Missouri State University (MSU) System President Clif Smart discussed several topics in his annual State of the University address at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP), including COVID-19 and plans for new academic programs.

The presentation took place Sept. 24 at the West Plains Civic Center theater. It was limited to faculty and staff due to social distancing guidelines for the pandemic. Area residents can view the full presentation at wp.missouristate.edu/SOTU.

Despite the pandemic, enrollment system wide and at the Springfield campus increased this fall, Smart said, with students taking classes through a variety of modalities. University officials will continue to focus on flexibility in course delivery moving forward into the spring semester, he added.

In some instances, this flexibility has enhanced and expanded academic programs, Smart said. Expanded delivery models helped the College of Education increase programs and experiences in schools that resulted in increased enrollment, and moving the Master of Social Work program online doubled its enrollment, he explained.

MSU also offered its first complete doctorate program this fall, the Doctorate of Defense and Strategic Studies. University officials are looking to add more doctoral programs in the areas of health care and education in the future, he said.

A task force on future academic directions has been formed to evaluate additional educational pathways that will enable students to have successful careers and lives, Smart said.

MSU-WP update

In his portion of the address, MSU-WP Interim Chancellor Dennis Lancaster said students here also were taking advantage of the different delivery methods for classes due to COVID-19 and pointed to increased enrollment in blended and online classes.

As the year progresses, university officials will work toward maintaining the campus during this unprecedented time, Lancaster said. They also will develop more targeted academic programs and a strategic enrollment management plan, he added.

In addition, university officials will take steps to work toward a more diverse, equitable and inclusive campus, and efforts will continue to strengthen the bond between the West Plains and Springfield campuses.

Lancaster also said the university was proud to join Ozarks Medical Center, the City of West Plains, Howell County Health Department, Burton Creek Rural Clinic, Southern Community Health Center and West Plains R-7 Schools in the Mask Up Ozarks campaign to encourage good health behaviors in our region.