Director

Phone: 573-884-4383
Email: veterans@missouri.edu

Robert, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, was appointed to his current position as Director of the University of Missouri Veterans Center in September 2015. Previous positions at the University of Missouri include Instructor, Asian Affairs Center/Missouri International Training Institute and Coordinator, Affinity Engagement for the Mizzou Alumni Association.

From December 1993 to January 2007, he served as Public Communications Officer for the City of Columbia and as Public Information Officer for the City of Kansas City, Kansas from December 1990 – December 1993.

He served in the Marine Corps from 1970 – 1990. He started his military service as an infantryman and transitioned to public affairs.

Robert attended boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. His duty assignments included Lima Company, Third Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment, Third Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan at Camp Hansen; and Kilo Company, Third Battalion, Second Marine Regiment, Second Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina which included a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean aboard USS Boulder (LST 1190). He also served two tours at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California; Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California; Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona; Air Force Pacific Broadcasting Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan; 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Okinawa, Japan; and 9th Marine Corps District, Shawnee Mission Kansas.

He earned a Master of Education degree (Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis) from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism (public relations emphasis) from San Diego State University. He also earned an Associate of Arts degree in Journalism from Palomar College, San Marcos, California.

Robert serves on several boards and committees including the Chancellor’s Military and Veterans Standing Committee. He recently served on the Boards of Directors for Welcome Home, Inc., First Chance for Children and the Cradle to Career Alliance. He is a former president of Mid-Missouri chapter, Public Relations Society of America and former president of the Minority Men’s Network.

In 2014, Robert was the staff recipient of the Mizzou Inclusive Excellence Award.

An avid bicyclist, Robert has participated in the annual 150-mile bike ride for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) each year since 2007.