In a recent letter to the community, Crystal Dowdell, Program Director for Legal Studies at Missouri Western State University, addressed concerns over declining enrollment figures while emphasizing the university’s significant advancements in educational opportunities and community engagement. Dowdell’s reflections come in light of an article published on August 21, 2025, which reported a decrease in enrollment at Missouri Western compared to an increase at Northwest Missouri State University.
The letter outlines various initiatives that connect students with the justice system, offering real-world experiences essential for their future careers. For instance, students participated in the Chicago LSAC Law Forum and engaged with exonoree Floyd Bledsoe during Constitution Day events. The program also featured actual Court of Appeals hearings held on campus, fostering interaction between students, attorneys, judges, and community leaders.
Dowdell highlighted the impact of these experiences on student career trajectories. A recent success story includes a student who secured a position as a paralegal with the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Other students are interning with local legal entities, enhancing the region’s legal and public safety systems through their contributions.
Missouri Western has faced challenges, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent institutional restructuring. However, Dowdell asserted that the university is stabilizing and growing, introducing new programs and strengthening student support. The changes have yielded positive results, as evidenced by Missouri Western students contributing 2,756 hours of community volunteer service in 2025.
Dowdell also emphasized the university’s commitment to social mobility, noting that Missouri Western ranks #1 nationally in this category. Graduates are entering fields vital to the local workforce, including healthcare, public safety, and education. The Social Work program further exemplifies this commitment, with students providing essential services to vulnerable populations in St. Joseph through extensive fieldwork.
In her letter, Dowdell expressed a personal connection to the university’s mission, as her daughter, a nursing student, prepares to graduate and begin her career with Mosaic. She urged local media to recognize the accomplishments of Missouri Western and its students, advocating for a narrative that reflects the university’s resilience and community contributions.
The university’s progress is a testament to its commitment to enhancing the region’s future. Dowdell extended an invitation to the public to engage with Missouri Western by attending events or forming partnerships, underscoring the institution’s transformative role in St. Joseph.
The story unfolding at Missouri Western is one of perseverance and community strength, and as Dowdell noted, it deserves acknowledgment and support from both the local community and the media.
