UCM Vice Provost Named to The Examiner’s 2024 Women of Distinction

A member of the University of Central Missouri’s (UCM) strategic leadership team has been recognized for her commitment and contributions to the university and her community.

The Examiner, which covers Eastern Jackson County, named Laurel Hogue, vice provost for Online and Learning Engagement, to its Women of Distinction group for 2024. Hogue was chosen by the newspaper’s selection panel, which narrowed down the public nominations to the top 20.

According to The Examiner, the annual Women of Distinction Awards began in 2016 to “celebrate the important role of women and their contributions to the communities throughout Jackson County. Annually, we celebrate some of the most distinctive women representing business, government, education, community and not-for-profit areas.”

 

The honorees were recognized during a lunch banquet Thursday, Sept. 26 in Blue Springs and their biographies were included in a special section published by The Examiner.

 

Hogue said it’s an honor to be recognized and be among the ranks of high-caliber women in Jackson County. 

"I appreciate the person in the community or UCM community who recognized me and put my name forward. I’m super appreciative,” Hogue said.

Hogue has worked for UCM since 2003, serving as vice provost for Extended Studies for six years before being named to her current role in 2021. She leads efforts for the university’s entrepreneurial and off-campus programs, including distance learning, dual credit, workforce development and UCM-Lee’s Summit operations at the Missouri Innovation Campus. 

Additionally, she is responsible for the Honors College, Digital Learning and Instructional Innovation, the Center for Global Education and service learning and community engagement. 

“Laurel was pivotal in establishing the operations of the Missouri Innovation Campus and has built a strong team of staff who provide a high level of support to our academic departments offering courses there,” said Tim Crowley, interim provost/vice president for Academic Affairs. “She has also built a significant workforce development area for the university and has become well known in the state and Kansas City area workforce development sector for her contributions.”

He noted that Hogue has also developed her skills in the international partnership arena in recent years. She is the primary lead for UCM’s strategic partner in China, Hengshui University. 

Crowley said it is exciting to see Hogue recognized for her talents and accomplishments and said the Women of Distinction award is well deserved.

“Laurel is a tremendously gifted leader and always brings a cheerful, positive spirit to all of our collaborations,” Crowley said. “She is always optimistic, versatile and practical in the way she approaches her work and a key member of my leadership team. She is a respected continuing education leader and has helped UCM advance in many ways over her career.”

Hogue said she’s enjoyed working at UCM for 21 years because there has been no shortage of new opportunities in the entrepreneurial branch of Academic Affairs. She and her team at the two campuses have built numerous partnerships with community organizations that support undergraduate and graduate degree pathways and non-credit job training programs. 

Hogue earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UCM and has a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She said she had a great student experience and wants to do her part to continue that for current and future UCM students. 

“When you think back on when you were a student, some of the ones that made the biggest difference are the faculty in the classroom,” Hogue said. “Anything we can do to support them, I'm going to focus on making that experience super strong for students. That’s my role: support faculty, so in turn, they provide the same support to students.”

Outside of UCM, Hogue recently completed six years on the Lee’s Summit Medical Center Board of Trustees, the last two as chair. She is also on the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council Board of Directors, the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District Business Roundtable and serves as vice chair for the Greater Lee’s Summit Healthcare Foundation. She was previously involved with Grad Force KC and KC Rising and was on an initial committee to create KC Scholars, now known as Great Jobs KC.