The Southeastern Conference (SEC) announced its 2025–26 cohort for the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program, which prepares faculty for leadership roles within and beyond SEC institutions.
The new class includes 64 faculty members with diverse academic backgrounds who will gain experience in higher education administration and build cross-conference networks.
Among the 2025-26 cohort are four Mizzou faculty members, two of whom represent the College of Arts and Science: Megan Moore and David Schulz.
Megan Moore
Megan Moore, Director of the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Missouri, has led a major cultural and structural transformation following the department’s merger. Using a collaborative and transparent leadership approach, she built trust, unity, and a shared identity rooted in inclusivity and academic excellence.
Her key achievement was guiding the development and unanimous approval of new School bylaws through open dialogue and inclusive participation. Moore also improved communication by providing regular updates, creating anonymous feedback channels, and promoting equitable leadership roles.
Her focus on fairness, recognition, and belonging has strengthened morale, stabilized the School, and enhanced its reputation within the university—serving as a model for inclusive academic leadership.
David Schulz
Dr. David Schulz has served as Director of the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri since 2020 and recently became Director of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program. He oversees more than 1,100 undergraduate majors, 41 faculty, 60 graduate students, and 12 postdocs, with the division generating over $3 million in research expenditures and $50 million in funding proposals in FY25.
In his new role, Schulz directs a PhD program of about 32 students and coordinates over 50 faculty from 7 colleges in interdisciplinary neuroscience research and training.
Previously, he chaired the UM System’s Neuroscience Working Group and served as Faculty Research Lead in Neuroscience, guiding system-wide initiatives that strengthened collaboration and investment in neuroscience research.
