Dr. Clarence Green, the interim president at Northwest Missouri State University, was recognized Tuesday by the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kansas City, Missouri, for his commitment to education.

The Chamber recognized Green as an Excellence in Higher Education honoree during its 37th Annual Excellence in Education Banquet. The award celebrates outstanding faculty or staff who have made a significant commitment to education at their institutions.

Green is serving as the University’s interim president during the 2022-23 academic year and began his higher education career at the institution in 1996.

He has served as vice president of culture at Northwest since April 2019 and has oversight of the Office of Human Resources, the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, and the University Police Department, for which he also served as chief. While he leads Northwest teams responsible for strategic planning and crisis management, he also has served on implementation teams for student success, inclusive excellence and behavioral intervention, in addition to leading efforts to establish a multidisciplinary team focused on intervention strategies for students in crisis.

Additionally, he and his wife, Chelli, established The Green Family Scholarship last fall for Northwest students who indicate an interest in pursuing a law enforcement career.  

“While his résumé is very impressive, students, faculty, staff and alumni will tell you that Clarence’s most praiseworthy quality is his compassion for people and the University,” Amy Washam, the director of Northwest-Kansas City, said. “Many would describe him as genuine, humble, caring, admired and, most notably, an excellent mentor.”

Washam added, “He provides a calming presence in our state of transition, brings integrity to the Office of the President and exudes empathy for all faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members.”

Joining Green as Excellence in Higher Education honorees were Montel Evans, of Graceland University; Tonya Robbins, of Park University; Marty Kilgore, of Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods; and Dr. Gina Lane, of William Jewell College.

About Northwest-Kansas City

Northwest-Kansas City, which is located at the Northland Innovation Campus in Gladstone, Missouri, offers opportunities to complete undergraduate completion programs as well as client-based training and partners with a variety of organizations for credit, non-credit and continuing education professional development opportunities.

For more information about Northwest-Kansas City, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/kc/.