Gov. Jay Nixon today announced that Missouri Western State University, the St. Joseph Metro Chamber and several other education and business partners have been awarded a grant of $1 million to establish an Innovation Campus, which will help employees and potential employees in high demand business and industries complete post-secondary degrees and better contribute to the region’s economy. The Missouri Western project is one of nine Innovation Campuses funded throughout the state.
“Innovation Campuses create a direct connection for Missouri citizens between the skills they learn in the classroom and the skills that are in demand today,” Gov. Nixon said. “This program will cut the time it takes for students to earn a degree, train students for solid careers in growing industries, and help to lower student debt.”
“The Innovation Campus project reflects Missouri Western’s commitment to increasing the number of college graduates in the region and to providing students with real-world applied learning opportunities,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “We will work closely with our partners to help participants obtain college degrees in disciplines that align with job openings and career opportunities in high-demand fields, including the human health and animal health industries.”
Beginning this fall, the MWSU Innovation Campus program will enroll adults and high school students in relevant educational tracks, with financial aid of up to $7,500 to pursue college degrees. Partners include Missouri Western, the St. Joseph Metro Chamber, the Community Alliance of St. Joseph, Metropolitan Community College, the St. Joseph School District, the Northwest Workforce Investment Board and eight business partners: Heartland Health, Hillyard Industries, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Gray Manufacturing, Lifeline Foods, Altec Industries, Blue Sun Biodiesel and Albaugh.
As their in-kind donation to the initiative, the partnering businesses will provide substantial and targeted on-site training and mentoring for participants beyond what would otherwise occur within the company. Participants may receive college credit for these applied learning experiences.
Partnering businesses will identify participants among their employees or potential employees. A committee with representatives from all the partners will select participants for the program and track their progress.
The initiative will also direct high school students toward courses and programs specifically designed to prepare them for careers in science and technology. Dual-credit courses in these areas will cut the time students need to earn their post-secondary degree.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.