When Dr. Dean Van Galen walks the campus of Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri, he often sees similarities between his younger self and the students he greets. Raised in the small town of Waupun, Wisconsin, Van Galen was the first in his family to graduate from high school and later became a first-generation college student.
Just an hour from home, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater with the intention of becoming an optometrist. “I started college thinking optometry was the path for me,” he recalled with a smile. “My advisor told me I needed to select a major, and since I had enjoyed chemistry in high school, that was my choice. It just turned out that I really enjoyed chemistry and that defined my academic path.”
That spark of interest then took him to Kansas State University, where he earned a PhD in analytical chemistry, followed by post-doctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley. “I am an analytical person, and I enjoy the precision found in chemistry. The challenge of learning new skills really built confidence in me,” he recalled. “Education changed my life in so many ways, and that's what really led me to a career in education and leadership.”
Van Galen began his career at Truman State University as an assistant professor of chemistry, where he was recognized as Educator of the Year and ultimately reached the rank of full professor. He progressed to senior leadership roles, serving as vice president for Advancement at Truman and the University of West Florida. He would also develop and lead an environmental science study abroad course to Norway, focused on Norwegian culture and research. This enabled him to see firsthand the importance of international education, especially for students who had never experienced different places and cultures.
Known for its global focus and Midwestern culture, Missouri Southern was intriguing to Van Galen. He discovered his own values aligned with the university’s mission of educating and graduating knowledgeable, responsible, successful global citizens.
In 2020, amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Van Galen stepped into the role of Missouri Southern’s sixth president. Since that time, Missouri Southern has launched several major initiatives, including the $42.7 million Lions Forward funding campaign, the largest in the university’s history. Under his leadership, the university gained legislative and gubernatorial approval to expand the university’s statewide mission, which now encompasses health and life sciences, immersive learning experiences, and international education. With the support of the state, community partners, and alumni and friends, the campus community now anticipates the opening of the Roy Blunt Health Sciences Innovation Center in 2026. This immersive learning facility will be the new home for the recently launched Missouri 3D Printing Center for Precision Health.
Van Galen is also involved in the Joplin community, serving on the board for both the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and Connect to Culture (ex-officio), and is a board director for the statewide Missouri Biotechnology Association.
On campus, Van Galen and his wife, Mary, can often be found attending student focused events. He says students energize them and they love to see their successes. “I hope they know we’re here for them and that they should never hesitate to say hello,” he explained. “Interacting with students is often the best part of my day.”
As new students begin their own paths at Missouri Southern, Van Galen offers some heartfelt advice: work hard, get involved both in and outside the classroom, and take time to build new relationships. Most importantly, have confidence in yourself. “There is more within you than you probably realize,” he says. “A Missouri Southern experience is an amazing opportunity to grow and learn. And yes, you’ll make some mistakes, as we all do, but investing in your education will change your life and those around you in ways you cannot even envision today.”
