Regents approve Presidential Search Committee, funds for campus improvements

Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents during its regular meeting Thursday took another step in its process to find the institution’s next president by approving individuals who will serve on the University’s search committee.

The committee consists of 15 people who represent varied Northwest stakeholder groups. In addition to Regents selected during the Board’s June meeting – John Moore, Jason Klindt, Roxanna Swaney and Mel Tjeerdsma – the search committee will include:  

• Peter Adam, an assistant professor of biology and Northwest’s 2021-22 Faculty Senate president
• Allison Atkinson, president of the Northwest Alumni Association Board of Directors
• Rod Barr, director of the School of Agricultural Sciences
• Leisha Barry, president of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors
• Tyrone Bates, vice president of the Northwest Alumni Association’s Black Alumni and Friends Chapter
• Selena Foreman, office manager for Northwest Auxiliary Services and chair of the University’s Staff Council
• Carl Hughes, a member of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors
• Dannen Merrill, a member of the Maryville City Council
• Elizabeth Motazedi, president of the Northwest Student Senate
• Gina Smith, office manager for Northwest’s School of Health Science and Wellness, secretary of Staff Council and a member of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors
• Matt Walker, director of Northwest’s School of Communication and Mass Media and an assistant football coach from 2019 to 2021

The Board last month selected Anthem Executive, a Houston-based search firm to assist the institution with recruiting its next president.

Moore said Thursday that the firm will visit Northwest’s Maryville campus on Monday, Aug. 22, and Tuesday, Aug. 23, to host a series of sessions that will allow students, employees and alumni groups, among others, to provide input about the search and characteristics the University should seek in presidential candidates. Additional details about the sessions, which also will include a Zoom session for individuals residing outside of Maryville, will be announced in coming days.

Moore said the Board then expects to finalize a candidate prospectus at its Sept. 8 meeting, launching a months-long process to attract and recruit presidential candidates. Moore also plans to organize public sessions, via Zoom, as a way to communicate with interested individuals about the process and gather additional input.

“We obviously recognize how important this search is to the success of this University, and we intend to go about it in full recognition of that and give it everything that it deserves so that we’re successful with it,” Moore said.

Interim president addresses Board

In his first public report to the Board since becoming Northwest’s interim president on July 1, Dr. Clarence Green discussed his work during his first month in the office and his goals for the upcoming academic year.

Green said he has engaged with numerous campus, regional and state groups to maintain communication and gain an understanding of issues impacting the University. Additionally, he regularly attended Summer Orientation Advisement and Registration (SOAR) sessions to interact with incoming students and their families, making sure they are having a positive experience as they become familiar with the Northwest campus.

“What I’ve learned in these 30 days is that there are a lot of people who are really excited about Northwest and even where we’re headed,” Green said. “They’re excited about this opportunity that we have before us. What that makes me know is that Northwest is a special place that truly produces special people. … I’m just really excited for this opportunity to serve, but I’m also honored for the responsibility to be the interim president of Northwest.”

Campus improvement projects

Regents unanimously approved proposals to move forward on repairs at the Thomas Gaunt House as well as improvements to the University’s stormwater management infrastructure. 

The Board first authorized Green and Vice President of Finance and Administration Stacy Carrick to execute a contract for structural and interior repairs at the Gaunt House, estimated to cost about $325,000.

While deterioration resulting from water infiltration and structural deficiencies comprise the majority of the needed repairs, interior aesthetic repairs also are needed to prepare the house for occupancy by Northwest’s next president, Carrick told Regents.

The home, located at the south edge of campus, was built during the 1870s and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It has served as the residence for all previous Northwest presidents, though Green and his family are not residing at the house during his interim appointment.

Regents also authorized Green and Carrick to execute a contract not exceeding $3 million with a bidder for the purpose of improving the campus’s stormwater infrastructure. The work is contingent on the award of a State of Missouri American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Water Infrastructure Community Grant for which Northwest has applied in partnership with the city of Maryville. The grant will cover 80 percent of the cost.

Through the joint application with the city, the ARPA grant program provides an opportunity to address stormwater concerns on the campus and enhance drainage capacity as the water moves downstream into the city’s collection network. Carrick told Regents the improvements would dramatically reduce flooding on the campus and better align with proposed stormwater connections in the city.

Other business

In other business, the Board:

• Approved candidates completing degrees during summer coursework at Northwest.
• Approved the appointments of five full-time faculty for teaching during the 2022-23 year and 125 adjunct faculty for teaching during the fall semester. Provost Dr. Jamie Hooyman noted that 21 of the adjunct roles are being filled by full-time Northwest staff members who have expertise in the courses they will teach and are doing so as an addition to their staff responsibilities.
• Approved a contract of about $2.5 million between the Northwest Regional Professional Development Center and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for 2022-23. The funds support salary, benefits, regional and state-required travel, equipment, materials and supplies for the staff at the center, which supports 59 school districts in northwest Missouri.
• Approved the execution of a three-year contract, not to exceed $400,000, for recruitment and admissions customer relationship management (CRM) software to replace the University’s current system. Presenting the proposal to Regents, Hooyman said the new system will include technology integrations to enhance recruitment and admissions processes as well as create operational efficiencies for the University.

The Board of Regents is responsible for sound resource management of the University and determining general, educational and financial policies.