By Cheri Ghan
May 6, 2026
It’s the age-old question: What do you know now that you wish you had known then?
For Dean Kristofer Hagglund, who retires Aug. 1 after 25 years with the University of Missouri’s College of Health Sciences, the answer is simple.
“What I know now is that it’s all going to be OK,” Hagglund said. “No, not just OK. It will be good.”
As Hagglund prepares for his final commencement ceremony and packs up his office, he does so knowing the college he helped shape is in strong hands. One of his first hires, Stephanie Reid‑Arndt, will take the reins as the next dean starting June 1. Hagglund said the transition leaves him confident about the college’s future.
“I am thrilled that Provost Martens chose Dr. Reid‑Arndt to serve as the next dean,” Hagglund said. “She has already proven herself to be a talented leader; her teams value working with her and so will everyone in the college.”
Over the past 13 years as dean, Hagglund has become one of the most consequential deans at Mizzou, carving out a powerful and lasting legacy.
A systematic approach
Educated as a clinical health psychologist, Hagglund never planned to be a college administrator.
Early in his career, he served as the attending psychologist on the physical disabilities team at the Rusk Rehabilitation Center and as a principal investigator on a Missouri Model Spinal Cord system before stepping into a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C.
Working on Capitol Hill for U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, Hagglund focused on health policy and helped form legislation in public health, pharmacist workforce, rural health care access, and other health fields.
“I became much more knowledgeable about public health, health cost drivers, and health care quality,” Hagglund said. “I was fascinated with how health professions, policies and finances work together to deliver effective health care to people.”
That systems-level perspective would later define his leadership approach.
When he returned to Mizzou in 2000, then Dean Richard Oliver offered Hagglund a position as one of three associate deans in the newly created School of Health Professions (now the College of Health Sciences). Along with overseeing policy, space and curriculum development, Hagglund authored the BHS in health science.
When Oliver retired in 2013, Hagglund was named dean.
Putting together the puzzle
“I like the big picture and seeing how things fit together,” Hagglund said. “I’ve been successful at seeing where things might be headed and preparing for them.”
That mindset translated into significant growth. During Hagglund’s tenure as dean, student enrollment increased by 60%, research expenditures quintupled and donor gifts reached $6.9 million in the most recent fiscal year — 55 times the amount given the year before he became dean.
The college has grown to host 23 degree programs in seven departments and the School of Social Work. That growth includes new bachelor’s degrees in criminal and justice studies and sports science, the creation of the departments of health science and public health, and the integration of the School of Social Work and numerous other programs into the college.
For Hagglund, growth was never solely about numbers.
“I am most proud of hiring an outstanding team of leaders, faculty, chairs and staff members who are dedicated to the college’s mission,” he said. “They enjoy the work, are dedicated to it and strive for excellence.”
During his tenure as dean, Hagglund has also seen dramatic changes in research and scholarship.
“Research production in this college has quintupled, especially in grant expenditures and awards,” Hagglund said. “This is applicable research that helps people.”
Teaching remains a clear priority, he said, but it looks different than it once did. He said it has been wonderful to watch faculty members succeed, thrive and grow over the years.
“They are so sophisticated,” Hagglund said. “The faculty map course content to the course objectives, to the learning objectives and to the underlying themes in the course. It’s all a very sophisticated plan for instruction.”
Gazing into the future
Hagglund’s forward‑thinking approach continues to shape how he views the college’s future.
He sees opportunities in artificial intelligence, health and wellness, and non-traditional student education, though he cautioned against investing too heavily without clear demand.
“We have not yet hit a ceiling, so this will be a great opportunity for the next dean,” Hagglund said. “If we’re nimble and pay attention to trends and remain flexible enough to start new programs that meet those demands and trends, we could continue to thrive in significant ways.”
While Hagglund will remain on campus through the summer to assist with the transition, he is already planning his next chapter. He and his wife, Lori, are converting their yard to native plants and spending more time with their grandson, Nate.
Circling back to the initial question — what he wishes he had known — leads to what Hagglund hopes his legacy will be at Mizzou.
“If I had known that we were going to be so successful, I would have slept better,” he said with a laugh. “I hope my legacy is giving people opportunities to succeed professionally, to have their own leadership in the college, to make things better for the world, to follow our mission and to let things grow organically.”
Hagglund retirement reception May 19
The College of Health Sciences will host a retirement reception for Dean Hagglund from 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, in the Clark Hall lobby. A brief program will begin at 4 p.m. RSVP here. For questions or to request accommodations, contact Rose Hayden at haydenrm@health.missouri.edu or 573-884-6705.
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