Chancellor Kristin Sobolik will be stepping down from her position, effective July 1. She has overseen a period of significant growth and transformation at UMSL over the past nine years, beginning with her time as provost and continuing in her years as the eighth chancellor in the university’s history. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik will step down from her position leading the University of Missouri–St. Louis and transition to a role as chancellor emerita, effective July 1, 2026. The UMSL community and the University of Missouri System thank Sobolik and her husband, Associate Professor Scott Peterson, for their extraordinary dedication and service to the university, region, state and beyond.
“Under Dr. Sobolik’s leadership, UMSL has strengthened its focus on student success, academic relevance, workforce development and regional economic impact,” University of Missouri President Mun Choi said. “I am grateful to Dr. Sobolik for her exceptional leadership and for the lasting impact she has made on UMSL, our students and the communities we serve.”
Sobolik first joined UMSL in 2017 as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs and went on to serve as executive vice chancellor, interim chancellor and, since 2020, chancellor. As UMSL’s eighth chancellor, she has provided steady, visionary leadership during a period of significant growth and transformation for the university.
During her tenure, UMSL launched more than a dozen new academic programs, increased graduation rates while reducing student debt, significantly expanded private philanthropy and the university endowment, and grew research expenditures. UMSL has also secured unprecedented state investment to advance the Transform UMSL campus master plan and workforce-focused initiatives in areas such as engineering, geospatial technology, nursing and advanced workforce development.
Beyond campus, Sobolik has been a strong advocate for UMSL as an anchor institution and regional partner. She is the immediate past president of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities, where she remains active on the executive committee, and serves on numerous civic and nonprofit boards across the St. Louis region, including Greater St. Louis Inc., the Cortex Innovation District, Missouri Botanical Garden, BioSTL, Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis, Greater St. Louis Area Scouting Council, and Christian Hospital.
“Serving as chancellor of the University of Missouri–St. Louis has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” Sobolik said. “UMSL is in a position of real strength to move forward. The foundation we have built together is solid, our direction is clear and we have an exceptional leadership team in place to continue positive momentum for the university, St. Louis region and Missouri.”
Additional details regarding a transition plan will be announced soon.
