Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University is a learning-centered institution founded in 1905 as a normal school to train teachers for 19 counties in northwest Missouri. Since that time the University has evolved into a comprehensive, coeducational, state-assisted, regional university. Northwest's primary focus is undergraduate education that includes 42-hours of general education plus a major and minor. The University offers 103 undergraduate majors, 36 master's programs, 3 specialist degrees and a cooperative doctorate in Educational Leadership. Business, Education, Geography and Agriculture graduate the largest number of students each year. Three baccalaureate degree programs (Business Management, Accounting and Computer Science) and two master's programs (Geographic Information Systems and Education) are available over the web. The BA programs also are delivered through 2+2 agreements with 22 community colleges. A number of undergraduate and graduate courses and programs are offered at off-campus sites in classroom settings or through interactive video.

Northwest is a national leader in utilizing technology to deliver, improve and accelerate learning. In addition to completely asynchronous on-line courses, approximately 40% of regular courses are "web-enhanced." Over 80 of the University's major classrooms are "electronic"; that is, equipped with projectors, ports to the Internet, document cameras and a VCR or videodisc player. Through the Center for Information Technology in Education (CITE) assistance is provided to faculty as they integrate technology into their courses. These services help provide learning at times and places that are convenient for students.

Northwest's "Culture of Quality" program was launched in 1987 and has undergone several cycles of evaluation and renewal. The University's longtime commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in our Mission, Vision and Cultural Core Values, outcome-driven Seven-Step Planning Process (SSPP), and continued participation in Baldrige-based self-assessment programs.

Northwest won the Missouri Quality Award in 1997 and 2001 and was the only higher education institution to be site-visited for the 2003 Baldrige Award.

Northwest has the lowest percentage of part-time faculty (2.3 percent) of the 41 institutions in its peer group.

Northwest installed the nation's first comprehensive Electronic Campus in 1987. Today the system includes University-provided networked personal computers (PCs) in every student residence hall room and faculty/ administrative office.

Several distinguishing features have contributed to Northwest's competitive success: (1) the Electronic Campus, (2) a reputation as a friendly, relatively small, unusually attractive and well-maintained campus, (3) quality programs and services, (4) moderate tuition rates, and (5) agility in responding to changes in our marketplace. Our success in meeting and exceeding student expectations is reflected in the fact that we have the highest freshman success rate for moderately selective institutions in the state. We have systematically built and continue to maintain these advantages through our planning processes.

Cultural Core Values
? We focus on our students and stakeholders.
? We care about each other.
? We are a learning organization, continually improving our University and ourselves.
? We collaborate and work together to accomplish our goals.
? We master the details of what we do.
? We are open and ethical.
? We are leaders in our field.