JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today announced his appointments to three boards – the Educational Commission of the States, the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents and the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. The appointees to the boards of Regents and the Registration for the Healing Arts will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate. The appointees, along with their boards and hometowns, are:
[if !supportLists]n [endif]Educational Commission of the States (Dr. Michael T. Nietzel – Jefferson City; Dr. Margaret M. Vandeven – St. Charles)
[if !supportLists]n [endif]Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents student representative (Bradley A. Jones – Affton)
[if !supportLists]n [endif]State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts (Dr. Robert E. Gardner Sr. – Cape Girardeau)
Educational Commission of the States
The Governor has appointed Dr. Michael T. Nietzel, of Jefferson City, and Dr. Margaret M. Vandeven, of St. Charles, to the Educational Commission of the States. The Educational Commission of the States is a nonprofit, nationwide interstate compact formed in 1965. Its primary purpose is to help governors, state legislators, state education officials and others develop policies to improve the quality of education at all levels.
Dr. Nietzel served as president of Missouri State University from 2005 to 2010, when he retired. He previously was at the University of Kentucky, where his positions included Chair of the Department of Psychology, Dean of the Graduate School, and University Provost. Dr. Nietzel currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health, and he also has a continuing role as senior policy advisor to Gov. Nixon, a position he has held since 2010. He will serve a term ending at the pleasure of the Governor.
As the current Commissioner of Education, Dr. Vandeven directs the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She joined the department in 2005 and has served as Deputy Commissioner, Division of Learning Services; Assistant Commissioner, Office of Quality Schools; Director of Accountability Data and Accreditation; Director of School Improvement and Accreditation; and Supervisor of the Missouri School Improvement Program. Before joining DESE, Dr. Vandeven was a teacher and administrator at schools in Missouri and Maryland. She will serve a term ending at the pleasure of the Governor.
Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents
The Governor has appointed Bradley A. Jones, of Affton, as the student representative to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents. The Board of Regents appoints the President of the University, employs faculty and staff, and makes budgetary and policy decisions necessary to implement the University’s mission. The student representative is a non-voting member of the board.
Jones, a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, is a junior at the University and is majoring in accounting. He is vice president of administration for the Inter Fraternity Council and coordinated a regional leadership conference attended by 200 members of Delta Chi fraternity last February. He also is a senator from the College of Business for the University Student Government. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Jan. 1, 2018.
State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts
The Governor has appointed Dr. Robert E. Gardner Sr. (R), of Cape Girardeau, to the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. The board registers, licenses, and regulates all physicians and surgeons in the state. In addition, the board is also responsible for all physical therapists, speech pathologists, audiologists, physician assistants, clinical perfusionists, physical therapist assistants, anesthesiologist assistants, and athletic trainers. Members review and act on issues of discipline, licensure, rules and regulations, legislation and other business. The board has the power to revoke, suspend, deny, probate and reinstate licenses.
Dr. Gardner is a board-certified neurologist who has held several positions with St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, including Chair of the Department of Medicine, Chief of the Neurology Section, Head of the Department of Neurophysiology, and Director of the Stroke Center. Dr. Gardner obtained his bachelor’s degree from Washington University and his medical degree from Loyola University – Chicago. He did his neurology internship and residency at Saint Louis University Group Hospitals. Dr. Gardner has been active as a Boy Scout leader and with his church, St. Augustine Parish. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Sept. 3, 2020.
