Three Rivers campus expansion poised to begin

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Work soon will begin on the phase one of the new Three Rivers College campus in Sikeston.

Three Rivers president, Dr. Devin Stephenson, addressed the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday at Tanner Street Church of God and gave an overview of the plan.

"We are going to make a $7 million investment in our community," said Stephenson, referring to a 40,000-square-foot structure that will be built on the south side of Sikeston near the U.S. 61 interchange. "We plan to break ground on this building in early March."

More than 500 students are enrolled at the Three Rivers Center with more students unable to attend because there is no room for them. Stephenson said demand continues to increase and Three Rivers College is working to meet the demand.

"Now is the time and we have to do it," he said.

With the initial phase set to begin in March, Stephenson said phase two would be an applied technology building and phase three an allied health and nursing building.

"We are going to build a campus, not a center in Sikeston," Stephenson said.

Although a timetable for completion of the building has not yet been set, Stephenson said "we will build it efficiently and effectively."

One-half of all undergraduates in the United States are enrolled in junior colleges, with 13 million students enrolled nationwide.

Enrollment at Three Rivers has increased 60 percent since 2008.

"I like to think we are a college without walls," Stephenson said. "It's about making a difference in people's lives."

Pertinent address:

Sikeston, MO.