Missouri Western State University and the 139thAirlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard are working more closely together to provide educational opportunities to members of the Airlift Wing as well as current Missouri Western students.
“A year ago, Mayor Bill Falkner invited Missouri Western and the 139th Airlift Wing to explore ways we could work more closely together,” said Dr. Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Missouri Western’s commitment to those who serve or have served in the military is a long-standing one, and we’re pleased to deepen that commitment. The results of our discussions, we hope, demonstrate our high regard for the men and women of the 139th Airlift Wing, and it is our hope that the partnership we’ve shared can continue to grow in ways large and small.”
Dr. Daffron said Missouri Western is undertaking two major initiatives to provide additional educational opportunities for members of the 139th.
- CCAF degree completion: Airmen are able to take general education courses at Missouri Western to complete their Community College of the Air Force Associate’s Degree. Students have the option of taking the courses on campus or online, with more than 250 general education online courses offered.
- Bachelor degree completion: Military members and veterans have the opportunity to move on to a bachelor’s degree using their CCAF or other transfers as a base. They can select a traditional baccalaureate major or a Bachelor of General Studies, which is specifically tailored for those who have some college credits but have delayed their studies.
For active duty military and veterans, details regarding the completion of associate’s and bachelor’s degrees can be found at www.missouriwestern.edu/military. The site also includes links to lots of helpful resources, including the Veterans Service Office in Missouri Western’s Office of Financial Aid and the University’s Student Veterans’ Association.
“Education is the key to advancement in the Air National Guard, and we’re grateful that Missouri Western is making these educational opportunities available,” said Col. Ralph Schwader, Wing Commander and a 1985 graduate of Missouri Western.
In addition to the degree completion programs, Dr. Daffron said a new Master’s of Information Management with a concentration in Enterprise Resource Planning should be attractive to some in the military who already have their bachelor’s degrees. The growing availability of online courses can also be beneficial to military personnel who want to continue their studies while deployed.
The Airlift Wing is also working with Missouri Western to provide real-world educational opportunities to current students. For example, a group of students in the Craig School of Business is working with the Wing to make a business case for adding C-130 simulators to the base.
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.