By: Cole McMillian
Missouri Western State University has had a presence in the Northland of Kansas City at a satellite location operated by the Western Institute for over twenty years. The Northland campus is approximately 40 minutes from the Saint Joseph campus. However, few people are aware of this branch.
The Northland campus exists primarily for two functions: to increase awareness of the Western brand amongst prospective students in the area and to offer a 2+2 program with Metropolitan Community College (MCC) Students who have completed a two-year Associate of Arts in Teaching degree finish their baccalaureate studies with Western in Elementary Education.
Julie Perez is one student who began her elementary education studies at MCC before transferring to the Northland campus and says it has been an experience she will never forget.
“My best experience at the Northland campus has been the relationships I was able to make with professors and especially my adviser Kassie Payne,” Perez said. “The Northland is a small and close community that would be hard to replicate at the main campus.”
Perez laughed as she explained the ease and accessibility of attending the Northland campus versus attending the main campus.
“I decided on the Northland campus because it was close to home, and i’m a Florida city girl,” Perez said. “The thought of driving up I-29 and possibly hitting a deer is terrifying! The most convenient thing about classes at the Northland campus is parking. I had to go up to the main campus for a class and in the rain, snow, sleet, and heat trying to find a parking space then having to park so far away and having to walk to class was dreadful at times.”
Dean and Executive Director of the Western Institute Dr. Gordon Mapley said that while the bread-and-butter of this location is the 2+2 program that many like Perez are enrolled in, it does play other important roles.
“Having a presence in the Northland helps remind teachers who counsel students and parents who counsel students and students themselves that we (Western) are a viable option,” Mapley said.
The Northland location has also expanded what classes and courses are actually offered as well. This location has traditionally offered some graduate-level criminal justice classes and, this semester, added a course in accounting and a Masters in Information Management program through the Craig School of Business.
Marketing Coordinator and Analyst for the Institute Christa Byer hopes the available classes and courses available at the Northland location continue to expand.
“I personally hope to see the program offerings at this location continue to grow. Increasing the number of programs will only serve to strengthen Missouri Western’s branding opportunities in the area,” Byer said.
As the Northland continues growing, Mapley says it will be important for Western to maintain a presence for those students considering options nearby.
“The Northland area is an area of significant growth and there are literally thousands of students in the Northland area that we would like to come here.”
