The Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) announced that Dr. Mara Woody is the new Assistant Commissioner for Postsecondary Policy. In this role, Mara is responsible for overseeing the apprenticeship Missouri, innovation and performance, academic affairs, proprietary school certification, and strategic initiatives units.

She joins the MDHE team from the Missouri Office of State Courts Administrator where she led the Judicial Education unit for the Missouri State Courts. Prior to this role, Woody worked in higher education for 10 years at Columbia College. She served in various capacities including Special Assistant to the Provost and an Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs.

Mara served as co-chair of the 2019 GMLC Session I Planning team, and has been actively involved in GMLC alumnae events and planning processes since graduating with the 2014 class, coordinating many of the mid-Missouri events.  Mara received her doctorate in education from Vanderbilt University in 2018, with a focus on Educational Leadership and Policy. Both her master’s and bachelor’s degrees are from Columbia College.

Congratulations Mara Woody!