Dr. Randall and Julie Humphrey

Dr. Randall and Julie Humphrey are long-time educators in the Springfield area whose careers have been defined by service, leadership, and a deep commitment to student success. The couple met while attending Missouri State University, later married, and both earned graduate degrees from the University of Missouri in Columbia. Julie received a Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling, while Randy earned his Doctorate in Educational Administration. They returned to southwest Missouri to begin their professional careers in education together.

Julie Humphrey has served in a variety of roles throughout her career, including elementary teacher, reading specialist, elementary librarian, and most extensively as a school counselor. After retiring from public education, she became the Executive Director of Hand in Hand Multicultural Center, a nonprofit she co-founded in 2000. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to serve thousands of families by providing counseling and legal immigration services, helping individuals and families achieve stability and reach their full potential.

Dr. Randall Humphrey’s career in education includes service as an elementary school principal for Pleasant Hope Schools and Director of Elementary Education for Willard Schools. He later joined the University of Missouri Extension as a Continuing Education Specialist before coming to Ozarks Tech in 1994 as Director of Research and Grants. In 2000, he was named Vice President for Academic Affairs, a role he held for ten years before retiring in 2010. He often reflected that Ozarks Tech was especially meaningful because of its faculty, staff, and students, noting that “helping students achieve their dreams is what education is about.”