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Significant Enrollment Increase This Fall

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Joseph Kim

MNU announced its Fall 2020 Census Day numbers today. The total number of students enrolled for fall 2020 semester is 2,239, an increase of 17% from fall 2019.

Freshmen are part of the equation, up 10%, the class is the largest since 2017. Continuing education student enrollment is also up significantly.

MNU met the challenge of reopening during the pandemic in late August with strict protocol to protect students and employees. Its Emergency Response Team continues to meet weekly to adjust protocol, schedules and provisions for the campus.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to continue on-campus classes and events and we cannot take this for granted,” says President David Spittal. “I appreciate the cooperation, diligence and heroic actions of faculty, staff and students to get this done together. Pioneer Spirit takes many forms and we can accomplish much together, but at its best it is manifested by patience, unselfish acts, mutual support and respect for one another as good neighbors.”

Apr
9
Early College Open House
MNU Campus
8:30 am

12:00 pm
Apr
10
Presidents Honors 2026
Cook Center
6:30 pm

9:30 pm
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11
MNU Percussion Ensemble | Percussion Show 2026
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
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9:00 pm
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16
MAX Improv 4/16
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
9:00 pm

10:30 pm

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University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences partnership program:

  • Students spend 3 years at MNU and 4 years at KCU
  • Requirement for Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is waived
  • Students graduate with a degree from both institutions (B.S. from MNU and D.O. from KCU)
  • The Program is available at both Kansas City and Joplin campuses

To qualify for entry into the program at MNU students must:

  • Enter the program at MNU at the beginning of the freshman year through the application process
  • Have a minimum ACT score of 28
  • Participate in community service
  • Have a dedication to the field of osteopathic medicine
  • Meet regularly with the MNU pre-professional committee

To qualify for program completion at KCU students must:

  • Complete all General Education requirements at MNU
  • Complete a minimum of 99 hours of course work at MNU
  • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.25
  • Maintain a science coursework GPA of 3.5
  • Participate in KCU-Com’s weeklong Summer Learning Enhancement Program
  • Complete the following course with a grade of “C” or higher at MNU:
    • Biological Sciences 12 hours
    • Chemistry 13 hours
    • Biochemistry 3 hours
    • Physics 8 hours
    • English Composition 6 hours

 

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Rion Taylor at rgtaylor@mnu.ed

Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
BS; Chemistry, Denison University

Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.

Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.