Regents approve updated contract with Regional Professional Development Center

Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents, during its regular session on Thursday, approved police officer and faculty appointments as well as a contract for the University’s Regional Professional Development Center.

Northwest Police Chief Amanda Cullin presented the appointments of two police officers to the Board of Regents on Thursday. (Photo by Lilly Cook/Northwest Missouri State University)

Regents approved a contract of about $2.2 million between the Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for 2026-27.

The funds support salary, benefits, regional and state-required travel, equipment, materials and supplies for 17 full-time and four part-time staff at the center, which assists 59 school districts in the 15-county region of northwest Missouri. The University has supported the RPDC since its inception in 1995.

“It is a great resource for our state and especially in our region,” Dr. Rose Marie Ward, Northwest’s provost and vice president of academic affairs, told the Board. “It is one of nine in the state of Missouri, and it helps build capacity among our educators and schools by providing professional development.”

The Board also approved the appointments of officers Grant Adkins and Rachel Neville to the University Police Department, per Missouri statute. Adkins graduated from the Missouri Law Enforcement Training Institute in April, and Neville is transferring to Northwest from the Maryville Police Department.

Additionally, regents approved the appointments of seven full-time faculty and 123 adjunct faculty for the 2026-27 academic year, adding to 226 full-time faculty approved by regents in June.

In other business, regents approved the conferral of degrees to more than 500 students completing bachelor’s, master’s and specialist degrees at the conclusion of summer coursework.

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