Missouri State University President Clifton M. “Clif” Smart III has once again earned high marks from the Board of Governors for his performance as president of Missouri State over the past year.

Smart presented his self-assessment to the Board in an executive session at its June meeting.

The Board then completed an electronic survey that evaluated Smart in nine major categories: strategic leadership; educational leadership; organizational management; financial management; fundraising; external relations; internal relations; Board and governance relations; and personal characteristics and values.

The Board completed its evaluation in executive session as part of its annual summer retreat.

“The Board continues to be pleased with the leadership President Smart has provided to Missouri State University,” said Board Chair Peter Hofherr, Ph.D. “He faced many challenges on campus this year; however, his dedication and commitment prevailed, resulting in the continued upward trajectory of the university.”

Smart’s contract

Smart will receive a $25,000 salary increase, all of which he will donate to endow the Clif and Gail Smart Scholarship for first-generation college students.

“I am proud to be the president of Missouri State and truly appreciate the Board’s confidence in me,” Smart said. “I love my job and plan to remain as president through the duration of my contract and hopefully beyond.”

Smart joined Missouri State as General Counsel on Dec. 1, 2007, after a successful 20-year legal career. He was named interim president June 27, 2011, and became the 11th president of Missouri State on Oct. 16, 2012.

The Missouri Open Meetings, Open Records Law, also known as the Sunshine Law, requires that personnel decisions made in executive session be reported within 72 hours.

For more information, contact Hofherr at 573-261-3342 or Smart at 417-836-8500.