A lab technician at Hillyard Industries in St. Joseph is the first participant in the Buchanan County Degree Attainment Initiative (BCDAI). Sarah Brown is taking a course at Missouri Western State University this semester, and hopes to finish her bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She will receive up to $7,500 to help pay for her education.
“Completing my bachelor’s degree will expand my career opportunities,” said Sarah, who attended Northwest Missouri State in 2008 and Missouri Western in 2009 and 2010 but didn’t graduate. “I am very appreciative for everyone involved in this grant and plan to succeed because of it.”
Sarah has been working at Hillyard full-time for about two years, and is currently a quality control lab technician. When she completes her degree, she hopes to become a chemist or apply for a management position.
The BCDAI is a collaborative effort between the St. Joseph Metro Chamber, Missouri Western State University, the St. Joseph School District, seven regional businesses and other local and regional entities. Supported by $1 million in federal funds, allocated by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the goals of the BCDAI are to increase the number of jobs in high-demand businesses and industries, enable participants to complete bachelor’s degrees aligned with these jobs, reduce the costs of this education, increase the use of high-impact apprenticeships, and improve the preparation of participants for employment in high-growth business and industries.
Using apprenticeships and mentoring programs, regional high demand business and industries like Hillyard will train employees and potential employees with the goal of enhancing their ability to contribute to the business and the economy. For this initiative, high-demand businesses include advanced manufacturing, energy solutions, bioscience, health sciences and services, information technology, financial and professional services, transportation and logistics.
“We hope that additional high-demand businesses will join our efforts,” said Dr. Gordon Mapley, dean of Missouri Western’s Western Institute and co-chair of the board that will select participants for the program. “It’s a great way to enhance the value of their employees to their business. Missouri Western will develop a customized curriculum for these employees that will provide focused education in areas critical to the advancement of the targeted industries.”
The BCDAI will provide tuition support of up to $7,500 for participants pursuing relevant degrees. Most participants will, like Sarah, have previously earned a significant number of college credits.
In addition to Dr. Mapley, Steve Hamilton of the Chamber will co-chair the selection committee.
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. Missouri 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.