Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 10, 2023

by

For those of you who couldn’t make it, last week’s State of the University (SOTU) address was a little different from prior years.

Rather than splitting it between university and academic updates, I walked through the accomplishments I’m most proud of in the last 12 years. Number one on that list is being recognized as a doctoral granting university by the state of Missouri, the Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission.

I also reported on our phenomenal enrollment numbers (which we covered in last week’s Clif’s Notes).

As a reminder, we covered the academic realignment in several town halls and in a college series featured this summer in Clif’s Notes. You can check those out in the Clif’s Notes archives.

Finally, Rob Fulp, chair of the Presidential Search Committee, reviewed how the search will run over the next several months. He also took questions and input regarding the search.

You can view the entire session at Presentations and Articles on the President’s site.

Provide input on the presidential search

Don’t forget, you can still provide input on the qualities and skills you’d like to see in the next president by completing the survey on the Presidential Search page.

Support United Way of the Ozarks

Last Wednesday, we kicked off the United Way campaign. Our own Greg Burris, current president and CEO at United Way of the Ozarks, joined us. He spoke about this year’s goals and strategies that support those in need in Springfield. I encourage everyone to participate in this campaign and the MSU Way campaign, as you are able.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

Clif

Clif’s Notes for Sept. 26, 2023

by

Here are several things of note I’d like to share this week:

Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame

On Sept. 8, the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame inducted five new honorees. These inductees were selected as citizens with a connection to the state of Missouri who serve as examples of global citizens. This is a group of people who positively impact their community and society at large.

This year’s honorees included John Ashcroft, a dedicated public servant;, Father Moses Berry, an Eastern Orthodox Church priest; Tom Carlson, a community leader and founder of a nonprofit news outlet; Lt. Gen. Karen Dyson, a retired three-star general; and Rachel Mack Robinson, a trailblazing entrepreneur.

The Hall of Fame selection committee will begin its job soon in identifying the next group of Missouri-connected citizens worthy of this honor.  You can help them by nominating an individual whom you think meets the criteria.

Presidential search committee

On Sept. 20, the Board of Governors met for a special session to approve the proposed presidential search committee members. They are:

Board members

  • Lynn Parman, board vice chair 2023/board chair 2024.
  • Jeff Schrag.
  • Chris Waters, board chair 2023/board past chair 2024.

Community/alumni

  • Rob Fulp, 1979 (chair).
  • Amy Counts, 1994 (vice chair).
  • Trevor Crist, 2001.
  • Ryan Sivill, 2006.
  • Greg Spears, 1981.

Faculty/academic leadership

  • Kim Church, director – School of Accountancy (College of Business).
  • Doug Gouzie, professor – Geography, Geology and Planning (College of Natural and Applied Sciences).
  • Shannon Wooden, professor – English (Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities).
  • Barri Tinkler, dean – College of Education.
  • Shurita Thomas-Tate, associate professor – Communication Sciences and Disorders (McQueary College of Health and Human Services).
  • Beth Walker, professor – Animal Science and Faculty Senate chair (Darr College of Agriculture).

Administration

  • Brad Bodenhausen, vice president, Community and Global Partnerships.

Staff

  • A’dja Jones, assistant director of athletics, Inclusive Engagement and Student Services.
  • Laura Derrick, project manager-architect and Staff Senate chair.

Students

  • Bradley Cooper, student governor.
  • Elizabeth Simcoe, student body vice president, Student Government Association.

West Plains

  • Crockett Oaks, associate vice chancellor, Business and Support Services-West Plains campus.

State of the University address

Mark your calendar and plan to attend the State of the University at 12:15 p.m. Oct. 2 in Plaster Student Union Theater.

I’ll spend the first 20 minutes or so highlighting university accomplishments during my tenure and reporting on final census results. The last hour will be devoted to gathering input from you regarding your thoughts on the requirements for the next president.  This discussion will be led by Rob Fulp, the search committee chair, community leader and MSU alum.

If you’re unable to attend in person, join via Zoom.

Finally, don’t forget to complete the presidential search community survey on the search website. The search committee would like to get your input.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

Clif

Clif’s Notes for Sept. 15, 2020

by

Last week the Board of Governors reviewed and finalized our Action Plan for 2020-21.

This year we will focus on diversity, equity and inclusion with action items such as:

  • Enhance intervention strategies for the university’s Bias Response Team.
  • Design and develop a facility expansion of the Multicultural Resource Center.
  • Curricular modifications to address cultural consciousness and competence.
  • Expand the Facing Racism Institute and create a Student Diversity Leadership Institute.
  • Review and modify university policies and procedures to ensure equal opportunity.

We will also focus on academic and career initiatives with action items such as:

  • Create a task force to evaluate new academic areas and programs.
  • Enroll students in new professional doctoral and terminal degree programs and develop plans for additional programs.
  • Pursue consortia arrangements and partnerships with national and international employers, higher education institutions and other organizations.
  • Increase career education opportunities through LinkedIn Learning and other resources.
  • Coordinate marketing strategies for academic programs.

We will also focus on managing the pandemic, completing our strategic enrollment management plan, and developing the university’s next long range plan and visioning guide.

Guiding our actions

This year the university will also pursue a wide range of action items in other areas:

  • Support student mental health and other needs through the Counseling Center, Student Success Infoline, the Bear CLAW, and other offices and resources.
  • Implement early intervention strategies to retain students.
  • Begin construction on JVIC building 4 and continue the development and expansion of IDEA Commons.
  • Take possession of the new residence hall.
  • Continue to raise private funds through the Onward Upward campaign.

Please take some time to review the 2020-21 Action Plan. We will follow this plan as we move the university forward this academic year.

State of the University

The Springfield State of the University address is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. Sept. 23. The West Plains State of the University address is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sept. 24. I will discuss the university’s COVID-19 response, this year’s action plan and our strategic planning processes.

The West Plains address will be held in the West Plains Civic Center theater. The Springfield address will be virtual. The format will be similar to the virtual employee town hall meetings we held throughout the spring and summer.

You can find additional information about how to participate in this year’s State of the University address online.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

2019 State of the University address

by

Clif Smart and Frank Einhellig will present the State of the University address at 12:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in the Plaster Student Union Theater.

You can view the livestream video here.

Supplemental resources

 

Asking questions

During the speech, President Smart and Provost Einhellig will accept questions in person and online:

Broadcast information

For those who cannot attend in person, the speech will air at 7 p.m. Oct 7 on KSMU and 8 p.m. Oct. 10 on Ozarks Public Television.missouri-state-state-of-the-unversity-2018-presentation sotu-2019-sgf-final

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 1, 2019

by

Missouri State University’s vision is to be the university of choice to develop successful students who excel academically and in ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement.

Providing access to higher education for traditionally underserved populations is a critical piece of that vision. Higher education provides tools for those who desire to break the cycle of poverty, transcend socio-economic boundaries, and achieve personal and professional success in the modern world.

Access to higher education in the United States has become more challenging in recent years. Tuition and fees have far exceeded inflation. The backlog of defaulted student loans continues to rise.

Recent news stories have revealed schemes where wealthy people game the system to get side door admission into elite schools and to obtain federal financial aid benefits that should have gone to low income students. These stories are aggravating and heart breaking.

Missouri State University must take a bold stand against this trend. We will make it easier to access an exceptional education for those who meet the standards for admission, regardless of their finances.

New access initiatives

We have initiated several programs over the last two months to address these access issues:

  • We created a scholarship program to allow high school students on free or reduced lunch to take dual credit classes free of charge. This program was implemented for the fall semester in Springfield Public Schools and will go statewide in the spring.  You can find more information in the Springfield and Kansas City press releases.
  • We signed agreements with every Boys and Girls Club in the state to provide scholarships for their students to attend Missouri State. Additional information is available in the press release.
  • We signed an agreement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri (based in St. Louis) to provide scholarships for their students to attend Missouri State.
  • We joined the Common App, which allows students to enter their information one time and apply to many colleges without having to submit separate application information.
  • We will waive the undergraduate application fee.

I encourage everyone in the Missouri State community to join in this effort. Please help us get the word out that our university is committed to access for the underserved, and we provide pathways to a college degree for everyone.

State of the University Oct. 7

This year’s State of the University address is at 12:15 p.m. Oct. 7 in the PSU Theater. We will talk more about Missouri State’s commitment to access. Dr. Frank Einhellig and I will also highlight accomplishments from last year and plans for the year ahead. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!