Her mother, father and brother all received their undergraduate degrees from the University, and Bartkoski is following their path.
“I was comfortable here,” said Bartkoski, who grew up in Neosho.
She is also following another important course set by her brother, Scott. She intends to graduate with a 4.0 grade point average.
“He had a 4.0 when he graduated and I’m on that path now,” she said. “So we have a little friendly competition going.”
Scott, who is now in medical school, graduated from Missouri State two years ago.
“He’s been a really great influence on my life,” Bartkoski said.
Bartkoski came to Missouri State on a Presidential Scholarship. She is pursuing the actuarial science track in her math major with a minor in insurance and risk management. She plans to become an actuary – someone who analyzes risk for insurance companies or other agencies.
“Insurance is one of those necessary things in people’s lives,” Bartkoski said. “It just takes a ton of stress away for people.”
Bartkoski had always liked math, she said, but a high school teacher asked her if she knew what an actuary was. Once the teacher explained an actuary’s job, Bartkoski became interested in pursuing it as a career. She is an intern in the underwriting department of American National Property and Casualty (ANPAC) in Springfield, but hopes to become an intern in the company’s actuarial department.
Once she earns her degree at Missouri State, Bartkoski said she will probably pursue a graduate degree. While she knows she’ll enjoy actuarial work, she said she would eventually like to teach mathematics at the community college or college level.
A member of Sigma Kappa sorority, Bartkoski lives in the sorority house and is also active in Kappa Mu Epsilon, the math honor society and works with the University’s SOAR (Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration) program.
The size of Missouri State’s math department is ideal, Bartkoski said.
“I like that the classes are not very large,” she said. “And the professors in the math department are so helpful. Even if you don’t understand something in class, you can always go to their office and they’ll take time to discuss it with you.”
One professor even extended his office hours until midnight so students could meet with him.
“That’s just the kind of faculty we have. They really care about the students’ success,” she said.
