Missouri State University’s Citizen Scholars plan to educate the next generation; train future health care workers; promote public history; impact the world of human resources; advocate for the agriculture industry; and engage their communities.   

Today, Missouri State’s Board of Governors awarded six deserving students with the Citizen Scholar award. The award honors students who exemplify academic success and the university’s public affairs mission. 

The Citizen Scholar Award was created in 2007 as a special Board of Governors program to recognize outstanding citizen scholars at MSU. The university’s faculty and staff members submit nominations each fall. 

The 2023-24 Citizen Scholars 

The Citizen Scholar recipients are: 

Tyler Crane, senior, Buffalo, Missouri 

Crane is majoring in elementary education. She currently serves as president of Bears Teach Elementary, Kappa Delta Pi and works part time producing The Bears Den YouTube channel. The channel gives prospective students an inside look at what life looks like at MSU.  

After she graduates, she plans to teach at an elementary school in southwest Missouri. 

Heather Day, senior, The Colony, Texas 

Day is working toward a degree in nursing. At the West Plains campus, she has served on the Student Government Association (SGA) as the chief of staff, vice president and historian. She also served as the vice president of Alpha Delta Nu and the president of the Student Nurses Association. 

After she graduates, she plans to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing Education at Missouri State. 

Susan Hardy, junior, Nixa, Missouri 

Hardy is majoring in history with a double minor in classics and anthropology.  

She serves in the SGA as the director of academic affairs and the director of student affairs. She also serves as the president of the history honor society Phi Alpha Theta, and is a member of the Anthropology Club, History Club, the Honors College and Phi Kappa Phi honor society. She also works as a university ambassador. 

Post-graduation, Hardy plans to further her studies in the United Kingdom and earn a master’s degree in ancient history with an emphasis in religious studies. Following completion, she hopes to work in public history, assisting in curation and exhibition design for museums abroad.  

Triona Leach, senior, Oakville, Missouri 

Leach is majoring in human resources. She has served as the president of the Residence Hall Association since fall 2022. In partnership with the Foster Recreation Center, Leach has pushed for the reintroduction of the Green Bike Program. This program is set to launch in spring 2024 and will provide accessible transportation while promoting eco-conscious practices. 

Once she graduates, she plans to work in HR, preferably in the public sector. 

Sara McCord, graduate student, California, Missouri 

McCord is currently studying to obtain her master’s in agriculture. She has served on the Graduate Student Senate, the Graduate Program Committee and the DARR Diversity and Inclusion Committee. 

After graduation, she plans to pursue a career allowing her to share her passion for international development while educating others and advocating for the agriculture industry. 

Erik Netzer, senior, Springfield, Missouri 

Netzer is majoring in civil engineering. During his time at Missouri State, he has served on the SGA, and helped with middle school STEM activities, Science Olympiad and more. 

Once he graduates, he plans to work at the Missouri Department of Transportation as a construction inspector for the Springfield area and become a civil servant within the local community through volunteering and community engagement.