Linda Blockus

Director

150 Bond Life Sciences Center
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211-7400

Phone: 573-882-5979
Fax: 573-884-9395
E-mail: BlockusL@missouri.edu

Linda Blockus earned her bachelor's degree in biology at Dartmouth College and a master's degree in educational leadership from Boston University. She earned her PhD from Mizzou in higher education with support areas in black studies and educational and counseling psychology. She took a semester of agriculture courses at Ohio State University as an undergraduate and spent a year as a visiting graduate student at Stanford University. As an undergraduate she spent a summer at the Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center in Wooster researching insect pests of woody ornamental plants (bushes and trees). Blockus' current research interests include college student development, academic concerns of black and other minority students, evaluation and assessment of undergraduate research programs, and student/faculty mentor communication. Blockus is member of the Council of Undergraduate Research (CUR) and serves as a councilor for the new Undergraduate Research Program Directors division of CUR. She is married to neurobiologist Mark Kirk, PhD, and has two daughters.

Brian Booton

Program Coordinator

150 Bond Life Sciences Center

Phone: 573-884-1774
Fax: 573-884-9395
E-mail: BootonB@missouri.edu

Brian worked as an Arts and Science advisor since 1998, usually in the psychology department, up until this past March. He holds degrees in psychology and advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He’ll be working primarily with the UMEB students and in his spare time, he enjoys writing poetry and singing in gospel choirs.

Pam Monroe

Administrative Assistant

150 Bond Life Sciences Center

Phone: 573-882-5979
E-mail: MonroeP@missouri.edu

Maggie Berglund

Public Relations Graduate Assistant

150 Bond Life Sciences Center

Phone: 573-882-4818
E-mail: MMBTHF@gmail.com

Maggie is working on a master’s in journalism. She plans to specialize in science and environmental reporting in a variety of mediums.  She has a long history in the life sciences including a bachelor’s degree in Biology, and a master’s degree in environmental education.  She heads up public relations for the office which includes composing the newsletter.  Margaret’s favorite pastime is doing anything new and seeing new places.  Some of her past endeavors include teaching biology, ski patrolling, working on a cattle ranch, working as a community organizer, and driving a city bus.

Sarah Beyers

Graduate Assistant

150 Bond Life Sciences

Phone: 573-882-4818
E-mail: sjbtf3@mizzou.edu

Sarah Beyers received her Bachelors degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is currently pursuing her PhD in School Psychology. She loves to watch Law and Order: SVU and can't go a day without chocolate.

Jordan Halane

Student Worker

150 Bond Life Sciences Center

Phone: 573-882-4818
Fax: 573-884-9395
E-mail: jahd46@mizzou.edu

Jordan is a senior BA music major from Sedalia, Mo. On campus, he is involved with QEBH, the Alumni Association Student Board, and the University Singers. He plans on pursuing a master's in education administration. When he is not working, he enjoys playing tennis, singing, watching Scrubs, listening to great music, and drinking sweet tea.