Schools band together for economic improvement

Twelve Springfield-area colleges and universities are working together through a consortium to improve the economy through advanced education. Consortium members are Bryan College, Columbia College, Drury University, Evangel University, Ozarks Technical Community College, Springfield College, Webster University, William Woods University, Southwest Baptist University, Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, Vatterott College and University of Phoenix-Springfield.

According to a news release from University of Phoenix, the consortium encourages business owners to pursue advanced degree options for employees. School officials also help direct prospective students to the appropriate institution, based on their programs of interest.

“By working as a group, we provide a valuable and unique resource for the business community,” said Michael Kaley, associate director of University of Phoenix-Springfield, in the release. “Promoting education strengthens the local economy which, in turn, benefits everyone.”

The consortium is part of the lifetime learning committee of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. The committee encourages all Springfield workers to have high school diplomas or general equivalency diplomas and to follow up by earning college degrees.

“Springfield is one of the top small-business communities in the country, yet we still have a high number of residents without degrees,” said Becky Spain, manager of work force and business development with the Springfield chamber. “We encourage employers to pursue academic options for their employees to help build stronger businesses, and the Southwest Missouri Educational Consortium makes those opportunities more accessible.”

Through in-person meetings with employers and employees, consortium members emphasize the need for both the education and work-force systems to work together to better prepare students for the changing work force.

Other area educational institutions are encouraged to participate in the consortium and may contact Kaley at University of Phoenix for additional information.