As an office, Adult Student Services is pleased to have Missouri State alum on our payroll. Rob Ybanez, who works with nondegree seeking students through Adult Student Services, took time to share a little about his experiences at Missouri State and his current role. 

Rob is from Bolivar, Missouri, and grew up with a variety of hobbies including drawing, reading, playing music, hanging out with friends, and watching wrestling. 

Why Missouri State? 

In 2013, Rob transferred from Southwest Baptist University to Missouri State, seeking a change of scenery to help him figure out what degree and career to pursue. Initially, he was interested in Graphic Design/Illustration, but states that he lacked the confidence to submit his portfolio for the candidacy review. He ultimately changed his major to Art History. “I really enjoy learning about history, so the fact there was a program that combined art and history was a great alternative,” he says. 

Missouri State provided Rob with opportunities to engage meaningfully and expand his horizons. Rob took a Japanese course with Hiromi Elliston, which he reflects fondly on. “Hands down my favorite instructor. She made learning the language fun, despite its challenges.” This led to him taking a summer position with the English Language Institute as a chaperone/assistant to their programs with one of Springfield’s sister cities: Isesaki, Japan. “I had the privilege of being involved with six iterations of those programs, and those moments are forever engrained in my memory.” 

What Has Been the Greatest Benefit? 

Rob feels that he found many valuable relationships with his peers and professors, who he still keeps in touch with. Rob also cites that he gained many important skills that have benefitted him in both his person and professional life: 

• Cultural awareness 
• Critical thinking 
• Research methods 
• Time management 
• Interpersonal and communication skills 

Rob also shared that he values the teamwork and collaborative energy in the Adult Student Services Office. “By working together, we’re able to serve our student demographic more efficiently with greater care.”  

What Have You Done Since Graduating? 

After graduating from MSU in 2017, Rob pursued his Master’s in Library and Information Science at University of Missouri – which he earned in 2020. “Believe it or not, trying to get your career going during a global pandemic is rather difficult,” Rob jokes. “My plans to become a librarian are currently shelved, but they’re not scrapped. That said, grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but it can be where you water it! As a former creative, you find ways to implement the skills you’ve learned into your professional and personal endeavors in the most unexpected ways.”  

Before working at Missouri State, Rob held a position as a Gallery Attendant and Security Officer with the Springfield Art Museum. “Art history helped me become more open minded about the world and other cultures and communities and encouraged me to engage with those spaces.” Currently, Rob works full time with our office and volunteers with non-profit organizations in his free time. Rob finds his role in processing nondegree seeking admissions and enrollments crucial in supporting students’ goals. Students taking courses as nondegree seeking students are often visiting from another institution and are unable to take their required course on their campus, or they are taking prerequisites for graduate level programs. By coming to MSU, they’re able to stay on track with their academic goals and further their personal/professional development.  

Final Thoughts

Rob left us with one last piece of advice, 

“Get involved with your community whether it be on campus or within the greater Springfield area (attend events, volunteer work, etc.). Participating in these events is more valuable than just attending a career fair. You’re able to create meaningful relationships.”