LINN  — State Tech Chief of Staff Amy Ames told Regents last month that since Osage View opened, the college has also invested in a new road ($354,211), Osage View golf cart paths ($607,181), and amphitheater ($175,837). That means the college has spent approximately $1,137,229 in addition to the initial $12,080,532 investment. The total now spent on the project is $15.6 million.

The approximately 31,500 square-foot building includes a theater, pro shop, esports lounge, golf simulator area, duckpin bowling area, sports bar including a swim-up bar, full-service kitchen, pool locker room, event center, catering kitchen, bridal suite, and large outdoor entertainment areas. Substantial completion was achieved in September 2023 and the golf center opened in October 2023. The project is being paid for by the student fee that was approved by the Student Government Association. The only item left to be completed is fencing around the rooftop unit.

* A turf and grounds storage shed is being built to accommodate storage for both Commercial Turf & Grounds and the golf course. Ames said the shed is being bid out, and the approximate cost is between $200,000 and  $250,000. Regents authorized Dr. Strong to proceed with building the turf and grounds storage shed, not to exceed $250,000. 

* The Information Technology Center is close to being fully completed with the renovation of the main floor and cosmetic updates to the second and basement floors. The last project is the expansion of the cafeteria, which includes the placement of kitchen cabinetry, branding, and AV. The approximate total cost of this project as of May 31 was $2.5 million.

* The Infill Building between the Engineering Technology Center Wing and the Welding Technology Center has been bid. Site work has begun, steel has been delivered, and Septagon is waiting to erect it. The approximate cost as of May 31 was $2.8 million.

* The Nilges Technology Center addition/renovation has been bid out. Site work has begun, and footings and foundation walls have been poured. Steel erecting will happen soon, Ames said, adding the approximate cost as of May 31 was $1.5 million.

* Lake State Tech is mostly complete, thanks to the HEO program. “Now, we are focusing on details of the activities around the lake,” said Ames. “We have kayaks in place and are working on plans for one pickle ball court and two volleyball court designs.”

* Ames said the college is working with Wolpert on the new airport master plan, which is in the final stages of approval. The master plan includes getting rid of the cross runway, tightening the fence closer to the runway, and the future expansion of the aviation program with a new building and additional hangers. The MoDOT State Block Grant funds the 2024 Airport Pavement Project with an owner cost of 10% of the project. The project includes the asphalt seal coat of the airport taxiways and the apron area by the hangers. The airport pavement project was bid out on Sept. 28, 2023, and one bid was received on Nov. 5, 2023. After further inspection, Ames said the cost increased due to the deterioration of the asphalt, causing two change orders. The total project cost is $133,092. State Tech will be required to pay $13,309.

* The Utility Technician Center (UTC) Phase B project consists of an approximately 21,335-square-foot addition to the existing UTC. Substantial completion per the contract was May 13; however, this has since changed.

Ames told Regents the building is still not complete. “We are in discussions with the architect (Paragon) and Cahill Constructions over issues with roof color and concrete cracking,” she said, explaining that approximately $150,000 in expenses is being discussed. “The hallway floor cracks were resolved by installing LVT, but the installation to the baseboard is incorrect.”

Ames noted the baseboard was supposed to be removed and reinstalled. However, LVT was installed and caulked up to the baseboard. “Since this is not what was agreed upon prior to the installation of the floor, State Tech has insisted it be installed as was discussed prior to the installation,” said Ames. “We are waiting for this to happen. The roof color issue will be resolved by having the roof painted one color.”

Cahill has yet to paint the roof. Ames said that once these issues are resolved, State Tech will make the final payment of the remaining funds.

* Safety Village is closer to being finished, with an estimated cost of approximately $3.5 million.

* Hwy. 50 road work has been delayed until May 2025, in addition to additional entrances and sidewalks.

VP of Academic Affairs Angie Gaines thanked the State Tech faculty for a successful 2023-24 academic year, delivering 1,235 sections of quality instruction. That’s up from the 1,161 sections reported at the same time last year.

Additionally, Gaines reported that the Academic Affairs Department had accomplished the following since the January Regents meeting:

* Automation & Robotics added FANUC trainers to enable certification next year.

* Heating, Ventilation, and AC Technology worked with their Advisory Council to develop two new courses targeting industry-specific “soft skills.” Implemented this year, one prepares first-year HVAC students for internships, and the other prepares second-year students for employment.

* Civil Engineering Technology enhanced curriculum with 3-D modeling.

* Utilities Technology is developing a targeted communication plan to engage the Advisory Council and other industry partners.

* The Physical Therapist Assistant program opened ST2, State Tech’s pro bono physical therapy clinic.

* Computer Networking & Cyber Security added a third cohort section to the program for Fall 2024.

* The Mathematics department is reviewing and revising its testing practices to better enable student success.

* Powersports Technology added marine training to the curriculum through a partnership with Yamaha’s Marine Maintenance Certification Program.

* Commercial Turf & Grounds faculty, along with seven students, represented State Tech on the Agronomy Team at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.

In April, Academic Affairs hosted a site visit by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) to conduct an accreditation review following the submission of the associated self-study in March. The visiting team reviewed 29 degrees, including initial program accreditation for Energy Technology and Utilities Technology. All degrees presented evidence for each of ATMAE’s 12 standards, for a total of 348 individual standards reviewed.

On April 21-23, 2024, Academic Affairs hosted a site visit by ATMAE to conduct an accreditation review following the submission of the associated self-study in March. The visiting team reviewed 29 degrees, including initial program accreditation for Energy Technology and Utilities Technology. All degrees presented evidence for each of ATMAE’s 12 standards, for a total of 348 individual standards reviewed. The visiting team recommended “compliance” for 343, with only five degrees receiving “partial compliance” for Standard Five. The team’s recommendation for accreditation goes to the ATMAE Board, and a decision will be made at the annual conference in October. If the recommendation is upheld, State Tech will be required to file a progress report on the five areas of “partial compliance.” Academic Affairs would like to thank all supporting staff departments that provided information for the self-study and met with the team to explain how they support instruction in their daily work. “I would personally like to thank Ken Thompson and Brianna Piles for their work in coordinating this large initiative and the associated Academic Deans and programs for gathering the required evidence,” said Gaines.

Additionally, in Academic Affairs, Gaines noted the department hosted the Spring 2024 Advisory Council. “We collaborated with 207 advisors during those meetings,” said Gaines, adding that collaboration continues with Facilities on instructional spaces and academic offices associated with multiple building projects.

* The department implemented an Academic Affairs weekly newsletter, “Ducks in a Row,” to provide faculty with a consolidated collection of top priorities and important information.

* Academic Affairs completed the application for the FY25 Enhancement Grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which funds Career and Technical Education for both secondary and postsecondary institutions. After a 30% across-the-board cut, State Tech received an award of $700,000 in grant match, or $933,333 in purchasing power, for instructional equipment.

* Gaines and her staff continue preparation for State Tech’s Higher Learning Commission Open Pathway Comprehensive Evaluation Visit, which will be from Feb. 24-25, 2025. The steering committee attended the HLC annual conference in April, held monthly meetings, organized town halls, and implemented instructional videos for the campus community. The five criterion committees have submitted 18 component arguments, which will now be finalized within Academic Affairs.

Gaines told Regents her department secured the following approval from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) and Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer an Associate of Applied Science in Digital Marketing as a stand-alone program beginning Fall 2025. “This new program prepares students to be successful in a variety of digital technology-related careers,” she explained.

MDHEWD also approved the program change of Civil Construction Technology to Heavy Equipment Operations and Management.

Gaines thanked Academic Affairs team members Shawn Berhorst, Jeremy Goss, Chris Muenks, Ken Thompson, Faith Joyce, Brianna Piles, Madelyn Doyle, Stephanie Higginbotham, Mikeli Holtmeyer, and Amanda Powers, whose efforts made these accomplishments possible.

VP of External Relations Shannon Grus told Regents her department has been focused on building relationships to achieve higher-level gifts.

* State Tech has been awarded a seven-figure grant from a foundation for sponsorship in the new manufacturing lab. “This is the largest non-government, single donation in State Tech’s history,” said Grus.

* Since the fall meeting, State Tech has received a six-figure gift from Hitachi to sponsor the wall in the new welcome center.

* The college renewed its equipment donations with Ditch Witch and Vermeer Midwest valued at a little over $2 million.

Grus praised Career Services Director Scott Peters for his efforts, noting he was instrumental in this year’s Career Expo in February. The event drew 400 companies (up from 300 last year) and was expanded to two days.

* State Tech offered “lunch and learns” to over 50 groups for the academic year. 

* Grus is planning the First Glance program for recruiters on July 30. “This is a chance for them to tour and learn about all the ways to partner with State Tech,” she said, adding that 34 companies had signed up as of last month.

* Peters also facilitated the 180-day placement data collection, and the college is once again at 99% placement. “Scott once again outdid himself tracking down all of our graduates,” said Grus.

* The college successfully held the State Tech Cup event and raised over $57,000. “Nichole Engelhardt managed this event and did a fantastic job!” Grus said, adding the event included 23 teams, up from 21 last year and 16 three years ago when the event began.

* A golf tournament is scheduled for Sept. 20 at Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City, and Grus said it will be a sellout.

* The Sponsorship Campaign kicked off last month with high expectations. Last year, the college raised just under $180,000. This year, the goal is to increase fundraising to more than $200,000.

* Grus praised academic departments for the Dollar Up campaign’s growth, with 42 companies enrolled and 68 intern(s). Last year, 31 companies participated, generating just under $18,000.

* State Tech held its first-ever Alumni Day, a pre-covid brainstorm that Engelhardt took to the next level. The college hosted over 150 alumni and an additional 100 guests on June 20. “They had the opportunity to participate in many activities, including the special recognition luncheon where we honored our 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and yes- some 60-year alums,” said Grus. “It was a great day, and many thanks go to Nichole and all those who helped make it a success.”

* The MOAMP grant officially ended on June 30. “This grant has been hugely successful, and State Tech met all their goals,” said Grus. “Nancy Wiley and Frances Boswell deserve many thanks for working to ensure State Tech met the grant goals but also ensuring (the college) was the shining star of the grant consortium. State Tech will continue to reap the benefits of this grant with the equipment purchased and the truck and trailer.”

State Tech was awarded $1.2 million and trained or retrained 936 participants, who earned more than 4,000 credentials.

VP of Student Affairs Dr. Chris Bowser told Regents that Student Wellness Coordinator Mandy Adams has done a great job with students.

Weekly counseling sessions address a wide range of topics, including anxiety (stress, panic attacks, OCD), social anxiety (depression, sadness, grief, difficulty with motivation), relationships (intimate relationship issues, family dynamics, gender/sexuality, struggles with making friends, roommate issues), and trauma (PTSD, personality disorders, struggles with utilizing healthy coping skills).

In other news, Dr. Bowser said that early alert reports steadily climbed since being implemented in 2020-21 (1,723), going to 2,681 in 2021-22, 2,948 last year, and 3,086 in 2023-24. The time between the report and response increased slightly to .84 days from .79 days last year.

The majority of early alert topics involved students earning a D or F (1,613), followed by not turning in assignments (916), attendance (656), currently failing but can still pass (390), low test scores (291), missed test (179), and lack of communication (127).

* Dr. Bowser reported 3,360 enrollment applications, 1,367 admitted and enrolled, and a program cap of 1,636 students.

* Ten Accuplacer prep courses have been offered since November, with 102 potential students in attendance and 73 progressing to the waitlist. Of those taking the test, 72% progressed with the admissions process, and 28% failed to meet admissions testing criteria.

* The library has seen significant updates as part of the ITC renovation, including a focus on accessibility. “We’re working to increase student awareness of the resources available to them,” said Dr. Bowser.

Digital access has been expanded and streamlined, and the department collaborates with instructors to review library resources for students’ course needs.

* Last fall, the Rocket League team earned fourth in the playoffs and competed at the national tournament, making them a part of the top eight in the country.

* Valorant made it to the Sweet 16 out of 64 teams in playoffs.

* Call of Duty earned a playoff opportunity.

* Lucas Toebben (Super Smash Brothers) and Zander Brune ( Mario Kart) made the playoffs.

* This spring, Rocket League and Rainbow 6 teams earned a playoff spot.

* Computer Applications and Development student Zander Brune was the West Super Regional Champion in the spring. After being knocked into the lower bracket following a loss in round two, Brune fought his way back to win the entire regional championship. His win clinched a spot in the national championships, where he took fourth place.

“This was a major accomplishment for Zander and State Tech, and we will be receiving our first-ever trophy later this summer,” said Dr. Bowser.

* State Tech’s sports shooting team provides a creative outlet for prospective students, Dr. Bowser said, adding the college hired Coach Tyler Helton to help recruit students who are a good fit for academic programs.

The team competes at the ACUI/SCPT level with other Missouri colleges and universities. Dr. Bowser noted State Tech has applied for a range development grant through the Midway USA Foundation and the Department of Conservation.