I’m excited by all the advancements Missouri State University is making in achieving the goals of “Igniting Opportunity.” Our Board of Governors meeting last week was particularly focused on our positive momentum.
If I had to pick a theme to describe this most recent board meeting, it would be innovation – innovation in all areas of the university.
The board unanimously approved our Innovation Institute, which was born directly out of the strategic plan implementation team’s work. The institute will help add new horsepower to our experiential learning model by expanding our relationships across the state and nation with businesses, nonprofits and other organizations small and large.
We learned just how impactful this pursuit can be when we listened to the panel discussion at the kickoff session of the Public Affairs Conference hosted by the efactory. We heard exciting testimony from students and Springfield business leaders about the value of our partnerships that help students put theory into practice with real world experiences in the community.
Enrollment will always be one of the university’s most important priorities. Our Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan gives us a coordinated approach to recruiting students and growing enrollment.
We remain committed to enrolling at least 20,000 degree-seeking students and 30,000 students overall by 2030, which is why we’re strengthening our enrollment management and marketing efforts. We’re expanding the reach of our messaging to tell the powerful stories of student, faculty and alumni achievements and connections.
Demographic changes mean colleges and universities are competing for fewer traditional-age students, a trend that will continue. We need to think differently about how we attract students and, just as importantly, how we help them succeed once they’re here.
That’s where our student success efforts come in. We’re proposing a Student Success Council that will bring people together from across the institution to take a closer look at what’s working, where students face challenges and what we can do to improve retention and graduation rates. Led by Associate Provost for Student Success Dr. Brandon Johnson, the council will use data to help identify opportunities to strengthen the student experience, both inside and outside the classroom.
As we’ve been discussing, student recruitment is not just the responsibility of one office. Recruitment and student success are responsibilities we all share. Each of us contributes to creating the kind of experience that helps students choose Missouri State, succeed here and stay on track to graduation.
We continue to have important conversations about artificial intelligence and curriculum. It’ll be a key discussion topic for our November Town Hall.
Faculty from various disciplines have been sharing how Missouri State’s curriculum is preparing students for an AI-influenced economy. Specifics vary by field, but the approach is consistent: students build AI literacy through instruction that also strengthens their critical thinking, judgment and problem-solving skills.
The growth of AI is another reason why the Innovation Institute is important to help us expand our experiential learning portfolio, giving students more applied learning opportunities that build on their classroom work.
I’m thrilled to share that the Thompson family is this year’s recipient of the Bronze Bear award, which recognizes individuals for special support and achievement at Missouri State. The Board of Governors approved the award during last week’s meeting.
The longtime Springfield business family has been steadfast supporters of Mo State for generations. They’re well-known for their wonderful civic leadership and generosity that have strengthened our university and the Springfield community.
Brent Dunn, CEO and president of the Missouri State Foundation said it best: “For more than four decades, the Thompson family has been a constant friend to Missouri State. Their generosity has touched students, programs and communities across our campus, and their loyalty as Bear fans is just as strong.”
The Thompson family owns and operates Thompson Sales Co., one of the region’s oldest family-owned automobile dealerships. The business traces its roots to 1919, when George M. Thompson Sr. established the company in Springfield.
For his commitment to serving Missouri and providing ongoing support of the university, Missouri state Rep. Alex Riley will receive our 2026 Government Excellence Award. As approved by the Board of Governors during last week’s meeting, the award will be presented at a fall 2026 commencement ceremony Dec. 11.
Riley represents Greene County’s 134th District in the Missouri House of Representatives. A Springfield native, he was first elected to the House in November 2020 and began serving in January 2021.
He currently serves as House majority floor leader and was elected by House Republicans to serve as speaker-elect for the 2027-28 legislative session. During his tenure, he has helped lead the House through legislation addressing education, public safety, taxes, transportation and a variety of other topics.
We continue to discuss and advance the priorities of our athletics master plan.
During the September Executive Committee meeting, the Board of Governors approved our plans to move forward with the long-awaited renovation of McDonald Arena, which includes a new football locker room, renovated tunnel to Plaster Stadium and athletic training and hydrotherapy spaces. All preparations for this work have begun.
The larger plan also considers improvements to Plaster Stadium to improve circulation, accessibility and the game-day experience.
These are strategic commitments, funded by philanthropic support, to our student-athletes, fans, national profile and the long-term success of Missouri State Athletics.
Whether we’re preparing for enrollment growth, addressing curricular and co-curricular innovation, improving our campus facilities and athletics, or ensuring students have ample opportunities for workforce experiences, we’re thinking strategically about the future for Missouri State.
That means listening, adapting and making decisions that strengthen the university while staying focused on the people we serve and ensuring students have exceptional experiences at our university.
It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff
]]>This week, Missouri State University makes its long-awaited return to Plaster Stadium on Wednesday when the Bears host defending Conference USA champion Kennesaw State at 6:30 p.m. The nationally televised showdown on CBS Sports Network is our first home game since Sept. 19.
Let’s come together and support our Bears!
To prepare for the mid-week game, the following parking lots must be cleared according to this schedule:
– Lot 24: Closed at 10 p.m. Tuesday. All vehicles must be removed by this time to ensure the area is safe for student tailgating activities.
– Lots 18 and 22: Closed at noon Wednesday. All vehicles must be removed before closing.
– Lots 4 and 19: Closed Wednesday, with all vehicles required to be removed by 1 p.m.
Beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Lots 18, 22, 4 and 19, along with Bear Park South, will be accessible only to vehicles displaying a valid game-day parking pass or purchasing a single-game parking pass.
Faculty and staff who regularly park in the affected lots can use these lots instead: Bear Park South, Bear Park North and lots 25, 35 and 54.
At last Tuesday’s University Council meeting, Matt Morris, vice president for administrative services, walked us through the coming changes to the 2027 health benefits for the university. While benefit costs are increasing nationwide and here at Missouri State, the Wellness Incentive program remains a valuable opportunity to offset some of those costs.
We regularly hear how much employees appreciate the university’s benefits package and its relative affordability. We continually focus on being able to provide comprehensive benefits at the lowest possible cost.
As a reminder, open enrollment for next year’s coverage begins Nov. 1 and closes Dec. 1. For more information, see the summary of benefits changes.
During the meeting, Egon Heidendal, associate provost for institutional effectiveness, and Mary Bohlen, director of assessment and accreditation, shared the results of the ModernThink “Best Colleges to Work For” survey fielded this spring.
There were several areas where we had clear strengths, but we identified key areas we’ll focus on to improve our practices and procedures, including improved communications and leadership approaches.
The data we have will help us continue the process of creating the best workplace possible at Missouri State. I encourage folks to review the survey results and reflect on ways we can improve. Thank you to those who participated in the survey. While we only had a response rate of 38%, we’re certainly able to glean important takeaways about how we can continue to improve as an institution.
Dawn Medley, vice president for enrollment management, gave a summary of this year’s incoming student enrollment with specific student population breakdowns. Jeremy Dickerson, assistant vice president for admissions and outreach, and Chelsey Giles, director of institutional research, shared strategies they’re deploying as part of the Strategic Enrollment Management playbooks for the strategic plan to achieve our goal of enrolling 30,000 students by 2030. Meetings are scheduled throughout the fall for various audiences and groups to learn more about the playbooks and strategies.
For more information, including the full presentations, visit the University Council website.
From Oct. 19-23, we‘ll celebrate and officially welcome transfer students on our campus. Nationally, transfer students comprise nearly 40% of all undergraduates and add to the vibrancy of our university life. We’re so glad they chose to continue their educational journeys at Missouri State.
Several events for students are scheduled in the coming days. Check out the full list of activities. Please join me in applauding the excellent work by our colleagues in the Adult Students Services Center, Veteran’s Affairs, Undergraduate Admissions and the Academic Advising and Transfer Center, as well as many other faculty and staff who assist our transfer students every day.
It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff
]]>From the pre-conference panel discussion on impactful community-employer partnerships held at the efactory downtown to the closing plenary talk by Missouri State alum and author Ethan Bryan, this year’s Public Affairs Conference kept our campus alive with many sessions devoted to helping participants understand the value of engaging with others from different backgrounds. In that regard, this year’s conference theme was perfectly crafted, “The We Factor: Building Connections that Matter.”
This theme was timely given the focus of our university’s strategic plan and students’ desire to find community. It helps participants learn the value of reaching beyond their comfort zones to make new connections and realize new opportunities.
I was thrilled to see the excellent attendance with many sessions drawing more than 100 participants. They became connected with speakers from six countries and 17 states, including 10 of our alumni. They underscored just how powerful students’ Mo State experiences can be.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, all sessions were held in person on campus. Since we began running sessions on Zoom, we’ve been able to greatly expand the reach and engagement of the conference; in fact, we’ve nearly tripled the attendance.
For this edition, I thought it would be interesting to share some of the participant survey results that strongly ratify our commitment to our institutional mission. These comments represent the opinions of students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of Mo State:
From Alex Los’s plenary – “I, YOU, WE: Helping Gen Z Build Community in the Workplace”
“I really like the guest speaker as she was stating how the I, We and You statements can help a conversation in the future. I also like how she stated the three steps for implementing the community.”
“I loved how she engaged with the audience and allowed members of the audience to engage with each other.”
From Pete Davis’s plenary – “Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing”
“It made me think differently about many things and made me want to join a club. Before that, I had no idea what it would be about, and literally thought to myself, ‘I’m not a club person,’ but maybe I can be.”
From Marielle Segarra’s plenary – “Exploring Life with Marielle Segarra”
“I loved it!! As a woman going into journalism, I truly enjoyed Marielle’s talk. She was inspiring, encouraging and made me feel like everything is going to get better.”
“This session widened my perspective and the advice given will help me think more positive.”
From Ethan Bryan’s plenary – “Catching Community: Throw. Catch. Repeat”
“This was an outstanding presentation! One-on-one communication and listening are vital to humanity. Thank you for this opportunity!”
Sample comments from various panel sessions:
“This session was very insightful and encouraged me to be more present and to keep evolving in my chosen career journey upon graduation.”
“I enjoyed hearing the different perspectives shared by each panelist and the personal stories they gave.”
“I love that they emphasized that we need to know how to think for ourselves.”
“I loved it. I learned so much.”
“An amazing discussion that gave me the confidence to work to make connections.”
Finally, please join me in commending our public affairs specialists, Mary Ann Wood and Stacey Trewatha-Bach, as well as the planning committee comprising faculty, staff and community members. Together, they develop the panel topics and invite speakers in their areas of expertise.
Bringing people together from around the world is a herculean task — well done! And I know the committee is already planning the schedule for next fall.
Thank you, all.
It’s a great day to be a Bear.
Biff
]]>As you know, our strategic plan challenges us to reach a total enrollment of 30,000 students by 2030. I remain confident of that goal because of all the benefits the Missouri State University system has to offer students, families, alumni and community partners. I also continue to see a strong level of commitment across the university community to reach that goal.
We have exceptional academic programs that meet the needs of students and the workforce. And we continue to assess our academic programs for areas where we can deliver valuable innovation.
Systemwide headcount is currently 26,917 students. This is down 1.1%, compared to our record enrollment last fall. The Springfield campus headcount tallied 25,039, while the West Plains campus enrolled 1,878 students.
On the Springfield campus, undergraduate enrollment held nearly steady, down 0.9%. The university welcomed 2,506 first-time students this fall. Retention among the first-time student cohort in fall 2025 moved up to 76.9% over the fall 2024 incoming group. Graduate enrollment decreased by 3.4%.
The university continues to add dual credit enrollments due to the later start of Missouri high schools.
As all of higher education endures the continuing headwinds of the demographic cliff, state and university financial challenges, and public cynicism about the value of a college education, many colleges and universities are investing in new resources to generate innovative ways to attract and retain students.
Under the leadership of Dr. Dawn Medley, vice president for enrollment management, we’re reallocating our current admission recruitment resources and ensuring our financial aid and scholarship packages are as competitive and comprehensive as possible. One example of our new approach is the recent launch of strategic enrollment management playbooks; these will help ensure the entire campus can participate in supporting our growth.
Our enrollment goal is not one that can be accomplished by one unit – every faculty, staff, alumni, student and Bear community member has a role to play in recruiting and retaining students.
Given the many excellent academic and co-curricular programs we offer, the university is well positioned to increase enrollment. And, as I’ve said often, we hear daily from students about how much they value their Mo State experience, whether in the classroom, in competition, through student activities or in the greater Springfield community.
Adding to the new energy within the enrollment management team, we’re elevating our marketing game to support external recruitment messaging as well as telling the stories of our entire university. In July, we welcomed Mark Danes, vice president for marketing and communications, whose proven record of implementing creative and strategic marketing, brand management and public relations tactics will amplify our outreach, engagement and public appreciation among prospective families, alumni, the campus community and our partners across the state and nation.
Additionally, the university is in the process of developing a refreshed brand platform that will be launched in the first quarter of 2027. I’m excited about the rollout and appreciate all the time and input our entire campus community has provided to shape how we tell our story. This brand refresh process has given us a special opportunity to build more momentum and further distinguish Mo State from the pack.
You can sense the excitement on our campus, and I couldn’t be prouder.
Even as overall headcount remains constant, parts of the university are expanding. The McQueary College of Health and Human Services is now Missouri State’s largest college by enrollment, growing 4.7% to 4,742 students this fall.
The shift reflects sustained demand for healthcare careers, including nursing and other high-need fields, as regional employers continue to seek graduates ready to enter the workforce. The trend aligns with the university’s strategic goal to focus on programs that connect students to in-demand careers close to home.
The College of Education also grew 2.3% to 1,644 students and remains the top producer of educators in the state.
The university’s main story has always been about generating opportunities for our students, for our region and for the state. Focusing on ensuring students have exceptional experiences across the university is our collective calling and main purpose.
In fact, we’re currently working on completing a comprehensive economic impact study to quantify the university’s economic contributions to Springfield, Southwest Missouri, West Plains and surrounding areas, and the state of Missouri. That study should be completed by the end of January.
As our strategic plan evolves, we’ll continue to focus on meeting students’ needs, whether that’s a first-year student, transfer student or an adult who started down the path for a degree in the past and now seeks to complete it. Missouri State is going to keep delivering for the state and nation.
I hope you’ll join me at noon Oct. 2 in the Plaster Student Union Theater for my State of the University address. I’ll share a one-year progress report on Igniting Opportunity, our 2025-30 strategic plan, and where we’re headed next.
It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff
]]>During the past few weeks, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to do just that. And there’s nothing quite like having our students back on campus.
I recently spent an evening with our Centennial Leaders. They’re a very impressive group of students – bright, engaged and excited about their futures. I left that evening energized by our conversations and eager to see what they’ll accomplish.
We also hosted our Presidential Scholars. Once again, I came away impressed. These students have already achieved a great deal, and I know they’re just getting started.
I’ve enjoyed meeting with student organizations and talking with students as I make my way around campus. I appreciate hearing what they’re excited about, what’s working well and where they think we can improve.
I’m encouraged by how our students showed up in a big way for our first two football games this fall. Seeing the student section filled with Bears cheering on their team was a great reminder of what school spirit can do for a campus. That energy matters. It creates connections and makes Missouri State feel like home.
More than 300 prospective students and their families joined us for our recent fall Showcase. I enjoyed seeing them explore campus, meet our faculty, staff and students and begin to picture themselves as part of the Missouri State community.
All these experiences reinforce something we emphasized in our strategic plan, “Igniting Opportunity.” We’re all working hard to ensure Missouri State thrives as an institution where students feel connected, get involved and take full advantage of everything a university experience has to offer.
With more than 375 student organizations, athletic events, performances, service opportunities and countless other activities, there’s a place for everyone to get involved.
That engagement is also an important part of our public affairs mission. Missouri State is a community of citizen scholars. Through ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement, our students are learning how to make a difference in their professions and in the communities they call home.
Of course, creating an outstanding student experience takes us all. I offer a big thanks to our faculty and staff who teach, mentor, advise, coach and support our students every day. Your work creates the opportunities and experiences that make this university special.
And to our students, I have one request: Get involved.
Join an organization. Go to a game. Attend a concert or a play. Volunteer. Meet someone new. Try something outside your comfort zone.
And when you see me around campus, stop and say hello. I mean it. I want to hear how things are going and what we can do to make your Missouri State experience even better.
Having students back reminds me every day of the importance of our calling to serve the next generations of leaders in all walks of life.
It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff
]]>It isn’t something that lives only in a mission statement. We see it in our classrooms, in the partnerships we build and in the ways our faculty, staff and students engage with the community.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll have several opportunities to see that mission in action.
Our 23rd annual Public Affairs Conference is Sept. 29-Oct. 1, and this year’s theme, “The We Factor: Building Connections That Matter,” feels especially timely.
At Missouri State, our public affairs mission is rooted in ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement. Our new strategic plan, “Igniting Opportunity,” builds on those values and challenges us to strengthen the connections that help our students, university and communities thrive.
That’s exactly what the Public Affairs Conference is designed to do.
This year’s conference will bring together voices from around the world to explore how connection, collaboration and leadership shape our workplaces, communities and daily lives. From business and education to health, agriculture, science and the arts, the conversations are broad because public affairs touches nearly everything we do.
Throughout the conference, there will be many opportunities to hear new perspectives, ask questions and take part in meaningful conversations. You can find the full lineup and schedule on the conference website.
I hope faculty, staff and students will take advantage of those opportunities. Employees may use up to two hours of work time, with supervisor approval, to participate in conference sessions. I encourage supervisors to work with your teams to enable employees to take advantage of this opportunity.
I also want to thank Dr. Kevin Evans, our 2026-27 public affairs fellow and conference chair, Mary Ann Wood and Stacey Trewatha-Bach from the office of public affairs support, and the 27-member conference committee of faculty, staff and community members. Their work makes this signature Missouri State event possible each year.
We’re also celebrating connections in a very visible way through two major facility projects.
Last week, we celebrated the completion of Phase II renovations to Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall and the opening of the new Mercy Athletic Training Lab.
The Kampeter project transformed an important academic building into a modern learning environment for students preparing for healthcare careers. New and renovated classrooms, laboratories, clinical spaces and technology give our students opportunities to learn in settings that more closely reflect the workplaces they will enter after graduation.
The Mercy Athletic Training Lab is a great example of what can happen when Missouri State and our community partners work together. Mercy’s investment will directly benefit students while helping prepare health professionals who will serve our region for years to come.
Thank you to Mercy, the Kampeter family and everyone whose support and hard work made this transformation possible.
Just a few blocks away, another transformational project is taking shape.
The Judith Enyeart Reynolds Performing Arts Complex is nearing completion, and we’ll soon be able to occupy this wonderful new addition to the Mo State campus.
The project began with an extraordinary eight-figure gift from the C.W. Titus Foundation, the largest one-time, single gift in Missouri State’s history. Additionally, the state of Missouri invested $17.5 million in the project.
The project also included the demolition of the former Art Annex to make way for the new facility.
The result is much more than a new building.
The complex creates a new front door for Missouri State along Grand Street, providing a welcoming connection between campus and the community. It also strengthens Missouri State’s growing arts presence in the area, complementing destinations such as Brick City, Ellis Hall, the John Goodman Amphitheatre and the Grand Street underpass.
Most importantly, it creates new opportunities for our students and faculty to learn, create, perform and collaborate. It provides state-of-the-art facilities that will give students hands-on and real-life experience to prepare them for their careers.
Next semester, classes will begin in the new studios and the new Studio Theatre will host three shows.
We’re deeply grateful to the C.W. Titus Foundation for honoring Judith Enyeart Reynolds in a way that will influence generations of Bears. I also want to thank our state leaders, donors, faculty, staff, architects, contractors and everyone else who helped turn this vision into reality.
These may seem like very different celebrations. One is a conference built around conversations and ideas. The others are buildings made of brick, glass and steel.
But they share something important.
Each is about bringing people together.
That’s what our public affairs mission calls us to do. It is also what “Igniting Opportunity” asks of us as we strengthen community partnerships, create transformative experiences for students and invite more people to be part of Missouri State.
Great universities don’t accomplish those things alone. They happen because people believe in a shared purpose and choose to contribute to it.
That’s the “we” factor.
And it’s a great example of what makes Missouri State special.
It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff
]]>These meetings bring together leaders from across the institution to share important updates to help ensure information is distributed widely across the university, discuss issues affecting the university and talk about how we can continue moving Missouri State University forward.
You can review the meeting’s full agenda and presentations, as well as past meeting information. Here are some of the meeting highlights.
Several important searches are underway or coming soon.
The search for our next vice president for university advancement has started, and we hope to have someone selected by early next year.
The College of Business dean search has also begun. The College of Education dean search will launch in November, followed by the search for an associate provost for faculty success in January.
Finding strong leaders is an important part of our strategic plan goal to make Missouri State an institution of choice for students and employees.
We also discussed two policy changes affecting some employees and graduate assistants.
The university recently updated its policy and procedures regarding employees who work outside Missouri. With employees currently working in more than 30 states, we face significant compliance responsibilities that vary state by state, with some areas that also have city-specific or tribal-related requirements. Some examples of these compliance requirements include more expansive employee benefit structures (e.g., paid parental leave, sick leave, etc.), income tax structures, workman’s compensation, etc. The varying compliance requirements significantly increase the institution’s legal and financial liability.
Under the updated policy, employees must work in a state authorized by their supervisor and the university. Generally, employees may be hired from Missouri, Arkansas, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Additional exemptions are allowable in very limited instances based on demonstrated need, as approved by the hiring manager and university leadership.
We realize the significance of this change and want to provide those that are currently living outside of the approved states with time to make the necessary adjustments. Accordingly, we are grandfathering current employees into the new policy for one year. After Aug. 1, 2027, all employees should be living in an approved state or have an exemption.
In addition, we reviewed federal tax rules related to graduate tuition and fee waivers. Waivers above $5,250 in a calendar year generally become taxable income. This doesn’t apply to qualifying research or teaching graduate assistants, but it does apply to administrative graduate assistants. This policy also applies to employees and their dependents who receive graduate tuition waivers.
We understand this change may have financial implications for some employees, and we recognize that this news may be disappointing. The university is required to comply with applicable federal tax laws and IRS regulations regarding the tax treatment of certain benefits and payments.
This action is not the result of a policy choice by the university; rather, it reflects our legal obligation to administer compensation and benefits in accordance with federal requirements. We are committed to providing information and resources to help employees understand the impact of these requirements and are grateful for the patience of those impacted.
Participation verification was another important topic discussed at University Council.
As a reminder, participation verification is in reference to a federal requirement that students receiving federal financial aid must have their participation in class verified before certain aid can be fully disbursed.
Thanks to the help of faculty across the institution and the financial aid team, more than 4,000 Pell-eligible students have been fully verified. At the time of our meeting, 805 Pell-eligible students were partially verified, and only 23 students and 178 courses had not been verified yet.
This may sound like an administrative task, but it directly affects our students. As a result of the process, the associate provost for student success and dean of the Graduate College were able to mobilize faculty and advisors to identify students that may need support. Thank you to the faculty and staff for your work on this.
The university is also conducting a comprehensive economic impact study, with results expected in January 2027.
We know Missouri State has a significant economic impact on Springfield, our region and the state as a whole. This study will give us better data to tell that story and advocate for additional support and partnerships.
Additionally, we recently began a comprehensive assessment of our human resources related functions across the institution to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and the services we provide as an employer. Improvements will begin as early as this fall and will continue throughout 2027 and beyond.
Both projects align with priorities in “Igniting Opportunity,” including strengthening community partnerships, expanding opportunities across the institution and ensuring Missouri State is an institution of choice for employees.
We received updates on several major campus construction and master plan projects.
These projects represent significant investments in the spaces where our students learn, our faculty teach and conduct research, and our campus community connects.
The Clifton M. Smart III University Advancement Center is on track for staff to start moving in today, with full completion and a grand opening at homecoming. The Judith Enyeart Reynolds Performing Arts Complex is on track to open later this month. Renovations of Cheek Hall will continue through much of the fall, and Blunt Hall Phase II substantially wrapped up this summer.
We’ll dedicate renovations to Kampeter Hall tomorrow as we celebrate a transformational investment in the next generation of health care professionals and the continued growth of the health sciences programs.
You’ll continue to hear more about construction work as projects move forward. Thank you for your patience as we have all navigated traffic, parking, and other construction-related changes over the last few years. Also, a huge thank you to the Planning, Design and Construction team for all their hard work across so many significant projects.
We also spent time discussing move-in, Week of Welcome and New Student Convocation.
Hundreds of students, faculty and staff helped welcome our newest Bears to campus, and thousands of students participated in Week of Welcome events.
Those numbers represent more than attendance. They represent opportunities for students to make friends, find organizations, connect with campus and begin to see Missouri State as home.
Thank you to everyone who helped make that happen.
Finally, we spent time talking about artificial intelligence.
We asked council members how they’re using AI, what opportunities they see and what guidance would help them use these tools effectively on campus. The input received from that discussion will be used to inform the potential development of guidance and/or policies on AI.
This semester, Jeff Coiner has been meeting with a group to develop a university AI purpose statement, and Dr. Barri Tinkler is assembling a group within academic affairs to develop AI guidelines for teaching and learning.
AI presents both opportunities and challenges for higher education. It’s an area where we need thoughtful conversations about how we use new tools responsibly while continuing to support teaching, learning and our students.
That’s one of the reasons University Council is valuable. It gives us a chance to bring different perspectives together and work through important issues as a university community.
It was a productive first meeting and a good reminder of how much is happening across Missouri State. Thank you to everyone for doing the work behind these updates.
The federal government recently published a Final Rule ending Duration of Status for F and J visa holders. This change may impact the academic path of international students.
Change can create uncertainty for students, and our faculty and staff are often the people they turn to first.
Faculty and professional staff are invited to the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center on Sept. 21 from 3:30-5 p.m. for an informal discussion on how we can support our international students.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend.
Thank you for all you do for our students and for Missouri State.
It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff
]]>At Missouri State University, I see that every day.
Faculty and staff serve on committees. They represent their colleagues. They attend events. They volunteer. They ask questions, share ideas and make time for activities that may fall outside their normal responsibilities.
In other words, they show up.
I see that commitment in our Faculty Senate and Staff Senate. Shared governance gives faculty and staff an important voice in the life of the university. Our senators bring forward perspectives from across campus, help us work through important issues and strengthen communication between university leadership and the people doing the work every day.
University service extends well beyond our senates. Hundreds of faculty and staff members serve on committees, participate in searches, advise student organizations, volunteer at events and contribute their expertise to university initiatives.
Many helped shape our strategic plan, and now faculty and staff are continuing that work by serving on implementation teams and work groups that are turning the plan’s goals and strategies into action. That ongoing engagement helps ensure this remains our plan and that our direction reflects the experience, expertise and perspectives of our university community.
That work matters. It also brings our public affairs mission to life.
The work we do through innovative teaching, research and service creates transformative experiences not only for our students but extends beyond campus to contribute to the communities we serve.
It means involving students in research that addresses a real-world problem or creating service-learning projects that allow them to help community organizations. It happens through partnerships with employers, where we can align learning experiences around our region’s workforce needs.
Our strategic plan calls on us to create a culture of connection, recognition and purpose. It also challenges us to increase participation in campus events and organizations. Those goals are connected. The more opportunities we have to know one another, understand one another’s work and share experiences as Bears, the stronger our university becomes.
I was reminded of that last week when I participated in House Calls.
House Calls gives faculty, staff and administrators an opportunity to visit students in our residence halls, welcome them to campus, answer questions and help connect them with university resources.
I really enjoyed it.
There’s something valuable about meeting students where they are, having a conversation and asking how things are going. Those interactions may seem small, but they can make a difference. They also remind me why the work we do matters.
Go to a student performance. Attend a lecture outside your discipline. Cheer on the Bears. Volunteer for an event. Participate in a campus activity. Serve on a committee or senate. Introduce yourself to someone you haven’t met before.
Our jobs may bring us to Missouri State, but a sense of community grows through the ways we connect, contribute and engage with one another.
That idea is at the heart of our public affairs mission. Community engagement isn’t simply something we teach our students. It’s something we should model every day.
Thank you for giving your time, energy and talents in service to Missouri State. And if you haven’t found your way to get involved yet, I hope you will soon.
Come join us. Show up. I think you’ll be glad you did.
It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff
]]>As faculty and staff, you interact with students every day. You may be among the first people to notice when a student is struggling academically, financially, physically or emotionally.
You don’t have to have all the answers. But knowing where to point a student can make a real difference.
That’s also an important part of our “Igniting Opportunity” strategic plan. One of our priorities is providing proactive student support and making sure Missouri State is a place where students have the resources they need to succeed.
Here are a few resources I hope you’ll keep in mind:
Center for Academic Success and Transition
The Center for Academic Success and Transition helps Missouri State students thrive, remain enrolled and graduate. Its services include first-year programs, first-generation student support, proactive advising, success coaching and assistance for students on academic probation or returning after suspension. The center also operates early-alert systems, connects students with campus resources and collaborates with faculty and staff to strengthen retention and completion efforts.
Bear CLAW
If a student needs academic help, Bear CLAW is a great place to start. Located on the first floor of Meyer Library, it offers tutoring, writing assistance, study sessions and other academic support.
Counseling Center
College can bring plenty of stress and challenges. The Counseling Center provides counseling, crisis services, workshops and other resources focused on student well-being and success.
Magers Health and Wellness Center
Magers Health and Wellness Center provides comprehensive health services right here on campus, including medical care, nursing, laboratory, radiology, pharmacy and wellness services.
Student Care Services
Sometimes a student is dealing with a situation that doesn’t fit neatly into one category. Student Care Services, through the Dean of Students Office, can help students navigate challenges and connect them with the appropriate campus resources. Services include assistance with explained absences following an emergency, return transportation after a hospital visit and referrals to other support services.
Mary Jean Price Walls Student Resource Center – Bear Cave
The Student Resource Center gives students a place to find connection and support. The center offers study and collaboration spaces, a computer lab with free printing, the Bear Cave closet and programs designed to build connection, confidence and community.
Disability Resource Center
The Disability Resource Center works with students to help create accessible and inclusive learning environments. It provides accommodations, services and resources for students with disabilities and can help address barriers students encounter on campus.
Bear Pantry
Students experiencing food insecurity can turn to the Bear Pantry in Plaster Student Union. Students can use their BearPass ID to access food and other basic necessities. It’s a simple resource that can have a significant impact when a student is having a difficult time making ends meet.
Career Center
Students don’t have to wait until graduation to think about what comes next. The Career Center can help students explore career options, prepare résumés, search for jobs and internships and develop skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
Sometimes a connection is enough
Student success isn’t just what happens in the classroom. It also depends on students knowing where to turn when they need help and having people around them who care enough to make that connection.
Our faculty and staff play an important role in that every day. Thank you for paying attention, asking questions and helping students find the resources that can help them move forward.
Sometimes one conversation or one referral is enough to make a meaningful difference.
Thanks for all you do for our students and for Missouri State.
It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff
]]>Classes are underway, our residence halls are full and campus is once again buzzing with the energy that comes from having our students back. I’m excited to begin another year together.
For those who are returning, welcome home. For those joining us for the first time, welcome to the Bear family. I hope your first few days have helped you begin to discover what makes Missouri State such a special place.
One of our greatest strengths is our welcoming campus. That happens because faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members take the time to be helpful, answer questions and make connections.
As we settle into the semester, I encourage all of us to keep looking for opportunities to help. A friendly greeting, an introduction or a simple “Can I help you find something?” can make a big difference.
Week of Welcome is still going strong through Aug. 21, with activities designed to help students make friends, explore campus and find their place at Missouri State. Students have already had opportunities to take part in events across campus, and there’s still more to come.
I want to thank the staff, faculty, student leaders, volunteers and community partners who make Week of Welcome possible. Their work helps create an exciting, welcoming and supportive start to the academic year.
One of the highlights still ahead is Boomer’s Block Party on Aug. 20.
Faculty, staff, students, alumni, Bears fans and community members are invited to join us from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at BearFest Village. The free, family-friendly event will include food trucks, music, games, inflatables, giveaways and opportunities to meet Missouri State student-athletes and coaches.
We’ll also have free Mo State shirts for the whole family while supplies last. Bring your family, invite your friends and show your Bear pride.
We’re also bringing new energy to a tradition that’s one of the easiest ways to show Missouri State pride: BearWear Friday.
Every Friday, I hope you’ll wear your favorite maroon and white. It’s a simple thing, but it helps create a sense of connection. You might see another Bear in line for coffee, at the grocery store or at a restaurant. Even if you don’t say a word, you know you have something in common.
That’s what BearWear Friday is all about. It reminds us that Missouri State is more than a campus. We’re a community.
Our strategic plan, “Igniting Opportunity,” calls on us to strengthen our identity, build school spirit and invite people to be where the Bears are. Wearing BearWear on Fridays is an easy way for all of us to be part of that effort.
Together, we can show our Bear pride throughout campus, Springfield and beyond.
It’s great to see our campus filled with students again. When you see me walking around, please stop and say hello. And as we begin this semester, let’s all do our part to be welcoming, helpful and proud of Missouri State.
It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff
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