Student Success Departments

Academic Achievement Center, Dr. Mary Jo Wynn

Dan Raines, Director of Academic and Student Services-Athletics

The Achievement Center for Intercollegiate Athletics provides comprehensive academic support services for Missouri State University’s NCAA Division-I varsity student-athletes. These services include academic advising for undecided majors, course progress and attendance monitoring, a facility for studying, monitoring of NCAA academic regulations, tutorial services, class registration, and referral to all other appropriate campus services. It is The Achievement Center’s philosophy that all services are available to any student-athlete regardless of team, scholarship status, amount of playing time, or eligibility remaining.

Academic Advising and Transfer Center

Ross Hawkins, Director, Academic Advising and Transfer Center

The advisors in the Academic Advising and Transfer Center empower undeclared students to explore majors and make meaningful academic decisions. They help students plan courses and schedules, identify campus resources, and establish educational and professional goals. Advisors also help students learn more about themselves, options available at Missouri State, and which academic program aligns with their unique strengths and interests. Advisors in the office also work with students interested in the Individualized major and the Bachelor of General Studies program. The Academic Advising and Transfer Center administers the campus wide advisor training and development program by offering professional development opportunities, including advising workshops, forums and conferences. Students with a declared major are assigned an advisor within their academic college.

Academic Standards & Opportunities

Blanca Mallonee, Executive Assistant III

The Office of Academic Standards and Opportunities is responsible for assisting students with several types of academic grade appeals including the Scholastic Standards and Revision of Records Committee, scholastic actions for students who have not yet declared a major, Academic Renewal, Degree’s Committee, Early Walk requests for commencement, Academic Integrity Council, and coordinating the Partners in Education (PIE) program, which helps freshman with the transition from high school to college. We also re-evaluate and preapprove general education courses for transfer students.

Center for Academic Success and Transition

Kelly Wood, Executive Director, Center for Academic Success and Transition
Tracey Glaessgen, Associate Director, Center for Academic Success and Transition/Director, First-Year Programs

The Center for Academic Success and Transition (CAST) delivers programs that support student retention and completion while serving as a resource for the campus community. First-Year Programs, an office within CAST, administers several programs involving first-year students. Our primary function is to coordinate GEP 101 First-Year Foundations, our first-year seminar for all incoming students with less than 24 credit hours. Our office also manages the Peer Leader program, which provides leadership development and hands-on experiences for outstanding student-leaders. Additional programs within CAST include academic success coaches and peer mentors, college proactive advising and first-generation student support.

Citizenship and Service-Learning

Kathy Nordyke, Director, Citizenship and Service-Learning

Honors College

John F. Chuchiak, Director of Honors College

The Honors College is a community of students who have a demonstrated record of intellectual curiosity and academic success. Honors students are encouraged to reach their full potential through a program of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary instruction with an emphasis upon research and academic writing.

Learning Commons, The

Diana Garland, Director of the Learning Commons

  • Office location: Meyer Library, Room 113
  • Telephone: 417-836-6398 (main)
  • Website: Bear CLAW

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.

 Student Learning Services

Michael Frizell, Director of Student Learning Services

This unit implements and manages policies, student service programs, and initiatives that maximize student retention. The Director, Student Learning Services, assists the Learning Commons' Director with planning and administering the Bear CLAW (Center for Learning and Writing). The Director, Student Learning Services, coordinates the Writing Center, Presentation Center, Peer Assisted Study Session (PASS) Programming, and the Absent Professor Program.