For ceremonial purposes, representatives from Missouri Southern and University of Missouri-Kansas City signed an agreement Nov. 22 to allow the two institutions to pursue joint masters degrees in nursing and dental hygiene.

“Obviously, we are very pleased,” said University President Julio León. “I think these two new joint graduate programs will allow people here to attain the degrees here in the area.”

Missouri Senator Gary Nodler was on hand to see the signing completed.

“I just want to congratulate both institutions,” he said. “We’ve really gone a long way.”

León said Nodler’s work in the legislature helped the institutions to expedite their plans to allow these degrees.

Dr. Stephen Lehmkuhle, interim chancellor at UMKC, was the representative from his institution to sign the agreement.

“We cannot meet the educational needs of the people in this state without partnerships,” he said.

Lehmkuhle said the potential students in the area are sometimes bound to this area alone and cannot move to other areas to gain higher degrees.

“[This agreement] enables those students to continue their education,” he said. “And, without the partnership we cannot.”

The degree will be taught both through Southern and UMKC. Southern faculty will teach most of the classes, but there will be classes through UMKC faculty and Internet courses. Periodically faculty members from UMKC will travel to Southern to oversee some of the procedures and help in other areas as well.

León said Southern could provide the degrees on its own, but would have a difficult time doing so if it had not been for the help of UMKC. The partnership relieves the burden on both institutions. Southern can provide the degrees as called for by its university status and UMKC does not have to build another facility.

The programs were chosen based on the most needed areas of study around southwest Missouri.

“There is a strong demand for nurses,” León said. “But, it’s not just nurses. It’s also nurse practitioners. It’s a degree that is in high educational demand.”

He said the two major medical centers in the area look for applicants with these degrees, but often look outside of the area.

Dr. Richard McCallum, vice president for academic affairs, was present for the ceremony.

“I think this is a great day,” he said. “It signals an outstanding effort on the part of the institutions to respond to the educational needs of our area.”

Dr. Elizabeth Deffenbaugh, Board of Governors president, said she is looking forward to seeing how the degrees progress.

“We, as Board members, are thrilled to carry on with the programs we are allowed to through UMKC,” she said.

León said the institutions will work on seeing the programs through and making sure all possible complications are worked out early on. This would allow the programs to run smoothly and allow both institutions to discuss other degrees.

“I think we will explore other possibilities, but there are none at this time,” León said.

After the ceremony, the cooperative programs were sent to the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education for approval.

“This marks once again the steps in the progress of Missouri Southern,” León said.