Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

New Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development launches today

The reorganization of state government initiated by Governor Parson’s Executive Order 19-03 takes legal effect today. The Division of Workforce Development (DWD) and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) officially moved from the Department of Economic Development to the Department of Higher Education.

“This change gives Missourians a resource for the full range of postsecondary options – from apprenticeships to certificates to doctoral programs,” said Zora Mulligan, commissioner of higher education. “This is consistent with national trends toward recognizing the value of shorter-term, lower-cost programs, and through this bold move Governor Parson will be positioning Missouri as a thought leader in this area.”

In addition to the restructuring, the department name is changing from the Department of Higher Education to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to better reflect the full scope of the new department. A new vision statement has also been adopted: Every Missourian empowered with the skills and education needed for success.

For more information, please contact the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development at (800) 473-6757.