By MATT PIKE
New programs launched at Missouri Western State University are showing a commitment to partnering with businesses and entities within the community to enhance the workforce.
One such partnership is with the St. Joseph School District, MoWest and the Missouri Western Foundation contributing to the districts 'Grow Your Own' program which aims to encourage more people into the teaching field.
Vice president of enrollment management and marketing Andy Otto says the goal of partnering with the program was to ensure it was attractive and viable.
"So we were able to contribute some funds to that Grow Your Own program, so are really excited about what that means for St. Joe," Otto says on the KFEQmunnity show. "The school district, but also St. Joe the community, because teachers typically live in the community, contribute in the community, so it's really important to see that program continue."
The funds are specifically designated for program recipients who choose to enroll at Missouri Western as part of their teaching journey.
Along with the St. Joseph School District partnership, MoWest is also partnering with several other entities throughout the city Otto says.
"We have implemented a partner program with the city, St. Joseph School District, Triumph (Foods), those are a few of the entities we've worked with," Otto explains. "We understand that education of a community is critical to the vibrancy and the progression of a community, so with the programs that we've implemented it's our hope that we can provide an opportunity for these organizations to attract and retain employees."
Otto says initially the the discussion of the program was to look at providing tuition assistance and discounts to the employees within the organization the program helps.
"I am always of the volition that it's not just one person that changes the landscape of a community, it's the entire family," Otto says. "And so we've gone as far as to extend that benefit to the employee, any spouse or partner, and then their children as well, because if you change one person's educational attainment in a family, you change that whole entire family, but imagine you do that at the family level where you're talking everyone has that opportunity for educational attainment, what that does to the family, but also the community, they stay and then they start to impact St. Joe as a whole."
In the case of the partnership with Triumph Foods, team members, their spouses and dependents will receive a 20 percent discount off standard tuition for any undergraduate or graduate program at MoWest, whether delivered in person, online or in a hybrid format.
Otto says MoWest is currently looking to add more businesses and organizations to these types of partnerships as well, adding that some are even reaching out to the university about the opportunities.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.