College of Education News

Outreach program sets up new teacher for success

by

A recent graduate of the Missouri State University Outreach Off-Campus Programs (Neosho), Raegan Snider is finishing up her first year as a second-grade teacher in the Neosho School District.  

Her time in the program prepared her for success in her current role. 

“Many factors influenced my decision to choose the MSU Outreach program. One of them was the location, and my familiarity with Crowder College’s campus,” said Snider, who is from Lockwood, Missouri. “Without the program, I feel like my path would’ve gone a completely different direction.”  

A smooth transition 

Missouri State Outreach Programs allow students to earn their associate’s degree at a local college then transfer to MSU and complete the rest of their bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the partnering college’s campus. Students take a variety of classes that include seated, Zoom and online modalities.  They receive the same quality education MSU is known for close to home without having to move to Springfield.  

There are a total of 10 partner campuses across three MSU Outreach regions in southern Missouri. The Outreach SW Region is headquartered in Neosho and includes three other locations in Cassville, Nevada and Webb City. 

Snider started attending Crowder College in summer 2020 for an Associate of Arts in Teaching, then seamlessly transferred to MSU through the Neosho program. She gained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in May 2024.   

“Since graduating, I’ve been fortunate to accept my dream position as a second-grade teacher,” Snider said. 

She taught her first year at George Washington Carver Elementary, which was also her student teaching placement.  

“A major highlight of my journey has been the opportunity to teach at the same school and grade level team where I completed my student teaching. This has made the adjustment so much easier,” Snider said. 

Key benefits 

Regional Outreach Administrator Jill Stephens notes students enjoy the community aspect of the outreach programs. 

“They’re in a cohort with the same students the whole time they’re here,” she said. “They form relationships and connections with people that they keep throughout their career. It’s one of the things they liked the most about our programs.” 

She adds MSU Outreach provides a sense of community lacking in other online universities. 

“I think students like Reagan, and teachers in general, are just very people oriented. They need that close connection. That’s one of the things we offer that 100% online programs can’t.” 

While students enjoy the close-knit environment, being part of a bigger campus community is also a plus.  

“I think our biggest draw for students is they’re 100% Missouri State students out here, even though they’re not on the main campus,” Stephens said. “They get a Missouri State ID, they’re in the system, they’re graded the same and they get all the perks of being a student.” 

In addition, students experience the same coursework and rigor of a main campus program. 

“Our instructors all have a master’s or doctorate degree, and they teach the same curriculum as the main campus in Springfield,” Stephens said. 

Honored to teach 

As Snider completes her first year of teaching, she is grateful for her students.  

“My first class will always be special to me. Watching my students grow, both academically and personally, has been amazing,” she said. 

She also acknowledges the role the MSU Outreach program played in her own success.  

“I truly credit the program for preparing me so well. The coursework, guidance from professors, and hands-on experience in real classrooms gave me the skills and confidence I needed to succeed.” 

Learn more about Missouri State Outreach

COE alumna named 2025 Bear of Distinction

by

Both a Missouri State University College of Education alumna and the current Missouri commissioner of education, Dr. Karla Eslinger has dedicated more than 30 years to educational success.  

For her accomplishments and contributions, the Missouri State University Alumni Association honored her with the 2025 Bears of Distinction Alumni Award for Excellence in Public Affairs. She joined other award recipients at the April 26 Bears of Distinction Dinner and Awards Banquet. 

Commitment to education and Missouri  

Although her recognition extends beyond the state, Eslinger has devoted her educational and political career to Missouri. She gained her bachelor’s degree from College of the Ozarks in elementary education.  

Before receiving her master’s degree, she served as an elementary school teacher for 10 years. She considers her time as a teacher to be a unique one. 

“I’ve been blessed to have so many great opportunities throughout my career,” she said. “But that first day I walked in and had 30-some first and second graders in my own classroom, and thought ‘Now I’m going to teach,’ was a pretty special moment.” 

She gained her master’s degree in educational administration (1992) and a specialist in education, educational administration-superintendent (1999) from Missouri State. She then gained her doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from University of Missouri-Columbia (2010).  

She has worked as a principal and superintendent in Ava and West Plains.  

Since her time as a student and educator, Eslinger has held a variety of positions. One of her roles included providing technical assistance to the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. She worked with school districts in Boston, Houston and Los Angeles.  

Eslinger was also an elected official twice. From 2019-21, she represented District 155 in the Missouri House of Representatives. She also represented District 33 in the Missouri Senate from 2021-24. 

She was eligible for a second term in the Senate but turned it down to become the Missouri commissioner of education for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She felt she could make a greater difference in this position. 

“There comes a point in your life where you say, ‘Where can I truly have the biggest impact? Where can I really do the most good for the profession I love, for the state I love?’ And it looked to me like there was an opportunity here.” 

Earlier this year, Eslinger was named one of the USA Today 2025 Women of the Year alongside 60 others across the country inspiring the next generation.   

She and her husband David have lived on their family farm in Wasola for many years and have run a small business for over 35 years. 

Learn more about the educational administration graduate program

Graduating student promotes belonging on campus

by

For a while, Missouri State University graduate student Reagan Mulungi Mwenyi thought his career would be in the agriculture field.

In 2020, the native of Kampala, Uganda, earned his undergraduate degree in agriculture business from Makerere University. He planned to continue his studies in agricultural education. 

“But when I spoke to one of my friends, he said my interests sounded more like student affairs in higher education,” he said. 

He was particularly interested in helping students outside of the classroom.  

“I thought, ‘Is there any way I can invest myself in supporting students without teaching?’ The answer was a career in student affairs,” he said. 

Finding a program that fit

In June 2023, Mwenyi began the student affairs in higher education (SAHE) graduate program at Missouri State. This May, he will complete it. 

What drew him to Missouri State was the faculty and the opportunity for professional development. 

“I talked to Dr. Gilbert Brown (former SAHE program director and faculty emeritus) and Dr. Dee Siscoe (vice president for student affairs) who were not only invested in my research, but personable too,” he said. “Also, the level of experience offered through this program is equivalent to doctoral programs.” 

He notes he continues to experience positive, personal relationships with his professors.  

“Having one-on-one interactions with professors like Dr. Nicole West (associate professor and SAHE program director) made me feel like I belonged,” he said. 

Outstanding graduate assistant honor

During his time at MSU, Mwenyi worked as a graduate assistant (GA) for business services in the Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services unit. For his excellent work, he won the Outstanding Graduate Assistant award in the Division of Student Affairs in September 2024.  

According to Myenyi, he has gained many professional experiences through this opportunity.  

“I’ve enjoyed conducting data analysis about student experiences,” he said. “Knowing I get to contribute to the environment where students live is really special.”  

During his time as GA, he got the chance to help organize the university’s Welcome Weekend in fall 2024. 

“Being able to shift from one weekend to three weeks of welcome, rebranding to ‘MSU Belong’ and seeing the impact on students’ lives were some of the major highlights of my time at Missouri State,” Mwenyi said. 

He also credits his GA supervisor, Angela Strider, for giving him valuable advice. 

“I told Angie I didn’t know which practicum to choose,” he said. “She said, ‘OK, let’s go over the choices.’ We talked about various options, and we figured out where I’d already gained experience in and where I had deficiencies.” 

Post-graduation, Mwenyi plans to pursue a professional doctorate while working in one of the functional areas of student affairs. 

Learn more about the student affairs in higher education graduate program

Dr. Usamah Muhammad-Rodgers: A Trailblazer in Educational Leadership

by

Dr. Usamah Muhammad-Rodgers is a distinguished educational leader whose career has been marked by innovation, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to student success. Hailing from Kansas City, she started her academic journey at Missouri State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1993. As a student, she was actively involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha, served as the Woods House dorm president, and was a recipient of the Minority Leadership Scholarship. These early experiences shaped her dedication to educational opportunity and leadership.

Teaching and Administrative Career

Her professional career began in elementary education, where she quickly demonstrated her aptitude for leadership. She fondly recalls her time as a second-grade teacher, where she discovered the joy of shaping young minds and fostering a love of learning in her students. Those years in the classroom remain some of her most cherished memories, as they reinforced her passion for making a tangible difference in students’ lives. Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers continued her education, earning a Master’s in Education Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Austin. Her trajectory in administration saw her excel at multiple levels, from elementary to high school, and across different educational settings, including public, charter, and private institutions.

During her tenure at the Dallas Independent School District, Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers played a pivotal role in transforming struggling schools. She served as the founding principal for Cedar Hill Collegiate High School, describing the experience as “lightning in a bottle,” due to the unique environment of a small school within a school.

“We just had a group of rockstar teachers, amazing parents, determined kids,” she recalls, highlighting the teamwork and dedication that fueled the school’s success.

As an executive director overseeing a high school feeder pattern, she led a remarkable turnaround: from six schools designated as “improvement required” to a system with no failing schools and 23 academic distinctions awarded by the Texas Education Agency. Her leadership was instrumental in implementing the Pathways to Technology and Early College High School (P-TECH) program, expanding it to 18 schools. This initiative has enabled thousands of students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree, opening doors to future academic and career opportunities.

In 2022, Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers was appointed as the superintendent of the DeSoto Independent School District, becoming its first female leader. Her arrival marked a turning point for a district that had faced years of financial instability and high leadership turnover. Inheriting a system that had cycled through seven superintendents and eight CFOs in less than a decade, she focused on stabilizing the district, rebuilding public trust, and ensuring financial accountability. Under her guidance, DeSoto ISD has moved beyond survival mode and is now actively engaged in reimagining its future.

Academic, Arts, and Athletics Vision

Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers has championed a holistic “AAA” educational experience that emphasizes academics, arts, and athletics. Recognizing the district’s historical strength in athletics—with multiple state championships in football, basketball, and track—she has worked diligently to elevate its academic reputation as well. She envisions a district that serves as the premier choice for families by fostering innovation in STEM education, operational cybersecurity, and healthcare pathways, ensuring students graduate prepared for success in a competitive job market.

Beyond her administrative roles, she has demonstrated a commitment to the arts, both in education and personally. She has actively promoted fine arts programming within DeSoto ISD, including innovative student showcases such as a glow-in-the-dark museum exhibit. Her passion for the arts extends to her own performances, as demonstrated by her surprise monologue of Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman” during a district event.

Recognition and Looking Ahead

Her leadership has been widely recognized, earning accolades such as Teacher of the Year in 1998, Principal of the Year in 2009, the Texas Black Legislative Caucus Outstanding Black Texan award in 2023 and the Missouri State University’s Bear of Excellence Award in 2024. She was also named Best K-12 Education Leader in both 2020 and 2022 and has received commendations from organizations like the NAACP and the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers has remained steadfast in her vision. She attributes her perseverance to a strong foundation in education, her faith, and the relationships she has built over her 25-year career in the Dallas metroplex. Looking ahead, Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers is determined to position DeSoto ISD as a leader in educational excellence. She is spearheading a demographic study and facilities assessment to modernize infrastructure and create innovative learning environments. Her ultimate goal is to establish DeSoto ISD as a district of choice, fostering an ecosystem where students thrive academically, artistically, and athletically.

Legacy and Impact

Dr. Usamah Muhammad-Rodgers’ journey from classroom teacher to superintendent is a testament to her visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and deep-rooted commitment to education. As she continues to break barriers and shape the future of DeSoto ISD, her impact will undoubtedly be felt for generations to come.

She also believes in the philosophy of “bloom where you’re planted,” emphasizing that success comes from working hard where you are, making the most of opportunities, and continuously growing in your career. This mindset, she believes, is key not only to personal and professional success but also to fostering an environment where both students and staff are empowered to reach their fullest potential, no matter their starting point.

Her unwavering dedication to education, leadership, and community empowerment serves as an inspiration to future educators and administrators alike. Addressing future educators at MSU, she offers these words of wisdom:

“We are the profession that makes professionals, so don’t take the nobility of being a teacher for granted. Always show up as your best self and give your students your absolute best, because their future depends on it.”

Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers is not just redefining the role of a superintendent; she is shaping the future of public education.

An effort to make ‘Every Student Known’

by

To say that Missouri State University alumna Dr. Adrienne Battle is an accomplished educator is an understatement. 

She has won many awards, and her leadership of Nashville Public Schools as superintendent has led the district to gain national recognition.  

She notes her journey to success began at Missouri State University as a student-athlete and in its College of Education.  

“It has been more than 20 years since I graduated, but I still carry MSU with me every day,” Battle said. “I still use the lessons from my teacher education program in my role leading a district of more than 11,000 employees and 81,000 students.”   

She graduated from MSU in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She earned a professional teaching licensure for grades K-8.  

Experience and success 

A Nashville native, Battle chose MSU for its faculty and reputation, and for the opportunity to compete as a Division I track and field athlete.  

“I knew it was a prestigious university with a track record of preparing leaders in education and other fields and providing state-of-the-art facilities for growth and learning,” she said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without MSU and the care that so many people poured into me there.” 

Battle served as an educator and administrator in Nashville for 16 years before becoming superintendent:  

  • Math teacher/reading and language arts teacher: Dalewood Middle School, 2003-06 
  • Assistant principal: Glencliff High School, 2010-11 
  • Academic principal: Glencliff High School, 2011-12 
  • Executive principal: Antioch High School, 2012-16  
  • Executive lead principal, priority schools and elementary schools, 2017 
  • Community superintendent overseeing schools in the southeast quadrant, 2017-19 

Her success as an educator led her to receive five prestigious awards and acknowledgements in 2025 alone: 

  • Midsouth Emmy Award, Documentary-Cultural, for “Every Student Known: The Creation of an Anthem” 
  • Save the Music Foundation Administrator Award for Distinguished Support of Music Education 
  • Women Who Rock Nashville Phenomenal Woman Award 
  • Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence – Top Executive category 
  • Nashville Post Education In Charge list 

Not only has Battle succeeded individually, but her entire school district has, too.  

Metro Nashville Public Schools ranked in the top 10 in both math growth and reading growth from 2022-23 and again from 2023-24. This accomplishment was recognized nationally in the Education Recovery Scorecard by researchers from Harvard University and Stanford University. 

Leadership strategies 

For Battle, leadership is the ability to delegate.  

“Real leadership isn’t about doing everything,” she said. “It’s about empowering others to step up and contribute. When I started delegating with trust, not only did my workload become more manageable, but my team also grew in confidence and skill.” 

Regarding her policies, the school district has implemented a student-oriented slogan: “Every Student Known.”

“Every Student Known” is our mission and mantra,” she said. “We work every day to know not just each student’s name, but also their strengths, talents and aspirations. We want to know what makes them tick so we can set them up for success in college, career and life.” 

As Battle reflects on her journey, she shares three pieces of advice she would give to her past self: 

“Walk into every room as if you belong there – because you do.”  

“No one succeeds alone. The African proverb says, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.’”  

“True success is measured not by how high you climb but by how many you bring with you.” 

She expressed her gratitude for students pursuing a career in the education field.  

“Public schools need you, and you can have a tremendous impact on students if you’re passionate, dedicated and innovative,” Battle said. “Thank you for choosing education.” 

Explore elementary education