issues that are critical to UConn and its future including a major faculty expansion, the creation of our Academic Plan, and the implementation of Next Generation Connecticut and Bioscience Connecticut, to name only a few.

He has been invaluable to me and to UConn as a whole. I cannot thank him enough for his service to the university and for his friendship.

Mun will continue to serve as our Provost until February 1, 2017. After taking the time to evaluate potential candidates, I will name an interim Provost and Executive Vice President prior to that date.

We will begin a national search for the permanent position this summer with the goal of naming a successor before the end of the calendar year. I expect to appoint a search committee in May.

We will have many opportunities to wish him well, but please join me in congratulating Mun at this exciting moment!

Sincerely,

Susan Herbst”

ABC 17 News will be following the transition from Interim President Middleton to President Choi.