By Jeff Murphy,
June 27, 2017
WARRENSBURG, MO – Consistent with the University of Central Missouri’s goals to address
national workforce needs through partnerships that make a college education more accessible
and affordable, the university is extending its Innovation Track program to the Knob
Noster R-VIII School District. This new opportunity provides a way for all students
to complete college in less time. It also establishes a Cybersecurity Career Pathway
that accelerates the time to degree completion and reduces the cost of a higher education
for high school students who enroll in the program.
A Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Innovation Track Cybersecurity Career
Pathway in the Knob Noster R-VIII School District was recently signed by, front row
left, Charles Ambrose, president of the University of Central Missouri, and Jerrod
Wheeler, district superintendent. They were joined by, back row, from left, Laurel
Hogue, vice provost for extended studies; Sandy Cruz, UCM dual credit director; Sara
Karnowski, Innovation Track advisor; Deborah Curtis, provost-chief learning officer;
Col. John Nichols, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base; and
Michael Cohron, assistant superintendent.
The Innovation Track Cybersecurity Career Pathway was recently announced by UCM President
Charles Ambrose during a visit to Whiteman Air Force Base as a way to celebrate the
legacy of Air Force Brig. Gen Paul W. Tibbets IV. A strong supporter of UCM and the
Knob Noster R-VIII School District, Tibbets had served as commander of the 509th Bomb
Wing for two years prior to transferring this month to Barksdale Air Force Base as
a major general for the Air Force Global Strike Command. The Memorandum of Understanding
formally establishing this program was signed June 21 by Ambrose and District Superintendent
Jerrod Wheeler during a meeting of the Knob Noster Board of Education.
Wheeler said Tibbets was instrumental in bringing the school district and the university
together to make the Innovation Track possible for the benefit of military-connected
students.
“This was one of those parting gifts he (Tibbets) left to the community, and we appreciate
Dr. Ambrose for having the innovative mindset to get it done,” Wheeler said.
He noted that the Innovation Track is a guided pathway to completing up to 30 hours
of college credit while a student is still in high school. It allows a student to
potentially complete a four-year college degree within three years after their high
school graduation.
Knob Noster students who enroll in the program will follow an education pathway that
includes advanced placement courses offered by the school district in addition to
dual credit courses available online and on campus leading toward a Bachelor of Science
in Cybersecurity degree. Students seeking another degree can take advantage of the
program to complete many of the academic course requirements that also will enable
them to graduate earlier than most college students.
Wheeler said the program provides a link to the Knob Noster High School Air Force
Junior ROTC program. This will help create a direct pipeline into both the Air Force
and cybersecurity careers.
When Ambrose spoke to the school board, he pointed out the Innovation Track is a way
to bring to scale elements of The Missouri Innovation Campus (MIC), which is a joint
initiative of UCM, the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, and Metropolitan Community
College. Established in 2012, students enter The MIC program as high school juniors,
and within two years after their high school graduation they will complete a four-year
college degree. They do so having benefited from three years of paid internships with
Kansas City area companies, and an education pathway that leads to little or no college
debt.
Although it does not have an internship component like The MIC, The Innovation Track
concept has provided a means to incorporate the dual credit and advanced placement
components of The MIC model to extend opportunities to other school districts. This
includes Warrensburg High School, which was the first school to implement the Innovation
Track concept.
“These partnerships were formed with one purpose in mind – putting your students in
the very best position to not only leave college with no debt, but to equip them to
be very competitive in today’s workforce. We are excited about this opportunity and
the response of students, your counselors and your school leaders,” Ambrose told the
R-VIII board.
According to Sandy Cruz, director of dual credit at UCM, students enrolled in the
Innovation Track Cybersecurity Career Pathway will benefit from support they receive
from UCM and the Knob Noster R-VIII School District. This includes academic advisement
for students and tracking student progress towards the completion of credits in the
pathway. They also have access to the university library, opportunities to use the
university’s Student Recreation and Wellness Center, free admission to athletic events,
as well as financial benefits. Students who enroll in the Innovation Track while in
high school take courses at the dual credit tuition rate, which is approximately 70
percent less than regular tuition. Students enrolled in the program who decide to
seek a degree at UCM also may be eligible for a $500 scholarship in their last semester
at the university.
To learn more about UCM’s Innovation Track opportunities, contact the High School
Dual Credit Office, Humphreys 401, at the toll-free number, 877-729-8266, ext. 23
or call 660-543-4876.
