April 17, 2026鈥摵卟萆缜� is creating a new scholarship for transfer students who want to pursue a degree in nursing.

鈥淲e know that there is a continual need for additional nurses in northwest Missouri, and 含羞草社区鈥檚 ability to educate those nurses is second to none,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, president. 鈥淥ur program has been educating nurses for 55 years and has grown to become of the most respected nursing schools in the state. Students who have started their college careers elsewhere and are wanting to prepare for a career in nursing now have additional resources that will make a quality 含羞草社区 education even more affordable.鈥�

The 含羞草社区 Transfer Scholarship for Nursing is for students transferring from a community college or another four-year institution to pursue a degree in nursing from 含羞草社区. Award recipients receive $500, renewable for up to two years. The application process is simple, and the scholarship can be combined with other awards, but there is a limited number of scholarships available each year.

To qualify, you must be a transfer student, admitted to 含羞草社区, and have nursing declared as your major.

Missouri Western鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program accepts up to 60 students each semester. The program has a graduation rate of more than 90%, a job placement rate of more than 95%, and graduates regularly exceed state and national averages for first-time pass rates on the NCLEX national licensing exam.

To learn more about the new scholarship, visit missouriwestern.edu/nursing/nursing-transfer-scholarship/.听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Nov. 10, 2025–Haley Lindsey, director of financial aid at 含羞草社区, was recently recognized by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) as their Most Valuable Professional (MVP).听

This prestigious honor highlights Lindsey鈥檚 outstanding contributions to the financial aid profession and her dedication to student success. Her feature, website, celebrates this remarkable achievement.

Lindsey earned her bachelor of business administration in tourism and hospitality in 2013 and her master of science in higher education administration in 2018, both from Fort Hays State University. She has been in higher education for 11 years, all of them in financial aid, with the last two at 含羞草社区. She told NASFAA why she loves 含羞草社区.

鈥淎s an open-access university, we welcome a wide mix of students 鈥� first-generation, transfers, adult learners, and veterans 鈥� and that diversity makes the work both exciting and meaningful,鈥� Lindsey said. 鈥淵ou get to meet students where they are and help them find their path forward.鈥�

Outside of financial aid, Lindsey enjoys painting and spending time with her son.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Sept. 29, 2023–含羞草社区 has named Daniel Holt as vice president for finance and administration. Holt, currently vice president for finance and operations at William Jewell College, will begin his duties Oct. 25.

鈥淒aniel has demonstrated the ability to strategically analyze and effectively address challenging financial and budgetary situations, empowering his team members to devise innovative solutions,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western鈥檚 president. 鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled that he will be joining our Missouri Western family.鈥�

Holt has been at William Jewell since 2004, beginning as student employment and financial aid coordinator before serving as director of financial aid, associate vice president for institutional strategy and chief financial officer before assuming his current title last year.听

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to be a Griffon,鈥� Holt said. 鈥淚 look forward to helping Missouri Western strategically maximize student success and satisfaction with finite resources, developing creative and innovative ways to do that while preserving our core mission and values.鈥�

Holt received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Central Missouri and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He previously held office in the Missouri Association of Student Financial Aid Personnel (MASFAP) and the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. He was selected for the Council of Independent Colleges Senior Leadership Academy in 2021, and received the MASFAP Bob Berger Newcomer of the Year Award in 2005, an award named for the longtime director of financial aid at Missouri Western.

As vice president for finance and administration, Holt will be Missouri Western鈥檚 chief financial officer. He will oversee the University鈥檚聽 accounting, budgeting, student billing and collections, payroll, purchasing, financial aid, physical plant, capital and construction management, security and safety services, human resources, information technology, bookstore, food services and many other administrative functions.听

Daniel Holt succeeds Ron Olinger, who has served as interim vice president since March. Olinger will remain at Missouri Western through the end of October to assist in the transition.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .听

The $76 million budget includes a 1% pay raise for employees.

鈥淭he Board of Governors remains committed to the four-year compensation plan they approved last year to bring wages in line with the job market,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western鈥檚 president. 鈥淚鈥檓 pleased that we鈥檙e able to include an employee pay raise in this year鈥檚 budget.鈥�

The budget includes an increase of 7.5% in tuition. Tuition will rise from $240 to $258 per credit hour for in-state undergraduate students, with tuition and fees totaling $7,176 per year for a full-time student taking 24 credit hours. The budget also includes increases of approximately 4% in housing rates and 5% in meal plans.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .听

May 1, 2023–含羞草社区 presented nine faculty and staff members with awards and recognized 17 retirees at the 2022-2023 Faculty and Staff Awards and Retirement Reception on April 28.

Award winners include:

Outstanding Academic Advisor: Dr. Lane DesAutels, associate professor of philosophy. “He is willing to go above and beyond to make sure the students understand their future academic path.”

Missouri Western Award for Staff Service to the University: Jessica Frogge, administrative coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and the Griffon Office of Applied Learning. “Jessica’s institutional knowledge, technical skills, and commitment to MWSU are definite strengths and keys to her success.”

Missouri Western Award for Staff Service to Students: Dane Eckert, senior manager in Technology Services. “Dane has been consistently involved, responsive, competent, and reliable in addressing a broad range of technical challenges.”

Missouri Western Award for Staff Service to Colleagues: Amber Halstead, math coordinator in the Center for Academic Support and Staff Association president. “Amber is a team player in every sense of the word and 鈥� sees herself as a steward for the University and its employees.”

Missouri Western Award for Teaching Excellence:

• Dr. Aracely Newton, assistant professor of biology. “She cares deeply about the success of her students and provides multiple opportunities for them to get feedback and learn the materials.”
• Dr. Elizabeth Thorne Wallington, assistant professor of education. “Dr. Thorne Wallington forms deep connections with her students, both as a faculty member and an advisor.”

Missouri Western Foundation Dr. James V. Mehl Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship: Dr. James Okapal, professor of philosophy. “Marrying science fiction and fantasy literature with the philosophers’ study of ethics, Dr. Okapal published six peer-reviewed articles, offered three scholarly presentations, and delivered two invited lectures last year.”

Missouri Western Foundation Dr. James J. Scanlon Award for Staff Service to Community: Jeremy Acton, grounds supervisor for Physical Plant. “Jeremy has through his example and leadership made a positive contribution to the University.”

Missouri Western Foundation Dr. James J. Scanlon Award for Faculty Service to the Community: Dr. Jennifer Jackson, associate professor of communication. “Jennifer has used applied learning in her classes to serve our community…helping teach her students while giving back to community clients.”

The reception also honored 17 employees who have or will soon retire with a combined 269 years of service to Missouri Western. Honored retirees include:

• Roger Adams, Physical Plant
• Dr. Susan Bashinski, Graduate Studies
• Shelle Browning, Physical Plant
• Greg Dillon, Athletics
• Janice Dillon, Business Office
• Dr. Crystal Harris, College of Science and Health
• Karma Hartong, School of Nursing and Health Professions
• Robin Kelly, Department of Education
• Dr. Steve Klassen, Department of Computer Science, Math & Physics
• Greg Kriewitz, Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science
• Dr. David McIntire, School of Fine Arts
• Peggy Payne, Admissions
• Deb Singleton, Department of Communication
• Cindy Spotts-Conrad, Financial Aid
• Dan Stevens, Academic Advising
• Buzz Verduzco, Athletics
• Deana Wennihan, Financial Aid

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .听

鈥淢issouri Western puts people first,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, president. 鈥淎nd our budget reflects that.鈥�

For the first time in four years, the budget includes a pay raise for Missouri Western employees. The raises will take effect in July and are part of a four-year compensation plan designed to bring wages in line with the job market. Details will be announced soon to employees.

The budget includes an increase of 4% in tuition and mandatory fees, in line with a recommendation from the state. Tuition will rise from $230 to $240 per credit hour for in-state undergraduate students, with tuition and fees totaling a little more than $8,000 per year for a full-time student taking 30 credit hours. Housing fees will increase 4.5% to 6%, and food service fees will increase an average of 6%.听

The budget reflects a 5.4% increase in Missouri Western鈥檚 core budget approved by the Missouri General Assembly and awaiting signature from Gov. Parson.听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

鈥淎ffordability is important to our students, and we remain one of the best values in higher education in the state of Missouri,鈥� said Darrell Morrison, vice president for finance and administration.听

Tuition for in-state, undergraduate students will increase $10 per credit hour, to $230. The total cost of tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate student will be just under the $7,749.65 cap set by the state of Missouri鈥檚 Higher Education Student Funding Act.听

Housing rates, ranging from $2,512 to $3,774 per semester, will not increase. Under terms of the University鈥檚 contract with food service provider Aramark, meal plans will increase between 3.4 and 4.4 percent, depending on the plan selected.

FY 2021-22 Budget

The tuition and fee package was part of the 2021-22 budget approved by the Board of Governors. The balanced budget is based on steady enrollment and retention, additional emergency COVID-19 relief from the federal government and a restoration of state appropriations to FY19 levels. Because of actions taken last year, salary and benefit expenses will drop by more than $1.1 million, and no additional staff or faculty reductions are planned. Scholarship expenses are expected to increase by $665,000 based on the reinstatement of Missouri Western鈥檚 A+ Scholarship and the annual growth of Griffon Guarantee Scholarships.

In total, revenues in the 2021-22 budget total $4,277 more than the approximately $76.6 million in expenses.

FY 2020-21 Budget

Next year鈥檚 balanced budget represents a dramatic turnaround from the budget that was approved at the start of the current fiscal year with a deficit of more than $4.5 million. Missouri Western was able to close that gap with a one-time transfer of money from the MWSU Foundation, federal emergency COVID-19 relief and reductions in expenses.听

鈥淚 anticipate that we will end this fiscal year on June 30 with a small surplus,鈥� Morrison said. 鈥淭here is a lot of credit to go around for that encouraging news: to the Board of Governors, who have made a number of difficult decisions over the past year; to our donors and Foundation Board of Directors, who generously supported the University in our time of need; and to our faculty and staff, who have worked tirelessly to continue serving our students while holding the line on expenses.鈥�

Missouri Western鈥檚 cash position–the money it has on hand–has increased by more than $3.5 million in the last two years, from $13.3 million on March 31, 2019 to $16.9 million this March 31.

The improved financial picture has Morrison considering a recommendation to end Missouri Western鈥檚 state of financial emergency, which the Board declared last year.听

鈥淲e鈥檙e not quite there yet, but we may be there soon, depending on enrollment and state funding next year,鈥� he said.

Bids

In other action, the Board of Governors approved bids for four capital improvement projects:

• $316,147.76 to WJ Cole Floors to replace carpet in Scanlon Hall
• $309,500 to Hallowell Painting Construction to paint interior walls in Scanlon Hall
• $832,000 to Delta Innovative Services Inc. to repair the roof on Murphy Hall and replace the roof on Hearnes Center
• $662,629 to Keller Construction to repair and resurface various parking lots

The Scanlon Hall projects are funded through the University Repair and Replacement account. The roof and parking lot repairs are funded through the State of Missouri Capital Appropriations Fund.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.

It was part of the governor’s statewide tour to look at what safety measures are being put into place in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There’s a lot of smart people out there that can deal with a lot of situations,” Parson said during a media availability following his private meeting with university leaders. “I think the education community above all is doing exactly what they need to be doing. They’re preparing, they’re trying to give the students, their parents, the confidence.”

For new MWSU interim president Elizabeth Kennedy, it was her first day on the job since taking over for former president Matt Wilson, who took a job in Japan. Kennedy is aware of the challenge she is facing.

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鈥淢issouri Western remains one of the most affordable universities in the state,鈥� said President Matthew Wilson.听 鈥淲e know that times are difficult for many of our students, so we are committed to keeping increases modest while being fiscally responsible.鈥�

Tuition will rise one percent for most undergraduate and graduate students taking classes on campus. Undergraduate in-state students, which make up the majority of Missouri Western students, will see tuition rise from $217.72 per credit hour to $220. Online tuition will be significantly reduced to match the cost of in-person classes.

The board also approved a restructuring of mandatory fees. Rather than a flat fee for SGA and student support, for example, students will pay a reduced fee of $3.75 per credit hour for SGA and $6 per hour for student support. A $75 per hour technology fee will be added to online courses.

In total, the increase in tuition and mandatory fees amounts to approximately 2.43 percent for students.听

The Board of Governors also approved room and board rates for the upcoming school year. Room rates will rise 5 percent, ranging from $2,512 per semester to $3,774. Board plans will increase approximately 3 percent under terms of Missouri Western鈥檚 contract with food service provider Aramark.

In other action, the Board approved a bid of $128,012.53 from ConvergeOne of Overland Park, Kansas, for storage array replacement, used as an infrastructure component for all IT managed servers and services.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.

Students who have completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) but whose financial situation has changed can contact Financial Aid for instructions on how to adjust FAFSA information to better reflect their current circumstances and needs. Financial aid counselors can walk students step-by-step through the process. Call 816-271-4362.

Students can also complete a Special Circumstances Appeal Form directly online:

• Log into Goldlink
• Select Financial Aid and Billing
• Select and complete the Special Circumstances Appeal Form for 2020-2021
• Upload required documents

More information about the special circumstances appeal process can be found on Missouri Western鈥檚 website.听

Students who have not yet completed their FAFSA can do so through the . Missouri Western鈥檚 school code is 002490.听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.