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 141-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. Her research background is in the area of systems and control. A past president of the IEEE Control Systems Society, she continues to serve as a member of the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission. This commission, which is 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.

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 mathematics) 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.

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; 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, 20, who is currently studying mechanical engineering at Valparaiso University, and one daughter, Ella, 5.