(MARYVILLE, Mo.) — Missouri Governor Mike Parson met with leaders of both Missouri Western State University and Northwest Missouri State University on Monday to discuss their fall semester re-opening plans.

It was part of the governor’s statewide tour to look at what safety measures are being put into place in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There’s a lot of smart people out there that can deal with a lot of situations,” Parson said during a media availability following his private meeting with university leaders. “I think the education community above all is doing exactly what they need to be doing. They’re preparing, they’re trying to give the students, their parents, the confidence.”

For new MWSU interim president Elizabeth Kennedy, it was her first day on the job since taking over for former president Matt Wilson, who took a job in Japan. Kennedy is aware of the challenge she is facing.

Read more at KQ2.com.