Missouri Military Academy and William Woods University Looking to Expand Strategic Partnership

On March 8th, 2022, William Woods University (WWU) President Dr. Jeremy Moreland and Vice President for Advancement Kathy Groves visited Missouri Military Academy (MMA) for a campus tour and meeting with MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret).

One of the premier, college-preparatory, military boarding schools in the United States, MMA is proud to partner with WWU – one of the Midwest’s top ranked universities – to provide its dual-credit Triumph Program to its high school cadets. Since MMA’s founding in 1889 and William Woods in 1870, both schools have a rich and long tradition of academic excellence.

Through the dual-credit program, qualifying MMA cadets can take WWU college courses and finish high school at MMA with at least one year of college completed. This program gives cadets the opportunity to experience the challenge of college-level academics and to demonstrate to top colleges and universities their ability to successfully master college-level work. It also potentially reduces the cost of college education costs. Dual-credit courses are taught by WWU instructors at MMA’s campus an at WWU’s campus in Fulton, Missouri with transportation for cadets provided by MMA.

Planned future expansion of the Triumph Program includes opening a pathway for MMA cadets to earn an associate degree from WWU at the same time (or shortly thereafter) they earn their high school diploma.

“Our strategic partnerships enable us to enhance and diversify the experience we provide MMA cadets, and our partnership with William Woods helps cadets achieve their full academic potential while at the Academy,” said Geraci. “We look forward to furthering our relationship with WWU for the benefit of both institutions.”

According to Geraci, the two schools are exploring the enhancement of their strategic partnership in potential areas such as professional development and educational opportunities for MMA faculty and staff provided by WWU, enhancement of MMA’s equestrian program through advising by WWU’s renowned equestrian program, and mutual use of each school’s facilities, including use of MMA’s back campus (approximately 270 acres), paintball field, rappel tower and more by WWU students, faculty, and staff for team building.

The Academy also plans to expand internship opportunities for William Woods students, plus offer employment at MMA summer camps.

“Through the proven strengths of the MMA’s military education model and WWU’s academic strengths and support of military veterans and active servicemen and women, including WWU’s Missouri National Guard officer leader development program, we see a natural fit between our schools and several opportunities for MMA and William Woods to grow this important partnership,” Geraci said.

During the March 8 visit, Geraci presented Dr. Moreland with a presidential coin to recognize the significance of the strategic partnership and their support of our cadets’ academic success.

“We appreciate the partnership with MMA, and we look forward to our continued collaboration to develop tomorrow’s leaders,” said Dr. Moreland, who assumed the role of WWU president last fall. MMA looks forward to supporting Dr. Moreland’s formal inauguration on April 7 in Fulton with participation of the Academy Band, bag pipers, and Color Guard in the ceremony.