Missouri Western Names Kennedy 6th President

The Missouri Western State University Board of Governors voted unanimously on Thursday to name Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy as Missouri Western’s sixth president.

Dr. Kennedy formerly served as Missouri Western’s vice provost and has been serving as the University’s interim president since August 3, 2020.

Dr. Kennedy became Missouri Western’s vice provost in January 2020, after being selected through a nationwide search. Before coming to Missouri Western, Dr. Kennedy was dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology and interim dean of the College of Health Professions at the University of Akron. She had been at the University of Akron since 1997, beginning as an assistant professor of social science.

She became a department chair in 2002. She became associate dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology in 2014, becoming dean in 2016. She added leadership of the College of Health Professions in 2017.

Dr. Kennedy is a native of Kansas City, graduating from Ruskin High School before attending college at the University of Akron.

A welcome and celebration event will be planned in the future, when COVID-19 conditions permit large gatherings.