MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. – High schoolers approaching graduation and adults in the workforce can expect individual attention and plenty of help if they choose to attend college classes or job training at Missouri State University-West Plains’ campuses in Mountain Grove and West Plains.
That was the message university leaders gave to approximately 35 members of the Mountain Grove Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Nov. 3. The chamber met at Missouri State-West Plains’ Mountain Grove campus at 401 E. 17th Street, next to the First Baptist Church.
Registration for 2017 spring semester classes is underway.
“My goal is to take you where you are and get you to where you want to be,” said Missouri State-West Plains Dean of Student Services Angela Totty, in describing her work. She also is athletics director.
Totty discussed the options open to students at both the Mountain Grove and West Plains campuses, from regular college classes to a semester-long internship in China, A-Plus scholarship money for students who qualify and even new loft housing for students in West Plains.
Also speaking was Roy Crouch, the university’s employment and education specialist. He outlined programs designed to provide the technical training students need to work in fields such as agriculture, health care and manufacturing.
He also discussed the opportunities offered by the Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Technology (GOCAT). GOCAT provides advanced training for students seeking work in technical fields and offers customized training programs that businesses need for their employees. It was formed under a partnership involving the university, the South Central Career Center in West Plains and the City of West Plains.
Crouch said his job involves traveling the region and meeting with community groups to make sure people know how the university can help. Listening is a major part of the job as well, he said.
“We need and we want your input,” he said.
Lu Adams, coordinator of the Mountain Grove campus, said staffers can help students sign up for classes. She added later that students also can receive help with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Registration for 2017 spring semester classes runs through Jan. 16, the day before classes begin, but Adams said she advises students to sign up sooner rather than later for best class selection.
Adams told Mountain Grove chamber members she enjoys helping people get into college and succeed in their classes at Missouri State-West Plains.
She also said she wants to hear from the community about educational needs and how the university can help.
“What can we do for you?” Adams said.
For more information, visit the website or call the Mountain Grove campus at 417-547-7575 or the West Plains campus at 1-888-466-7987.