JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Chief of Staff for the University of Missouri System Zora Mulligan has been appointed as Missouri’s new commissioner of the Department of Higher Education.
Mulligan says she is excited for the opportunity to contribute to Missouri on a larger level.
“I liked what I was doing at the UM system… but this provides an opportunity for greater service to the state,” she said.
As chief of staff, Mulligan has been following the coordinating board’s efforts and says she wants to help them continue the work they have set out in the past few years. The board has made efforts to prevent out-of-state educational institutions from operating within Missouri while prioritizing that everyone in Missouri has an opportunity for education beyond high school. The department recently began implementation of the “Preparing Missourians to Succeed: A Blueprint for Higher Education” plan, which hopes to see 2- and 4-year degrees or professional certificates in the hands of 60% of working age Missourians by 2025.
“The coordinating board adopted policies last December, all of which have the potential to increase quality of life for economic state of Missouri as a whole,” Mulligan said. “I’m looking forward to an opportunity to affect those changes.”
Brian Fogle, the board’s chair, said that he was confident in the choice of Mulligan as the new commissioner.
“Zora has wealth of knowledge about Missouri’s higher education system,” Fogle said. “Her leadership will be vital to our continuing work to increase the percentage of Missourians with a college degree or certificate to meet the state’s need for a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.”
Mulligan previously served at the department as assistant commissioner, general counsel and legislative liaison from 2007 to 2010. She was the executive director of the Missouri Community College Association from 2010 to 2014.
Mulligan replaces David Russell, who retired Feb. 29. Deputy Commissioner Leroy Wade has served as interim commissioner since March 1.
The Coordinating Board for Higher Education appointed Mulligan as commissioner of higher education Wednesday, Aug. 3. Mulligan will begin her duties Aug. 29.
