The fall semester is officially underway, and Access and Success Programs has hit the ground running. In August, we welcomed over 200 new & returning students from our access partners, hosted our Bears Lead Orientation, and kicked off a new year of programming designed to support student success. From study sessions to speed friending, it’s been a month full of energy and community, and we can’t wait to share the highlights with you!
Access Programs
This fall, Access Programs is proud to support over 200 students from our various access partners. Our students – both new and returning – are connected with resources, mentorship, and community to help them thrive at Missouri State. We’re excited to continue walking alongside them on their journey and celebrating all they will accomplish this year!
Bears Lead
Orientation
August was an exciting month for Bears Lead, as we welcomed our newest Bears to campus! On August 14th and 15th, we hosted our Bears Lead Orientation – a two-day event packed with fun and learning.
We started things off Thursday night with check-in and pizza & games. It was the perfect chance for students to meet new friends, hang out, and settle in before the big day ahead.
Friday was all about preparing for success at Missouri State. Students participated in sessions on organization and time management, learned from a faculty panel, and connected through team-building activities. These sessions gave our new Bears tips, tricks, and confidence to take on their first year.
We were also lucky to have two very special guests join us – Dr. Clarenda Phillips, our new Provost, and Dr. Rabekah Stewart, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. Both shared words of encouragement and showed their support for our students as they begin this new chapter.
The energy, excitement, and smiles we saw over those two days set the tone for an amazing year ahead. Thank you to everyone who helped make Bears Lead Orientation a success, and congratulations to our newest Bears as they begin their journey at Missouri State!
Programming
In addition to orientation, August was full of fun and supportive programming for our Bears Lead students! We kicked off our biweekly study sessions in the library, where students could go over their syllabi, get a head start on homework, and connect with our Bears Lead ambassadors (plus enjoy some snacks). We also hosted a Bears Lead HIIT class in the Foster Recreation Center to get moving and become familiar with the rec and all its offerings. To wrap up the month, we held our very first monthly meeting: Speed Friending – a fast-paced and fun way for students to meet new people and build their campus community.
Student Spotlight
We’re excited to introduce Jaedyn Lee, our new Graduate Assistant for Access & Success Programs!
Jaedyn is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology here at Missouri State. Before joining us, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Arkansas State University.
Originally from Kansas City, MO, Jaedyn has spent most of her life in Arkansas – but she’s excited to be back in Missouri as part of the Bear family! When she’s not studying or supporting Bears Lead students, you can find her traveling, shopping, and spending time with friends and family.
We’re thrilled to have Jaedyn on our team and can’t wait for everyone to get to know her this year!
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.
Support Bears Lead
Want to contribute to the work our department is doing to support students through Bears Lead? You can donate to our MSU Foundation fund! To do so, complete the MSU Foundation gift form and select Bears Lead from the options listed when you select “Click here to search or choose multiple designations.” Thank you for your support!
We’re Social!
For more frequent updates, success stories, and opportunities to get involved, stay connected with Bears Lead on social media.
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