A university is more than classrooms, offices, meetings and events. It’s a community, and that community is strongest when people choose to take an active part in it.

At Missouri State University, I see that every day.

Faculty and staff serve on committees. They represent their colleagues. They attend events. They volunteer. They ask questions, share ideas and make time for activities that may fall outside their normal responsibilities.

In other words, they show up.

I see that commitment in our Faculty Senate and Staff Senate. Shared governance gives faculty and staff an important voice in the life of the university. Our senators bring forward perspectives from across campus, help us work through important issues and strengthen communication between university leadership and the people doing the work every day.

University service extends well beyond our senates. Hundreds of faculty and staff members serve on committees, participate in searches, advise student organizations, volunteer at events and contribute their expertise to university initiatives.

Many helped shape our strategic plan, and now faculty and staff are continuing that work by serving on implementation teams and work groups that are turning the plan’s goals and strategies into action. That ongoing engagement helps ensure this remains our plan and that our direction reflects the experience, expertise and perspectives of our university community.

That work matters. It also brings our public affairs mission to life.

The work we do through innovative teaching, research and service creates transformative experiences not only for our students but extends beyond campus to contribute to the communities we serve.

It means involving students in research that addresses a real-world problem or creating service-learning projects that allow them to help community organizations. It happens through partnerships with employers, where we can align learning experiences around our region’s workforce needs.

Creating a culture of connection

Our strategic plan calls on us to create a culture of connection, recognition and purpose. It also challenges us to increase participation in campus events and organizations. Those goals are connected. The more opportunities we have to know one another, understand one another’s work and share experiences as Bears, the stronger our university becomes.

I was reminded of that last week when I participated in House Calls.

House Calls gives faculty, staff and administrators an opportunity to visit students in our residence halls, welcome them to campus, answer questions and help connect them with university resources.

I really enjoyed it.

There’s something valuable about meeting students where they are, having a conversation and asking how things are going. Those interactions may seem small, but they can make a difference. They also remind me why the work we do matters.

Go to a student performance. Attend a lecture outside your discipline. Cheer on the Bears. Volunteer for an event. Participate in a campus activity. Serve on a committee or senate. Introduce yourself to someone you haven’t met before.

Our jobs may bring us to Missouri State, but a sense of community grows through the ways we connect, contribute and engage with one another.

That idea is at the heart of our public affairs mission. Community engagement isn’t simply something we teach our students. It’s something we should model every day.

Thank you for giving your time, energy and talents in service to Missouri State. And if you haven’t found your way to get involved yet, I hope you will soon.

Come join us. Show up. I think you’ll be glad you did.

It’s a great day to be a Bear!

Biff