As Vice Provost and Dean I coordinate graduate education--including all master’s and doctoral degrees, along with graduate certificates--at the University of Missouri. I advise the provost on matters related to advanced studies, and I work with MU’s Graduate Faculty Senate to create and implement policy. I sit on the provost’s staff and am a member of MU’s Council of Deans. In addition, I manage the outstanding staff of MU’s Graduate School, work closely with departments, faculty, and students, and advocate for graduate education to diverse audiences within MU, in the State of Missouri, and nationally.

Among the many projects we lead I particularly mention Graduate Education Week, a statewide initiative of Missouri’s graduate schools. During Graduate Education Week we host programs aimed at recruiting new graduate students and publicizing the important work in research and education undertaken by the remarkable graduate students on campus. Events include The Body Project (a graduate student conference), our annual awards reception honoring excellence in student work and faculty mentoring, a Legislator Recognition Event, and Mizzou Adventures in Education, which allows graduate students to present their subject matter to elementary school aged children (and their parents!). 

I chair the Membership Committee of the Council of Graduate Schools, and I have spoken on various matters relating to graduate education at the CGS annual meeting and summer workshop. I also serve on the Executive Committee of the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools and on the Cabinet of the Great Plains IDEA. I have spoken at the annual meeting of the Association of Graduate Schools as well as at other events related to graduate education.

I am also involved with development efforts for the Graduate School, raising funds particularly for student fellowships. If you are interested in supporting graduate education at the University of Missouri, please contact me (JusticeG@missouri.edu) or our development officer, Andrew Grabau (GrabauAn@missouri.edu).