Gov. Nixon Announces Missouri Innovation Campus Grants to Create a Pathway for Students to Careers in High-Demand Fields

Published: 08/03/2012

This project is a partnership between the Economic Development Council of St. Charles County, the Sinclair School of Nursing at the University of Missouri, St. Charles Community College and healthcare industry partners in and around St. Charles County. This initiative will provide healthcare industry partners with a skilled workforce to address current and future BSN-educated employment demands. It will also leverage eligible credit for prior learning and online teaching and learning methods to allow participants flexibility when completing program requirements within three years or less. 

“We are looking forward to collaborating with the St. Charles Economic Development Center, the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing and our local hospital partners to continue to provide outstanding nursing education to meet the current and future employment needs of our hospitals and our students,” said Ron Chesbrough, Ph.D., SCC president. “This is an exciting new model of collaboration between these various entities and one that we fully expect will be successful now and into the future.”

Gov. Jay Nixon announced nearly $9 million in grants to establish Innovation Campuses throughout Missouri. Innovation Campuses will train students for career opportunities in high-demand fields, cut the time it takes to earn a college degree, and reduce student debt. The Governor made the announcement during an Aug. 1 visit to Missouri Western State University, which is a partner in a $1 million Innovation Campus Grant to help area residents earn college degrees while receiving real-world training opportunities at area businesses.

"Innovation Campuses create a direct connection for Missouri students between the skills they learn in the classroom, and the skills that are in demand today," Gov. Nixon said. "Not only will students be trained for solid careers in growing industries, they'll be able to earn those degrees in less time with lower debt as a result."