Governance

The Board of Regents

Under the powers prescribed by law, the Board of Regents functions as the policy-making body of Northwest Missouri State University. The eight-member Board of Regents is entrusted with the formulation of the general, educational and financial policies of the University. In addition, the Board has the power to carry out any further functions which are permitted by its bylaws or by the articles of incorporation.

Northwest Leadership Team (NLT)

The NLT leads Northwest’s strategic course and charts daily operations by providing executive leadership for all organizational operational portfolios. Additionally, the NLT is the interface between the university faculty, staff, and students and the Board of Regents.

Extended Leadership Team (ELT)

The ELT not only helps to chart Northwest's strategic course, but it also contributes to the shaping of daily operations. The ELT ensures cross-departmental cooperation, transparency, and widespread input and sharing of information.

Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is the representative body of the faculty. According to the Faculty Constitution, “The Faculty Senate is authorized to formulate policy in the areas of responsibility assigned to the faculty by the Board of Regents or the President and to advise appropriate authorities in other areas assigned to the faculty by the Board of Regents.” In addition, “The Faculty Senate is authorized to provide a forum for discussion of matters which are of concern to the faculty and to make recommendations concerning their findings on these matters to the appropriate body or authority.”

Administrative/Professional Council (A/P Council)

A/P Council serves as the liaison between the administrative and professional staff, administration, faculty, support staff and students. The council is a recognized part of the University and works cooperatively with other groups for recommendations, requests, and pertinent information to the President.

Deans Council

The mission of the Deans Council is to facilitate the development and implementation of a shared vision with our faculty colleagues so that the academic core at Northwest Missouri State University meets the needs of the constituencies it serves.

Council on Teacher Education

The Council is composed of one member from each college’s designated teacher education faculty with two teacher education faculty members from the College of Education and Human Services, one graduate education student and two undergraduate education students. The Council is responsible for establishing standards, curriculum, and degrees in teacher education and in teacher education admission and retention policies.

Graduate Council

The Graduate Council, made up of elected graduate faculty members, graduate students and the dean of the Graduate School, recommends all policies and programs involved with graduate study. It coordinates, with the Faculty Senate, all recommendations for approval of upper-division undergraduate courses which may also be approved for graduate credit if taken by eligible graduate students. The Graduate Council also reviews recommendations from the Council on Teacher Education as these relate to advanced programs in teacher education.

Student Senate

Student Senate is the representative governing body of the Student Government Association, which includes all students. The Senate serves students in many capacities: proposing beneficial changes in University policies, acting as a liaison between students and administration, screening the formation of new organizations, supervising campus-wide elections and approving fund-raising activities on campus.

Support Staff Council

Support Staff Council serves as the liaison between the support staff, administration, faculty and students. The council addresses campus-wide issues and raises money for scholarships which are awarded to support staff employees’ dependents.

University Committees

The committees organization provides faculty, students and support and administrative staffs an opportunity to participate in the affairs of the University. The Northwest Leadership Team, in cooperation with the Faculty Senate, coordinates the University committee assignments.

Board of Regents

Northwest Missouri State University Presidents