By Janice Phelan,
May 15, 2024
UCM staff members presenting in Jefferson City included (from left, front row) David
Pearce, Clarinda Dir, Stan Elliott and Dr. Laurel Hogue.
Missouri General Assembly leaders recently heard how the 欧美视频
is preparing students to excel in today鈥檚 work environment by collaborating with business
partners and accelerating degree completion all while maintaining academic rigor and
providing well-qualified workers for Missouri companies.
A group of UCM officials presented information to the Missouri House Workforce and
Infrastructure Development Committee May 8 in Jefferson City. UCM representatives
involved in the discussion included Clarinda Dir, Workforce and Professional Education
manager; Stan Elliott, Missouri Innovation Campus program director; Dr. Laurel Hogue,
vice provost for Online and Learning Engagement; and David Pearce, UCM director for
governmental relations. Also attending the meeting was Cade Tremain, a 2023 UCM graduate
who is currently public relations coordinator on the Outreach Team for the Missouri
Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD).
鈥淭his was a great opportunity for the UCM Lee's Summit campus to showcase their successful
programs in meeting workforce needs for the state of Missouri,鈥 Pearce said. 鈥淲e appreciate
the chance to appear before the House Workforce and Infrastructure Development Committee.鈥
Highlights of the well-received presentation included the Missouri Innovation Campus
program, a unique partnership involving both industry and students from area high
schools; UCM鈥檚 Aerospace Academy; the university鈥檚 School of Nursing, with classrooms
and state-of-the- art simulation labs located at UCM鈥檚 Lee鈥檚 Summit campus; and the
Center for Workforce and Professional Education, a non-credit and certificate training
program also located at the Lee鈥檚 Summit facility.
鈥淭he team is super appreciative of Rep. Riggs and the committee for their invitation
to share our programs and engage in dialogue about the importance of working with
K-12 school districts to reduce the overall cost of college and time to degree,鈥 Hogue
said. 鈥淲e are thankful for the Lee鈥檚 Summit R-7 School District who are invaluable
partners in the Missouri Innovation Campus.鈥
During the presentation, General Assembly members learned how UCM has successfully
addressed the area鈥檚 need for a highly skilled workforce while helping keep top talent
in our state. The team also discussed the university鈥檚 effective use of partnerships
with businesses to provide impactful internship opportunities as well as the innovative
way UCM joined with the Lee鈥檚 Summit R-7 School District to share space and resources
at the Missouri Innovation Campus in Lee鈥檚 Summit.
The state officials were especially interested in UCM鈥檚 efforts to train workers for
high-needs areas such as healthcare, information technology and cybersecurity while
also offering certificate programs designed to help students begin a new career or
advance in their current job.
鈥淚 love that we are creating options for people who are incredibly smart and talented
but the regular school schedule is not for them,鈥 said Missouri Rep. Bridget Walsh
Moore (D-93) about UCM鈥檚 industry-recognized certificate programs.
The UCM team was invited to speak to the House committee by Missouri Rep. Louis Riggs
(R-5), committee chairman.
To view the complete UCM presentation, select this and then click on the May 8 meeting. For more information about UCM鈥檚 programs, select
these links:
Missouri Innovation Campus programWorkforce and Professional EducationSchool of Nursing and Department of Aviation.