Jim Spain

Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

#MizzouMade

[Mizzou Football @MizzouFootball]

The Mizzou Way.

[Tyler Putnam @TyPutnam5]

What an honor!! Thank you @Gatorade

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

#MizzouMade #FightTiger

[Aaron Ladd @aaronladdtv]

#Mizzou alum Camila Fowler wins the second-ever Weenie 500

Second Tiger to claim ‘Top Dog’ after Maddie Meyers won last year

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

#Epic win and historic rivalry. #StillMatters @MizzouFootball

[SEC Numbers Guy @secnumbersguy]

Mizzou has spent more time as AP #1 than every Big 12 school COMBINED since 1991.

[Eli Hoff @byEliHoff]

In 2021, three players dominated the St. Louis high school football scene: Luther Burden III, Kevin Coleman Jr. and Toriano Pride Jr.

All three ended up at #Mizzou — in very different ways. And now, all three have been taken in the #NFL Draft.

Story:
https://t.co/CbaBiSV4Nf

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

#MissouriMethod leads to #MizzouMade and that leads to career outcomes that reflect our graduates are career read. MIZ!

[UM System @umsystem]

Mizzou’s 77% graduation rate leads all public universities in the state, and more than 95% of Mizzou graduates achieve a successful career outcome within 6 months. The UM System is setting a standard of excellence that serves students and Missouri.

Link: https://t.co/nysEBRayYx

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

#Mizzou

[College Football Classics @ClassicsCFB]

#4 Missouri vs Nebraska (2008)

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

#Care #Trust

[Matt Lisle @CoachLisle]

“You guys make it about the wins and losses. 25 years from now, I want them to pick up the phone and call me because they need me. I’m there for them.”

The life of a coach is an investment in people, not just points.

Build a legacy that outlasts the jersey.

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

#MizzouMade #TigerStyle

[Mizzou Wrestling @MizzouWrestling]

Jarrett Stoner is the winner of the @NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award!

#TigerStyle

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

Apply the same approach to teaching, mentoring and advising students!

[Mizzou Positive Coaching and Leading @CoachingMizzou]

I think it's pretty simple: As a coach, be supportive (helping someone feel valued, understood, and capable of succeeding). As a coach, be demanding (holding others to clear, high standards and expecting accountability). Be demanding not demeaning!

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

#MizzouMade

[Mizzou Chess @MizzouChess]

2026 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 🏆

[Stephanie @ssoutheyyy]

It's a good day to donate to the Ben Arnet Memorial Scholarship! 💛🖤

https://t.co/4vppY4C0W8

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

When I was a high school principal, I interviewed a teacher named Jake Huggins. He seemed like a good candidate—friendly, experienced, and thoughtful. I believed he could be a solid addition to our faculty. But any lingering doubt disappeared when he answered one particular question. It has always been my favorite.

I asked him, “Jake, in every school in America, you can place teachers on a continuum. On one end are those who don’t seem to want to be there. They’re always complaining. Their colleagues wonder why they haven’t retired yet. They drain the energy of the building. But on the other end are teachers who are excited to come to work. They love their students. They value their colleagues. They lift the spirits of everyone around them. When graduates come back, these are the teachers they want to see.

So Jake… what’s the difference between these two teachers? What is the X factor? Because that’s what we’re looking for.”

Most teachers answer that question by talking about passion. Or purpose. Or the desire to make a difference rather than just earn a paycheck. Those are good answers. But Jake said something different—something I’ve never forgotten.

He said, “I think almost every teacher starts out idealistic. They love kids. They want to change the world. But after a few years, you hit a wall. You realize how hard this job really is. There are endless papers to grade. Some students make it incredibly challenging to teach. And parents aren’t always supportive.

Some teachers never move past that reality check. They burn out. But others do. They keep their sense of purpose in spite of the challenges. The work is hard, but they remain convinced it matters. Some students are difficult, but they know those students need someone who refuses to give up on them. They face adversity, but they don’t let it steal their passion. Those are the teachers who make a difference year after year.”

We hired Jake.

A few years later he was named the school’s Teacher of the Year.

So today, I salute Jake—and every educator who has faced that “reality check” and chosen to keep going. The ones who remember their whyon the hard days. The ones who refuse to let frustration turn into cynicism. The ones who continue to believe, even when the work is exhausting.

Because those are the teachers who change lives.
And they do it… year after year.

Cheers,

Danny

[Brandon Jones @CoachJonesB]

🐯M-I-Z

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

Something to think about…

[SEC Numbers Guy @secnumbersguy]

Mizzou has had more players drafted as a Quarterback win a Super Bowl since 2023 than Oklahoma has ALL TIME.

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

A #TrueSon #MizzouMade #ShowMeOriginal

[Pat Leonard @PLeonardNYDN]

Seahawks QB Drew Lock “cried a little bit” during the national anthem thinking about his late father but “found peace” and knows he was with him today. In this 1-on-1 interview, Lock talks about winning the Super Bowl, Sam Darnold, Lock’s emotions, a dominant defense & appreciation for the journey. Drew is one of the good guys #talkinball

[Phil Fortaleza @philfortaleza]

Before the finish, this was the moment that kept Mizzou alive…

Trent Pierce. 🧅
Overtime.

#MIZ

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

#MizzouMade

[Tyson Ellison @TysonEllison51]

No moment is too big for the THICKER KICKER 🦵

Former #Mizzou kicker Harrison Mevis sends the #Rams to the NFC championship with an overtime kick against the #Bears!

[Jim Spain @MUJimSpain]

This works!

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

It's so important to let students know you are glad they're there!
https://t.co/ycRTc2euvJ