I always knew I wanted to attend college. Whether or not I was going, was never a question, but that doesn’t mean it was an easy road.

My mother was very supportive of a college education. My father wasn’t unsupportive, but really didn’t see the value in it. He was a self-made executive who focused on the return on investment and really didn’t see the bigger picture I could see for myself. With 6 credit hours of dual credit English under my belt (the only thing offered at the time), I applied for several colleges largely based upon who I knew who had attended, how close they were to home, and what the High School Counselors said were “great opportunities.” I chose a local private 4-year university and to commute from home in Nixa, MO. It felt like my first real grown up decision. I didn’t consider what college would cost. I did focus on attaining scholarships and other aid to assist in the cost. I entered with academic, technical theatre, and music scholarships set to obtain a degree in Criminology.
Soon into my freshman year, several life events occurred to change my path. One, already working 40-45 hours a week between two jobs, I started to run out of time to get it all done. I needed the income to pay the balance of tuition, my vehicle, and just life, but I needed time to devote to keep the scholarship requirements and homework. By the end of the fall semester, I quit one job. Things got tight, but I managed. Even with one job, it was hard to meet expectations. Two, I realized the arts plus criminology plan wasn’t the greatest of ideas I ever had. To keep my scholarships, there were several required courses each semester and a grade point average to meet. After adding general education requirements, I could maybe take one course in my major per year. Staying on this path, I would end up with at least a Master’s in arts before I could obtain my Bachelors in anything else. Three, I realized I did not want to be a Criminology major but didn’t want to be an Arts major either. I wanted a Business or Accounting degree. Four, I started dating and was soon engaged to my husband. Five, through a class project, I was connected to a government official who really changed the way I saw my future. I decided after one year to transfer…but this time, I had no help at all. No High School Counselor, no group of friends to follow, and no family to guide me. So, with the input of an employer who wanted me to try night school so that I could work more hours during the day, I enrolled at another college.
I attended that college for one semester before I realized I was not where I wanted to be. I transferred a third time. I was also offered full-time employment with the State of Missouri’s Department of Revenue. I accepted this position needing the stability of salary and benefits not knowing then it would fuel a passion and lay a career path that would take me back to Missouri State University many years later.
I accepted my first auditing role with the State Auditor’s Office. I served the State Auditor’s Office in many roles for 11 years including auditor, management, and educator. I learned all about State and Local governmental operations, the people who served in those roles and why, and the issues each area of the State faced. My role, as I saw it, was to protect the interests of the taxpayer and educate the officials to make the best operating governmental unit possible. During this time, I also had children, lost my mother-in-law to a car accident and my father to cancer, and found that I needed less travel. In 2017, I accepted an auditing role here at Missouri State University and in 2021, I was named Director of Internal Audit & Risk Management. Wanting to continue my desire to help local government, I served on several board and committees in my city before running for Mayor. I took office in June 2000, and plan to run for my 3rd term this coming spring.
During my higher education experience, I often doubted my ability and even my desire to achieve a degree. I was generally the youngest student in the night courses, which always made me feel judged even if I wasn’t. I questioned my major, my chosen institution, my ability to get it all done. It wasn’t a straight path, but it was an invaluable experience that taught me a lot about myself and gave me the strength to accomplish all I have. I learned how to find help and that help is generally available if you just ask for it. I learned to push through the indecision, the anxiety, the “why am I doing this,” and the “I don’t want to,” because in my experience, there was a whole lot of things I wouldn’t be doing had I not. I learned that I am my biggest barrier, and the only one that I can control, and that empowers me still today to accomplish big things.
I’ve now been married 22 years and have two boys, ages 13 & 14. They are very active in sports, agriculture, and church and my husband and I do our best to keep after them. I balance work and life carefully, but the fact that I truly love what I do makes it so much easier. I have plans to return to schooling after my time in public service has run its course and earn a Masters in Public Administration, or maybe something else. I’ve learned I love to teach and would like to teach others using my experiences in a higher education setting after I retire. I feel that if you’re done learning, you’re done living… and I’ve got a lotta years ahead of me for both.
Natalie McNish
Director of Internal Audit and Risk Management