Resource Spotlight
Check out these campus resources that help first-gen students succeed!
- Access Programs
- Admissions
- Adult Student Services
- Bear CLAW/Learning Commons
- Bears L.E.A.D.
- Career Center
- Center for Academic Success and Transition
- Counseling Center
- Disability Resource Center
- Orientation and Transition Programs
- Study Abroad
- TRIO Programs
Access Programs
The purpose of the office of Access Programs is to improve the retention and persistence rates of first-generation, low-income students who are members of an Access Organization, and prepare those students to be successful at Missouri State University and beyond. The office partners with Access Organizations as well as other MSU departments to offer students holistic support and guidance. We provide academic support programming, advising, and referrals designed to enhance student success. The programming includes assisting students in establishing goals and a plan to achieve those goals. While all MSU students have access to academic advising, counseling, career coaching, campus programming, and leadership opportunities; Access Programs are designed to ensure students are intentionally utilizing such services. Students are guided through the processes/resources to maximize their ability to be successful. The Access Programs also have varying levels of scholarship money provided to the students by MSU. The office works with high school students at Access Programs to help recruit them to MSU. We visit students in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield and host several recruitment events on campus. Access Programs community partnerships are with the following organizations:
Admissions
Adult Student Services
The Office of Adult Student Services assists students who have been out of high school for more than three years and/or who are 22 years of age or older who are interested in pursuing their degree at Missouri State University. We are here to provide holistic support services to nontraditional students at Missouri State University ranging from admissions assistance, transfer guidance, advisement and registration support, financial aid navigation, and providing recommendations regarding community and on campus resources.
The staff of Adult Student Services offers online scheduling options for all students which can be accessed using the following link:
Specific resources created for nontraditional students include a dedicated Adult Student Welcome, the Return to Learn scholarship, recognition of nontraditional honor students through Alpha Sigma Lambda, supporting the goals of the Nontraditional Student Organization, scholarship opportunities available from the Association of Nontraditional Students in Higher Education.
Bear CLAW/Learning Commons
The Learning Commons
The Learning Commons is dedicated to supporting students and their academic development as they move through their University journey. The Director of the Learning Commons and the Director of Student Learning Services manage and develop programs within the Bear CLAW (Center for Learning and Writing) to improve student success and retention. A key part of student success and retention is the subject area tutoring, time management consultations, study skills sessions, and on-campus employment provided by the Learning Commons.
Our peer tutors, mentors, coaches, and graduate assistants are here to assist you as you progress through your classes. The Bear CLAW offers MSU students this free service focusing on high demand general education courses.
We are here to support all students. Students who are seeking to keep their scholarship, students who just want to pass a course, first-generation or lifelong learner, all students are welcome at the Bear CLAW. You can schedule an online individual appointment with a subject area tutor or visit our online Mathematics drop-in zoom room.
Accessing the Zoom Receptionist room, TutorTrac scheduling system, or Drop-in Mathematics Assistance is easy: Log-in to My Missouri State, navigate to the Campus Life tab, locate the Bear CLAW block, and click on the appropriate link.
Student Learning Services
Our mission is to empower you to enhance your academic skills.
The Writing Center
Whether you are just beginning an assignment or are in the final stages of a project, we can offer advice on any writing assignment regardless of course or topic. Writing consultants are working in two modalities this fall. Visit the Center's page for more information on the methods listed below.
Method #1: Email Consultations
Writers can obtain advice regarding their manuscript through an email consultation. A writing consultant will read and give students an overview of the text's strengths and weaknesses. Comments are made using the "Track Changes" feature in Microsoft Word.
Method #2: Synchronous Support Using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
If students prefer to have a real-time consultation, writing consultants will meet them using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance.
The Brand-New Presentation Center to Support COM 115
Our mission is to enhance communication skills and offer helpful advice for students enrolled in COM 115. We provide one-on-one consultations and small group workshops with peer consultants and communication professionals. Students can spend an hour working with one of our trained consultants to tailor their message and delivery while boosting their confidence. Visit the Public Speaking Support page for information or call us at 417-836-6398.
Method 1: Scheduling a Video Consultation Session
Online consultations for COM 115 are available for the 2020 fall semester. You must use the Online scheduling system and make the appointment 24 hours in advance.
Method #2: Email us a Video
Speakers can obtain advice regarding their speech through an email consultation. A speech may be at any stage of the development process. A consultant will watch the speech and give the speaker an overview of the text's strengths and weaknesses.
The Brand-New Course Mentoring Program
Course mentors are part of the Bear CLAW's Peer Assisted Study Session (PASS) Programming. They're a series of academic enhancement group sessions for students taking historically difficult courses. Led by Course Mentors, the sessions are provided for all students who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades. Attendance at sessions is voluntary. This semester, we're supporting select AGR, BMS, CHM, DTN, and GLG classes.
Check out this video to see how Student Learning Services can assist you!
Bears L.E.A.D.
Bears L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Empowerment, Achievement, Diversity) offers a unique experience for incoming freshman from diverse and/or first-generation backgrounds to help with the transition to Missouri State University. The purpose of Bears L.E.A.D. is to immerse students in the college experience by exploring campus and the Springfield community while making meaningful relationships and gaining skills to support overall success.
A holistic approach to support is provided to participants of Bears L.E.A.D. though mentorship, skills development, proactive advising, book stipend, and professional networking opportunities. We want students to not only feel they belong at MSU and can achieve their goals, but they are fully supported while here.
Career Center
Our Mission:
To provide comprehensive career development services to students along their path to life-long success and to foster partnerships among students, employers, faculty, and staff.
How we assist first-generation students
Several of our staff are first-generation college graduates, so they understand some of the unique challenges first-gen student face in learning to navigate the university, as well as the transition to employment following college graduation.
Services we provide
Exploration
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Career counseling / assessments
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IDS 120: Exploring Majors and Careers
Preparation
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Cover letters / résumés / CVs / portfolios
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Internship / job search
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Occupation, major, and employer research
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Graduate school research and preparation
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Mock interviews
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Workshops/class presentations
Connection
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Career fairs
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Networking, Including Handshake & LinkedIn)
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Employer Relations
How to make an appointment
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Phone: 417-836-5636
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In-person: Carrington Hall 309 or Glass Hall 276
***All appointments and drop-in meetings will be conducted virtually for Fall 2020
Drop-in Resume/Cover letter critiques
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Mon/Wed/Fri: Noon-5 p.m.
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Tues/Thurs: 10am-5 p.m.
Center for Academic Success and Transition
At the Center for Academic Success and Transition (CAST), our mission is your success! We’re here to provide academic support to students, starting from when you first arrive at MSU through to graduation. Your first interaction with us is likely to be the First-Year Foundations course (GEP 101), which we manage. Through our office, you can also meet with an Success Coach or a Peer Mentor. An Success Coach will work with you to help you become “even better” in your academic and professional skills. A Peer Mentor will work with you on questions you have about Missouri State University, such as available campus resources and how to use them. We also have programs specifically to support First-Generation Students, including education abroad scholarships and assistance with completing the MSU Annual Scholarship application.
You can visit the Center for Academic Success and Transition at Meyer Library 116. To request to meet with an Success Coach or Peer Mentor, visit our office, call 417-836-8343, or visit our website, MissouriState.edu/AcademicSuccess.
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center's overall mission is to support the student's wellbeing, development, and success. At the counseling center, we provide counseling services that include individual, couples, and group counseling to all students enrolled at MSU. Students can access counseling services by calling the Counseling Center at 417-846-5116 to schedule an appointment to meet with a mental health clinician. We have adapted our services due to the pandemic and now offering virtual session through Zoom as an alternative to provide a more safe environment.
Disability Resource Center
Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides resource for students who have disabilities or suspected disabilities. DRC is dedicated to ensuring that every student with a disability will have equal access to our campus and academic programs. Through an interaction process with students, faculty and advisers, we assist students individually by providing guidance and determining reasonable accommodations to remove barriers to access. In addition, DRC works with the campus community to promote inclusive environment so our community of learners will have meaningful learning experiences.
The Disability Resource Center's mission and purpose is driven by principles of Universal Design and the Socio-Political Model of disability. Through ongoing exploration and consultation provided to faculty, administration and departments within the University, the Disability Resource Center strives to promote this systemic change.
Our mission
Through innovative consultation and collaboration, the Disability Resource Center leads the campus community in its commitments to recognize disability as a valued aspect of diversity, to embrace access as a matter of social justice, and design more welcoming and inclusive environments.
Our core values
Human variation is natural and vital in the development of dynamic communities.
Disability is a social/political concept that includes people with a variety of conditions who share common experiences.
Inclusion and full participation are matters of social justice.
Design is powerful and profoundly influences our daily lives.
Universal design is essential for achieving inclusion and full participation.
Creating usable, equitable, sustainable, and inclusive environments is a shared responsibility.
First-Generation Employee from the Disability Resource Center
Shamshir Tarlanov, Access Advisor, Disability Resource Center
Why Shamshir wanted to go to College as the first in his family: "I wanted to be independent financially and my disability has a lot to do with this. Due to my disability, I felt strongly about the importance of education which further motivated me to earn my master's degree."
Shamshir’s advice to first Gen students: "Regardless of all obstacles and challenges, being the First Gen. student is strength that we can harness to succeed and set a good example for others."
Orientation and Transition Programs
Education Abroad
The Office of Education Abroad enables students to increase their cultural awareness through study abroad participation, and then leverage global learning to enhance skills desired for employment in today’s workforce. Students can search for programs on our site, stop by the Office of Education Abroad in PSU 209, or contact us at EducationAbroad@MissouriState.edu or 836-6368.
Study abroad experiences enable students to prove their ability to work with different people, communicate across cultures and languages, and develop a sense of adventure. This demonstration of adaptability distinguishes students, which makes students more marketable to future employer as it enhances interpersonal skills while developing students’ leadership styles.
TRIO Programs
TRIO Programs provides opportunities for first generation, low income and unrepresented students to overcome social and cultural barriers to academic development and the college experience. TRIO Programs also assists students with basic college requirements and provides academic and social support to motivate students toward the successful completion of their college education.