By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Missouri Western State University President Elizabeth Kennedy says the university based in St. Joseph has undergone a significant transformation over the last five years.
“To really take a focus on that important intersection between what students’ interests are, what they want to pursue, and what our region, our community, our state needs in terms of workforce,” Kennedy tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.
Kennedy, who taught in the classroom and recruited for 17 years, says students once told her they attended college to learn.
“If you go up to prospective students of any age, right, and/or their families and you ask the same question, ‘Why do you want to go to college?’ the answer that you get back is something to the effect of I want to see what I can earn? How much money am I going to make?”
Kennedy says though the change in the answer has changed the core values of Missouri Western have not.
“But what we’ve done is to shift our value proposition to demonstrate here’s the tangible outcome,” Kennedy says.
Kennedy says the university has had to adjust to changes in student attitudes and suggests higher education embrace the change.
“Higher education is not a static entity,” according to Kennedy. “If it’s not dynamic, if it’s not reflective of what societal needs are, then what’s the purpose of it?”
Kennedy says the university now must assure students a degree has tangible benefits and assure the greater St. Joseph area that Missouri Western students will contribute to the regional economy.
“When I talk about making sure that the university is lined up with what students and their families and the school districts and our community and our business and industry are looking for to advance that’s what’s going to keep us relevant.”
Kennedy says this is just the latest in the ongoing debate about the proper role of higher education.
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