According to the campus history, The Emerging University: The University of Missouri-St Louis, 1963-1983, when the campus started in 1963, faculty were hired from prestigious universities with a vision of creating a university where graduates would be able to confront urban issues through research, critical thinking, and creativity. More than traditional workforce development, these leaders vision for UMSL was to educate students for lifelong learning, which would produce good citizens and effective leaders in the regions organizations. Those pioneering faculty created a culture of faculty excellence that persists today.

Information about the faculty is included under each department's website.