Dr. Bruce Skinner joined the University in 1999 as a graduate student in Public Administration working with the Office of Residence Life as a Hall Director. Skinner has served in a variety of roles within the Office of Residence Life, including Assistant Director for Facilities, Associate Director and Director from 2006 to 2013.

In 2013, Skinner moved into the Assistant Vice President for Student Life Services and in 2017 he moved into the Associate Director for Student Life. In his current role, Skinner is responsible for the direction and efforts of a variety of campus departments, third-party service providers and university initiatives. In his current role, Skinner oversees nine Directors who provide supervision and leadership to more than 40 professional, 10 graduate and hundreds of student staff to deliver quality and cost-effective services to the Southeast campus community. In addition to Skinner’s administrative role, he shares time teaching graduate classes in the higher education administration program for the College of Education, Health and Human Studies and undergraduate courses in United States Political Systems and First-Year Student Seminars on law, policy, and decision making.

Skinner is originally from St. Louis City and completed his Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in economics and criminal justice from Southeast. After completing his degree, he began his legal studies at the University of Missouri at Kansas City Law School. Prior to completing his degree at UMKC, Skinner returned to Southeast in 1999 and began his graduate study. Skinner completed his Master's in Administration with an emphasis in Public Administration. Skinner received his Doctorate of Education in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri. Skinner was selected as a dissertation of the year finalist for his research on the funding of public higher education by the Missouri legislature.

Skinner is married to Tonya, a high school teacher in Jackson Missouri and they have two daughters. Outside of work, Skinner enjoys spending time cycling, scuba diving, and participating in the local Cape Girardeau community.