Growing up in the small town of Fair Grove, Mariah Embry enjoyed the strong sense of community and belonging. Mariah finds herself to be very family oriented, finding much of her motivation stemming from her family and upbringing. She shares, “My family set the foundation of love and support. They have celebrated every stage of success and have been through every hard part of life, too.”

Why Missouri State?

An institution which allowed her to stay close to home was important. When Mariah first began her studies in 2011, she was planning to be a teacher. She became a mother early in life, and prioritized spending time with her children. Several years later, Mariah reconnected with an advisor and realized she was very close to completing a degree in General Studies. The Bachelor of General Studies degree (BGS) is an interdisciplinary degree that requires completion of coursework in two or three departments in place of one major or a major with a minor. By finding a program that allowed Mariah to best utilize her earned credits, she was able to find a quick path to degree completion. Her two daughters will celebrate with her in December for graduation.

After graduating, Mariah will take the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) to become certified to teach kindergarten through 6th grade.

Highlights

One of her favorite classes was Childhood Illnesses, Injuries, Diseases and Disorders. The content was interesting and Mariah found the assignments creative and allowed her to apply and understand the content. Mariah also found that at Missouri State, she felt supported and encouraged.

“You can tell that the people who work at the school truly care about your successes.”

Any advice?

Mariah kept her advice short and sweet.

• Use your resources. (Find resources on campus)
• People are there to help you and want to see you succeed.
• Allow room for growth and ask for help when you need it.

“If it weren’t for some of the people who have helped and believed in me, I am not sure I would be graduating this fall,” she reflects. There are many resources at Missouri State available to support you, no matter where you are in your academic journey.

Thank you for sharing, Mariah! You are part of what makes Missouri State great.