Welcome
Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy
Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy became Interim President of Missouri Western State University in August 2020 and was named the University’s sixth President on Feb. 25, 2021.
As president, she has spearheaded several key capital projects, including the $15M Houlne Center for Convergent Technology, a $2.5M Student Success Hub in the Hearnes Center Library, and $2.4M in dynamic learning space improvements to the Dr. Thompson E. Potter Fine Arts Center (Potter Hall). Dr. Kennedy has led several key initiatives for the university, such as the Nursing Scholars of Promise, a partnership with Mosaic Life Care that provides financial, academic and career support to selected MoWest nursing students, and a Direct Admission program with the Saint Joseph School District, the first partnership of its kind between a four-year public university and a public school district in Missouri.
Under Dr. Kennedy’s leadership, the MoWest has developed several new, in-demand programs including bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity and respiratory therapy and master’s degrees in social work and teaching/secondary education. She has fostered the development of vital partnerships with North Central Missouri College, the Saint Joseph Chamber of Commerce, the Saint Joseph School District, and many local businesses, industries, and agencies.
Dr. Kennedy was appointed to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development Commissioner’s Advisory Group in 2022. She is a member of Missouri’s Council on Public Higher Education, where she was elected as vice chair (2023 – 2024) and then chair (2024 – present). She serves on several boards of directors, including the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, the St. Joseph Community Alliance, Innovation Stockyard, Mosaic Life Care, Mosaic Life Care Foundation, and the MIAA CEO Council.
Her 29-year career in higher education has included multiple roles in upper administration as well as 17 years in the classroom as a Professor of Social Science. Dr. Kennedy holds a PhD in Psychology – Applied Cognitive Aging and earned Certification in Thanatology – Death, Dying, and Bereavement from the Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). She also served as a Bereavement Specialist for the Hospice of Medina/Summit Counties in Northeast Ohio for nearly 12 years.
Dr. Kennedy has demonstrated a keen ability to connect with faculty, staff, and students and is deeply committed to the mission of MoWest for our campus, our community, and our region. Dr. Kennedy grew up in Kansas City, graduated from Ruskin High School and has family in the Kansas City area.
Dr. Kennedy has made the City of Saint Joseph her home and is engaged in many aspects of the Saint Joseph community.