By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents has approved some new programs for students heading into a new school year.
Starting in the fall semester, Northwest will offer a Bachelor of Science in Technology Systems Management degree in agricultural mechanics and manufacturing.
Provost Jamie Hooyman says Northwest has always had a strong ag mechanics program, but this is about changing with demands of the workforce
“Mechanics aren’t the same now as they were 50 years ago, so this also gives the students abilities to get some course work in robotics, technologies, safety, AC/DC,” Hooyman tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
Hooyman says it’s advancing what was a staple in ag mechanics
“They’re also bringing in what’s a lot of the requirements, what’s nowadays to be able to continue in those fields,” Hooyman says.
The new program will be solely offered on campus. Also starting in the fall, Northwest will offer a new Master of Science degree in management science, which will be available online or on campus
Hooyman says this course is about data collection and teaching students how to use AI responsibly in this world where it’s part of everyday life
“How do you use it and how do you use critical thinking tools to make sure that the information that you’re getting is good?” Hooyman asks. “So, what this degree will do is focus a lot on the analytical tools and deciphering information to make sure that the corporation is able to move forward using good data.”
Hooyman says the new program is huge because when you’re basing decisions to determine people’s future on data, you need to make sure the data you find is correct.
In the spring semester, a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration will be offered to students. Hooyman says this degree is incredibly important to help keep young leaders in the area
“And help build the communities to make them stronger so we don’t lose all of our youth to the cities,” Hooyman explains. “But they can also go work in large cities and things like that, public administration has been a high request area for many years, and we’re excited to finally be able to launch it.”
The program will be available both online and on campus and is designed to increase readiness in areas such as accounting, economics, or media.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.
