Committee hears support for expanding Missouri Southern's statewide mission to include health, life sciences and immersive learning

Senator Jill Carter introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 3, which would add health and life sciences and immersive learning experiences to the statewide mission of Missouri Southern State University.

Carter told the committee she coordinated the measure with a corresponding House item and said the resolution would broaden the university's stated mission. Dean Van Gellen, president of Missouri Southern State University, testified in support and described existing and planned programs the university says illustrate the need for the expanded mission. Van Gellen cited strong professional licensure pass rates (including on the NCLEX for nursing), a recent topping-out ceremony for the Roy Blunt Health Science Innovation Center (scheduled to open in summer 2026), and a campus-hosted Wilcoxon Innovation in Health Science Summit that drew more than 350 community members and students.

Van Gellen described immersive learning examples already in use on campus, including virtual reality in nursing instruction and digital cadaver tables for anatomy, physiology and pathology instruction. He characterized the resolution as a means for the university to better serve its region by formalizing programmatic emphasis in health and life sciences and immersive learning.

Committee members asked no questions during the hearing. No witnesses testified in opposition; no amendments or votes were taken in committee during the public hearing section recorded in the transcript.