Few people have had a year like Clif Smart.
Smart assumed the presidency of Missouri Stat University on the heels of the resignations of its top two leaders. James Cofer, MSU’s 10th president, abruptly resigned in June 2011, just days after Provost Belinda McCarthy stepped down amid controversy.
Longtime attorney Smart was familiar with the school, having served as its general counsel since 2007, but he initially declined the request to fill the sudden opening for president. Fellow MSU cabinet members encouraged Smart to take the reins, especially to provide stability after an internal audit questioned McCarthy’s billing practices for certain travel expenses.
“I immediately appointed a consensus choice for provost and met with all our constituencies to reassure them the university would continue to function effectively with the interim leadership,” Smart says, referring to his appointment of interim Provost Frank Einhellig, who McCarthy had reassigned to associate vice president for research from dean of the Graduate College.
The biggest accomplishment as interim president of the 107-year-old academic institution, Smart says, was implementing an across-the-board salary increase – especially given that state appropriations were cut by 7 percent.
He also worked to empower the administration to act without fearing the consequences of failing.
“Improvement requires taking risks, and they needed to know I would stand behind administrators willing to take risk to effect change within the university,” says Smart, a 15-year attorney at Strong Law Firm before working for MSU.
Among the team accomplishments for the year, Smart cites a redesigned university budget process with increased faculty participation; exceeding the $125 million Our Promise Campaign through the MSU Foundation; hiring Ken Coopwood, the school’s first vice president for diversity and inclusion and organizing that division; and adding programs in assessment and counseling, athletic training, nursing and international studies.
Smart also was on the move off campus, participating in more than 20 alumni events throughout the U.S. and China, testifying before the state General Assembly and participating in legislative events, and speaking at more than 15 civic clubs and graduations.
It appears the job has grown on him. Smart now is among nearly 40 applicants the school’s board of governors is reviewing to permanently fill the position by Nov. 1.
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