Regents approve trauma studies programs; Tatum discusses dining, construction

Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents on Thursday approved a set of curriculum proposals to help organizations and professionals meet an increased demand for training and support related to trauma-informed care.

Regents unanimously approved the proposals to create a Master of Science in Education degree in trauma studies and a graduate certificate in trauma studies. The master’s degree program will span 30 credit hours, and the certificate program will require 12 credit hours; both will be offered online.

In presenting the proposals to the Board, Dr. Rose Marie Ward, Northwest’s provost and vice president of academic affairs, noted that schools, agencies and health systems are increasingly requiring trauma-informed training, policy implementation and competencies.

Northwest’s program will align with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s “Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative” and make it the first four-year institution in the state to offer a master’s degree in trauma studies.

“Having a traumatic experience is becoming more common, and it’s resulting in higher-than-normal anxiety and depression rates in our populations,” Ward said. “The recent literature is saying trauma-informed care is a growing need.”

The interdisciplinary master’s degree program will prepare professionals to respond effectively to complex psychological, social and systemic impacts of trauma. Grounded in current research and evidence-based practices, the program will emphasize the development of advanced competencies in trauma-informed care, equipping graduates to lead change in their settings.

The certificate program will provide working professionals in human services, social work, psychology, counseling, education, criminology and health care with an option to advance their knowledge while supporting rural and urban professionals where trauma-informed training may be limited.

President addresses dining contract, construction, state appropriations

During his regular report to the Board, Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum addressed several widely discussed topics on the campus this spring, including the University’s dining services contract, construction projects and state appropriations for higher education.

In February, Tatum explained, Northwest issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit bids from dining vendors after Sodexo Operations LLC, with which Northwest began contracting for dining services in 2023, notified the University of its intention to terminate its contract at the conclusion of the spring semester. Tatum said five dining vendors indicated interest in working with Northwest, and the University is evaluating proposals with the hope of beginning its next dining contract on May 15.

Tatum noted Northwest’s infrastructure modernization project, which is in the second of three phases, is progressing on schedule and within its budget. Additionally, the University’s renovation and expansion of Martindale Hall is nearing completion and will be ready to open for students next fall. Bearcat Stadium also will receive upgrades this summer – including new turf, a new video board and new seating on the west grandstand – with the assistance of donor funds.

Tatum also informed the Board that Northwest, on Feb. 26, finalized its purchase of the Wesley Foundation property adjacent to the campus. Last summer, Regents authorized the purchase in support of the University’s desire to construct a new visitors center at the campus entrance.

“That’s going to give us a great deal of flexibility and opportunity of how we will reintroduce the east side of campus,” Tatum said.

Regarding state appropriations, Tatum outlined for regents a budget plan making its way through the Missouri House of Representatives that could overhaul how the state funds its public colleges and universities. The proposal calls for a redistribution of funding based on the number of full-time equivalent students attending an institution – a metric that the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development cites with Northwest being the most efficient with its state appropriations. If approved and signed into law, the funding bill would positively affect Northwest.

“Northwest has advocated for over a decade for a more equitable funding model that truly reflects our work and full-time student enrollment; that has not happened,” Tatum said. “For Northwest, this represents a long-awaited and affirming step forward – one that brings renewed optimism for our path ahead.”

Other business

In other business, regents approved the appointment of Cade Johnson as an officer with the University Police Department, per Missouri statue. Johnson is a Maryville resident and graduated from the Missouri Law Enforcement Training Institute in December.

Regents also approved a policy establishing guidelines through which eligible Northwest staff may serve in adjunct teaching roles so long as their adjunct appointments do not interfere with primary job responsibilities. Subsequently, Regents approved the appointments of eight adjunct faculty for the remainder of the 2025-26 academic year.

Additionally, the Board issued a proclamation to Courtney Rowe, a 2023 Northwest alumna who is the reigning Miss Missouri. In addition to her leadership and involvement as a Northwest student, the proclamation cited Rowe as “an exemplary representative of her home state and the University through her community service initiative,” which raises awareness about domestic violence. 

The Board of Regents is responsible for sound resource management of the University and for determining general, educational and financial policies.