From: Communications [mailto:Communications@hssu.edu] Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 5:53 PM Subject: Harris-Stowe State University Crosses One More Hurdle in Race to Provide Graduate Degrees News Harris-Stowe State University For Immediate Release Contact: Pier Scott (314) 340-3391 scottp@hssu.edu<mailto:scottp@hssu.edu> Harris-Stowe State University Crosses One More Hurdle in Race to Provide Graduate Degrees Historic bill awaits Missouri Governor Jay Nixon's signature ST. LOUIS, MO (May 7, 2015) - Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is one step closer to offering graduate degrees. The Missouri legislature passed Senate Bill 334, which if signed by Governor Jeremiah "Jay" Nixon, would allow the city's only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to offer a range of graduate degree programs. Currently, Harris-Stowe is only authorized to offer undergraduate degree programs with an emphasis on selected professional disciplines. In addition to the governor's signature, the Coordinating Board for Higher Education must also approve of the change. "This historic bill puts Harris-Stowe State University on the same level playing field with every other state university," said Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, president of Harris-Stowe State University. "An advanced degree is increasingly becoming a minimum requirement to build successful career opportunities and this allows HSSU to better meet the higher education needs of the St. Louis region." The legislation that modifies provisions relating to the boards of regents of state colleges and universities and expands degree-granting authority to Harris-Stowe State University was sponsored by Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis. The legislation passed in the Higher Education Committee of the Missouri House of Representatives by a unanimous 9-0 vote on April 28. "Long is the road that brought us to this momentous place in our 158-year history," said Dr. Dwyane Smith, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Harris-Stowe State University. "This is a monumental shift in higher education for our region, state and the countless students who will receive graduate degrees from our great institution. It cannot be overstated how important this is." About Harris-Stowe State University Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU), located in midtown St. Louis, is a fully accredited four-year institution that offers 14 degree programs in teacher education, business and arts & sciences. In 2014, HSSU ranked No. 1 in the state of Missouri and No. 47 in the nation in granting degrees in mathematics and statistics to African-Americans according to Missouri Department of Higher Education and Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, a newsmagazine that has ranked institutions conferring the most degrees to minority students for the past 30 years. The university, which has origins dating back to 1857, offers the most affordable bachelor's degree in the state of Missouri. ###