Cheryl B. Schrader, Chancellor
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Dr. Cheryl B. Schrader became chancellor of Missouri University of Science and Technology
(Missouri S&T) on April 2, 2012. A former president of the IEEE Control Systems Society, with
more than 10,000 members worldwide, Schrader is one of the few female engineers to ascend to
the top leadership position of a college or university in the United States. She is the 21st leader in
Missouri S&T’s 143-year history.
Previously, Schrader was associate vice president for strategic research initiatives at Boise State
University, a position she held from February 2011 until her appointment as S&T chancellor.
While dean of Boise State’s College of Engineering from 2003 to 2011, the college’s undergraduate engineering
enrollment increased by 60 percent, graduate enrollment increased by 36 percent, and funding for research grants
and contracts in the college more than tripled.
Schrader earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso,
Ind., in 1984. She earned a master of science and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of
Notre Dame in 1987 and 1991, respectively. Schrader has received several best paper awards; authored
approximately 100 publications in the areas of systems and control, robotics, and intelligent systems, with
biomedical, networking and aircraft applications; and delivered over 90 invited presentations and keynote
addresses. Her grant and contract funding exceeds eleven million dollars.
Schrader began her teaching and research career at the University of Notre Dame while undertaking internships
and consulting work with McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co. in the early 1980s and Chimera Research in the
early 1990s. Following a brief period as an adjunct assistant professor at Rice University in 1991, Schrader moved
to the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she rose to serve as a tenured professor of electrical engineering
and associate dean at both a college of sciences and a college of engineering. She then joined Boise State in 2003.
Passionate about increasing interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, Schrader’s
current research interests focus on creating and assessing innovative learning methods to help students of all ages
succeed in the STEM areas. She continues to serve as a member of the ABET Engineering Accreditation
Commission. This commission, dedicated to providing world leadership in stimulating innovation and excellence
in engineering, today accredits 2,100 engineering programs at more than 400 colleges and universities. Dr.
Schrader also serves on the board of directors of the Missouri Energy Initiative and Ozark Angel Investors.
Schrader is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering
Mentoring from the White House (2005); the IEEE Education Society Hewlett-Packard/Harriett B. Rigas Award;
the Idaho Women Making History Award; the IEEE Control Systems Society Distinguished Member Award and
the WebCT Exemplary Online Course Award. She was also named one of Valparaiso University’s Top 150 Most
Influential People.
Schrader resides in the Chancellor’s Residence on the Missouri S&T campus. Her husband, Jeff, most recently
served as chief legal counsel for the Idaho State Board of Education. They have one son, Andrew, 21, who is
currently studying mechanical engineering at Valparaiso University, and one daughter, Ella, 6.
Department of Communications • 105 Campus Support • 1201 State Street • Rolla, MO 65409-0220
Phone: 573-341-4328 • Fax: 573-341-6157 • Email: comm@mst.edu • Web: www.mst.edu
An equal opportunity institution