Aug. 25, 2025
Contact: Christopher Ave, christopher.ave@missouri.edu
University of Missouri President Mun Y. Choi has appointed Chris Smith as vice chancellor for advancement, effective Aug. 25, 2025.
Smith has been serving in the interim role since July 29, 2024. She previously served as assistant vice chancellor, overseeing advancement for colleges, schools and divisions at Mizzou.
“Vice Chancellor Smith is an incredible champion of Mizzou with a proven commitment to supporting our mission of educational excellence through philanthropy,” President Choi said. “Under her leadership, we will continue to strengthen our partnerships with alumni and supporters to achieve the ambitious goals of our next comprehensive campaign. Chris will create exciting new initiatives, streamline operations and eliminate ineffective approaches in order for Mizzou to achieve excellence.”
The vice chancellor for advancement plays a vital role in impacting Mizzou through financial donations, planned gifts, estate gifts and other types of support.
During her time as interim, Smith led the advancement team as they exceeded fundraising expectations in 2025 and reinvested resources into fundraising support such as data analytics. Smith is also credited with improving organizational culture and enhancing productivity, including streamlining workflows and increasing collaboration with cross-campus partners.
“I am thrilled for Chris on this well-earned appointment,” Laird Veatch, director of Mizzou Athletics, said. “She is an outstanding colleague who cares deeply about Mizzou and everything that makes it special. Her ability to connect and inspire will serve the entire university well, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her and her tremendous team as we keep elevating Mizzou.”
Smith is also credited with keeping the advancement division on track toward a transformative new campaign that will be unveiled on Sept. 5. She took on the interim role just 13 months before the launch of the public phase of the campaign and helped gain momentum both on and off campus.
“I was filled with great excitement when I learned of President Choi’s decision to name Chris Smith as vice chancellor of advancement,” Greg Boehne, BS Ed ’91, chair of the Jefferson Club Board of Trustees, said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with Chris for many years and in several different academic units to help advance our university. These experiences have left me convinced that our next capital campaign under Chris’ leadership will be wildly successful.”
“On behalf of the Mizzou Alumni Association, I am thrilled to congratulate Christine Smith on her appointment as vice chancellor for advancement at our beloved Mizzou,” Kim Utlaut, president of the Mizzou Alumni Association, said. “Christine’s deep commitment to the university will no doubt inspire Tigers everywhere and strengthen the impact of our alumni community. We look forward to partnering with her as we write the next great chapter in Mizzou’s story.”
Smith first joined Mizzou Advancement in 2018 as director of advancement for the Thompson Center for Autism. She served as chief development officer for the College of Education and Human Development from 2019 to 2023.
Prior to her roles at Mizzou, Smith served as vice president of the Missouri Military Academy, where she provided comprehensive strategic planning and business leadership, as well as direct oversight of the school’s marketing, enrollment management, financial and information technology areas. She also previously served at Stephens College and the Missouri 4-H Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Kent State University.
“I am honored to serve as the vice chancellor for advancement at Mizzou,” Smith said. “Our alumni and friends are vital to our mission of educating future leaders, conducting world-changing research and supporting our communities. Together, we will improve lives and advance discoveries while preserving Mizzou traditions for generations to come.”
