Jim Spain

Jim Spain

Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies

128 Jesse Hall

Phone: 573-882-1620

Email: SpainJ@missouri.edu

Biography

Jim Spain describes his role as serving as an advocate for teaching and learning at the University of Missouri. He works with the undergraduate programs at MU to support all aspects of student success.

Spain serves on the Provost’s Staff and chairs the Undergraduate Deans’ Council in addition to overseeing the Committee on Undergraduate Education (CUE) and MU’s General Education curriculum.

Spain became Mizzou’s Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies in August 2007 after seven years as assistant dean for academic programs for MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). He came to MU in 1990 as an assistant professor and state extension dairy scientist. Spain became an associate professor in 1996 and continued with University Extension through 1999. He became a professor of animal science in 2008 and continues to serve as a faculty member in CAFNR, as well as a faculty advisor for students in animal science.

Spain has received a multitude of awards, including MU’s prestigious Kemper Teaching Fellowship in 2001 and the Excellence in Advising Award at Mizzou in 2000. In 2002, Spain was presented the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in Higher Education and in 2007 he earned the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

His research topics have included Interaction of Nutrients in Diet of Lactating Dairy Cattle, Effect of Nutrition and Environment on Animal Health, and Production and Interaction of Nutritional Status and Reproductive Performance. He has published numerous journal articles, abstracts and book chapters and served as the Principal Investigator on several grants and gifts.

Spain graduated with a bachelor’s of science degree in animal science from North Carolina State in 1984. He earned both a master’s in dairy science (1987) and a doctorate of philosophy in animal science (1989) from Virginia Tech.

Professional History

  • 2011-present: Vice Provost for eLearning, University of Missouri
  • 2007-present: Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, University of Missouri
  • 1999-2007: Assistant Dean for Academic Programs, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri
  • 1999-present: Professor, Animal Science, University of Missouri
  • 1996-1999: Associate Professor and State Extension Dairy Scientist, Animal Science, University of Missouri
  • 1990-1996: Assistant Professor and State Extension Dairy Scientist, Animal Science, University of Missouri
  • 1985-1989: Graduate Research Assistant, Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Honors and Awards

  • Iron Mike Award for Support and Service to ROTC, Mizzou Reserve Officer Training Corp, 2014
  • Mizzou ’39 Mentor, Mizzou Alumni Association Student Board, 2013
  • Faculty-Alumni Award, Mizzou Alumni Association, 2011
  • Alumni Honorary Membership Award, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2011
  • Mizzou ’39 Mentor, Mizzou Alumni Association Student Board, 2011
  • Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Tap, University of Missouri, 2008
  • Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2007
  • Purdy Award for Excellence in Student Services, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2006
  • QEBH Honorary Tap, University of Missouri, 2003
  • Alpha Gamma Rho Inductee, Social Fraternity, 2003
  • Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in Higher Education, University of Missouri, 2002
  • Kemper Teaching Fellowship, University of Missouri, 2001
  • Excellence in Advising Award, Mizzou Advisors’ Forum, 2000
  • Outstanding Teacher Award, Midwestern Section, American Dairy Science Association, 1999
  • Outstanding Teaching Award, Ag Student Council, University of Missouri, 1999
  • Outstanding Teacher Award, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, 1999
  • Green Chalk Award, MU Student Life, University of Missouri, 1996
  • Outstanding Adviser, Ag Student Council, University of Missouri, 1996
  • Provost’s Award for Creative Extension Programming by New Faculty, University of Missouri, 1993
  • Outstanding Undergraduate Adviser, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Student Council, 1993
  • Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1989

Education

  • Doctorate in Philosophy, Animal Science, Virginia Tech, 1989
  • Master’s of Science, Dairy Science, Virginia Tech, 1987
  • Bachelor’s of Science, Animal Science, North Carolina State, 1984