Engagement is the extension of knowledge, offerings, and influence of the University of Missouri System in communities for the betterment of people. This includes learning opportunities that lead to behavior change, research that leads to improvement in the quality of life of citizens, donor investment in research, teaching and communities, and partners who serve as champions to advance the mission of the UM System. Engagement is wide-ranging.
At the heart of engagement is the relationship and connectivity between citizens and higher education. This is based on a university presence with people in communities that is relevant, timely, and grounded. As a result of this relationship, engagement can serve to identify local and state needs and therefore inform teaching, research and philanthropy goals.
The Office of Engagement and Outreach works to support the Missouri Compacts for Excellence, and, like its name suggests, has a particular focus of furthering the Compact for Excellence in Engagement and Outreach:
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Staff Directory
Chadwick Higgins
Interim UM System Chief Engagement Officer &
Vice Chancellor for Extension and Engagement
108 Whitten Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-7477
cchiggins@missouri.edu
Assistant:Ā Sandi Peters, sandipeters@missouri.edu
Alison Copeland
Deputy Chief Engagement Officer, UM System
210 Whitten Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 884-4655
copelanda@umsystem.edu
Ashley Rhode
Outreach and Engagement Associate, UM System
210 Whitten Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 884-3257
rhodea@umsystem.edu
Noah Washburn
Statewide Exension and Engagement Specialist
109D Whitten Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-7781
nwashburn@missouri.edu
University Contacts
MU
Graham McCaulley
Director, Office of Service-Learning
Sara Vassmer
Director, The Connector
UMKC
Troy Lillebo
Assistant Vice Chancellor, External Relations
Nate Addington
Director of Engagement
S&T
Melanie Keeney
Director of Engagement and Outreach, Marketing and Communications
UMSL
Patricia Zahn
Director, Des Lee Collaborative Vision/Community Outreach and Engagement
Claire Rippel
Education Director - Community Development
Creating Whole Communities Director
Reviewed 2023-09-14