Latest news with #MissouriWesternStateUniversity
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New MSW program at Missouri Western seeking accreditation
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Those interested in filling the ever-present need for social workers, especially in rural areas of Northwest Missouri, can receive training through a growing program at Missouri Western State University. The bachelor's program in social (BSW) has been accredited for nearly 40 years. However, a few years ago, the administration and faculty decided to begin a master's program for social work (MSW) which will soon begin its third full year. Department Director, Dr. Grey Endres, said this third year represents a milestone for the program in regard to full accreditation. Pre-candidacy is year one. Then, in year two…you reach what is called full candidacy," Endres said. "When you clear the hurdles of year three…you get what's called your full accreditation." This coming year has the potential of clearing those hurdles for the new program, which means the graduates from both years will also receive credit for having graduated from a fully accredited program. In order to fully achieve their career goals in social work, recent program graduates, like Theresa Sullivan, know that being connected with an accredited program is key. However, for Sullivan, the support of professors and staff in this MSW program have made all the difference. "The staff and professors are very personable and easy to approach," Sullivan said. "As a working mom, the commitment the university has shown to this degree is crucial, because it can be hard for working parents to get to Kansas City or other areas for a master's level program." Sullivan added that a program like this getting off the ground in St. Joseph will benefit the entire region, especially in rural areas. Endres said the program is part of the vision the faculty, staff and administration had in mind when designing an accredited program for social work. Endres said, given the size of the faculty, he feels the program could accommodate around forty students. MWSU graduated 12 MSW students in year one, and expects to graduate 16 this year, counting the May and December 2025 graduating class. In addition to providing graduate-level training for the wide range of care social workers provide — from dealing with child abuse to assisting all ages with mental health needs — Endres said the program also provides a boost to caregivers and non-profit organizations in the community. "Because of the practicum requirements for our MSW students, we have been able to provide around 32,000 hours of service to Northwest Missouri since our beginning," Endres said. "One of our practicum students even assisted a local school in rescuing a child who was being groomed for human trafficking this past year." In the Fall of 2025, the program will partner with Voices of Courage by allowing students to open up a mental health clinic for parents and children at VoC, giving both a practical education opportunity for students and a much needed mental health resource for the community. For recent MSW graduate Sullivan, the diversity of courses and the wide range of backgrounds among the professors expand the opportunities for training and allow graduates a wide range of choices when it comes to the next steps in their careers. "This program is beneficial for any aspect of a social work career, because of the diverse course offerings," Sullivan said. According to the social work department guidelines, there are two tracks for the MSW program: one for those with an undergraduate degree in social work (BSW), as well as a track for those whose undergraduate training is in a related field like education, criminal justice or psychology. "We are fortunate to have the facilities we have at Missouri Western," Endres said. "We have classrooms that mirror real-world places, like hospitals, and we also have practicum requirements that place students in real-world experiences. To find out more about the program and qualifications for admission, visit
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SJSD School Board appoints cabinet positions for 25-26 school year
The St. Joseph School Board appointed cabinet positions, with staffing changes becoming ever-so-present for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. Stacia Studer, the St. Joseph School District's current director of curriculum and instruction, will take over for Dr. Ashly McGinnis as the Assistant Superintendent of Academics. Stacia Studer Stacia Studer, the St. Joseph School District's current director of curriculum and instruction, will take over for Dr. Ashly McGinnis as the Assistant Superintendent of Academics. McGinnis will assume her role of SJSD's superintendent for the upcoming school year. Studer has served the St. Joseph community as an educator for 24 years, she has also coached cross country, basketball and track. Studer holds an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University, a Master of Arts in School Administration from William Woods University, and a Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education with an emphasis in English Language Arts and Social Studies from Missouri Western State University. She has completed her doctoral coursework at William Woods University and is currently working on her dissertation. Additionally, she is a National Writing Project Consultant with the Prairie Lands Writing Project, based at Missouri Western State University. Mark Korell will serve as the Director of human Resources, taking over for Dr. Brian Kraus, who will retire in June. Mark Korell Mark Korell will serve as the Director of human Resources, taking over for Dr. Brian Kraus, who will retire in June. Korell is the current principal at Bode Middle School and has been with SJSD since 2011. Korell holds an Ed.S. in Superintendency from Northwest Missouri State University, in K-12 Administration from Northwest Missouri State University, a B.S. in History from Missouri Western State University, and a A.S in Criminal Justice from Missouri Western State University. Dr. Robert Hedgecorth will serve as the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations, taking over for Dr. Robert Sigrist, who will also retire in June. Robert Hedgecorth Dr. Robert Hedgecorth will serve as the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations, taking over for Dr. Robert Sigrist, who will also retire in June. Hedgecorth will be joining SJSD in the 25-26 school year, but is currently serving as the Executive Director of Business Services for the Ozark School District. Hedgecorth has also served as the Executive Director of Support Services for the Smithville School District. He earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from William Woods University. He also earned his in Education from Baker University and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Northwest Missouri State University. All three appointees will assume their positions on July 1, 2025.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Missouri Western, St. Joseph Museums partner to celebrate 25th annual science event
Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph Museums are partnering together to present the 25th annual Super Science Saturday. The 25th annual science event will be held this year from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the Remington/Agenstein Hall on MWSU's campus. The event will include hands-on activities which have been created with the help of MWSU, area high schools and local businesses. Super Science Saturday is a holdover for the St. Joseph Museums from its original structure as a children's museum. According to the St. Joseph Museums, "The Children's Museum was a project of the National Science Club of the St. Joseph Junior College, under the direction of club sponsor and the first museum director, Miss Orrel Andrews." Super Science Saturday was first introduced to the community in 2000, it was an opportunity for local educators from high schools and MWSU to bring "hands-on, kid-friendly" experiments and programs to St. Joseph's youth all in one day. In the past, there have been many experiments that have stuck on the community's mind including the "sound sandwich", "color wheels" and the "tetrahedron tower building." This year's Super Science Saturday features a "Math Maze" which takes up the entirety of a room, the event is catered toward both adults and children courtesy of MWSU. Another event included in the 25th annual event is a sensory perception test from the MWSU Psychology Department. Additionally, Remington Nature Center is partnering with MWSU's Biology Department Professor Mark Mills to bring live reptiles, amphibians and even a pill bug race. Finally, MWSU's Chemistry Department is presenting fire and ice experiments as well as a "Barrel Crush" show at 2:45 p.m. on Feb. 8. The 25th annual Super Science Saturday event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the Remington/Agenstein Hall on MWSU's campus located at 4525 Downs Drive in St. Joseph, Missouri. Admission is $5 for adults or students and children five-years-old or younger will be admitted for free. Parking is also free. All children must be in attendance with an adult. For tickets to the 25th annual Super Science Saturday event visit For more information about Super Science Saturday, contact the St. Joseph Museums by calling 816-232-8471 or by emailing haynes@
