An addition to the blog is a monthly interview series highlighting Bear POWER team members.

This spotlight goes out to our Graduate Assistant, Brittany Knebel. Brittany joined the Bear POWER team last August, and has worked behind the scenes planning events and running social media. She is a second year student in the master’s of speech-language pathology program, and will graduate in May 2019. We can’t wait for the Bear POWER community to get to know her!

Meet Brittany Knebel

• Name: Brittany Knebel
• Hometown: Kimberling City, MO
• Family: My parents live on Table Rock Lake, and my brother is an art education major at the University of Arkansas (my alma mater)! I also live in Nixa with my wonderful significant other, Shane, whom I have known since Kindergarten.
• Biggest Accomplishment: Surviving a year of graduate school at MSU, and getting to be a Graduate Assistant for Bear POWER.
• Hobbies: Cooking Whole 30 meals that actually taste good, hanging out with my dog Woody, and spending time at the lake with friends and family.
• I Never Leave Home Without… Chapstick, water bottle, and planner.
• Currently Reading: Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee.
• Habit Worth Stealing: I go to sleep by 9 pm almost every night. It is the only way I can function anymore!
• Favorite Quote:

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” –Mark Twain

What do you do at Missouri State, and how did you get involved with Bear POWER?

-I am a second year graduate student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, pursuing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. I got involved with Bear POWER when I became a Graduate Assistant for the program last August (2017).

Why do you think Bear POWER is important?

-Bear POWER is providing students with differing abilities an opportunity to explore their interests and the world around them in the same ways their fellow peers do following high school. Our students will find their strengths, and pursue those to find valuable, enjoyable employment to create a life that they are proud of. Everyone deserves that opportunity.

What makes you the most excited about seeing the program come together?

-We have been working for a long time on details, and to finally meet students and their families has been amazing. I left a lot of the interview days with happy tears, and just couldn’t believe how amazing the students and their families are.

What inspired you to become involved with Bear POWER?

-During undergrad at the University of Arkansas, I was a peer mentor for an Autism Support Program at the U of A. I made lasting friendships, and developed a passion for advocating with college students who have differing abilities.

 How has inclusion impacted your personal life, or career?

-Inclusion first impacted me at the U of A. When I came to Missouri State, and saw the GA posting for Bear POWER, I knew I had to be involved. Everything fell into place, and I have no doubt that I am supposed to be here working for our students.  Seeing our students succeed at the Summer Leadership Retreat, and make lasting connections with one another was a dream come true. We have all been working so hard for situations that were hypothetical, or far off in the future, but now it is all here. It has been overwhelmingly joyous! There is nothing like seeing a student realize their potential, and set their sights on big dreams!