MSU's Julie Masterson wins award for expanding access to graduate programs

<p>At Missouri State University, increases in graduate enrollment broke records for seven consecutive years. Julie Masterson, associate provost and dean of the university's Graduate College, recently received national attention for that work. For efforts to expand access to graduate programs, Masterson — who plans to retire this year — received the Debra W. Stewart Award for Outstanding Leadership in Graduate Education. The award was presented during an award ceremony at the Council of Graduate Schools’ 64th Annual Meeting in St. Louis, which was in early December. It includes a $4,000 prize to support continuing innovations at the institution. “The recognition through the Debra W. Stewart Award underscores the significance of Julie’s impactful initiatives in advancing graduate education,” said Michael Cunningham, chair of the council's Board of Directors and associate provost for graduate studies and research at Tulane University, in a Thursday news release. “Her work in creating dual degrees and fostering collaborations with international partners demonstrates a commitment to global learning. Additionally, her establishment of a community Graduate Assistantship program demonstrates her efforts to integrate students into local engagement opportunities.” Masterson said the award is an honor and the council has been a source of guidance and inspiration. “While the award recognizes an individual, the credit truly belongs to the entire MSU graduate education community. They’ve consistently supported news ways of thinking and doing, making it feasible for more people to earn an advanced degree," she said, in a statement. "This will make a lasting impact not only on the graduates, but also their families and communities.” More: 5 big changes in the works at Missouri State as major construction projects continue Under her leadership and recruitment strategies, applications for degrees increased by 72% while the total number of graduate students grew by 27%. She led the effort to gain state and national approval for offering professional doctoral degrees. She improved access for nontraditional, underrepresented and first-generation students while boosting retention and the time needed to complete a degree. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State dean Julie Masterson wins national award for work</p>