University of Central Florida’s hiring of MU chancellor confirmed

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Florida Board of Governors has approved the hiring of a top University of Missouri official to lead the University of Central Florida.

UCF reported Wednesday that it had confirmed MU Chancellor Alexander Cartwright as the sixth president in UCF history. The university reported Friday that it had selected Cartwright for the job, but the decision was dependent on approval from the Board of Governors of the state's university system.

The trustees selected Cartwright over another finalist, according to a news release, citing his experience at MU and as part of the State University of New York system. The release sent Friday also said Cartwright "is known for rebuilding Missouri's relationships with students and state leaders" after the November 2015 protests on campus that led to sharp losses in enrollment.

UCF reported that Cartwright appeared before the board via teleconference and gave remarks.

“I’m here to serve all students," Cartwright said, according to UCF's website. "Every student deserves to have opportunity… [and I] want to serve faculty and staff and the entire community to make sure all of us are as successful as possible."

Cartwright, who started at MU in 2017, made $502,000 at MU in 2019, according to public records. He will earn a base salary of $600,000 his first year at UCF.

Cartwright will begin work at UCF on April 13.

A UM System spokesman did not have details Wednesday about the search for a new chancellor.