JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, today (March 5) sponsored the appointment of James Kendall Seal as a member of the Missouri State University Board of Governors, and Melody Ann Smith as a member of the Missouri Commission on Human Rights during the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing.

Responsibilities for members of the Missouri State University Board of Governors include, among other duties, appointing and monitoring the performance of the university president, reviewing the university’s educational and public service programs, ensuring good management practices, and enhancing the public image of the university.   

Seal, of Kansas City, is a supervising attorney and director of medical-legal partnerships at Legal Aid of Western Missouri. In his legal practice, he advocates on behalf of adult and child victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.  He is also a case manager for the Human Trafficking Rescue Project and is the regional attorney referral source for the Polaris Project. His term will end Jan. 1, 2019.

The Missouri Commission on Human Rights investigates, holds public hearings and litigates complaints of discrimination in housing, employment and places of public accommodation. The board provides education, training and technical assistance to the public, among other duties.

Smith, of St. Joseph, is the retired superintendent of the St. Joseph School District, and is currently a partner with Patron Insight and the owner/partner of Moss Properties LLC. She received her master’s degrees from Northwest Missouri State University, and her Doctor of Education degree from the University of Missouri. She has been nominated for a term ending April 1, 2018.

“Mr. Seal and Mrs. Smith both have valuable professional skills that will benefit the board and commission they were nominated to serve on, and I am confident they will carry out their responsibilities dutifully and with a positive attitude,” Sen. Shaaf said. “It was my pleasure to stand with both of them before the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee and sponsor their appointments.”

Members of numerous state commissions and boards are appointed by the governor. Gubernatorial appointees then work with their state senator, who serves as a sponsor of the nominee in the confirmation process, which begins before the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee and concludes with a consenting vote by the full Senate. For more information on Missouri’s boards and commissions, visit www.governor.mo.gov/boards.