As she settles into her new executive position as Chair of the Board of Directors, Aaren Muex has big goals for the future of the Alumni Association.
“I want alumni pride to spread across the United States with a Maroon and White wave,” said Muex.
Muex, who graduated from the university in 2002 with a bachelor’s in computer information systems, is certainly qualified for the job. She has led a highly successful event planning business and boasts numerous awards including the university’s Bears of Excellence award in 2023.
Since graduating, she has stayed connected to her alma mater– remaining a constant force for positive change among the MSU community. She has served on the Board of Directors since 2017 and is a founding member of the Black Alumni Council.
She has hit yet another landmark becoming the first Black person to serve as Chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
“I am proud to be a Black woman who attended Missouri State. Not only did I survive, I thrived. After college, I’m still making moves and I still want to support my Alma Mater,” said Muex.
“Everyone can do big things. It doesn’t matter what you look like.”
Welcoming new energy into the Alumni Association
The Missouri State University Alumni Association (MSUAA) is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, with five officers on the executive committee, 18 alumni directors and one Student Alumni Association member. The MSUAA Board of Directors represents the interests of the 145,000 global alumni population by providing leadership, counsel, and oversight of the Alumni Association’s strategic plan.
“What we have to do to be successful as an Alumni Association is reach outside of Springfield to meet (our alumni) where they are because they won’t all be able to come back home like we would like them to,” said Muex.
With a new cohort of Board of Directors positioned, the Alumni Association is well prepared to follow through on its plan.
On June 23, the MSUAA Board of Directors elected six new Board of Directors members and reelected two including:
- Nancy (Applequist) Allen, ‘78, author, co-author and adjunct professor for Missouri State University
- Emma (Rapp) Garrett, ‘14, ‘16, director of student life for Rockhurst University
- Andrew Garton, ‘08, ‘10, assistant director of philanthropic giving at Children’s Mercy Hospital
- Michael Gulledge, ‘13, manager and software development engineer at Mastercard
- Carrol Iorg, ‘70, president of the Astronomical League, Inc.
- Tyler McLain, ‘14, director of campaigns and major gifts for Community School
- Juan Meraz, ‘90, ‘91, ‘97, assistant vice president and special assistant for enrollment management and services at Missouri State University
- Chloe Shauck, ‘19, grants and finance specialist for Global Forest Watch at the World Resources Institute
They began their service on July 1 with their term ending on June 30, 2026.
“We have new energy,” adds Muex, speaking highly of the recently appointed members. “Anybody who joins our Board understands that you’re providing a volunteer service, partnering with the alumni staff to achieve our collective goal to strengthen the alumni community which only increases the value of our degrees.”
All Missouri State University alumni are eligible to be members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. The next election for the MSUAA Board of Directors will take place in June of 2024.
The strong influence and involvement of alumni represents the health of the Association and by extension, the university.
I am pleased to be part of the reenergized board of directors. Together we can accomplish much.