Expanding Education Beyond the Classroom

Discover the institution Investing in student-centered development and digital transformation

 

North Central Missouri College (NCMC) is an institution that is dedicated to its students’ success.

NCMC’s recent leaps in community enrichment speak volumes about its potential as an educational institution, placing it at a pivotal point in its evolution.

As a cornerstone institution serving 17 counties in northern and northwest Missouri, NCMC has long been known for its commitment to accessible education, workforce development, and student engagement.

Under the leadership of President Dr. Lenny Klaver and a dedicated administrative team, the college prioritizes cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art facilities to enhance student well-being.

“I have an excellent cabinet… Everyone here has their capacities structured under them according to their operations, and they supervise their staff very effectively and efficiently,” President Dr. Lenny Klaver states.

The college is currently focusing on key initiatives that will drive expansion and long-term sustainability.

NCMC’s leadership is executing a forward-thinking, gradual expansion of its infrastructure, academic offerings, and student services to evolve to meet the needs of a modern workforce.

The development of a new student center is a testament to this commitment—providing students with vital amenities, including enhanced dining services, recreational spaces, and expanded student engagement opportunities.

Additionally, NCMC’s investment in advanced technology, including smart classrooms and remote learning capabilities, positions the college as a leader in digital education.

NCMC’s leaders firmly acknowledge student success as the driving force behind every initiative, so every initiative is designed to facilitate said success from multiple angles.

Things like personalized support systems, including a dedicated mental health counselor and wraparound student services, are available to help reinforce NCMC’s commitment to well-being and academic persistence.

The college is also enhancing its infrastructure to accommodate its expanding student resources. As a result, the college’s approach has resulted in a strong culture of innovation, technological or otherwise, when considering solutions.

As these efforts take shape, North Central Missouri College is poised to set a new standard for accessible, high-quality education in Missouri and beyond.

A Student-Centered Approach to Campus Development

Nestled in the heart of northern Missouri, North Central Missouri College (NCMC) has established itself as a leader in higher education. It offers students an enriching academic environment while maintaining strong community ties.

NCMC is undergoing a significant expansion. A new student center, a 30,000-square-foot facility set to transform campus life, is being constructed.

“It’s about a $13.5 million project. We formally started the process four years ago, and it came about through us identifying a need for it within our strategic plan,” explains Chief Financial Officer Tyson Otto.

The project addresses a long-standing need for communal student spaces and, according to Otto,  “has been a topic of discussion for decades.” NCMC’s leadership sought to create an area where students, particularly commuter students, could gather, relax, and engage in campus life.

The new facility will house a cafeteria, relocated from an inconvenient basement location in a residence hall, a newly designed bookstore, a spacious conference room, and a large student lounge with recreational amenities.

The Student Government Association will also have a dedicated office space, further encouraging student leadership and participation.

The student center, expected to be completed by mid-July, will be unveiled as part of NCMC’s centennial celebrations. This will mark a milestone in the college’s continued commitment to high-quality student life.

While the new student center brings fresh amenities, it also prompts a reassessment of existing campus spaces. The relocation of the cafeteria and bookstore raises questions about the future of their former locations.

“We’re actively engaging in a campus master planning process with an architectural firm,” Otto explains. “This is a cross-functional effort involving faculty, staff, and students to determine how we want our facilities to evolve over the next decade.”

One major decision centers on a residence hall nearing the end of its operational lifespan. The college is weighing options between renovation or demolition, with the potential for a new residence hall to better accommodate student needs.

“During our Student Senate meeting, the architects actually met with our students and asked about what they saw as a high need for students., and how they think we can repurpose our buildings. I think that just speaks to the inclusivity of how we involve students in any kind of decision, making both short term and long term,” says Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Kristen Alley.

By integrating student feedback into these decisions, NCMC ensures that campus development aligns with both immediate needs and long-term strategic goals.

Enhancing Student Engagement Through Modernized Learning

At NCMC, student success extends beyond academics. The college has adopted a holistic approach to engagement and well-being, recognizing that strong support systems are key to student retention and achievement.

“We focus heavily on the first four weeks of the semester,” Dr. Alley says, emphasizing the college’s intent to help students feel connected right from the start.

A student organization fair introduces students to campus clubs, local businesses, and community organizations, fostering involvement.

Mental health support is also a priority. NCMC has hired a full-time counselor to provide on-campus services, supplementing pre-existing relationships with local counseling centers and a four-year university’s graduate counseling program.

Due to its diverse student body, the college encourages mental wellness through equally diverse creative initiatives.

“Every week, we have a mental health tip that our counselor provides in our weekly newsletter. She does proactive programmatic efforts,” Dr. Alley explains.

A great example of the college’s unique approaches is a recent campus-wide event. Over 400 rubber ducks wrapped in positive affirmations were hidden throughout campus to spark conversations about self-care and resilience.

In addition to its creative initiatives, NCMC provides faculty and staff with a “We Care” card to connect students with essential resources.

“We have it online as well so that we can immediately give students access to or provide information on resources for them, and from there we just focus on what the student needs are,” Dr. Alley says.

Overall, the goal is to provide wraparound services that address students’ academic, emotional, and personal needs. From food assistance to faculty members going the extra mile for struggling students, NCMC wants every student to feel supported.

Aside from the wide breadth of services the college provides, NCMC is also carefully evolving the landscape of its student campus. The college is making substantial investments in technology to enhance learning and operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation across institutions, and NCMC has embraced these changes to provide greater flexibility and connectivity.

“COVID forced institutions to rethink how they use technology,” says Chief Information Officer Jennifer Triplett, referring to the pandemic as the primary trigger for NCMC’s current perspectives on technology usage.

“We realized that we could think outside the box and operate and use technology in a way that gives people the flexibility they need to still be engaged on both the employment and student side,” Triplett says

To ensure that it can provide such support, NCMC has leveraged both federal and state funding to modernize its data centers, networks, and cybersecurity measures. This helps students and faculty work efficiently both on and off campus.

NCMC has also upgraded its learning management system, partnering with Brightspace by D2L to provide 24/7 support for students and faculty.

“We are partners with Desire 2 Learn’s Brightspace tool… They provide an end-user support service. They help us extend the hours of our help desk and provide a direct connection between students and faculty with experts on their learning management system,” Triplett says.

NCMC is also a member of some larger organizations, such as the state-based technology organization Morenet, which it subscribes to and collaborates with.

That partnership provides everything from value-added services, networking, and cybersecurity to training and other collaborations. The college is also a member of Educause, a global higher education institution specifically focused on technology and higher education.

Educause is known for developing reliable standards on everything from accessibility to cyber security. Thus, the organization is a thought leader and an influencer in terms of setting best practices and standards for technology in higher education.

Expansion and Intentions for the Future

Lastly, NCMC has expanded its smart classroom capabilities, with plans to convert 12 more classrooms into hybrid learning environments.

At the Savannah campus, which focuses on nursing, allied health, and robotics, students train on state-of-the-art equipment that rivals, and in some cases surpasses, what is found in professional healthcare settings.

“We want our students to graduate with hands-on experience using the latest technology,” says Dr. Klaver. “That’s what makes them competitive in the job market.”

As NCMC looks ahead, its leadership remains dedicated to continuous improvement, community collaboration, and student success.

Whether through new facilities, expanded student support services, or cutting-edge technology, the college is ensuring that it remains a leader in education for northern Missouri.

“This institution thrives because of its people—students, faculty, staff, and community partners,” says Dr. Klaver. “We are committed to providing the best possible experience for our students, and that means staying innovative and responsive to their needs.”

As NCMS celebrates its centennial, it does so with a clear vision for the next 100 years: to empower students, strengthen community ties, and embrace the future of higher education.

With strategic investments and a steadfast commitment to excellence, North Central Missouri College is building a legacy that will endure for generations.

AT A GLANCE

Who: North Central Missouri College (NCMC)
What: A forward-thinking community college committed to student success through infrastructure expansion, digital transformation, and workforce development
Where: Serving 17 counties in northern and northwest Missouri
Website: www.ncmissouri.edu