Brandon Hill has known he wanted to become a lawyer since taking a law and order course in high school.
She connects her passion for horses and her work with ex-cons in preparation for her new job with the FBI.
For Kimberly Van Ornum, helping students understand math requires re-thinking traditional math classes.
She's ready to help others after experiencing immigration issues firsthand.
Mica Henry's main criteria when scouting pharmacy programs? Location and cost.
“Even off the stage, in life, people move in space in ways that tell stories. It’s a message that’s communicated with the body.”
Dr. Xingping Sun combines his two loves into one research study.
With a mortar, pestle and a little of the South American native barbasco root, you can make a natural piscicide, or fish killer. The active compound? Rotenone.
Amber Donaldson sensed her opportunity.
Picture yourself in a national park like Denali, the Everglades or Yosemite. Perhaps you’re driving through a region like the Ozarks or Appalachia.
Taylor Christopher believes in serving the community, seeing the world and carrying on Missouri State traditions.
Motherhood and math coincide in Emily McAdoo's daily routine.
Dr. Susan Dollar previously served in the armed forces.
Mariah Zenk won the American Cinema Editors Student Editing Competition.
Good fortune, prosperity, karma, family and happiness: These traditional Asian values are core to Dr. C. Edward Chang, professor of finance.
Madison Estabrook fell in love with learning at a young age. She’s consumed it ever since.
Certified Distance Educator Ivy Yarckow-Brown explains some of the unique benefits of online criminology and criminal justice courses.
Grateful for the opportunities provided in the United States, Anya and Aleks Illyuk, advance their education to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
"It's one of the most unique jobs in health care."
Graduate student Colton Lynn wanted a research assistantship but got a teaching assistantship. Call it fate.
Participating in a worldwide theatre festival helped Anna develop as an actor, director and #CitizenBear.
Macaylah Gant Hodge was one of several students whose work was displayed at Meyer Library as part of the exhibit Native Art of the Americas.
Kevin Agee followed “a big flashing sign in the road telling me ‘go this way.'”
As a returning student, Annie needed a program that would support her professional goals while fitting into the life she’d already established.
Would you allow your child to play football?
“My experience at MSU has prepared me to be successful for the rest of my life.”
When Dalton Breeding stepped into his freshman geology class, he never thought he would make a career out of it.
Juan Narvaez comes from a developing nation and is dedicated to helping it grow.
Electronic arts student Josh Pfaff discusses his senior project — the short film "Counting to 1,000" — and leading actor Cailee Spaeny, who has been cast in Pacific Rim 2.
Filmmaker Sara Silkwood was inspired by the album's narrative qualities.
Home economics classes at Dora High School helped Kelsi Land, a MSU-West Plains elementary education major, discover her talents.
Charlotte Yoakum's path to becoming a speech language pathologist started with a babysitting job.
Karman Berkich is ready for some teachable moments.
Dana Fleming listened as a colleague shared a powerful moment.
Dr. Mitchell enjoys the life of an academic: teaching, researching and serving.
'96 I-O Psychology graduate Warren Lindley helps people to learn, grow and change is his job as Vice President of HR at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ill., Mont., NM, Okla. & Texas.
During her time at Missouri State, she helped develop a certificate program that would better prepare students for serving victims of child abuse.
2017 School of Anesthesia Talent Show winner - Magic Morris!
Erin Eckels knew about Missouri State: Her dad was an alumnus who also went into accounting.
When Caileb Newby started his journey at Missouri State, he was a transfer student with an associate’s degree, working three jobs and going to school.
Derric Durham has big plans for the future — plans he was able to share with “Shark Tank” contestant Chris Gray.
To Noah Hendel, Missouri State is a major university with a unique quality: “Here, you can make your mark on campus.”
A unique aspect of MSU's fashion merchandising and design degree gives her a leg up on the field.
When it comes to his major, his name says it all.
Crystal clear water: It quenches thirst, cleanses and sustains life.
He needed a bachelor's degree in order to land a new job. He found the Bachelor of General Studies program.
“I really think that going through Missouri State’s curriculum in my four years here has prepared me for the workplace and just for life in general.”
Alexis Wallace wants to be a broker, helping companies manage risks and insurance claims.
Andy Bennett planned to study computer science or marketing.
Abigail Saintvalliere loves catching up on the hottest video games.
Hailey Whipp is a huge sports fan who hopes to have a career that combines her interest in business with rooting for her teams.
Jordan Ford has wanted to be a homebuilder since she was young.
Dynamic, dynamo, dynamite: The root of these words means power.
As a first-generation student, Marli Coonrod struggled her freshman year before learning a valuable lesson.
Tyree Davis IV became a leading voice for students after investing himself in the MSU community.
"It was like: ‘This is so refreshing, this is exciting.’"
Olivia Fernandez is on the path to her dream job in macroeconomics, thanks to her Missouri State experience and connections.
She looks forward to spending her years after graduation continuing to help other student veterans.
“The professors and curriculum kept in touch with the heartbeat of the field itself and what’s out there.”
Amy Qualls thought she had taken the wrong career path, until this happened.
A dream come true.
“Anytime I can increase their independence, that's going to help them now and that's going to help them when they graduate.”
Mary Ortman wanted a less expensive option for school. MSU gave her that and much more.
“If I design a sign which tell you, ‘Turn right,’ but actually you need to turn left, you can kill yourself!”
Developing programs to reduce recidivism helps former inmates successfully reintegrate into society, but also saves taxpayers huge amounts of money.
Well into its second century, The Standard is still innovating.
She always loved languages; she didn't know they'd become a career.
Instructor Leonard Horton brings the fast pace of TV news into the classroom.
From a European village, to small-town Ozarks life, he's found his passion and home at MSU.
The moment(s) when Bailey Hoffman knew going to Graduate College was the right move.
A casual conversation led journalism professor Dr. Andrew Cline to a new phase of his career -- and a new documentary about Syrian children.
"It really makes you appreciate how many people it takes to make a show. Every single person's job is important to the whole."
Dr. Shouchuan Hu is changing the world for non-mathematicians and mathematicians alike.
For Ainura Ashirova, pursuing her Master of Fine Arts is a new creative adventure.
Do you consider yourself to be creative?
Qingdao University transfer student Yuxin Zhao has displayed her love for music with the MSU and Springfield symphony orchestras.
Life steered her away from school, but she returned to pursue her passion: special education.
“I related a research problem to something I saw a need for and fell in love with it.”
Junyu Sun has been at the helm of the award-winning Chinese Students and Scholars Association.
Graduate student Robert Gibson spreads his love of music on a broad scale.
“It was a challenge, but a dream come true.”
Artist Sarah Perkins combines two seemingly different mediums to create unforgettable works of art.
“My best was not quitting but finishing college and starting a new legacy in my family.”
Dr. John F. Chuchiak IV won’t be surprised by the future.
"Coming here was never about the degree."
Lauren Johnson had trouble getting involved in productions until she got the call she didn’t know she was waiting for.
When Dr. Stephanie Hein, head of the department of hospitality leadership, returned to Missouri State as professor, a fellow alum of the program had some essential advice for her.
Michael Davis did not always have the confidence he now has in his research capabilities.
I tell my students on the first day that everybody is an expert in their own shoes, so I want to hear everybody’s stories because we learn from that.
In the spring of 1562, France erupted into the first of many religious wars between Protestants and Catholics.
"Big things are possible if people are willing to cooperate."
"Even if it's a small change, we can change the world."
When Zach Wilson submitted his research abstract to give a 20-minute presentation, he didn’t know he’d be requested to also present something much shorter.
"A university is only as good as its professors."
"Nothing compares to working on the edge of known human understanding."
Few of us understand what is entailed in a species becoming listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, though most believe conservation efforts are noble.
Philosophy provided the framework for building a career and confronting personal challenges.
Little did he know that a bet made with his older brother would set him on a course to where he is today: training to be a CRNA.
Most people know about the major prehistoric eras, such as the Jurassic Period. But have you heard of others, such as the Cambrian or the Ordovician?
Philosophy alum Thomas Limbrick will spend two years clerking with the Missouri Supreme Court.
"The specific moment I knew I wanted to be a nurse anesthetist ‘when I grew up’ was the time when we found out my mom’s cancer had spread to her brain."
A recent recipient of the scholarship is senior Aly Gatwood. Her family lost their home in the St. Louis floods on December 29, 2015.
A randomly assigned group brought six students together, and their project impressed the campus.
From standing in the spotlight to setting the stage for a home, she's learned how to make herself (and others) happy.
Though Shilpa Mohite grew up in Karad, India, she knew early on that she would attend Missouri State.
Under rocks and logs, in burrows and underwater, Dr. Alicia Mathis finds fascinating creatures to study.
Silver, known for antibacterial and anti-odor properties, may be in everything from athletic wear to cutting boards.
As a young screenwriter, Richard Amberg had a great opportunity.
On May 22, 2011, a devastating E5 tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri. A Joplin native, Matthews wanted to see what had become of his childhood home.
You’ve survived a major catastrophe. While the world you know has been washed away in this natural disaster, you remain. How do you cope?
From the beginning, Reesha Adamson could sense her calling. She wanted to improve the lives of young people who have behavioral disorders.
New Zealand native focused on capturing an NCAA championship and working toward a degree
“I’ve been making changes in the community and my job – not just going to school.”
"Don’t stay in your one friend zone. It’s good to have friends—old friends—but college is about making new friends."
"My parents were both born in Mexico, and I am fluent in Spanish, so it’s nice having a little piece of my culture here on campus.”
Chase discovered that time management and organization are crucial for success in college
She earned her degree with passion for her industries and some help along the way.
She used her independence to gain experiences and meet new people
He overcame the fear of returning to school to follow his true passion: jazz piano.
Imagine you have suffered a serious stroke. You are unable to speak or follow a conversation.
Kirby Williams never thought she could love a career field so much.
Jordan is a creator who likes the idea of creating worlds that people can escape to.
Cam Deckett cheered on the Bears from the student section, and now he's helping student-athletes stay on the field.
With the experience of living abroad with her military family, Amanda Sarver saw Africa as the perfect place to study.
After picking up added responsibility in her junior year, Caitlin Polley thrived under the pressure.
A life as a touring musician prepared him for higher education.
How does a person become a writer? How does a teacher teach writing rather than assign it?
"No one thinks of himself as a terrorist. Not even members of Boko Haram," said Dr. Bukola Oyeniyi, assistant professor of history at Missouri State University.
"One of the most important things to do as a Missouri State student is to volunteer."
What does it mean to be the real China?
Receiving a scholarship enabled St. Louis native Casey Flanigan to pursue a career in nursing.
“I would like to be dedicating my life to education.”
“CRNA School for me is comparable to running though mountains and valleys. The fact is that life in general is that way.”
In the 1800s, hundreds of steamboats sank on the Missouri River - wrecks litter the valley beneath corn and soybean fields and contain a treasure trove of history.
Shaley Moore hadn't planned on attending Missouri State, but a campus visit during her senior year of high school changed her mind.
Is there a more haunting question than ‘What if?’
Twenty-four year Air Force veteran Ralph Davis retired and moved to Missouri, where he found opportunities he'd never expected.
Rebecca chose Missouri State's athletic training program because of its reputation. Once here, she found memorable experiences, caring faculty — and convinced her sister to join her.
“I can care for my patients at a time when they are incredibly vulnerable and advocate for them in a way that is different than the way I advocate as a bedside nurse.”
“I chose to pursue a career as a CRNA because as a CRNA I would be able to advocate for my patient on a whole other level.”
Claire Geneser’s intrigue with stars began when she was 5 years old.
As a child growing up in Ukraine, Dr. Nikolay Gerasimchuk, professor of chemistry, learned about chemistry even sitting at the kitchen table.
If a significant life event was posted on Twitter but no one saw it, did it really happen?
Police lights cut through the night sky, and Sarah Williams knows she looks suspicious.
According to Kiva, "Having people who haven't met me invest in my education... it proves they have a tremendous amount of faith in me."
Vonda Yarberry says her creative research is "alluding to how the human body works – the messiness of that and the tangledness of that."
'It was like a bunch of little kids who are just playing with very large, very expensive scientific toys.'
Drew Rogers found his vocation during his time as a graduate assistant for the Center for Dispute Resolution, where he began working in mediation.
