University of Missouri–St. Louis alumnus Vince Schoemehl (BA history 1972) is entering the next phase of his career following decades of public and nonprofit leadership. And it will include a greater role with his alma mater.
Former St. Louis Mayor, Grand Center CEO and President and UMSL alumnus Vince Schoemehl (BA history 1972) has joined UMSL’s School of Public Policy Administration as a fellow.
Schoemehl has joined the School of Public Policy and Administration as a fellow. The announcement comes on the heels of news that he will also join the Nine Network of Public Media as an executive in residence. Previously he’d served for 14 years as president and chief executive officer of Grand Center Inc. and for 12 years as mayor of St. Louis.
“Vince Schoemehl’s public service is a unique combination as chief executive in both a local government and a nonprofit organization. These two areas are the strengths of the Public Policy Administration program,” said Mark Tranel, interim dean of the UMSL School of Public Policy and Administration. “He will be a tremendous resource for our faculty and students in the classroom, in mentoring students in their career development and as a community ambassador for the school and UMSL.”
At the Nine Network, Schoemehl will volunteer his services, working as a conduit connecting neighborhood resources with regional resources and services and community leaders with Nine Network engagement initiatives. He’ll also work to improve community life through the introduction of economic development opportunities, use regional resources to strengthen community connections and lead community issues discussions.
“We are so fortunate that Vince Schoemehl has agreed to work with us on site to build strong community partnerships and work with us on issues important to our region,” said Nine Network President and CEO Jack Galmiche in a statement issued Monday. “Vince’s strong commitment to the vitality of St. Louis will be an extremely valuable asset to our work.”
Schoemehl recently concluded a 14-year run at the helm of Grand Center Inc., an organization created to reinvigorate St. Louis’ historic Grand Center District. As president and chief executive officer of Grand Center Inc., he oversaw significant improvements to the arts district including the construction of UMSL at Grand Center (home to St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU), revitalization of Strauss Park and the creation of the Kranzberg Arts Center through the redevelopment of the Woolworth building. Having left his mark on Grand Center, Shoemehl will continue to impact the area for years to come through the implementation of a master plan developed during his tenure with Grand Center Inc.
Following six years on the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, Schoemehl became one of the youngest mayors in the city’s history following his successful 1981 election. As mayor, he led key redevelopment and historic preservation efforts throughout St. Louis during his three-term tenure, which concluded in 1993. He emphasized public-private partnership and urban design en route to revitalizations efforts that included Union Station, the Edward Jones Dome, MetroLink and Operation Brightside.
The UMSL School of Public Policy and Administration incorporates graduate education, professional development and applied research. It is composed of the Masters in Public Policy Administration Program, which offers a degree program and several graduate certificates, as well as the Center for Ethics in Public Life, Center for Excellence in Financial Counseling, Public Policy Research Center and the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life. The school also hosts the Des Lee Endowed Professor of Community Collaboration and Public Policy Administration, which serves to integrate public policy research, disseminate research findings, and develop applications and implement plans with community partners in metropolitan St. Louis.
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