April 12-16 is National Student Employment Week, so we’re giving a big shoutout to the fantastic students who make a huge difference in our department every day!

Name: DeAnte Byrd
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Major: Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Class: Junior
Favorite part of Missouri State University: The rec center
What has working in the financial aid office taught you? There are a lot of opportunities out there to help pay for school.

Name: Sydney Davis
Hometown: Marionville MO
Major: History Education
Class: Senior
Favorite part of Missouri State University: My favorite part about MSU has been the classes that I’ve had the opportunity to take. The history classes I’ve been enrolled in are so interesting, plus the professors are so nice and go out of thier way to make the classes fun. I’ve taken so many cool classes like the History of Baseball or about Latin America and I’ve even taken some interesting classes outside of my major about dinosaurs and local folklore. I really enjoy the opportunity to be able to take classes about things that really interest me and make going to class enjoyable.
What has working in the financial aid office taught you?: Working in financial aid has taught me what a positive work environment looks like. The people I work with in my office unit are so friendly and have been so nice to me since I started working here almost 3 years ago. The Processing Unit in the Financial Aid office is filled with jokes from “The Office” and its just such an enjoyable place to work at.

Name: Elissa Giles
Hometown: Waynesville, MO
Major: Nursing
Class: Sophomore
Favorite part of Missouri State University: My favorite part of Missouri State has to be the people I have met here! I have made so many lifelong friends that Missouri State just feels like home to me.
What has working in the financial aid office taught you?: Working in the financial aid office has taught me to manage my time wisely and use my time in an effective way. This job is an amazing opportunity for me at Missouri State, and I’m so happy to continue working here!

Name: Chase Kilby
Hometown: Saint Louis, MO
Major: Marketing Management
Class: Junior
Favorite part about Missouri State: All of the awesome people I have gotten to meet during my time here!
What has working in the financial aid office taught you?: I have learned how to take pride in the work you do and how rewarding it can be when you work hard on something and see successful results.

Name: Haylie Mason
Hometown: Marionville, MO
Major: Entertainment Management
Class: Junior, Class of 2022
Favorite part of Missouri State University: my student employment position
What has working in the financial aid office taught you?: the importance of; working as a team, having a positive and comfortable work environment, and having great working relationships with my coworkers and superiors.

Name: Stephanie Mathes
Hometown: Saint Louis, Missouri
Major: Hospitality Leadership
Class: Junior
Favorite part of Missouri State University: My favorite part of MSU is working in the student employment office. I have made a lot of connections and enjoy coming to work.
What has working in the financial aid office taught you?: While working in the financial aid office it has taught me the benefits of working on campus while attending.

Name: Jahmiera Richee
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Major: Cell and Molecular Biology
Class: Senior
Favorite part of Missouri State University: My favorite part of Missouri State University has been meeting new people and all of the events we are still able to have even during the pandemic.
What has working in the financial aid office taught you?: Working at the financial aid office has taught me quite a bit about loans and how they work. Working at the financial aid office has also taught me how important it is to keep track of any loans that are taken out and to look for scholarships/grants available because there’s always other options to help pay for college!

Name: Corey Rusher
Hometown: Marionville, MO
Major: Computer Science
Class: Senior
Favorite part of Missouri State University: The Foster Recreation Center
What has working in the financial aid office taught you?: It has enlightened me to how much work goes on behind the scenes so that students can attend the university.

Name: Marli Sims
Hometown: Springfield, MO
Major: Doctor of Audiology program
Class: 2^nd year Graduate Student
Favorite part of Missouri State University: My favorite part about MSU is the campus, it is such a pretty campus to walk around and has really changed and evolved over the time I have been here.
What has working in the financial aid office taught you?: Working with Student employment has taught me so much! I have learned a lot from all the amazing staff that work in this office. I had the opportunity to be a part of a hiring committee, learn the ins and outs of payroll, working with non-profits in the Springfield community and so much more that I will take with me after I leave campus!

Name: Sarah Smith
Hometown: Kansas City
Major: Marketing and Sales
Class: Sophomore
Favorite part of Missouri State University: I love how many opportunities MSU has to get involved. I’m in a sorority, a campus ministry, and intramural sports teams. There is something for everyone!
What has working in the financial aid office taught you?: It has taught me organization, hard work, and helped me with my time management skills. I am beyond thankful for the opportunities I have been given.

Name: Colin Weber
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Major: Human Resources Management major and Diversity Studies minor
Class: Sophomore
Favorite part of Missouri State University: Homecoming and all the festivities that go on throughout the week!
What has working in the financial aid office taught you?: Working in the student employment office has taught me how to quickly through stressful situations.