MARYVILLE, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon has announced his appointments of Dr. Marilou Joyner (D), of Kansas City, Mo., and Richard N. Smith (R), of Coffey, Mo., to the Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents.

Both appointments must be confirmed by the Senate before they can become official. If confirmed, Joyner will fill the Board seat of Dr. Mark H. Hargens, and Smith will fill the Board seat of Dr. Douglas A. Wyckoff. Hargens’ term ended Jan. 1, and Wyckoff’s term ended in January 2013.

Joyner is the chief executive officer and owner and administrator of Cameron Group Care Inc., which provides services under the Medicaid waiver program and through an intermediate care facility home for developmentally disabled adults. She is a longtime educator in northwest Missouri public schools and was assistant commissioner for the Division of School Services within the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Joyner obtained her bachelor’s, master’s and education specialist degrees from Northwest, and she has a doctorate in education from the University of Kansas. Her term expires Jan. 1, 2021.

Smith is part-time superintendent of schools at the Cainsville R-1 School District and was superintendent of schools for the South Harrison R-11 School District in Bethany, Mo., from 2004 to 2008. He also served as a principal and teacher in the district from 1973 to 2004. Smith obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwest as well as his specialist in education degree. His term ends Jan. 1, 2019.

The Board of Regents develops policy and has responsibility for sound resource management of the University, and determines general, educational and financial policies. Dr. Patrick B. Harr (R), of Maryville, serves as Board chair, and Francis “Gene” Dorrel (R), of Maryville, is its vice chair.