Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) will play an even greater role in shaping the future of higher education in the state, following Governor Mike Kehoe’s approval of legislation expanding the university’s statewide mission.
July 9, 2025, in a ceremony at the state capital, Governor Kehoe signed Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 (SCR3) and Senate Bill 150 (SB150), formally recognizing MSSU’s emerging leadership in health and life sciences, as well as immersive learning. This adds to the university’s mission in international education, which has been in place since 1995.
“The governor’s approval of our expanded statewide mission in SCR3 and SB150 marks an important milestone for Missouri Southern. The Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the General Assembly, and the governor have formally recognized three distinctive strengths of MSSU among Missouri’s public universities,” said Dr. Dean Van Galen, MSSU president. “We are committed to building on these strengths across our campus to provide unique opportunities and transformational experiences for our students.”
The legislation approved by the governor reads in part:
“Be it further resolved that Missouri Southern State University is hereby designated and shall hereafter be operated as a statewide institution of international or global education, health and life sciences, and immersive learning experiences.”
"This is an exciting time to acknowledge and showcase the educational strengths, opportunities and workforce produced by MSSU,” said Carlos Haley, chair of the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors.
In 2023, MSSU submitted a proposal to the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE), demonstrating its capacity to expand its mission. The proposal was unanimously approved by the CBHE in September 2023 and efforts to gain legislative approval began in the spring of 2024. Gubernatorial approval of SCR 3 and SB150 formally designates Missouri Southern as the only public university in the state to have these three elements as part of its statewide mission.
“I am extraordinarily grateful not only to Governor Kehoe, but also to members of our entire legislative delegation that strongly supported the expansion of our statewide mission. Special thanks go to Senator Jill Carter and Representative Cathy Jo Loy who filed legislation and championed efforts in Jefferson City,” expressed Van Galen. “I am also very appreciative of the support of our Board of Governors, and our faculty and staff in better defining the university’s strengths and aspirations.”
