The new year brings new opportunities and challenges. Here are some updates and new initiatives for 2024.
The Alliance for Healthcare Education is a partnership among Missouri State University, Ozark Technical Community College, Springfield Public Schools and CoxHealth, with a vision to improve the health and prosperity of our region by increasing the number of health care professionals in the Midwest. The alliance is currently in the process of hiring an executive director, attaining appropriate accreditations and developing plans to start teaching students at the Cox North location in fall 2025. The alliance places MSU’s McQueary College as a seminal leader in the development of the health care workforce in southwest Missouri.
Academic Realignment enters final stages in MCHHS. As of July 1, 2024, MCHHS will have transitioned from 11 schools and departments to five schools. In fall 2024, the names of the final two schools were chosen, and their inaugural leaders identified. The new structure of the college is depicted below. 
Retirements are an inevitable part of the career path. In spring 2024, three members of the MCHHS family transition into retirement:
- Dr. Jeanne Cook, department head of physical therapy.
- Dr. Wayne Mitchell, associate professor in psychology; director of the RStats Institute.
- Julie Abney, budget officer for MCHHS.
“Their expertise, dedication and passion for students, MCHHS and MSU will be missed,” said Dr. Mark Smith, dean of MCHHS. “I’m honored to have worked with each of them!”
Recognition and celebration are two important qualities within a team. In spring 2024, the college will institute faculty, staff and student awards to celebrate the successes and accomplishments of the MCHHS community. The first annual MCHHS Awards Banquet will be held at The Old Glass Place in early May. MCHHS faculty and staff, along with the MCHHS Advisory Board, are invited to the inaugural event.
Inclusivity is an important part of sustaining culture and celebrating differences. The MCHHS Inclusive Engagement Committee is sponsoring the first Inclusive Excellence Challenge where members of the MCHHS community can participate in university and community-wide events to celebrate the importance of inclusivity.
Professorships have been a part of the higher education landscape for centuries. For the first time in the college’s history, thanks to former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, MCHHS will award two deserving MCHHS faculty members with an endowed professorship, up to $25,000, to support their active research, teaching and service endeavors. A call for applications is currently in development. We expect to announce recipients in May.
Stay tuned for updates, opportunities and celebrations as MCHHS continues to drive student success and educational excellence, through passion, dedication and teamwork.