Judith Haggard, a member of the UM System Board of Curators since 2007, announced her resignation this past week. Haggard’s resignation took effect Jan. 17.

The Board of Curators is the governing body of the UM System and enlists nine members who serve six-year terms as appointed by the governor. Gov. Matt Blunt appointed Haggard to her position on the University of Missouri’s Board of Curator’s in 2007.

As chairwoman in 2010, Haggard’s main goal was to expand a system-wide effort to increase learning opportunities to both new and current students.

The current board currently stands at six senior members and two new members as the process to appoint a new curator begins. Gov. Jay Nixon is now responsible for appointing Haggard’s replacement. Haggard’s term would have ended Jan. 1, 2013.

“Gov. Nixon withdrew the appointments of Pam Hanrickson and Craig Can Matre,” Student Curator Laura Confer said. “This is a really hot topic right now.”

According to the release, Haggard graduated from MU with a degree in nursing and is also a member of the Mizzou Alumni Association. After graduating from MU, Haggard went on to found the Dunklin County Caring Council and become an elder in her church.

“It has been an honor to work on behalf of the four campuses of the University of Missouri System,” Haggard said in a news release. “I am grateful for the privilege to have served the state in this capacity.”

In the release, current board chairman David Bradley said he thinks Haggard’s absence will be a loss.

“Judy’s passion and enthusiasm for higher education will be greatly missed,” Bradley said in the release. “She made it a personal mission to ensure that the University of Missouri remains in the top tier in both research and education and that our campuses provide an affordable education to the state’s citizens so they are equipped with the tools to become contributing members of society. We wish her all the best.”