Date/Location:

January 15, 2026 – 10:30 a.m. Melton Hall 212 with Zoom option

In Attendance: (In person): Trevor Cressman, Kileene Collins, Alexandra Graham, Lauren Willis, Laura Underhill, Brian Mitchell, Lindsey Waggoner, Emilie Brotherton, Nina Williams, Sheila Sparks, Justin Wade, Sophia Skinner, Lora Davis, Jennifer Walker, Joan Wright, Mark White, Erica Puckett, Melissa Jett, Trish Smith, Mandy Collins, Alyssa Collins, Krista Lair, Trace Winfrey, Douglas Cooley, Luke Hurtt, Wayne Cahoj, and Jon Allen. (Zoom attendees): Barbie Mustion, Christina Kerley, Neva Parrot, Cyneca Huddleston, Misty Davis, and Michelle Bryan.

Call to Order

Approval of Agenda – Motion made by Douglas Cooley to approve the agenda. Seconded by Alexandra Graham, and all in favor.

Approval of November Meeting Minutes – Motion made to approve the November meeting minutes by Brian Mitchell. Seconded by Alexandra Graham, and all in favor.

Chancellor’s Report (Zora Mulligan)

• Following up on last week’s Town Hall, Chancellor Mulligan reported the state funding is expected to be flat, so no decrease is expected.
• There will be updates coming to marketing strategies and Chad Corley gave some examples:
  • Next week, there will be a new portal for marketing requests
  • Working on brand consistency
  • Working on marketing for individual programs
• Chancellor Mulligan told the story of Granvil Vaughan

President’s Report (Trevor Cressman)

• Thank you for all that participated in the fall and winter events in 2025!
  • Chili Cook Off
  • Secret Grizzly
  • Holiday Potluck
• Granvil Vaughan Founder’s Award:
  • Missouri State University-West Plains started the Granvil Vaughan Founder’s Award over 20 years ago. Named after Granvil Vaughan, “for his commitment toward bringing to fruition the long-held dream of higher education in south-central Missouri,” this prestigious award recognizes community members who have:
    • made a significant impact on the mission of the West Plains campus
    • remained involved in advisory groups and attended events and activities (not while a university employee) sponsored by the university for ten years or more.
  • The award winner is announced each spring at the annual commencement ceremony.
  • Prior award recipients are Jess Garnett, Allison Smith, Robert Neathery, Vivian Drago, Jim McFarland, Frank Martin, Paul Childers, William, and Virginia Darr, Dr. Marvin Fowler, Judge Harold and Mrs. Martha Henry, Joe Paul Evans, Jeanette Grisham, Mary Hass Sheid, Jerry and Sue Hall, S. David Gohn, Roger “Dusty” Shaw, Joe Spears, Jay Padgett, Newt and Carolyn Brill, Danny and Florence James, Chuck and Sue Kimberlin, Bo and Sunie Pace, Laurel Thompson, William “Bill” Shaw, and John and Dixie Williams.
  • Request for someone to volunteer as chair for a nomination committee – Emilee Brotherton volunteered. Anyone interested in being a part of the committee should contact Emilee. EmileeBrotherton@MissouriState.edu
• Honorary Degree Recipients:
  • The Chancellor’s office and the Office of Academic Affairs are seeking nominations for an honorary associate’s degree. Trevor will send out the nomination form following this meeting.
  • The degree will be awarded at the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9.
  • It is designed to recognize and honor exceptional men and women who have given a substantial part of their lives to serving others and/or who have distinguished themselves.
  • University officials explained that conferring the degree also establishes a public association between Missouri State University-West Plains and such exceptional men and women, thereby providing testimony to the values and quality of two-year institutions.
  • Previous recipients include:
    • Kennoth G. Gammill, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2011
    • Paul Childers, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2012
    • Edith Williams, Honorary Associate of Arts Degree, 2013
    • Peggy Kissinger, Honorary Associate of Arts Degree, 2014
    • Linda Moore, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2015
    • Laurel Thompson, Honorary Associate of Science Degree, 2016
    • Terry “Bo” Pace, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2017
    • Jack McNevin, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2018
    • Clarence “Porky” Barber, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2019
    • Mark Collins, Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, 2020
    • Mike Ennis, Honorary Associate of Applied Science, 2022
    • Robert Louis “Lou” Wehmer, 2023
    • Margaret Keister, Honorary Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies, 2024
  • Prior nominees that did not win are:
    • Dennis Crider, nominated in 2023-2024
    • Jim McFarland, nominated in 2020-2021
  • The university’s Administrative Council, Faculty Senate, and Staff Senate are invited to nominate recipients for the honorary degree. We will also request submissions from the community.
  • The degree granted may be the Honorary Associate of Arts Degree, the Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree, or the Honorary Associate of Science Degree.
  • Recipients may be alumni, former university employees, former Board of Governors members, or public officials. Still, at the time of the award, they may not be current employees, incumbent members of the Board of Governors, or incumbent federal, state, or local government officials.
  • Other criteria to be considered include a nominee’s:
    • Eminent contribution to the college, the system, the community, the state, or society
    • Eminent achievement in a particular field or endeavor
    • Personal status that will enhance the reputation of the college or system and serve as an example to its students and alumni
    • Potential for contribution to the goals or welfare of the college.

President-Elect Report (Lauren Willis)

• No report

 Secretary Report (Kileene Collins)

• No report

Treasurer Report (Alex Graham)

• Our account Balance: $2,139.83

Committee Reports

• Staff Senate Activities Committee
  • Homecoming “Grizzly Pre-Game Party” to be held in conjunction with the Foundation, Student Life, and Athletics.
  • Anyone interested in helping, is invited to attend a meeting immediately following this meeting, to discuss details.
• Strategic Planning (Lindsey Waggoner)
  • Campus wide Strategic Planning Interactive Workshop 1 – Friday, January 23 from 10am – 11:45am prior to the Employee Recognition Luncheon, in the Magnolia Room of the West Plains Civic Center.
  • Interactive Workshop 2 – Friday, March 20 from 1pm – 3pm in the Magnolia Room of the West Plains Civic Center.
  • Interactive Workshop 3 – Friday, April 24 from 2pm – 4pm in the Student Recreation Center.
  • There will be Goal Work Group meetings on February 27 from 3-5pm and those expected to attend will receive a meeting invite.

Department Reports

• Assessment (Alexandra Graham)
  • Currently seeking “Change Stories” – any departments that have made changes based on data collected, please share that information with Alex.
• Garnett Library (Rebekah McKinney)
  • OHRC Event – Tom Henke: Faith, Family, Friends, and Baseball presented by David Jerome | Tuesday, Jan 20^th, 2026 – 6:00 PM, Garnett Library.
• Student Life (Luke Hurtt)
  • Celebration of Leaders nominations coming in February. Be thinking of students worthy of being nominated.
• HR (Alyssa Collins)
  • Employee Recognition Luncheon – January 23 from 12:00pm – 1:30pm in the Magnolia Room of the West Plains Civic Center.

Drawing for Coffee Giveaway – Winners: Lindsey Waggoner and Trish Smith

Adjournment at 11:03 a.m.