In May, Dr. Melissa Bledsoe and Dr. Lacy Sukovaty from the Darr College of Agriculture represented Missouri State University in China. 

The trip’s purpose was to strengthen academic partnerships and build deeper connections with students and faculty of Southwest University in Chongqing. 

Visiting valued global partners

Bledsoe, the college’s dean, and Sukovaty, School of Agricultural Science and Conservation director, joined other Missouri State faculty and staff from community and global partnerships to attend the graduation ceremony for students in the LNU-MSU College of International Business program in Dalian.  

They also visited Southwest University. Here, they took part in the completion ceremony for 17 environmental plant science students who completed the fourth year of the 3+1 program at Missouri State. A total of 77 students also received certificates in international plant science during the ceremony.  

“It was great to finally meet the students, administrators and faculty that we work with, after years of connecting virtually,” Bledsoe said. 

Missouri State’s 3+1 program allows plant science students from Southwest University to take both online and in-person courses for a certificate in international plant science. Students can also choose to complete the fourth year of their undergraduate study in Springfield and earn a bachelor’s degree from both universities.  

For the past two years, Darr College of Agriculture faculty members have traveled to China each summer to teach in-person classes. Dr. Wenping Qui and Jacob Schneider are teaching there this summer.  

This visit offered a chance to see the impressive progress made by both universities. 

“In-person classes have been a wonderful experience for everyone involved,” Bledsoe said. “The face-to-face setting creates a much richer learning environment — one that’s not just about students learning from us, but also about us learning from them.”  

During the visit, Bledsoe and Sukovaty also met with students in the environmental plant science program to answer questions and provide guidance.  

“Interacting with the students was a great experience. It was especially important for those studying for the international plant science certificate since they don’t often get to meet Missouri State faculty in person,” Sukovaty said. “Being there in person helped them feel more connected to the university.”   

Empowering students  

The 3+1 program has been successful in preparing students for both graduate school and the job market.   

Bledsoe and Sukovaty credit the program’s success to the strong student-focused collaboration between the faculties of both universities. Together, they provide dedicated student support and ensure effective teaching. 

The program also prepares students for their future careers by offering career preparation classes and guidance with graduate school applications, including support with preparing application materials. 

A key advantage of the program is its focus on helping students gain a global perspective.  

“The world, including agriculture, has become global and providing students with international experiences helps them better understand the reality they’ll be working in,” Sukovaty said.  

Looking ahead, both universities are committed to continuing and expanding this successful partnership into other academic areas.  

Exploring China

Besides Chongqing and Dalian, Bledsoe and Sukovaty also visited historical sites in Beijing.

“Although it was a short trip, it was incredibly impactful and we’re looking forward to returning to Chongqing and visiting campus again,” Bledsoe said.

For Sukovaty, one of the most memorable moments was sharing a traditional Chinese family-style meal. The experience highlighted how both Chinese and American cultures use food to bring people together. The shared dining experience helped build connections and strengthen professional relationships — an unexpected but meaningful reminder that shared traditions can help bridge cultural differences.

“Whether it’s learning about agriculture or culture, those experiences are always valuable,” she shared.  

 Learn more about environmental plant science