Derrick Bready

The Board of Governors discussed several key topics, including personnel updates and board appointments. Reports covered athletics achievements, the success of the Lions Forward capital campaign, and updates on the Roy Blunt Health Science Innovation Center and other facility renovation projects. Academic affairs discussions centered on the performance of the teacher education program, student success initiatives, and the accreditation of the Environmental Health and Safety Program. Financial reviews included the FY27 budget process and monthly financial statements. Additionally, admissions and enrollment strategies, NCAA updates, and reports from the Faculty and Staff Senates were presented.

This report outlines Missouri Southern State University's strategic efforts focused on enhancing student experience, fostering academic excellence and innovation, and expanding its statewide mission. Key priorities include significant fundraising and campus development, such as the Roy Blunt Health Science Innovation Center, along with initiatives to boost enrollment and retention through Meta Majors and strengthened dual credit programs. The university aims to cultivate strong community and alumni engagement, ensure financial sustainability, and ultimately broaden its impact and reach across the region.

This document outlines Missouri Southern State University's expanded mission: 'Explore Boldly. Care Deeply. Impact Globally.' The mission is built upon three foundational pillars: immersive learning, health and life sciences, and global education. The strategic direction focuses on enabling students to shape ideas through doing, fostering a career in helping others, and expanding perspectives through global experiences. The plan emphasizes purposeful growth that extends beyond the campus into studios, hospitals, conference rooms, and communities statewide and globally.

This document outlines the Faculty Senate's three strategic priorities for the 2025-26 academic year. The key focus areas include encouraging broader faculty engagement for shared ownership, assessing and reducing bureaucratic barriers through a collaborative audit, and improving communication between faculty leadership and faculty to build trust and ensure timely updates. The overarching goal is to foster collaborative relationships, support academic excellence, ensure institutional transparency, and enhance the vitality of the university community.

The report covered various institutional updates. Key items included Senator Roy Blunt's visit to the new Roy Blunt Health Science Innovation Center, the announcement of the 2025-2026 Willcoxon Scholars, and the high media coverage following the celebration of Missouri Southern's new statewide mission. Updates were provided on Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education recommendations for the FY2027 budget, including a request for a 4% core budget increase. Operational discussions included doubling campus internet bandwidth to 2 Gbps for digital transformation support and the completion of the annual financial statement audit, which resulted in a clean audit with no findings. Construction progress on the Roy Blunt Health Science Innovation Center and the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center bleacher installation was noted. Furthermore, updates on the Lions Forward fundraising campaign showed 95% of the $42.7 million goal achieved as of October 2025. Recruitment efforts focused on stabilizing freshman enrollment and expanding out-of-state recruitment, alongside efforts to reframe the university brand and integrate yield strategies with financial wellness initiatives. The report also highlighted successful community outreach, including the 'Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat' food drive and MSSU hosting the NCAA Division II Central Region Cross Country Championships.