Interim Chancellor Chris Spilling vows to continue building on UMSL’s recent success during annual State of the University Address

Interim Chancellor Chris Spilling vows to continue building on UMSL's recent success during annual State of the University Address

by Steve Walentik | Aug 28, 2026

The University of Missouri-St. Louis is in a time of transition after the retirement of Chancellor Kristin Sobolik this summer. It is also managing many of the same pressures being felt throughout higher education due to demographic shifts that challenge enrollment and budgetary stresses tied to state and federal funding.

But that didn't tamp down the excitement that Interim Chancellor Chris Spilling felt Friday morning when, at the end of the first week of the new academic year, he delivered the 2026 State of the University Address at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

"Our campus is alive with renewed energy, and as new and returning students are greeted to a new academic year," Spilling said while speaking to an audience of faculty, staff and supporters. "I hope that you are excited and filled with optimism and grounded in the knowledge that we've been given another season to transform the lives of the students that we serve."

Spilling has been a fixture on UMSL's campus for more than 37 years, beginning as an assistant professor and ascending the ranks to full professor while serving stints as department chair, vice provost and, since 2020, vice chancellor for research, economic and community development. Now as interim chancellor, he pledged to help the university maintain its upward trajectory, building on recent successes like its No. 136 national ranking among public universities in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report "Best Colleges" rankings, its continued inclusion among the top 100 on the list of "Top Performers on Social Mobility" and a growing number of partnerships designed to increase economic growth across St. Louis.

"As interim chancellor, I have the opportunity and honor to draw upon my experience as a member of this campus community and my deep love for UMSL to continue this work," he said. "Alongside my colleagues on the cabinet, I'm committed to keeping our focus on the future while staying true to the course that has positioned UMSL for continued success. Together, we will remain steady, build upon our strengths and continue growing UMSL into an even stronger university for the students, our region and the state of Missouri."

His address called attention to many of the ways that work has progressed over the past year.

Spilling shared a video highlighting the dedications or openings of new and renovated spaces that have occurred over the past year, including University Libraries, the Creative Arts Building, the UMSL Innovation Center, the new academic home of the College of Optometry in the J.C. Penney Building and, most recently, the Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center. They are all part of the Transform UMSL initiative that has been remaking the university campus so that it is prepared to meet the needs of current and future students.

Work continues on the modernization and expansion of the Social Sciences and Business Building and is expected to be completed in the upcoming year. The new space in the Quad will serve as the new home for the College of Education and Pierre Laclede Honors College and bring students closer to amenities at the heart of the campus.

UMSL is also building new labs that will be used by students in the School of Engineering. Spilling said the school welcomed a cohort of 86 students in its second year and also has three new faculty members supporting programs in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering.

UMSL has launched several new partnerships that are strengthening enrollment while meeting the needs of students. The College of Nursing launched a new partnership with the U.S. Army to create a pathway for Army Practical Nursing Specialists, known as 68Charlies, who have trained as LPNs to earn a BSN in two years.

The Advanced Workforce Center has also added new partnerships and provided high-quality education and training designed to help employers achieve their educational goals while supporting employees looking to advance in their careers. Earlier this month, UMSL announced a new collaboration with St. Mary's South Side Catholic High School that is creating a pathway for St. Mary's students to continue their academic journey at UMSL while providing professional development opportunities to faculty and staff at the school.

"These partnerships demonstrate UMSL's commitment to build pathways that connect education, workforce development, opportunity, strengthening both the lives of our students and the future of the St. Louis region," Spilling said.

UMSL's Admissions team has also engaged with artificial intelligence enrollment company enroll ml to explore how new technology can help the university address some of the complex challenges and inefficiencies that exist in areas of student recruitment and retention. The goal is to improve processes, strengthen student engagement and ultimately better support student success.

Other highlights from the State of the University Address:

• A national search is underway to identify UMSL's next permanent chancellor. "There's been a great deal of interest, and all reports indicate a strong pool of candidates, which speaks to all of the work we've done over the last few years to build a metropolitan campus known for academic innovation and service to the community," said Spilling, who made clear he is not seeking the position. He said that he expects there will be updates on the status of the search in the months ahead.
• It was a year ago this week that UMSL dedicated the Ed G. Smith College of Business in recognition of the success and generosity of alum Ed G. Smith, a two-time UMSL graduate and the founder and CEO of American Direct Marketing Resources. Alumni and other supporters have continued to make philanthropic contributions to the university over the past year, and University Advancement met its fundraising goal of $25 million. UMSL also added 11 new or additional legacy commitments totaling $5.28 million in FY26.
• Spilling noted the federal backing received over the past year with Congressman Wesley Bell helping direct $1 million to establish the API Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Hub in UMSL's Science Complex and Senator Eric Schmitt providing support for a $4 million investment in the Geospatial Workforce Development Pilot Program.
• UMSL's endowment now sits at $173.4 million, an increase of 52% since FY22.
• The university once again had strong numbers in research and sponsored activity over the past year with $58.4 million in new awards and $71.1 million in research expenditures.
• Spilling also highlighted UMSL's unparalleled athletic success over the past year, including nine regular-season or tournament championships in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, a national quarterfinal appearance by the women's soccer team and three individual NCAA championships won by women's swimmer Justice Beard. Triton student-athletes registered that success while maintaining a collective 3.57 GPA. "With this sort of exciting performance, I encourage all of you to attend an athletic event this semester and to cheer on our Tritons," Spilling said. "I intend to go to many, and I hope to see you there as well."

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