The Missouri State University Board of Governors has extended the employment contract of President Clifton M. “Clif” Smart III to June 30, 2026 – a 4-year extension of his existing contract. The board completes its evaluation each year during the summer months following an annual self-assessment presented by Smart at the June Board meeting. Despite a favorable evaluation, Smart will not receive a salary increase for the 2018-19 year. His current base salary is $334,981. Smart has similarly declined raises in past years when faculty and staff did not receive salary increases. The contract extension raises Smart’s salary to no less than $380,000 effective July 1, 2022. Smart currently earns $50,000 each year as part of a deferred compensation plan. This will fully vest in 2022. Effective June 30, 2023, Smart will be eligible to earn an annual cash retention bonus of $50,000, in lieu of deferred compensation. Smart will be in West Plains on August 29th for his annual state of the University Address.
