Welcome to the inaugural blog post of Access and Success Programs. The Access and Success Programs department is responsible for community scholarship partnerships and Bears Lead, a program at Missouri State University dedicated to empowering first-generation and Pell-eligible students on their academic journey. In Access and Success, we believe in providing not only access to a college education, but also comprehensive support and community where every student can thrive academically and personally. 

Fall Semester Bears Lead Programming Highlights 

Bears Lead hosted a series of impactful programming events throughout the Fall 2024 semester. From Bearsgiving, where students dedicated their time to packing finals care packages for the Bear Pantry, to the valuable skills developed during a resume writing workshop, and the enthusiastic involvement in homecoming festivities, every event showcased the dedication and community amongst our students. These activities equipped our students with essential professional skills and nurtured their engagement in campus traditions.

Thank you to our campus and community partners who participated in our fall programming:

• Alex Johnson and Samantha Selsor, Center for Community Engagement
• Carly Genisio, Student Engagement
• Chiara Citterio, Counseling Center
• Christy Long, Dr. Jerilyn Reed, and Kelly Evans, Financial Aid
• Dr. Benjamin Beranek, Finance, Economics and Risk Management
• Dr. Fatih Benzer, Art and Design
• Dr. Nicole McCluney, School of Health Sciences
• Dr. Nina Barudzic and Dr. Rabekah Stewart, Student Support and Opportunity Services
• Dr. Tayo Obafemi, Cooperative Engineering Program
• Michael Frizell, Bear CLAW
• Nicole Gorley, School of Health Sciences
• President Richard “Biff” Williams
• Rebecca Greene, Central Bank, ProsperU
• Rebekkah Wall, Career Center
• Shianne Moreland, School of Agricultural Sciences and Conservation
• HyVee

Academic Excellence in Bears Lead 

We are proud to report that our students have achieved an impressive average term GPA of 3.0 for the fall semester. Additionally, 87 of our students earned a place on the Dean’s List, a testament to their academic capability and commitment to excellence. 

New Scholarship Opportunity: KC Scholars 

Access & Success Programs is excited to introduce a new partnership with Great Jobs KC’s KC Scholars program. This scholarship aims to reduce financial barriers for students in the greater Kansas City area. Recipients of this scholarship are awarded $5,000 each semester. In the fall semester, 56 KC Scholars were enrolled at Missouri State University. 

Revamped Bears Lead Ambassador Program

Our revamped student ambassador program plays a pivotal role in enhancing the Bears Lead experience. Student ambassadors serve as mentors and leaders within our community. They assist with the planning of monthly meetings and social events, gaining valuable professional skills. Additionally, ambassadors provide support and guidance to first-year students, helping them navigate their college journey successfully. 

Join the Access and Success Programs Community 

Whether you are a campus or community partner, current or former Bears Lead student, or simply interested in learning more about Access and Success Programs, we invite you to join our community. Together, we are committed to empowering students, celebrating achievements, and creating pathways to success. Sign up for our blog for monthly updates on Access and Success Programs.  

We’re Social!

For more frequent updates, success stories, and opportunities to get involved, stay connected with Bears Lead on social media.  

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok
• LinkedIn