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COLUMBIA, Mo. — In a bold endorsement of visionary leadership and transformational impact, the University of Missouri Board of Curators has extended the contract of university President Mun Y. Choi until 2031. Board Chair Todd Graves announced the extension during the board’s public meeting in Columbia on Friday.
Widely credited with changing the trajectory of the UM System and its flagship campus, Choi has ushered in a new era of growth, innovation and success. Since stepping into the system president’s role in 2017 and adding responsibility as Mizzou’s chancellor in 2020, Choi has regained the confidence of Missourians and redefined what is possible in public higher education.
“I applaud President Choi for his strong leadership and close collaboration with my office and the people of Missouri,” Gov. Mike Kehoe said. “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.”
“President Choi is a proven leader,” Graves said. “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.”
“I am especially grateful to the Board of Curators, Governor Mike Kehoe, other elected leaders of our state and the people of Missouri for supporting our vision,” Choi said. “We have incredible faculty, staff and students who transform lives, create research breakthroughs and support Missouri’s economy. I am very excited for the opportunity to continue to lead the University of Missouri System and Mizzou.”
Building momentum – and a bright future
President Choi was hired as president of the UM System in 2017 during a tumultuous period in the history of the University of Missouri as it was mired in controversy. The fallout included a 17% reduction in state support, a sharp decline in freshmen enrollment, a reduction in credit ratings and a damaged reputation among Missourians and elected leaders.
The mandate by the Board of Curators was for President Choi to restore the university’s reputation, state appropriations, enrollment, student success, research productivity and credit ratings. He worked closely with the Board of Curators, faculty, staff, alumni and elected leaders to improve the university.
Shortly after he arrived, Choi introduced a new systemwide vision in partnership with the Board of Curators: to advance opportunities for success and well-being in Missouri, the nation and the world through transformative teaching, research, innovation and engagement. Together with the Board of Curators, faculty, staff and administrators, Choi launched initiatives to:
- Achieve the highest retention and graduation rates at all four universities.
- Achieve the highest number of applications at all four universities.
- Achieve the highest R&D expenditures at all four universities with UM System expenditures of $714 million, a 77% increase since 2017.
- Grow the overall UM System budget from $3.3 billion in FY 2017 to $5.3 billion in FY 2026.
- Create $6.5 billion in annual economic impact to the state of Missouri, a 15-to-1 return on taxpayer investments.
- Achieve Aa1/AA+ credit rating with both Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings.
- Secure record capital investment from the state and federal government for all four universities.
- Increase meaningful extension activities that reach more than 2.5 million Missourians to improve agriculture, education, health care and broadband access.
- Achieve the highest philanthropy at all four universities.
At Mizzou the following record-breaking highlights were achieved:
- 93% retention rate, compared to 86% in 2017.
- 76% graduation rate, compared to 68% in 2017.
- 95% placement rate, compared to 78% in 2017.
- 27,290 applications, compared to 16,637 in 2017.
- 6,046 freshmen, compared to 4,134 in 2017.
- No. 4 ranking in best value among all flagship universities in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report.
- Total capital investments of $1.5 billion.
- $535 million in total annual research expenditures, an 83% increase since 2017.
- Completion of the $220 million Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building to improve and save the lives of Missourians.
- Historic $250 million Memorial Stadium Centennial Project investment to achieve athletics success.
- Key partnership with Novartis and other leading firms to provide isotopes for radiopharmaceutical cancer treatments.
- $3.9 billion operating budget, compared to $2.3 billion in 2017.
- $269 million in philanthropy, compared to $152 million in 2017.
In 2021, Choi launched MizzouForward, a $1.5 billion initiative focused on faculty excellence, infrastructure growth and student success, setting the stage for many of those achievements.
Choi has unveiled plans for several major campus projects, including NextGen MURR, a $1.3 billion, 20-megawatt, state-of-the-art nuclear research reactor that will triple the university’s capacity to produce cancer-fighting radioisotopes; and the $150 million Energy Innovation Center, a cutting-edge facility where world-class researchers will design the energy systems of tomorrow.
An inspiring presence
The president maintains a visible presence throughout the state, whether he is meeting with leaders at the Missouri State Fair, helping incoming freshmen move into their first dorm rooms, cheering a university athletic team or attending an artistic or cultural event. Over the years, countless individuals across the state have commented on the genuine interest that he shows in everyone he meets.
Choi’s new contract runs until June 30, 2031. The old contract would have expired in 2028. While the average term of university presidents in the United States has declined to less than six years, the new contract means that the University of Missouri can expect proven, pragmatic and effective leadership for years to come – far longer than in most other institutions.
Choi’s leadership extends well beyond Missouri. On July 1, he began a two-year term as vice president of the Southeastern Conference’s Executive Committee, where he helps oversee the strategic and financial direction of the conference. He also serves as chair of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ Commission on Food, Environment and Renewable Resources and as a member of the association’s Board of Directors.
Choi, 61, came to Missouri in 2017 after nine years at the University of Connecticut, where he served as provost and executive vice president (2012-2017) and earlier as dean of engineering (2008-2012). His 31-year career in higher education also includes serving eight years as a department head of engineering at Drexel University and six years as an assistant and associate professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in general engineering from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Princeton University.
His parents brought their family to the United States from South Korea when Choi was 9 years old. He grew up in Akron, Ohio and Chicago, Illinois. Choi is married to Suzanne Choi and together they have three adult children (Alex, Christopher and Cosette) and three bichon frises (Max, Coco and Yogi).
View Choi's curriculum vitae.
Reviewed 2025-09-05