A new director of MU’s Honors College has been named. 
“It is an exciting time to be stepping in and working with MU students, faculty and community partners,” said J. D. Bowers, who begins Aug. 1. “I look forward to being part of the Honors College’s history and its existing preeminent programs, but also developing new paths and opportunities.”
Since 2013, Bowers has been associate vice provost for University Honors at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Bowers leads an academic and co-curricular program of 1,100 students. He has also chaired the University Scholarship Committee, establishing criteria, policies and awarding processes, and participated in the selection of recipients for eight scholarship programs.
Bowers has been at Northern Illinois since 2002. Prior to his current position, he held administrative roles in NIU's University Office of Teacher Certification and the Department of History and was the director of NIU’s Genocide and Human Rights Institute.
“Dr. Bowers will be a tremendous asset to our campus,” said Jim Spain, vice provost for undergraduate studies. “He values the opportunity to work closely with students, while also striving to develop a strong connection with faculty, which makes him the ideal person to lead the MU Honors College. His accomplishments as a program leader at NIU and his professional background are significant. We are fortunate to have him joining Mizzou.”
Bowers is a graduate of the College of William & Mary with a degree in government. He earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in history from Indiana University.
He succeeds Nancy West, who served three years as Honors College director. She will return to teaching full-time in the English department.
— Josh Murray