Welcome back, Missouri State Bears! You will see a lot of familiar faces in the Center for Academic Success and Transition (CAST) this year but we do have a new success coach!!

It is time to reintroduce the Success Coaches that we have this year, along with the TAs. Success Coaches assist students in learning valuable tools to help them succeed here at college. What is nice about our Success Coaches and TAs is that we have been through the college process and have finished/are finishing graduate school. We know what it is like being in your shoes and we want to help you!! The CAST office is equipped with TAs and Success Coaches who are here for all bears!

Q&A with Jack Baumgart, Student Success Coach

• What is your academic area of interest?

I am now graduated but I did study psychology and music in my undergraduate schooling. I then got my master’s in industrial/organizational psychology.

• What beginning of semester advice do you have for students?

Plan out a solid weekly schedule of what you would like to do that week and when it is due. Schedule out when you have class, work, study time, and some free time to be with yourself and friends.

• What is your favorite thing about being a success coach?

My favorite thing about being a success coach is being the person that somebody feels comfortable coming to for assistance.

• What is your favorite year in college and why?

My favorite year in school was my last year while I was in graduate school. With it being the last year, that meant that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I felt like I finally had my head on my shoulders.

• Post-graduate advice:

Enjoy your time off before getting a job. Spend time with friends, family, and enjoy your time outside.

• How do you practice self-care?

I like to plan times with myself doing things I enjoy like kayaking or even just watching a movie in bed.

~Brooklyn

(Bio: My name is Brooklyn Crawford and I am currently getting my master’s of social work at MSU. Fun fact: I have over 600 physical books at home.)