Become a SOAR Leader

Some of the responsibilities of the SOAR leader position include:

• Easing the transition of students into the Missouri State community
• Welcoming and including students and families in the Missouri State community
• Presenting information about campus resources, services, and policies
• Facilitating group discussions
• Answering questions from students and families
• Working with academic advisors to help students build class schedules
• Assisting in the organization and preparation of SOAR activities

All SOAR leaders must:

• Be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours at MSU for the Fall 2025 semester.
• Be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours at MSU for the Spring 2026 semester (includes the IDS 280 SOAR Training Class if you are a new SOAR Leader)
• Have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.55 or higher throughout employment
• Be in and maintain good disciplinary standing throughout employment
• Complete IDS 280: Student and Life Leadership in the Spring 2026 semester with a grade of C or better (new SOAR Leaders)-Class is required for all new SOAR Leaders.
• Attend ALL events listed in the “Time Commitment” section below

Applicants are selected based on their ability to:

• Work well with a diverse group of people
• Communicate effectively
• Make mature decisions
• Act responsibly and with integrity
• Adapt to new and unanticipated situations
• Remain positive in trying situations
• Represent Missouri State University in a positive manner

Some of the benefits of becoming a SOAR leader include:

• Developing excellent leadership experience and marketable skills
• Forming personal and professional relationships with faculty, staff, and other students
• Networking with faculty and administrators, who may serve as future mentors or references
• Having a summer full of fun and great memories!

SOAR leaders are compensated for their work with:

• $13.75 an hour. SOAR leaders may work up to 40 hours a week from late May through late July.
• Free summer meal plan
• Free Dining Dollars for use in the summer  in the PSU food vendors and Starbucks
• Free on-campus housing during SOAR sessions
• Free BearWear as your SOAR uniform
• Free Parking Permit for the Summer

Spring semester 2026

SOAR leaders enroll in IDS 280: Student and Life Leadership, a course designed to develop students' leadership skills necessary for SOAR and life beyond SOAR. Topics include facilitation, communication skills, conflict management, equity and diversity, and a variety of other leadership topics. This class is REQUIRED for all new SOAR Leaders.

• IDS 280: Student and Life Leadership - Mondays and Wednesdays, 4 to 5 PM throughout the Spring semester

Summer 2026

SOAR leaders attend several days of training on program logistics prior to the beginning of SOAR. This training focuses on becoming familiar with the SOAR session schedule, presenting specific workshops, understanding University policies and procedures, and becoming more knowledgeable about various organizations and resources on campus.

Fall semester 2026

SOAR leaders assist with the recruitment and selection of new SOAR leaders in the second half of the Fall semester. They also participate in one-day SOAR sessions for students beginning in the Spring semester.

• SOAR Carousel: October 2026 (approx. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. )
• One-day SOAR for Spring Students - January 2027: Two days in early January near the opening of the Spring semester

General questions:

Do SOAR leaders provide tours for prospective students during the academic year?

No, our Missouri State tour guides are called University Ambassadors. View our SOAR leader position description for details regarding the duties of a SOAR leader.

SOAR leader requirement questions

This is my first semester at Missouri State. How do I meet the 2.55 GPA requirement?

OTP staff will ask first semester students to submit a copy of their midterm grades during the second round of interviews. These grades will be used while considering candidates.

Remember, selected SOAR leaders must maintain a 2.55 or higher GPA throughout employment. OTP staff will review SOAR leaders' grades each semester to determine employment eligibility.

I am unable to attend take IDS 280 in the Spring semester. Can I still be a SOAR leader?

No. This course provides future SOAR leaders with necessary training and preparation, so it cannot be missed.

I will not be able to be present during some of the training and/or SOAR sessions this summer. Can I still be a SOAR leader?

Generally, no. Because we have a limited ability for other individuals to cover missing SOAR leader's work, we require all SOAR leaders to attend all training and SOAR sessions.

However, we do understand unusual circumstances occur, and a staff member can review situations on a case-by-case basis to approve exceptions. Foreseeable situations, such as education abroad trips, family vacations, conflicting internships, etc. are generally not approved exceptions. Contact PChildress@MissouriState.edu if you have questions.

I plan to study abroad. Can I still be a SOAR leader?

Education abroad experiences are academically and personally enriching, and we encourage students to participate in them. However, they must be planned carefully to ensure candidates will be available to attend all training and SOAR sessions. Contact Priscilla Childress if you have questions; provide as many details about your desired trip as possible.

May I take summer classes while I am a SOAR leader?

SOAR leaders may not take in-person classes during the summer, as there are typically very few courses of these type that do not conflict with SOAR activities.

Can I serve as a SOAR leader and work at another on-campus job during the summer?

SOAR leaders work up to 40 hours a week during the summer. SOAR leaders typically only have Friday available to work an on-campus job.

Is on-campus housing provided during SOAR? Do I have to live on campus during SOAR?

SOAR leaders are provided on-campus housing and they are required to reside on campus during training and SOAR sessions. On-campus living allows SOAR leaders to better care for SOAR participants during their campus stay.

When new students are not staying on campus (typically Thursday night, Friday and Saturday), SOAR leaders are permitted to stay off campus.

Equal opportunity

Missouri State University is a community of people with respect for diversity. Through its operations, New Student and Family Programs strives to reflect the diversity of our community and promote the inclusion of all Missouri State students and families.

Missouri State University adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including ancestry, or any other subcategory of national origin recognized by applicable law), religion, sex (including marital status, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other subcategory of sex recognized by applicable law), age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. Sex discrimination encompasses sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, and is strictly prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. For more information, view our Equal Opportunity Policy.

Accommodations

Missouri State University provides reasonable accommodations that allow applicants, employees, or qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a position.

Reasonable accommodations will be made unless such accommodations have the end result of placing an undue burden on the operations of the University. If reasonable accommodations would cause undue hardship or burden because of costs, the individual with a disability shall be given the option of providing the accommodation themselves or paying for the portion of the cost that poses the undue hardship or burden.

If you want to request a reasonable accommodation for the interview process or position, contact newbears@missouristate.edu.