College of Education News

Leading the way in lifelong learning

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By day, Missouri State University alumna Lexi Messenger is a library media specialist, guiding fifth and sixth graders through the world of books at Reed Springs Intermediate School. Two nights a week, she attends classes, pursuing her own studies as part of the university’s inaugural Doctor of Education in Leadership, Learning and Educational Change cohort.

“I have to push myself to go to class after a long day at work, but I always leave knowing it was worth it,” Messenger said. “I love the people and the content.”

The value of face-to-face learning

What drew Messenger to this doctoral program was its in-person aspect.

“There are so many programs online, but I really enjoy the connection and collaboration with both peers and instructors that happen in person,” she said.

With only 13 people in her cohort, she values the opportunities to connect with everyone not only academically, but also professionally and personally.

“I look forward to see what doors this program will open for me,” she said.

Finding her career path

Messenger first came to Missouri State as an undergraduate student in 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education and teaching in May 2018.

Although she started out as a speech pathology major, her interests soon shifted to teaching.

“Every time I could take a literature class, I did. While the negative stigma around teaching initially kept me away, those classes reminded me of what I always wanted to be as a kid — a teacher,” she said.

As a student, Messenger was involved in Alpha Sigma Alpha, where she served on the executive board. She was also part of the Panhellenic Association, which is the governing body for the eight National Panhellenic Conference sororities, one multicultural sorority and one local sorority at Missouri State.

“I was always trying to be involved in some capacity,” she said.

Since her graduation, she has gone on to obtain her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University in May 2023. She also has two graduate certificates from Missouri State: Online Teaching and Learning and Library Media Specialist.

“There are so many roles in the school system that require special certification. Earning my certificates wasn’t just a logistical step — it was something I wanted, because they allow me to advance outside of the classroom,” Messenger said.

Educating young minds

Lexi Messenger reads to a student.
Lexi Messenger reads to a student.

She has been in her current role since last year. Her favorite part about it is getting to work with both students and staff members.

“I love that I get to dive into literacy and help kids learn to love reading,” she said.

Her other jobs have included seventh and eighth grade English teacher at Reeds Springs and sixth grade English Language Arts instructor and English Language Arts teacher at Ozark School District and Marionville School District, respectively.

“Deciding to lean into what I love and wanted to pursue has been so rewarding for me,” Messenger said.

Encouragement for education students

If she could share one piece of advice, it would be for aspiring teachers not to be discouraged by the negative perceptions surrounding the profession.

“Teaching is hard, and people will have a lot of different opinions about it,” she said. But if you’re passionate, those opinions don’t matter.”

Learn more about the College of Education

MSU College of Education Students Shine with National FCCLA Awards

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 The College of Education is proud to celebrate two outstanding students who earned top honors at the National Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Conference, a premier student organization that prepares young people for careers in family and consumer sciences and related fields.

  • Lisa Kruger placed 1st in the nation in the Professional Presentation competition.
  • Emma Thom earned 2nd in the nation in Culinary Arts.

These achievements highlight the talent, preparation, and dedication of Missouri State students in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS).

Showcasing Skills on the National Stage

The Professional Presentation competition required Lisa to prepare a 10-minute oral presentation, supported by visuals, on a current FCS topic. She chose to focus on drug abuse in foster care and the role future educators can play in supporting children in these situations.

“8.7 million children in the U.S. live in a home where drugs are present, which means we are more than likely coming into contact with many of those kids in our daily lives,” Lisa explained. “Some solutions to this would be advocacy, to let people in your community know that there is an issue. For adults, becoming a foster parent or respite care provider would help alleviate the shortage of foster families. Without foster care, I wouldn’t have my two youngest siblings — and through this project, my goal was to show the good impact foster care can have on a child.”

Judges were struck by both the scope of the problem and Lisa’s personal connection to the issue. She noted that competing this year felt especially meaningful:

“I’ve been to nationals several times before, but this time I had more confidence. I was soaking in everything I could so that, in the future, I can help my own students feel confident and ready to compete.”

In the Culinary Arts competition, Emma prepared a full menu: Tossed Greek Salad, Green Bean Almandine, Orzo Pilaf, and Chicken Piccata. She impressed judges not only with the flavor and presentation of her dishes, but also with her precision and professionalism in the kitchen.

“I scored very high in the safety, sanitation, and clean-up section,” Emma shared. “They gave me good scores on my equipment usage, mise en place, and use of product. They also gave me good scores on the techniques I used when I actually cooked the food.”

Both competitions were highly competitive, with students from across the country showcasing their skills on the national stage.

A Strong Foundation in FCS

Lisa’s journey in FCCLA began in high school, where she was deeply involved in the organization and served as a Missouri FCCLA State Officer. Now a Family and Consumer Sciences Education major at MSU, her leadership and passion continue to shine.

Emma came to MSU after graduating from Staley High School, where she was part of a successful culinary program. At MSU, she has gained hands-on experience through coursework, mentorship from faculty, and participation in events like the annual MSU Culinary Show Down. These experiences, combined with the strong support of faculty and FCS curriculum, prepared her for national recognition.

A Testament to Student Excellence

These national awards represent more than individual achievement—they showcase the strength of Missouri State’s Family and Consumer Sciences program, where faculty support, innovative curriculum, and mentoring opportunities help students thrive.

Their accomplishments also reflect MSU’s public affairs mission, demonstrating ethical leadership, cultural competence, and a commitment to community engagement.

Congratulations, Lisa and Emma! Your success reflects both your personal dedication and the strength of our community of educators and learners.

Graduating student promotes belonging on campus

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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

Rural scholarship program helps educators return home

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Four students in Missouri State University’s College of Education were selected to join the Ozarks Teacher Corps, a scholarship program created by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

With this award, students can return to their rural hometown or another rural setting to begin their teaching careers. 

Joining a rural initiative 

When accepted into the Teacher Corps, students commit to three years of teaching in any rural hometown post-graduation. The Teacher Corps scholarship enables students to continue their degree without financial pressure.  

The application and scholarship are open to all college juniors and seniors in the region. 

The Teacher Corps also offers professional development opportunities for the cohort, the latest of which was with Teton Science Schools in Montauk State Park.

The latest scholarship recipients from MSU are: 

  • Cierra Parker, a junior elementary education major 
  • Brooke Crumm, a senior elementary education major
  • Grace Reed, a senior elementary education major at the West Plains campus
  • Jordyn Sigman, a junior elementary education major at the West Plains campus

Crumm began at Missouri State in fall 2023 after gaining her Associate of Arts in teacher education at Ozarks Technical Community College. She is originally from Marshfield, Missouri. 

For Crumm, this is a personal gain as much as it is a professional one.  

“Returning home to teach is something I’m looking forward to because I understand the specific needs and culture of my community,” she said. “I want to give back to the community that shaped who I am today.” 

The importance of rural education 

Dr. Rhonda Bishop, co-director for the Center for Rural Education at Missouri State explained the importance of the program to communities.  

“The schools are the hub of the communities,” she said. “The impact teachers have on the parents and children they serve is incredibly powerful.” 

She described her own admiration for the students who wish to return to rural schools to teach.  

“I graduated from a rural high school and was a public educator in rural schools for 29 years,” she said. “To know we’re sending some of the best into rural situations is what makes me the proudest.” 

Learn more about the Center for Rural Education

On track to becoming a filmmaker

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Since he was 16 years old, Luke Goldston has wanted to make films. Thanks to Missouri State University’s Bear POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Work, Education and Resilience) program, he has begun to achieve his filmmaking dreams.

Bear POWER began in 2018 at Missouri State as a way to offer college experiences to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Goldston, who is from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, joined the program in fall 2022, majoring in digital film and television production. This December, he will graduate. Although his time at Missouri State is ending, his filmmaking will continue to take him far.

“What I’ve most enjoyed about MSU is being with friends and making films with them,” Goldston said. “It has been a magical experience to not only improve my craft but also bond more with my friends.” 

According to Bear POWER director Dr. April Phillips, the support Goldston received from his peers, staff and faculty has enabled him to succeed.  

“As a Bear POWER student, Luke has overcome challenges and persevered in his quest to learn more about media and film,” she said. “We’re very proud of him and his work.” 

An outstanding achievement 

While at MSU, Goldston created “Springfield Stroll,” a short, independent film. It debuted on Oct. 6 at Moxie Cinema. The indie genre film was a 26-minute anthology of three people walking through different parts of Springfield: downtown, the MSU campus and Sequiota Park.  

Goldston was the film’s cinematographer, editor and producer. It starred Thade Yates, Charles Sargent and Cade Johnson. 

For this project, Goldston chose to follow the rules of Dogme 95. This is a filmmaking movement aimed at taking films back to the basics by excluding traditional production values like special effects and other technological enhancements. Another Dogme 95 rule is films must be shot on location.  

“It was fun to work within the rules of Dogme 95 and see what resulted. The actors also called it an interesting challenge,” said Goldston, who interns at the Moxie.  

He notes having his film on screen for the first time was an exhilarating experience.  

“Ethereal is how I would describe it,” he said. “The actors and I were more and more excited as we got closer to the premier.”

During Goldston’s time on campus, one of his favorite faculty members is Bobby Lewis from the department of communication, media, journalism and film. 

“He gave me so much important advice when it came to filmmaking,” Goldston said. 

Looking ahead with optimism 

Upon graduation, he plans to continue directing films and work in the art world.  

“My future plans are to get a job at either a theater, Vintage Stock, Barnes & Noble or a film happening in Oklahoma City,” he said. “I want to eventually make bigger and more complex films.” 

Goldston dreams of bringing awareness to personal hardship and invoking compassion through his films. 

“I want to continue to tell stories about personal struggles and obstacles that many people deal with daily,” he said. 

Learn more about Bear POWER