KRISTIN SOBOLIK
Provost and Interim Chancellor
University of Missouri St. Louis
Kristin Sobolik, Ph.D, has made a big impact in her two years with University of Missouri St. Louis, leading a successful reaccreditation process, initiating an academic review process to ensure that UMSL is responding to student demands and industry needs, launching a curriculum alignment process, and introducing six new academic programs.
A nationally recognized scholar who helped develop the fields of archaeobiology and paleonutrition, she was previously the dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Wright State University and an associate dean and professor at the University of Maine.
She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Iowa, and a master’s degree and doctorate in anthropology from Texas A&M University.
Career Path
I enrolled in an archeological field school to complete six credit hours that I needed in order to graduate college in four years. Luckily, I fell in love with archeology that summer and never looked back. I went on to earn a master’s and Ph.D. in the field, which led to professorships and administrative appointments. Life happened while I was following this path, but I do my best to incorporate everything that’s happening.
Biggest Mentor
I have a few key mentors whose quotes are taped to my office wall. The first is, “Always be above reproach.” Gentry Steele, my dissertation chair, offered those words. The second is, “This is the time to either roll over and die or move forward. Obviously, you know which to choose.” I heard this from the famous world explorer Paul Mayewski, who is pragmatic, driven and has a true zest for life. One of my most important mentors and friend is Rebecca Cole, who was the vice president of advancement when I was at Wright State University. “Put people first” is a quote from her.
Biggest Impact
I loved doing archeology. But I didn’t feel like I was going to change the world in that way. When I became a university administrator, I was able to deliver the wide-ranging impact that I wanted to make.
Future Goals
My current goal is to continue having a positive impact on the world. What I love about UMSL is that we educate game-changers. By providing these students with an education, we are transforming their lives, the lives of their families and therefore, the entire makeup of our region. My goal is to propel the purpose and passion that exists at UMSL forward.
Favorite Pastime
I love pulling teams together to collaborate and help solve problems. Some of the greatest concerns in higher education are student retention and graduation rates. The talented teams at UMSL have helped us become one of the top urban and metropolitan universities in the nation for these student success markers.
Memorable Life Moment
My husband and I have four children. Each is unique and wonderful. The memory of welcoming our first child always brings tears to my eyes because that is when we became a family.
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