Updated on April 26, 2022, to reflect that the third candidate withdrew from consideration.

Three finalists for the executive vice president and provost position at Missouri State University will visit campus soon.

Each finalist will meet with the search committee and attend a public forum to present and respond to questions.

This follows a nationwide search, which began when Dr. Frank Einhellig announced his plans to retire.

Introducing the finalists

Biographies are posted on the search website.

Dr. Meera Komarraju

Dr. Meera Komarraju has served as the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale since 2018.

Komarraju has held many positions at SIUC since beginning as a full-time faculty member in 2003.

She earned her:

• PhD in applied social psychology from the University of Cincinnati.
• PhD in industrial-organizational psychology from Osmania University.
• MPhil in industrial-organizational psychology from Osmania University.
• MA in psychology from Osmania University.

Zora Mulligan

Zora Mulligan has served as the Commissioner of Higher Education for the State of Missouri since 2016.

Previously she served as chief of staff for the University of Missouri System. Before that, she was the executive director for the Missouri Community College Association.

Mulligan earned her JD and an MS in education from the University of Kansas.

Candidate #3

The third candidate has withdrawn his application.

The university will continue forward with the remaining finalists – Dr. Meer Komarraju and Commissioner Zora Mulligan. Their campus visit schedules remain unchanged.

Interview schedule

Komarraju will visit campus April 28-29. A public forum will be held 2:30-4 p.m. April 28 in the Plaster Student Union Theater.

Mulligan is scheduled to be on campus May 5-6. A public forum will be held 3-4:30 p.m. May 5 in the PSU Theater.