Chancellor Brady Deaton and Provost Brian Foster last month helped launch the “Mizzou Center” in Blue Springs, Mo. The new center that will bridge connections between MU’s research and the Kansas City region’s industry leaders. Al Black, who previously served as the west central regional director for MU Extension, has been named director of the Mizzou Center.
“Mizzou is a major economic driver for the state,” Deaton said. “The tenants of this building will build partnerships, develop smoother transitions for technology transfer and create jobs. We’re very pleased that Al Black has accepted the position as the first leader of this initiative. He has served the university faithfully for nearly 40 years and his experience will be extremely valuable as we work to boost thstate’s economy.”
Black will oversee several programs that will be housed in the center. Some of the center’s initial tenants include a number of MU units: the School of Information Science and Learning Technologies, Extension Food and Nutrition, the College of Veterinary Medicine, Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers with the College of Engineering, Mizzou Career Services, and the Office of Research.
“I’ve always dreamed that MU would have an expanded physical presence in the Kansas City region,” Black said. “Over time, we’ve explored various options, but this is the ideal situation as many aspects of the university will be represented. It’s exciting to know that I’ll play a part of building something that will fundamentally change the landscape of the University of Missouri in the Kansas City region. It also will create opportunities for jobs, build connections with students, become a rallying point for alumni and assist our development efforts.”
Black has worked with University Extension for 39 years. Previously he served as the area director for the five-county Kansas City metropolitan area.
“This is another opportunity for MU to fulfill its statewide mission,” Foster said. “This is not about creating just any type of jobs. By creating new partnerships and engaging the expertise of our faculty, we want to enhance our technology transfer output, build robust student services in the region, and offer programs for the citizens in the region. The Mizzou Center is a step toward accomplishing those goals.”