Development of the Mission

Since 1995, the public affairs mission has been incorporated into many aspects of Missouri State campus life.

  • The week-long Public Affairs Conference attracts nationally known speakers and hundreds of participants.
  • In 2000, the University was selected as the site of the Missouri Campus Compact, a statewide organization of college and university presidents and chancellors committed to helping students develop values and skills of citizenship through public and community service.
  • The Public Affairs Academy hosts 40-50 high schools students for ten days each summer.
  • The student-led Public Affairs Week is an annual event.
  • A convocation series was established.
  • A public affairs grant program was established.
  • Kentwood Hall was designated as the public affairs residence hall, featuring special programming and opportunities.
  • Four Excellence in Community Service Awards were developed and funded by the Missouri State Foundation.
  • The University was listed in the Templeton Foundation Honor Roll for Character-Building Colleges, and more recently in the Community Engagement Classification of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
  • Consistent with the public affairs mission, the University committed to two University-wide efforts: blood drives and supporting the United Way.
  • A Provost Fellow for Public Affairs was established.
  • Several scholarships include a public affairs component as a requirement.
  • The Citizenship and Service-Learning (CASL) program was energized and expanded.
  • The Student Volunteer Center was created.