UCM’s Lee’s Summit Campus Selected as Site for Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education’s Annual Work Session

By Janice Phelan, June 25, 2024

Members of the CBHE toured the Missouri Innovation Campus, including a stop in the Extended Reality Studio.

LEE’S SUMMIT, MO - The University of Central Missouri (UCM) hosted the Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education (CBHE) at the Missouri Innovation Campus in Lee’s Summit.

“UCM was chosen from seven other universities that applied to host their annual work session,” said David Pearce, UCM’s executive director for governmental relations. “It was quite an honor for UCM to be chosen to host the CBHE meeting.”

The state board met on the UCM MIC campus for two half-day sessions. Members also made time for a tour of the unique Missouri Innovation Campus including stops at the Center for Workforce and Professional Education, the School of Nursing and its simulations center, as well as UCM's cutting-edge Extended Reality Studio which offers both virtual and augmented reality.

 

“The MIC was chosen for the CBHE work session due to our commitment to Workforce Development, and our ability to work with the local school district, community college and business community,” he added.

In addition to the campus tour and work session, the board participated in a reception with local community members and a public session. During UCM President Roger Best’s welcome remarks to  the CBHE members, he discussed the one-of-a-kind Missouri Innovation Campus (MIC) program, a collaboration among UCM, the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, Metropolitan Community College and leading area businesses. He also shared information about MIC undergraduate programs, graduate and certificate programs and the student population.

“UCM’s selection for the annual work session demonstrates the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development’s recognition of the importance of the UCM campus mission,” Pearce said.

“They could see the cooperation with our school partners and business community,” he added. “At the same time, they could see the state-of-the art facilities and how they offer so much for our students.”

 

The nine-member CBHE oversees the state’s Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. This was the first time the board has met at the Missouri Innovation Campus, and the first time in more than 20 years that the CBHE has met at UCM. Typically, the board meets seven times annually in Jefferson City with its annual work session taking place on a Missouri college or university campus. UCM offers classes at campuses in Warrensburg and Lee's Summit, as well as online.