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University of Saint Mary tells Leavenworth commissioners enrollment, program and campus projects are growing
Summary
A University of Saint Mary representative reported expanded academic programs, new partnerships and campus improvement plans to the Leavenworth City Commission, including growing investment activity, an accredited MSW program and prison-education enrollment.
Sister Diane, representing the University of Saint Mary, gave a semiannual report to the Leavenworth City Commission on campus programs, enrollment and planned capital projects.
The university is expanding several academic programs and partnerships that city officials said could affect the local workforce and economy. Sister Diane said the university’s business department is sending 10 students to the Future Business Leaders of America competition in Texas and has an active trading team now operating within the Saint Mary Fund. She said the fund’s assets have increased from about $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 and that earnings are used to support student tuition, room and board.
Saint Mary’s master of social work program is fully accredited and the university reported about 80 students enrolled in the online MSW program. Sister Diane told commissioners the accreditation makes the program accessible to students in Missouri and supports local practicum placements: “But the master is on. The masters, if they’re local, they do it here,” she said when asked about local internships.
University officials also described plans to convert parts of campus and add flexible learning and simulation spaces. The commission heard that Saint Mary intends to renovate Xavier Hall — flattening the theater floor to create a ballroom-style, multiuse space — move the campus broadcasting studio to a second-floor location and expand a nursing simulation lab tied to the accelerated nursing program. The accelerated nursing option will move much of the classroom (didactic) work online and bring students to campus for short, intensive clinical sessions.
Sister Diane described other community-facing activities: a summer science camp expected to bring roughly 75 teachers to campus, continued expansion of prison-education programs (about 20 currently enrolled across correctional facilities named in the presentation), and dual-enrollment/partnership arrangements with a Kansas community college so students can earn trade certificates while completing a bachelor’s program. She said fall enrollment exceeded 1,400 students.
Commissioners and members of the public asked about local practicum placements for social work students; Sister Diane said local MSW students complete field placements in area nonprofit organizations, shelters and long-term care facilities. The university also highlighted athletic and student-life accomplishments that attract visitors and local economic activity, including conference championships and national competitors in multiple sports.
City commissioners thanked the university for the report and noted the visibility campus activities bring to the city; no formal city action was taken on the presentation.
The university’s presentation is part of a regular update schedule the commission receives from local institutions; Sister Diane closed by noting ongoing campus planning and partnership efforts.
