MSU Texas to be funded for new STEM center, degree program

Trish Choate, Wichita Falls Times Record News
·3 min read

MSU Texas will receive funding to establish a Center for STEM Excellence, according to a media release Monday.

The $2.4 million in funding will provide expanded opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math, and pave the way for a new degree in electrical engineering, according to the Midwestern State University press release.

Hardin Tower is shown here on the MSU Texas campus.
Hardin Tower is shown here on the MSU Texas campus.

“The Center for STEM Excellence will provide us with a competitive advantage as we recruit and retain students and faculty as well as provide important workforce development for our region and state," MSU Interim President Keith Lamb said in the media release.

The $2.4 million will pay for expanding STEM courses, disciplines and outreach to enhance recruitment, retention and community development. The additional funding was approved as part of the MSU budget during the 88th Texas Legislature.

Lamb said university officials are especially grateful to state Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls; Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock; and Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster for advocating for MSU and in support of the STEM center funding request.

Dr. Keith Lamb, interim president of MSU Texas
Dr. Keith Lamb, interim president of MSU Texas

Over the next two years, the new center will enhance opportunities for students to choose new STEM career paths and create an ethically grounded and STEM-trained workforce, as well as expand technological innovations in learning spaces.

A top priority addressed through the new funding is the addition of a new degree program in electrical engineering. The program will complement MSU's successful mechanical engineering program while responding to critical workforce demands in the region.

“This project, along with our planned expansion and renovation of Bolin Science Hall, will enhance teaching and learning experiences for students and faculty, and provide community outreach opportunities,” MSU Texas Interim Provost Marcy Brown Marsden said in the media release.

“We are excited to establish a center to expand upon our already solid foundation of STEM courses and disciplines," she said.

Other priorities of the center include:

  • Overseeing a campus and community makerspace, STEM nights and other community outreach activities.

  • Expanding virtual laboratory infrastructure to leverage the ability to teach lab principles for dual-credit, flipped and distance-education courses.

  • Expanding computer-systems course options for students of programming, human-computer interface, cybersecurity and gaming.

  • Implementing mentorship and bridge programs to improve student success in first-year STEM courses.

  • Partnering with local school districts on the regional science fair and supporting the pipeline of STEM students in grades 6-12 while enhancing teacher engagement in student-led STEM projects.

  • Supporting faculty professional development to foster best practices for retaining students in nonmajor and first-year courses.

MSU will also receive more monetary support from the state through regular funding, comprehensive regional universities funding, higher education group insurance funding and the Hazlewood Legacy Act.

“This legislative session was a banner year for the Texas Tech University System,” Tedd L. Mitchell, chancellor of the Texas Tech University System and a physician, said. in the media release.

Texas Tech University Chancellor Tedd Mitchell opens up the Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching and Research Awards at MSU on Monday, February 13, 2023.
Texas Tech University Chancellor Tedd Mitchell opens up the Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching and Research Awards at MSU on Monday, February 13, 2023.

Mitchell expressed his gratitude to legislative leaders in Austin: Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan.

He was also grateful to the strong legislative delegations throughout the TTU System and elected officials throughout Texas who are champions for higher education and health care and advocates for their communities.

“The financial investments our state made this session will benefit our students, faculty and staff, the operations of our universities and our institutions’ strategic priorities for years to come," Mitchell said.

"I look forward to the great things ahead at MSU Texas and to see the impactful ways the university’s new Center for STEM Excellence can further enhance the educational mission at the institution and address future workforce needs," he said.

Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news, investigative projects and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Her Twitter handle is @Trishapedia.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: MSU to get millions to establish new STEM center, degree