Governor Jay Nixon announced $9 million dollars in Innovation Campus Grants while making stops across the state Wednesday

The Governor’s stops included St Joseph as Missouri Western and the Chamber of Commerce received $1 million.

Beginning this fall, the MWSU Innovation Campus program will enroll adults and high school students in relevant educational tracks, with financial aid of up to $7,500 for these students to pursue college degrees.

Through the Innovation Campus, high school students will be directed toward courses and programs specifically designed to prepare them for careers in science and technology and to reduce the time needed to earn their degrees.

The Governor says the program will help build Missouri’s Economy.

“This is exactly the type of strong public-private partnership we need to grow our economy and keep our state moving forward,” Nixon said.”  It’s the type of cutting edge approach to higher education that we want to replicate across the state.”

The Partnership with the St Joseph Metro Chamber of Commerce includes Missouri Western and Metropolitan Community College.

“The Innovation Campus project reflects Missouri Western’s commitment to increasing the number of college graduates in the region and to providing students with real-world applied learning opportunities,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “We will work closely with our partners to help participants obtain college degrees in disciplines that align with job openings and career opportunities in high-demand fields, including the human health and animal health industries.”