ST. GEORGE — Dixie State College will be able to more quickly offer more four-year degrees in the future, thanks to a revised mission statement approved by the Utah State Board of Regents.

Dixie President Robert Huddleston, who is stepping down from his position at the end of the month, was clearly delighted with the Regents' approval of a request he has been working on for some time.

"This means that we will be able to start offering degrees in areas such as the liberal arts, math and sciences, as well as other core areas, like you would see at any other four-year institution," Huddleston said. "This is the most significant thing that has happened to Dixie State College, outside of the institution being granted four-year status originally in 2000."

At their April meeting, the regents approved Dixie's request to offer a four-year bachelor's degree in communications this fall. The college already offers four-year programs in business administration, computer and information technology, elementary education and nursing.

Also at the April meeting, the regents heard from various community leaders who came armed with economic statistics and other growth-related numbers.

"From the input we received we were able to create an environmental scan — a snapshot of this area and Dixie State's part in the overall economic and demographic picture," Huddleston said in a letter prepared for the day's meeting.

Dixie was first granted permission to offer a limited number of four-year degrees in 2000 and was granted full accreditation at the baccalaureate level in 2003 by Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.

The college, said Huddle- ston, was advised that its mission statement was "too narrow" and needed to be revised.

"Dixie State College is an evolving, growing institution that is becoming more comprehensive," Huddleston wrote. "It is necessary that we have a mission statement that reflects this growth and direction."

Any new bachelor's programs will be contingent upon available funding and resources. Dixie State College will also continue its ongoing commitment to its role as a community college.

"We're exporting far too many of our Washington County natives because of a lack of employment and educational opportunities," Huddleston said. "It's our hope that as we're able to offer more and more bachelor's degrees we can help slow that trend."

---

E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com