Shu Schiller named among St. Louis’ Most Influential Business Women for 2026

Shu Schiller named among St. Louis' Most Influential Business Women for 2026

by Dave Benson | Aug 17, 2026

For Shu Schiller, influence doesn't automatically come with the title a person holds. It comes from the impact they make on the people and communities around them.

Since becoming dean of the Ed G. Smith College of Business at the University of Missouri-St. Louis on April 1, 2024, Schiller has worked tirelessly to strengthen the college's academic programs, expand its research impact and deepen its connections with the St. Louis community. Now, that work has earned recognition from the St. Louis Business Journal, which named Schiller one of its Most Influential Women in Business for 2026.

Schiller, who was honored alongside this year's class at an awards luncheon Thursday, sees the recognition as an opportunity not only to celebrate the work of the College of Business, but also to shine a light on UMSL and its role in the region.

"I'm always wearing an UMSL hat," Schiller said. "This is the moment to highlight UMSL, our name and our brand, so I'm very grateful for that."

Schiller is one of 25 corporate and community leaders - including UMSL alum and Missouri Botanical Garden President Lúcia Lohmann - to receive the honor in the 27th year of the program, which celebrates local women making a major impact through business leadership and community service. Schiller said she was proud to be recognized among the other honorees, whose efforts to strengthen the St. Louis community reflect the same commitment to service and impact that is central to UMSL's mission. After all, Schiller noted, "St. Louis" is part of UMSL's name.

"We're here for St. Louis," Schiller said. "We develop the workforce talent for the St. Louis region. More than 80% of our graduates stay in St. Louis, so we live and work here, and we're part of the community. I think influence, to me, is impact. What do we deliver to our community? That's more important to me. We're the face of St. Louis. We're the only public research institution in our region, and our impact needs to be expanded. That goes beyond just education. It's the partnerships we have, who we are working with and the families that we support. This is in our identity. We are St. Louis."

The College of Business has continued an upward trend in the 29-plus months since Schiller took the helm.

In 2026, it debuted at No. 47 nationally in U.S. News & World Report's Best Online Bachelor's in Business Programs rankings, while its Online MBA program ranked No. 33 nationally and No. 1 in Missouri. During Schiller's tenure, the college also became the first at UMSL to receive a namesake, taking on the Ed G. Smith College of Business moniker, while launching the RISE Academy and opening the UMSL Innovation Center.

But Schiller's influence on the College of Business can't be measured solely by rankings, new initiatives or recognition from outside the university. Those who work alongside her say Schiller's greatest impact may be the culture she has fostered within the college, bringing faculty, staff, students and alumni together around a shared sense of community and purpose.

"Since the day Shu took office, she has led with a clear focus on building a strong community," said Ekin Pellegrini, associate dean and founding director of the Doctor of Business Administration Program. "She launched our first dedicated faculty and staff retreat in August, an annual college picnic in September and our Business Celebration event in May honoring students, staff, faculty and alumni - powerful testaments to her success in building and sustaining a high-performing, collaborative culture in the college throughout the year."

The culture Schiller has worked to create is a reflection of how she views her role as a leader.

"I think my job is to support people," she said. "That's how I essentially view everything I do. How do I best support people so they can do their job better? What can I provide to facilitate what they are trying to achieve? "

That approach extends to the way Schiller develops future leaders.

Shortly after arriving at UMSL, she established the Dean's Student Advisory Board to give students a direct voice in college decisions while providing them opportunities to develop their own leadership skills. The board includes students with a variety of backgrounds and experiences, including transfer students, full-time students and international students. Schiller said she intentionally looks beyond academic performance when selecting members because she wants to hear from students with different perspectives.

"What do they need? How do we best help them?" she said. "I need to learn from them, so we can be making the best decision for the students."

Even after years as an administrator, Schiller said the classroom remains where she feels most at home.

"I miss teaching the most," said Schiller, who spent 18 years as a faculty member at Wright State University, beginning as an assistant professor of information systems. "I think if I could pick anything that I want to return to, that would be absolutely teaching in the classrooms with my students. I miss that."

Although her current responsibilities leave little time for teaching, Schiller still looks for opportunities to connect with students, whether through the student advisory board, visits with study abroad groups or simple encounters around campus.

As a first-generation college student who grew up in China, Schiller said she sees something familiar in many of the students and families who walk through UMSL's doors. She recognizes students who are balancing their education with work and family responsibilities and understands the challenges that can come with navigating college without a family history of higher education.

"Every day, every single time," Schiller said when asked if she sees herself in UMSL's students. "The best part of my day is, if I get the chance, just to walk on campus and bump into students and see what they do."

Those encounters reinforce what Schiller values most about UMSL. She said the university's students, faculty and staff share a sense of humility and authenticity, with a genuine desire to help one another and the families who visit campus.

"Everybody is genuinely talking to a student, helping students or their families," she said. "We don't even mind if you're also a student here or not. If you're on campus, we're helping you."

That connection is one reason Schiller sees her work at UMSL as about much more than leading a college. It is about helping people realize their potential, strengthening the university's connection to the community and making sure students leave UMSL prepared to succeed.

The Most Influential Women in Business recognition has given Schiller another opportunity to elevate the university she represents.

"I'm grateful about the opportunities that I'm given today," Schiller said, "and there's just so much more I feel we can do together."

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