Dr. John Middleton

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It was just a few months after I got my Land Rover that I met John Middleton. Someone told me he had a collection of Rovers so I tracked him down and he invited me up to Columbia. In the ensuing years John was an invaluable resource whenever my Land Rover had a problem. Even joined the crew to help me take the top off and on.

Today I took the hoop kit (I used for just one summer) up to John’s farm and to see some of his recent acquisitions. During my brief visit I mentioned the MU vet school where John is a professor. He said something about his duties changing since we last talked so when I got home I asked Perplexity what it could find.

Dr. John Middleton’s role at the University of Missouri has shifted significantly from his primary focus on teaching and clinical research at the College of Veterinary Medicine, though he still retains his academic appointment as a professor of veterinary medicine and surgery. He transitioned into high-level administrative leadership within the university system, working out of Jesse Hall.

Current Academic and Administrative Roles

  • Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs: He serves in this dual administrative role for the University of Missouri System. In this capacity, he acts as a key advisor to university leadership, helping coordinate strategic university priorities, student success initiatives, and research breakthrough programs (such as the ongoing MizzouForward initiative).
  • Professor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery: He maintains his faculty status in the College of Veterinary Medicine, where he has been since 2001. His specialized research has historically centered on food animal medicine, specifically mastitis and milk quality in dairy cattle and goats.

His continued contributions to veterinary science alongside his administrative duties were highlighted recently:

  • 2024 National Mastitis Council Award of Excellence: He received this national honor in recognition of his sustained research contributions to mastitis prevention, dairy production, and his meticulous mentorship of dairy research students.
  • Prior Leadership: This administrative trajectory followed his tenure as Chair of the MU Faculty Council (2020–2021) and a prior appointment as assistant vice chancellor in late 2021.