Connie Eggert, executive director for advancement at the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Business and former assistant vice chancellor of marketing and development at UMR, will become UMR’s new vice chancellor for University Advancement on Dec. 1, UMR Chancellor Gary Thomas announced.

Eggert replaces former Vice Chancellor Neil K. Smith, who retired from UMR on Sept. 30. Smith had served as vice chancellor for University Advancement since December 1994.

"Connie’s knowledge of UMR and experience in development and marketing make her an exceptional candidate for this position, and we’re very pleased to welcome her back to UMR," Thomas said.

"UMR has an exceptional University Advancement staff, extremely dedicated alumni and friends, and an outstanding campus community of faculty, staff and students," said Eggert. "It is an honor for me to return to UMR as vice chancellor."

Eggert was on the UMR development staff for six years before joining the UMC development staff in January 2001. She served as a development officer at UMR from 1995-1997, then as director of development from 1997-1999 and as assistant vice chancellor from June 2000 until moving to UMC. Prior to joining UMR, she spent 11 years in the corporate marketing field with McDonnell Douglas and Boatmen’s Bank.

Eggert holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois and a master of business administration degree in marketing from Washington University in St. Louis.