By legislative act in 1995, SMSU became Missouri’s only institution of higher education with a primary mission in public affairs. The goal of public affairs is to develop citizens of enhanced character, more sensitive to the needs of community, more competent and committed in their ability to contribute to society, and more civil in their habits of thought, speech and action.

While SMSU’s core purpose is to develop educated persons, the university itself strives to be a good citizen. A collaborative community indicators project resourced primarily through SMSU will soon provide a report-card of community wellness. An active grants office helps connect academic disciplines, community needs and granting agencies. A new Institute for Ozarks Studies housed at the university will bring a comprehensive view from multiple perspectives of our physical and cultural settings. These initiatives help define and refine a sense of place for university citizens, local residents and visitors. At SMSU, public affairs is integrated wholly throughout the university. SMSU is proud to develop citizens of enhanced character and to graduate “”citizen biologists,”" “”citizen historians,”" citizen artists,”" and “”citizen teachers.”"

Contact person: Dr. Debra McDowell, Director, Citizenship and Service Learning
CASL web site: http://www.smsu.edu/casl/
SMSU Public Affairs home: http://publicaffairs.smsu.edu/