(Kansas CIty, M0.) – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on Sept. 6 honored University of Central Missouri President Chuck Ambrose for his contributions to what the Governor has termed a “national model for strengthening the ties between what students learn in the classroom and the skills they will need in the workforce.” President Ambrose received the Governor’s Economic Development Advancement Award during the 2013 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development in Kansas City, according to a press release.

Ambrose was one of the award recipients in nine different categories which recognized outstanding leaders in business, education and economic development. Representatives of major corporations, business-community-education partnerships, minority business owners, and women who are positively impacted Missouri economic development were included among the honorees.
The Governor’s Economic Development Advancement Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated significant leadership in the implementation of an innovative and highly effective action designed to address critical economic needs within local, regional and state businesses. Criteria include:
● Impact on the local and state economy
● Advancement of local/community economic development
●Unique, collaborative effort between community partners, and
● Future likelihood of added economic value.
Gov. Nixon honored Ambrose for his leadership in the creation and implementation of the Missouri Innovation Campus.  The MIC is a transformative collaboration between UCM, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, Metropolitan Community College, and a number of leading Missouri employers. It allows high school juniors to complete a bachelor’s degree with little or no college debt, while also taking advantage of applied learning opportunities in high-tech industries.
“Under Dr. Ambrose’s vision and leadership, the Missouri Innovation Campus has received national attention and recognition for developing the skilled workforce that is critical to growing the economy and reducing college costs. In fact, it was such a powerful idea that we are taking it statewide. Last year my administration awarded eight competitive grants to for Innovation Campus programs at institutions across the state,” Gov. Nixon said. He added that when U.S. President Barack Obama “wanted to see what good things were going on at a small- or medium-sized institution, he visited UCM to discuss this approach to education and developing the skilled workforce employers demand.”
After receiving the award, President Ambrose thanked members of partnering institutions and businesses, saying that The MIC “would not be possible without their great leadership.”
“By working together something is happening in Missouri that is not happening anywhere else in the United States, and we’re very grateful for that,” Ambrose told the gathering. “Now, our next task is to reach more kids and to produce more product which can make a difference for employers across the region.”