Echoing Missouri State University (M.S.U.), Bear POWER wants to wish everyone a healthy upcoming semester. We all handle and maneuver this time differently, please take time to be gentle with yourself; difficult emotions are likely to rise up which is a normal reaction. The Missouri State Counseling Center is a great resource for you during this time. We look forward to having everyone back on campus and look forward to seeing all Missouri State Bears! 
Fall 2020 is an exciting time in the Bear POWER department! Our first cohort of students are entering into their final fall semester before graduation- congratulation to them! Our second cohort is returning back to campus for their very first fall semester. The second cohort is able to experience and be immersed in campus when the excitement of the beginning of an academic year is upon happening; you can almost feel the elation in the air as a new academic year begins! Bear POWER is also reviewing applications for their third cohort that will be entering into Missouri State in the Spring of 2021.
A vital part of Bear POWER is the internship component, much like M.S.U. Students outside of our department, our Bear POWER students have internships, to build job skills, work on soft and hard skills, build upon their talents, and pass internship to be ready for the competitive work force. Internship is integral into ensuring success for Bear POWER students in their academic and career goals.
We were able to talk with Dr. Nordyke, Director of Citizenship and Service Learning at Missouri State University, and she is the internship supervisor for one of our Bear POWER Students. Dr. Nordyke’s words are quite powerful when talking with her about the impact of having a Bear POWER intern. Dr. Nordyke discussed she is able to see the Bear POWER Intern be empowered to be anything they want to be. The Bear POWER Interns have helped Dr. Nordyke and her team but also “enriched” their office space making it a diverse setting.
“My staff really enjoyed working with the interns and watching the interns grow and learn and find their place in a working environment. They have also shared how much they have learned from the interns – about life, challenges, and things that bring them joy.” – Dr. Nordyke
Thanks to all who have helped Bear POWER in the past, continue to help Bear POWER, and those who we look forward to working with in the future! Please check us out on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/msubearpower/) and for more information go to our webpage (https://www.missouristate.edu/bearpower/overview.htm).