Steve Keller

Co-Director

Steven Keller grew up in the great Pacific Northwest and graduated from Pacific Lutheran University (BS) and the University of California-Berkeley (PhD).  Steve has been on the faculty of the Department of Chemistry at MU since 1995 where he currently serves as Associate Professor, Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies, and since 2015 has directed the Missouri Scholars Academy. Steve has taught extensively in the Honors College, developing courses in the history of science and a class on the intersection of science and politics. Steve’s time away from campus is focused on being husband to Amanda and dad to Lindsay Grace (11) and Liam (4), watching watching a bit of soccer here and there (he is the cousin of Kasey Keller, former goalkeeper for the U.S. National Soccer team). 

Doug Valentine

Co-Director

Doug Valentine began teaching at MSA in 2012. He has a B.S. in Psychology and Religious Studies from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. He moved to Columbia in 2010 to pursue his MA in Religious Studies and later completed a PhD in Sociology. After completing his degree, Doug spent time as an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Truman State University before returning to the Mizzou Honors College as an Assistant Teaching Professor and Coordinator of the Behavioral Science Honors Sequence. He is an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bulls fan. He loves running on the MTK trail and exploring Rock Bridge State Park with his wife and kids.

Rachel Harper

Associate Director

Rachel Harper spent her kiddo years in Champaign, Illinois, where she exhibited strong preferences for books, libraries, the smell of old books, the smell of new books, the written word, etymologies, and well, you get the picture. She has a BA in both English and Spanish from Illinois Wesleyan University and a PhD in American Literature from the University of Missouri. She has been teaching at MU and in the Honors College for over twenty years. Teaching in the four-semester Honors Humanities Sequence rates as one of her favorite things to do, falling a close second to spending time with her husband and three rather rambunctious boys. She’s grateful for coffee. And books. Obvs.

Ever Cole

Ever Cole is from Springfield, Missouri and attended MSA in 2019. (Go raspberry lemonade!) She now is attending Mizzou as a journalism major with a double minor in Spanish and art. Ever also serves as the editor of the Fun & Games section of the campus newspaper, The Maneater. Outside of Mizzou, Ever likes to explore the outdoors and flea markets. Her many passions in life include David Bowie, photography, plants, and pho. Boomba!