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Human Resources Blog

More Than a Paycheck:

June 3, 2026 by Deidre Mings

Discover the Benefits of Being a Mo State University Employee

At Missouri State University, employee benefits extend far beyond insurance coverage and retirement plans. Many benefits are available to both full-time and part-time employees, while some programs are specific to full-time staff. From discounts and staff events to wellness resources, educational opportunities, and workplace support, there are countless programs designed to help employees thrive both personally and professionally.

Whether you are new to campus or have been part of the Bear family for years, here’s a look at many of the benefits available to you.


💳 Employee Discounts and Campus Perks

One of the most popular employee resources is the wide variety of discounts and campus perks available throughout the year.

🏠 Featured Employee Discount

Missouri State employees can currently take advantage of a special offer through Priority Roofing.

From now through Dec. 31, 2026, employees may upgrade to Owens Corning Duration Class 3 shingles at no additional cost.

For additional information, contact: Drew Werdeman,  417-839-1678,  drew@priorityroofs.com

Stay connected by following the Employee Discounts Blog for new savings opportunities and updates.

Employees can also enjoy:

  • Athletic Ticket Discounts
  • Bookstore Discounts
  • On-campus dining meal plans
  • Check cashing through the Bursar’s Office
  • Notary Public services
  • Bear Pantry access
  • West Plains Civic Center swimming pool and fitness center access for eligible West Plains employees

🎉 Staff Appreciation and Employee Engagement

Missouri State recognizes that its employees are the heart of the University community.

🎬 Free Staff Movie Event

The Staff Senate Activities Committee is offering free movie tickets for staff plus one guest to see The Goonies at 2 p.m. at College Station on Saturday, June 13. Sign-up includes a movie ticket and complimentary popcorn.

🐻 Staff Appreciation Week

Staff Appreciation Week will take place June 15–19 and includes campus-wide events recognizing and celebrating employees.

Highlights include:

  • Bears Supporting Bears kickoff event
  • Annual staff photo
  • Complimentary Pineapple Whip
  • #MoStateStaffShoutout recognition campaign
  • Early release before the Juneteenth holiday

Additional engagement opportunities include:

  • Staff & Faculty Senate representation
  • Ombuds services
  • Job flexibility options

🎓 Educational and Professional Development Benefits

Missouri State encourages lifelong learning and professional growth.

Employees may access:

  • LinkedIn Learning
  • OTD Professional Development opportunities
  • Credit Course Fee Waivers
  • Non-Credit Course Fee Waivers
  • Various on-campus and virtual seminars and workshops

💰 Financial Wellness and Retirement Resources

Missouri State provides tools and programs to support employees in building financial stability and long-term security.

Retirement Savings Opportunities

Full and Part-time employees may participate in:

  • 403(b) retirement savings plans
  • 457(b) Missouri Deferred Compensation plan

Benefits include:

  • Access to financial advisors through approved asset managers
  • On-campus retirement planning and educational sessions

📈 Financial Wellness Programming

Employee Wellness and various Human Resources partners offer Financial Health programming designed to support budgeting, debt management, and long-term financial planning.

Upcoming Session

Debt Management – The Road to Financial Freedom
📍 Magers Health and Wellness Conference Room – Room 100
📅 Monday, June 8
🕔 5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. (Dinner Provided)

Employees are encouraged to attend this free session to gain practical strategies for managing debt and strengthening financial wellness.

Learn more about Financial Health Upcoming Session

Additional financial resources include:

  • ECCU Credit Union services
  • MOST 529 college savings plans
  • MOABLE savings accounts

🏥 Health, Wellness, and Recreation

Missouri State provides numerous wellness resources focused on preventive care, physical health, and mental well-being.

🩺 Magers Health and Wellness Center

Available services include:

  • Primary Care
  • Treatment Clinic
  • Laboratory Services
  • Mental Health Services
  • Nutritional Counseling and Dietitian Services
  • Radiology
  • Women’s Clinic
  • Pharmacy

💪 Campus Recreation

Employees may enjoy:

  • Discounted recreation memberships*
  • BearFit classes*
  • Personal training sessions*
  • Outdoor Adventures trips and equipment rentals
  • CPR, AED, First Aid, Lifeguard, and Wilderness First Aid certifications*

🌿 Additional Health & Wellness Resources

  • Employee Wellness programming
  • Mobile Mammography Bus visits*
  • Workers’ Compensation support
  • Samaritan Fund access (*additional qualifications may apply)
  • Learning Diagnostic Clinic
  • Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
  • PT Clinic
  • Mercy Nurse On Call: 📞 417.841.5566
  • Mercy Care Management: 📞 417.841.5667

🧠 Employee Assistance and Counseling Resources

Missouri State supports employee mental health and well-being through multiple assistance programs.

Mercy Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Available to both full-time and part-time employees, as well as household members, the Mercy EAP includes:

  • Six counseling sessions per household member, per cause
  • Legal consultation and referral services
  • Financial assistance resources
  • Online webinars and educational tools

Unum Employee Assistance Program (Full-Time Employees Only)

Full-time employees have access to additional support services through the Unum EAP, including:

  • Three counseling sessions
  • Life and legal planning
  • Financial information
  • Physical health resources
  • Travel assistance
  • Online tools, assessments, and webinars

Additional support services include:

  • Mo State Collaborative Care Clinic
  • Mental Health at Magers
  • Mercy Collaborative Care

👨‍👩‍👧 Family and Community Resources

Missouri State offers several programs that support employees and their families.

Employees may benefit from:

  • Priority enrollment and discounted rates at the Child Development Center
  • Greenwood Laboratory School discount and priority enrollment
  • Veterans Services support

🛡️ Campus Safety Resources

Employee safety remains a campus priority.

Available resources include:

  • Missouri State Alert notifications
  • Bear Shield App
  • Blue Light emergency phones
  • Safe Exchange Zones
  • Safe Walk escort services
  • Vehicle jump starts and tire inflation assistance: 📞 417-836-5509.

📅 Leave Benefits and Workplace Support

Missouri State provides a variety of leave programs and workplace protections to support employees through life’s events.

Available leave benefits may include:

  • Vacation Leave
  • Sick Leave
  • Personal Leave
  • Bereavement Leave
  • Court Leave
  • Military Leave
  • Voting Leave
  • Victims of Domestic & Sexual Violence Leave
  • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protections
  • Shared Leave programs (*additional qualifications apply)
  • Accommodation Services

🩺 Insurance Benefits

Missouri State offers comprehensive insurance options designed to help employees protect themselves and their families.

University-Provided Coverage

Eligible employees may receive:

  • Employer-provided Term Life Insurance
  • Employer-provided Long-Term Disability (LTD)
  • Employer-provided Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)

Optional Supplemental Coverage

Employees may elect:

  • Medical Insurance
    • Mercy Care Management
    • Nurse on Call services
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Short-Term Disability Insurance
  • Supplemental Term Life Insurance
  • Universal Life Insurance
  • Accident Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Hospital Indemnity Insurance
  • Identity Protection services

Flexible Spending Accounts

Pre-tax savings opportunities include:

  • Medical Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Available to full and Part-time employees

🐻 Stay Connected Through Missouri State Blogs

One of the best ways to stay informed about employee opportunities, campus events, deadlines, and resources is by following Missouri State blogs.

Helpful blogs include:

  • Administrative Services Notifications
  • Employee Discounts Blog
  • Staff Senate Blog
  • Safety and Crime Alerts Blog
  • Wellness Blog
  • Human Resources Blog

Employees can explore the full directory of university blogs


Explore Your Benefits

Missouri State University offers a wide range of resources designed to support employees in every stage of life and career—from financial wellness and professional development to health, family support, and campus engagement.

Take time to explore your benefits and stay connected to campus resources to make the most of everything Missouri State has to offer.


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Filed Under: Employee Benefits, Employee Relations, Featured, Organizational & Talent Development Tagged With: 403(b), 457(b), Accident insurance, accommodations, Allstate, Asiflex, Athletics, bear pantry, Bear Shield, BearFit, behavioral health, bookstore, Bursar, cafeteria, Campus recreation, counseling, Credit Fee Waivers, Critical Illness insurance, dental, dental insurance, disability, discounts, EAP, ECCU, employee wellness, financial wellness, Flexible spending, FMLA, Hartford, health, Hospital Insurance, identity protection, leave, LinkedIn Learning, LTD, Magers, Magers Health and Wellness, Medical Insurance, Mental Health, Mercy, MOABLE, MOST, non-credit fee waiver, notary, nurse on call, Ombuds, OTD, parental leave, pharmacy, Physical Therapy Clinic, Recreation, retirement, safe walk, safety, Samaritan Fund, shared leave, sick leave, UNUM, vacation leave, Vision, vision insurance, voting leave, wellness

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