Senior Superintendent-in-Residence
Dr. Chris Belcher brings a wealth of experience as a classroom, school and district leader to his position as the Senior Superintendent-in-Residence at Equal Opportunity Schools.
As the former Superintendent of Columbia Public Schools, he was recognized for his commitment to serving all students, cultivating community and staff buy-in and developing long-term financial and facilities plans for the district. He also spearheaded the district’s partnership with Equal Opportunity Schools, and with great personal investment and participation in the partnership, lead his district to close its race gaps in a single year.
Chris currently serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor in PK-12 Leadership and Policy at the University of Missouri. He retired as Superintendent of the Columbia Public School District, Columbia, MO in June 2014 and has worked in education for 31 years. He has served as a teacher, principal, central office administrator, college professor, and superintendent. He has also served as an education consultant to many public schools and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Chris earned a BSE in secondary biology and chemistry, Master’ of Education and Education Specialist degree in Administration from the University of Central Missouri at Warrensburg, and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Chris has received a number of awards and recognitions, including being named as Missouri State Teachers Association Administrator of the Year and the Missouri School Public Relation Association’s Superintendent of the Year.
