Sept. 13, 2021 

This piece is part of series in which we introduce the new faculty members for the 2021-22 academic year. Jo Britt-Rankin has been at the University since 1990 and comes to the School of Health Professions as part of a cohort of nutrition faculty with MU Extension.  

Jo Britt-Rankin 
Extension Professor, Health Sciences

What brought you to Mizzou? 

I moved to Columbia in 1990 and while I was working on my PhD, I took a job with MU Extension. 

Tell us about your work within MU Extension. 

My career has focused on food choice, dietary quality and food insecurity with a special focus on limited-resource families.  I have worked with two large national programs—SNAP-Education and the Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) since 1998. I am very proud to have worked with these programs that reach over 300,000 Missourians annually. 

What are you most excited about in the upcoming semester regarding your Extension programming? 

I have felt so welcomed since joining the School of Health Professions. I look forward to getting to know the faculty and become more involved with the Department of Health Sciences. 

What do you like to do outside of work?  

I have four children and four grandchildren, so I enjoy spending time with them. My husband and I love to travel, but when we are home, we raise cattle and sheep on our farm.