Hello, and welcome to the Missouri State Family Association!  My name is Joe Morris, and I am the Orientation Coordinator at Missouri State.  My primary responsibility is developing and implementing the Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration (SOAR) program for incoming students and their family members.  I have recently assumed responsibility for overseeing the Family Association, and I am thrilled to do so!

As the contact person in the Family Association, I will be your personal link to the University and your college student's life at Missouri State University.  I enjoy having the opportunity to work with you, the parents and family members of our students, to help them become successful and achieve their goals.  

Since I will be in touch with you regularly, I should probably let you know more about myself.  As an undergraduate student, graduate student, instructor, and staff member, I’ve experienced just about everything the University has to offer!  As an undergraduate, I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Media and was a member of the Honors College.  I was involved in several organizations, including a Greek social fraternity and a Christian campus ministry.  I served as a SOAR leader for three years, which sparked a desire to work in student affairs at a University and assist college students. 

While completing a Master of Arts in Communication degree, I served as a graduate assistant for the Honors College advising undecided honors students.  Once I completed the degree I became the Orientation Director here, allowing me (perhaps fatefully) to return to the program that I loved.  Since graduate school, I have taught several sections of IDS 110, the Introduction to University Life Course. 

As you can see, my time here and my training as a SOAR leader, an academic advisor, and SOAR Director has given me extensive knowledge of the University, in policies and procedures as well as personal experiences.   Please feel free to contact me at anytime with questions or comments.  I’d love to hear from you!

 

Have a great day!

Joe