Christopher Robin said, “always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” I am a lot of things. A first-generation college student from a blue-collar family. A “good student” who made good grades in high school with little effort. I am also the person who dropped out of college her sophomore year. If you took a snapshot of the hot mess I was then, you would not believe that I would become one of 100 students in the USA selected for a co-op to help open Walt Disney World’s Disney MGM Studios, nor would you think I would go on to earn three degrees including a doctorate. What changed between leaving my sophomore year at Thanksgiving and coming back two semesters later? [Read more…] about Dr. Jerri Arnold-Cook, Career Center

I began my college career in the fall of 1968 as a first-generation college student. Although I had been admitted to the University of Missouri, I did not have the financial support needed to live in the resident hall, pay for a meal ticket, and cover tuition and books costs. Therefore, I lived at home in Joplin while attending Missouri Southern State University (then Missouri Southern State College). [Read more…] about Dr. Victor Matthews, College of Humanities and Public Affairs

I was very unaware of what to expect entering my first year of college. This unknowingness caused bad experiences that led to poor academic performance and an eventual departure from my first institution of choice. However, I was able to rebound by transferring to another university that offered academic and career development support. This type of assistance helped me create positive momentum for long-term student and life success. [Read more…] about Gary J. Stafford, Career Center