For the past two years, Dr. Doug Davenport has been encouraging the campus and community to dream about the future of Missouri Western, as the University created a new strategic plan.
Dr. Davenport, interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, formed a steering committee that started its efforts with a University environmental scan – “it was an honest assessment of who we are, and what were our opportunities and challenges.” Then, the steering committee and work committee, numbering almost 60, listened to groups across the campus and community, studied the results of an online survey for all constituents, set priorities and shaped a plan. Pathways to Excellence 2018-2022 was the result.
“It was important to hear from a lot of people,” Dr. Davenport said. “You may miss some really good insights if you don’t listen. We needed to ensure that we had the broadest perspective possible.”
The most valuable elements of the plan, Dr. Davenport says, are the new mission and vision statements. He likened the statements to an elevator speech, with those two being the key points that tell people who Missouri Western is.
“The mission and vision statements are our anchor points,” he said.
The plan’s overarching goal is Student Success, and measurable indicators are part of the document. Five themes to advance student success include student experience, people, partnerships, programs and stewardship.
Once Pathways to Excellence was approved by the Board of Governors, Dr. Davenport said work began on two immediate priorities: one, develop a Center for Teaching and Learning, and two, make sure Missouri Western is engaging in best practices to recruit and maintain a diverse, qualified work force.
Dr. Davenport also said he wants to make sure another aspect of the strategic plan, E3, becomes ingrained in the University’s culture. “Every Employee is an Educator” is an important component of achieving student success, he said.
“It is my hope that every employee identifies how their role supports the mission and vision of Missouri Western. I am passionate about E3. Student success is the responsibility of every employee, and each of us plays a vital role in the student experience.”
In light of several years of tight budgets and diminishing state allocations, he said another objective of the strategic plan is to be an excellent steward of resources, achieve long-term financial stability and increase affordability. The plan also contains a focus on investing in infrastructure.
“There is a lot of positive energy out there and the plan has a lot of support,” Dr. Davenport said. “People are excited about the future of Missouri Western.”
Pathways to Excellence 2018-2022: missouriwestern.edu/strategicplan
Mission Statement
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning.
Vision Statement
Missouri Western will be the premier open access regional university, known for transforming the lives of our students and the communities we serve.
Our Culture
To achieve our vision for student success, we embody a culture that demonstrates our values of service, quality, enthusiasm, freedom, respect and courage.
We achieve this culture by fostering:
Creativity and collaboration
Evidence-based decision-making
Agile innovation
Accountability
Diversity and Inclusion
Pathways to Excellence Themes
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Eliminate barriers to student access and student success.
PEOPLE
Every employee plays a vital part in the student experience.
PARTNERSHIPS
Community, regional and state partnerships are vital for success.
PROGRAMS
Quality programs are the hallmark of great institutions.
STEWARDSHIP
We cannot achieve our goals without a sound foundation of support and excellent stewardship of our resources.