Why I chose Mizzou.

{August 25, 2017} For 30 years, I have built a career in academia – of research, teaching and service. When I decided to explore a deanship, I looked for an institution with great opportunity for growth built on a strong foundation. I chose Mizzou.  

On January 1, 2017, I began my role as Dean of the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business. With great enthusiasm, I met communities of stakeholders who were supportive and optimistic – bright students, talented faculty and staff, and incredibly dedicated alumni of the University of Missouri. I was seeking a home campus with tremendous opportunity, and I found that home here, in Columbia, Missouri.

What I have seen since arriving are the many strengths of Mizzou. We are built on a strong foundation of excellence as a leading AAU institution. We are here to fulfill our responsibility as a land grant institution. After all, as UM System President Mun Choi and MU Chancellor Alexander Cartwright have said, we are not just the University of Missouri, we are also the University for Missouri. From this vantage point, we are able to closely examine the state of higher education and to respond to this changing environment.

Today, we are seeking ways to make higher education relevant for digital natives, through meaningful professional development, career preparation and relevant academic study. We are infusing a cross-collaborative approach to our work, bringing together our partners across campus – in education, law, engineering, and arts and science – to ensure a holistic approach. Business is cross-collaborative by nature, and so too is our learning environment. We are launching impactful programming to prepare our students for high need careers in accountancy, analytics, sales, risk management and entrepreneurship, among others. These are the results of a forward-looking institution.

On the first day of classes this semester, the moon eclipsed the sun in full totality in Columbia. Thousands of Mizzou Tigers made their way to the Quad to stand shoulder to shoulder and turn our eyes to the sky. To experience this momentous occasion together was a meaningful demonstration of our campus community. Together, we begin a new semester. As the sun reappeared in the sky, with great enthusiasm we each set off to our classrooms to begin another exciting semester of academic study and research.

Although much work lies ahead as we strengthen our collective bond and move forward together, the sense on campus is that of hope and optimism. We, at Mizzou and the Trulaske College of Business, are preparing to lead the way in education, and I find that very inspiring.

Ajay Vinzé
Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. Dean and Professor
University of Missouri