SIKESTON, Mo. -- Groundwork by officials from Three Rivers College shows construction of an eastern campus at Sikeston is feasible. Next is a funding campaign for the building.
Three Rivers president Dr. Devin Stephenson presented the findings from a feasibility study to about three dozen area residents Tuesday.
"Sikeston is very important to us," Stephenson told the group, explaining that students studying at the Sikeston location make up 9.2 percent of the college's enrollment. However, Stephenson added, the current facility is at capacity.
Stephenson said residents are saying that in order for the region to grow, it needs to recruit industry and provide a qualified pool of workers, and they want the college's help in doing so. "But to be an effective partner, we have to have more room," he said.
The college has already received a donation of land at the intersection of highways 60 and 61 at the south edge of Sikeston.
In presenting the findings by The Clements Group, Stephenson said in the interviews with individuals who participated in community summits as well as community leaders and board members, respondents overall found the college to be accessible, affordable and relevant.
However, there are challenges for Three Rivers to overcome, including a need to become more visible in the community. Those interviewed indicated the public needs to be aware of the college's programs, missions and contributions locally.
Other problems include a need for additional programs, locating sources of funding and "contending with the perceived competition between Three Rivers and Southeast Missouri State University."
On the last point, Stephenson said the two schools are working on rebuilding their partnership.
"Our missions are different," Stephenson continued, "but working amicably is important."
The feasibility study reported most interviewees had a favorable impression of the school's leadership team but pointed out they are not well known in the community. Also, most have a positive view of Three Rivers' faculty and its board of trustees.
All of those interviewed saw the proposed eastern campus as providing access for more students to attend college. They also believed it would have a positive affect in the region.
The college is proposing construction of a classroom building at its Poplar Bluff campus as well as a new events center. In both surveys, several indicated donors may prefer funding raised in Sikeston remain in Sikeston.
Eighty-two percent of those interviewed indicated a well-led and well-marketed funding campaign would receive community support.
The major gifts campaign would seek to bring in about $5 million to $6 million in cash, three- to five-year pledges, federal grants and contracts and planned gifts, according to the feasibility study.
"We need to all pull together, work together and make this happen," Stephenson said.
Asked when the campaign will begin, the college president said it is already under way, although most of the effort is "behind the scenes." He said the campaign will go public in April.