Missouri Western President Matt Wilson has hit the ground running as the University’s new president and has a number of initiatives he is working on. He is quick to note that students are his first priority, and he is focusing on initiatives that will help recruit new students and retain current students.
One of those is revamping the way scholarships are awarded and looking at innovative ways to help students fund their college education. “We know financial need is one of the biggest challenges our students face and why many aren’t able to finish their college education,” said President Wilson. “We need to find creative ways to encourage them to succeed and persist to graduation.”
Another initiative in the works is a modified course schedule that builds in flexibility for students to pursue applied learning opportunities. The proposed schedule would allow for set times for students to pursue learning outside the classroom in the form of internships, working, volunteering, researching with faculty or job searching and interviews.
“We launched this initiative in Akron,” he said. “It allowed the students time to engage in the community and the workplace as well as provided unique opportunities to work with faculty and advisors.”
Wilson recently announced the opening of a Center for Service, where students can earn credit for volunteer work. He is also committed to student veterans and members of the military as well as a concentrated effort to remove barriers and identify efficiencies campuswide. Over the coming months, expect to see ongoing improvements all designed to help students.
“What we are about is the students,” Wilson said. “We want them to grow and excel and