UM System president’s contract extended through 2031

By Zimmer Communications

The UM System President and Mizzou chancellor wants this to be his last job.

499523608 1133281578840369 1029855572678469529 n — UM System president Dr. Mun Choi, left, Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and COU manager Michael Parks spoke during May’s announcement about United Airlines (May 22, 2025 file photo courtesy of city of Columbia’s Facebook page)

The UM Board of Curators voted Friday to extend the contract of UM System President Dr. Mun Choi through 2031. Board chairman Todd Graves made Friday’s announcement at the board of curators meeting in Columbia. Mr. Graves describes President Choi as a proven leader and says Dr. Choi has enhanced Mizzou’s national prominence.

nextgen murr signing ceremony 2 (002) — UM System President Dr. Mun Choi, UM Board of Curators chair Todd Graves and members of the consortium after April’s ceremonial agreement signing in Columbia (April 16, 2025 file photo courtesy of University of Missouri)

Chairman Graves notes Mizzou currently has a $3.9 billion operating budget, compared to $2.3 billion dollars in 2017. Chairman Graves also notes the completion and opening of the $220-million Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building at Mizzou.

The 61-year-old Dr. Choi also tells 939 the Eagle that one of his top priorities in the coming years will be rural medicine and rural health care.