Dr. Ben Blackford, the director of Northwest Missouri State University’s Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business and an associate professor of management, was recognized Tuesday by the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kansas City, Missouri, for his commitment to education.

The Chamber recognized Blackford as an Excellence in Higher Education honoree during its 36th Annual Excellence in Education Banquet. The award celebrates an outstanding faculty or staff member who has made a significant commitment to education at their institution.

Blackford was honored for his dedication to collaborating and engaging with Northwest-Kansas City students, advisors and adjunct faculty. He has developed degree program schedules to help students enter the Northwest-Kansas City program at various entry points throughout the academic year, and he assists advisors with finding degree programs for students who have accumulated transfer credits. 

Blackford joined the Northwest faculty in 2009. He teaches several business courses, including entrepreneurship, organizational policy and decision making, innovation and entrepreneurship, and business decision support modeling. His academic interests include strategy, entrepreneurship, human resource management and globalization.

“Dr. Blackford values finding the best method to serve students in completing a degree in the timeliest and most tuition-sensitive manner,” Amy Washam, the director of Northwest-Kansas City, said. “Additionally, he regularly discusses internship and study abroad opportunities with students to add real-world learning to degree programs. These experiences equip students for the next steps in their careers.”

Washam added, “Dr. Blackford strives to find current professionals in the field to teach within the School of Business programs at Northwest-Kansas City. These industry-professionals-by-day and adjuncts-by-night, provide real-world context to topics discussed in class. Many of these professionals further engage the students with guest speakers, offsite field trips, and networking opportunities. Dr. Blackford’s leadership has allowed industry experts to bring the work world into our classrooms.”

Joining Blackford as Excellence in Higher Education honorees were Dr. Allison Dudley, of Graceland University; Peggy Payne, of Missouri Western University; Jennine M. Wilson,  of Park University; Dr. Larry Redaux, of Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods; and Dr. Maggie Sherer, of William Jewell College.

About Northwest-Kansas City

Northwest-Kansas City, which is located at the Northland Innovation Campus in Gladstone, Missouri, offers opportunities to complete undergraduate completion programs as well as client-based training and partners with a variety of organizations for credit, non-credit and continuing education professional development opportunities.

For more information about Northwest-Kansas City, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/kc/.