Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Jan. 25, 2022

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Unfortunately, the pandemic caused us to cancel this year’s Staff Awards Luncheon. Work is underway to schedule a different event in May to honor all of our staff and recognize service milestones.

In the interim, I want to announce the recipients of this year’s Staff Excellence in University Service Award.

Recipients announced

Jeremy Beach

Jeremy Beach works as a dispatch specialist for the office of university safety.

Jeremy’s nominators mentioned his superior customer service and proactive approach to reducing crime on campus.

While Jeremy performs a wide array of duties that contribute to the success and safety of the university, he excels in identifying suspicious activity on the university’s extensive camera system. His attention to detail while monitoring the cameras has led to the apprehension and identification of several suspects.

One nominator shared, “Jeremy has had an unparalleled impact on reducing crimes on campus. His use of the camera system to prevent crimes has a profound impact on the would-be victims, without them ever knowing it.”

Michelle S. Rose

Michelle S. Rose works as the assistant director for the office of creative services.

Michelle’s nominators highlighted her incredible work ethic, her dedication to diversity and her ability to create award-winning material used to recruit students, promote private support and raise the profile of Missouri State University.

She serves as the managing editor of Missouri State’s alumni magazine and the new Advancements magazine and is the lead writer for the university’s highest-level admissions piece, the Viewbook.

Michelle has won over 30 Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) awards.

Jesse Scheve

Jesse Scheve works as a staff photographer for the office of creative services.

Jesse’s nominators spoke of his dependability, professionalism and willingness to go “above and beyond” to contribute to the university’s visual identity. Jesse obtained his drone pilot license in order to capture still and video assets for university projects and publications.

He is one of the main photographers for high-profile publications, such as Mind’s Eye, the Missouri State alumni magazine and the admissions recruitment viewbook.

One nominator shared, “Jesse makes us all look good. The public, prospective students and families first see the university through the lens of Jesse’s photos. He captures the essence of the game-winning shot, the hard-fought touchdown, the happy students and is also careful to showcase the diversity of our campus population. Jesse really captures campus the way it is felt by all who work and live here.”

Daezia Smith

Daezia Smith works as a leadership programs specialist in the international programs office.

Daezia’s nominators highlighted her passion for providing a quality educational experience for MSU’s international students. She plays an essential role in the ongoing education, involvement and well-being of students far from their home countries.

Daezia co-created Global Leaders and Mentors (GLaM), an organization that creates and develops peer-to-peer relationships between domestic and international students.

One nominator shared, “Daezia is a living example of what it means to be a Citizen Bear and to live the public affairs mission. As a staff member, she represents MSU at the highest level to our international students, their families and the cooperating governments. Her passion, customer service, as well as her joy and true compassion, sets a shining example of Missouri State University and its successes to the local and international community.”

Erin Snider

Erin Snider works as a fieldwork education and admission specialist in the department of occupational therapy.

Erin’s nominators spoke about her dedication to student and faculty success, commitment to lifelong learning, and desire to use her knowledge and experience to serve others.

One nominator shared, “Erin embodies the public affairs mission in her actions, professional duties, and in relationship with faculty and students. She is a trusted resource who beautifully represents our department in outreach activities and campus-wide events. Erin is a welcoming face, a wealth of departmental information, and a progressive, dynamic thinker. This combination of growth-mindset and caring is certainly an asset to the university.”

Gary Wells

Gary Wells works as a maintenance supervisor in the department of facilities management.

Gary’s nominators spoke about his knowledge of “all things Missouri State, his servant leadership, and his dedication to helping staff and students have a positive experience at Missouri State University.”

Gary volunteers time to promote the United Way campaign, serves on the Staff Senate Executive Board and is a part of the International Friends program.

One nominator shared, “Gary Wells goes above and beyond. His title may be maintenance supervisor, but I know him as a role model, a well of knowledge, an inspiration and a friend. Not only does he work hard on campus to do his job, but he also advocates for his workers and others in his job family.

“He advocates for changes to increase morale and encourage positivity. He asks for nothing and is willing to give everything. Gary Wells is the best of MSU.”

I hope you will join me in recognizing the outstanding work of this year’s recipients.

Nominations for Wall of Fame open through March 18

These stories make one thing very clear: Missouri State University has developed a rich heritage of outstanding faculty and staff who have contributed much to the success of our university.

The Wall of Fame, located outside the Ballroom in the Plaster Student Union, is a designated location for the university to recognize and honor former employees who have excelled at Missouri State and significantly contributed to the success and positive collegiate experience of students.

Nominations are now being accepted for next year’s honorees. I encourage you to nominate former Missouri State University employees who you believe should be recognized with this honor.

Nominations will be accepted until March 18, 2022. A reception and installation of honoree recognition plaques will take place Oct. 29.

Review criteria and nominate

Attend our Jan. 28 Virtual Town Hall

I hope you will join me for a Virtual Town Hall meeting at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 28. Dr. Frank Einhellig and I will provide an update on COVID-19 and other matters.

You will have the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions.

Access the Zoom link and other details

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Jan. 18, 2022

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The new year has brought us two new members to our Board of Governors.

Earlier this month, Gov. Mike Parson appointed Dr. Anson Elliott and Ann Kampeter to the board.

Elliott is a familiar face at Missouri State, having worked at the university for nearly 38 years. He built Missouri State’s agriculture program, retiring as dean of the Darr College of Agriculture.

He was recently inducted into the Missouri State University Wall of Fame.

Kampeter is also a familiar name at Missouri State. In recognition of her seven-figure contribution to the MSU Foundation, the university named the Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall after her in 2020.

She received her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from MSU and has served on the MSU Foundation Board of Trustees.

Please join me in welcoming Governors Elliott and Kampeter to the board. They are dedicated to continuing to make our university great, and I am excited to work with them.

Grateful for their commitment

Anson and Ann will fill the expired terms held by Bev Keltner and Carrie Tergin on our board.

Bev and Carrie have been exemplary board members and demonstrated an enduring commitment to our university.

I will miss them greatly.

Board meeting review

The Board of Governors met the day before December commencement.

They recognized this year’s Citizen Scholars award recipients:

  • Diana Dudenhoeffer, senior, Springfield, Missouri.
  • Manuel Jose Elivo-Jerez, graduate, Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.
  • Emily Fessler, graduate, Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
  • Cole Howerton, senior, Conway, Missouri.
  • Weston Phipps, graduate, Houston, Missouri.
  • Morgan Spoor, senior, Gainesville, Missouri.

The Board also awarded a contract and authorized a capitalized lease for chiller improvements, awarded a contract for an addition to Looney Hall in West Plains, toured Temple Hall, and received a presentation about the university’s academic programs in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences.

Board roles for 2022

This was Governor Amy Counts’ last meeting as chair of the board. She has been a fantastic board chair, pushing me and our leadership team to maintain the university on its upward trajectory.

For 2022, the board has elected:

  • Governor Carol Silvey will serve as chair.
  • Governor Chris Waters will serve as vice chair and as chair of the Risk Management and Audit committee.
  • Governor Lynn Parman will chair the Finance and Facilities committee.
  • Governor Amy Counts will chair the Programs and Planning committee.
  • Governor Jay Wasson will serve as the Board of Governors representative to the MSU Foundation.

I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in the coming year.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Jan. 11, 2022

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The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt life throughout the world. Most recently the Omicron variant has swept the United States, now accounting for over 95% of all new COVID-19 cases.

The variant was first detected in Missouri on Dec. 3 and in Greene County on Dec. 17.

We remain in constant contact with federal, state and local health officials. Preliminary data suggests several facts about the Omicron variant:

  • It is milder but more contagious than prior variants.
  • An individual who contracts the Omicron variant has a lower risk of being hospitalized or experiencing serious COVID symptoms than prior variants.
  • However, because the Omicron variant is so contagious, its wave has dramatically increased COVID-19 infection and hospitalization numbers in most communities it impacts.

Public health officials have warned us that we will see large numbers of students, faculty and staff contract the Omicron variant in January and early February.

Plan to be flexible

As we prepare for the spring semester to begin on Jan. 18, I want to update you on the protocols that will exist on campus to mitigate spread of the virus and remain operational as our campus experiences the Omicron variant wave.

Classroom procedures

We do not plan to change the overall modality for classes, but faculty should be prepared to work with their department head and dean to make temporary adjustments as needed.

These adjustments could include moving a seated class to Zoom for a week or two, rescheduling labs and experiential learning opportunities to later in the semester, and the like.

Faculty must gain approval from their department head (in consultation with the dean) before making any temporary adjustments to course delivery due to COVID. Faculty should also be prepared to accommodate the large number of students who will contract the virus and miss class meetings and assignments.

Flexibility for employees

We do not plan to implement widespread work-from-home arrangements as we did in 2020.

However, between now and mid-February, supervisors should be prepared to be flexible in accommodating large numbers of absences by employees who have tested positive, are awaiting COVID-19 test results, or are caring for family members who have tested positive or are awaiting test results.

To facilitate this flexibility, we have implemented a temporary policy providing employees with up to eight (8) additional days of paid COVID-19 leave. Our Guiding Principles for Employee Return to Campus continue to provide good guidance for supervisors managing through the Omicron wave.

Events on campus

Organizers of university events and meetings scheduled to occur between now and mid-February should implement appropriate mitigation measures.

These measures could include rescheduling an event to later in the semester, moving a live meeting to a virtual format, relocating an event or meeting to a larger space to facilitate social distancing, requiring masking at an event, and the like.

Contact the COVID-19 Response Team if you need assistance in determining what mitigation measures are appropriate.

Masking policy

We will begin the spring semester with the same campus masking policy in place as we had last semester. We will reevaluate this policy in mid-February.

In addition to this policy, organizers of university events and meetings scheduled to occur between now and mid-February will have discretion to require masking at their event regardless of whether the event is scheduled to occur in an academic building listed in the temporary masking policy.

Save the date for town hall meetings

We will have a virtual town hall meeting 10-11:30 a.m. Jan. 14. I will update you on COVID-19 data, discuss our plans for the spring semester, and answer questions. Please plan to attend.

Find information about how to participate.

We will have a follow-up virtual town hall meeting two weeks later at 3:30-5 p.m. Jan. 28.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 21, 2021

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Last week Jim Baker announced that he will retire June 30.

Jim came to MSU with President John Keiser in 1993 as assistant to the president. Since then he has served in a variety of important roles at the university — as director of the Ozarks Studies Institute, interim vice president for administrative services, chancellor of the Mountain Grove campus, director of the office of China programs, and, most recently, vice president for research and economic development and international programs.

Jim has left a clear mark on Missouri State. He was heavily involved in creating IDEA Commons, the university’s urban innovation park. IDEA Commons would not be as successful as it is without Jim’s dedication and leadership.

Jim was involved in many pivotal successes for MSU over the past 28 years — securing our statewide mission in public affairs, getting our name changed to Missouri State University, removing statutory degree restrictions and advocating for mission-critical appropriations.

Jim has also left a clear mark outside of our university, serving boards for the Missouri Technology Corporation, the Missouri Biotechnology Association, Springfield Innovation, Inc., and St. John’s Medical Research Institute, Inc.

Jim’s leadership is world renowned. In 2012 he received the National Friendship Award in Beijing — the highest honor the Chinese government confers to foreign experts.

Jim has been one of my strongest and most trusted advisors. I’ve always been able to depend on him for advice and support. I am grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to work with Jim, and I’ll miss him tremendously.

Renaming a division

Last week we also renamed the division Jim leads from the Division of Research and Economic Development and International Programs to the Division of Community and Global Partnerships.

While we have changed its name, we have not reorganized the division. All of the offices, units, staff and operations that were previously part of the Division of Research and Economic Development and International Programs remain part of the Division of Community and Global Partnerships.

National search for Baker’s successor

We will conduct a nationwide search for a new vice president to lead the division with a goal of selecting a new vice president before Jim’s retirement. Details about that search will be announced early in the spring semester.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 14, 2021

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Last week the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) met. I attended the meeting and advocated for Missouri State University on important issues impacting our operations.

Plan removes barriers

The board approved the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) strategic plan.

This plan will guide initiatives and priorities in Missouri for the next three to five years. It outlines a comprehensive plan for education, training, and the public workforce system to encourage economic growth and personal success among Missourians.

The plan lays out strategies for access, success and affordability of higher education. It highlights objectives designed to remove barriers to enrollment and employment, holistically support learners and workers, identify resources and create opportunities.

We have already communicated with MDHEWD staff about how we can partner on various initiatives set forth in the plan.

I would encourage all of our faculty and staff to review the strategic plan and email me any thoughts or ideas you have for ways we can do our part to propel the State of Missouri forward on the pathway laid out in the plan.

Review the strategic plan

Adding a new doctoral program

The board also unanimously approved MSU’s proposal for a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree program.

We have had a graduate program in occupational therapy since 2015. By approving our proposal, the coordinating board has authorized us to add a doctoral degree program to supplement our current master’s degree program in occupational therapy.

Mission change will speed up review processes

Finally, the coordinating board unanimously approved a change to MSU’s CBHE-approved mission description.

MDHEWD’s academic program approval process sorts program proposals based on a university’s mission description. Programs that fall within a university’s CBHE-approved mission description undergo a shorter, less intensive “routine review” process.

Programs that fall outside a university’s CBHE-approved mission description undergo a much longer, more onerous “comprehensive review” process.

MSU’s CBHE-approved mission description did not include professional doctorates. Rather, the mission description listed specific professional doctorates that MSU could offer. The result was that each time MSU offered a new professional doctoral program, it had to undergo a “comprehensive review” process, delaying the start of the program and creating a substantial administrative burden.

MSU requested that the CBHE change the university’s mission description to include professional doctorates generally. By approving this change, the CBHE has authorized MSU’s future professional doctorate programs to undergo a “routine review.” This will be a much quicker, less burdensome process.

This was a controversial decision that some higher education stakeholders in the state opposed. I greatly appreciate the leadership of Commissioner Zora Mulligan and the Coordinating Board of Higher Education in approving our proposal.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!