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  • McQueary College of Health and Human Services

Archives for September 2022

Missouri State University stands out

September 29, 2022 by Olivia R. Fowler

Boomer in front of the Plaster Student Union

Missouri State has been ranked one of the nation’s best schools for online degrees and certificates in the healthcare field for 2023.  

Six percent of regionally accredited colleges and universities earned a ranking position.  

The recognized programs are: 

  • Master of Social Work, ranked 15 out of 50. 
  • Master of Public Health, ranked 15 out of 50. 
  • Bachelor of Science in Health Services, ranked 19 out of 36. 

Missouri State has excelled at producing an outstanding online program for each of these areas, landing high spots on EduMed’s already selective list.  

Top features 

EduMed researched and analyzed more than 7,700 accredited schools. The data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each healthcare discipline.  

Primary data points include:  

  • Academic counseling services 
  • Career placement services 
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 
  • Tuition 
  • Percent of students receiving school-based financial aid 
  • Amount of school-based aid per student 

To be eligible, a school must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online program in the ranking subject. Just 8% of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position. 

MCHHS Dean Dr. Mark Smith said that he’s not surprised by the high program placements. 

“We always strive to create the best learning environment for students, whether they’re in person or not,” Smith said. “It’s wonderful to see that our faculty and programs are receiving the recognition they deserve.” 

Explore MSU online degrees

Filed Under: MCHHS News, Public health and sports medicine, Social Work Tagged With: health services, Mark Smith, Master of Social Work, MCHHS, McQueary College of Health and Human Services, Public health and sports medicine, School of Social Work

Centralizing student success

September 21, 2022 by Jonah Rosen

MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center Staff Advisors

One of the major additions to the new Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall is the Student Success and Advisement Center.

Prior to this addition, the MCHHS advisors were located in different buildings throughout campus.

Now, all the advisors are located on the first floor of Kampeter Health Sciences Hall.

“I think having one centralized office where students can come and meet with advisors is pivotal,” said Hillary Mayes, director of the MCHHS advising center.

“It allows us to come together as a team and provide students with the most help possible.”

Connecting students and mentors

MCHHS uses a unique advisement model that connects students with both staff and faculty advisors.

That means our students have a whole team of experts helping them navigate their academic journeys.

Typically students are transitioned to their faculty mentors when they are formally admitted to their undergraduate programs of study or have met other departmental requirements.

“College is hard, and students need someone in their corner to help them navigate their time here at MSU,” Mayes said.

“Our hope is to provide them with someone who can help make their college journey easier.”

Services offered

The office provides academic support and advisement services to all undergraduate and graduate students.

These services may include:

    • Helping students learn about different degree programs.
    • Registering for classes.
    • Educating students on campus resources.
    • Answering questions students may have.

To learn more about the MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center, contact the office at MCHHSAdvisement@Missouristate.edu or call 417-836-3065.

Learn more about the Student Success and Advisement Center

Filed Under: MCHHS News Tagged With: MCHHS Spotlights, McQueary College of Health and Human Services

Ditch the chips

September 19, 2022 by Strategic Communication

A tale as old as time? The struggle of trying to eat healthy without spending your entire paycheck on a single grocery haul. 

Dr. Amy Blansit, senior kinesiology instructor at Missouri State University, gives insight on how you can improve your budget and find healthier alternatives at your local supermarket. 

Blansit begs the question, “How often have you sat down with a bag of apples and accidentally finished it in one sitting?” 

It’s much more difficult to continue munching on nutritionally dense food in comparison to a bag of chips or even a two liter of soda. 

The problem is that most snack foods have been chemically engineered to encourage non-stop eating. 

Put the blinders on while shopping 

People often become overwhelmed by trying to only buy what are considered healthy foods, Blansit notes.  

This can result in a return to bad habits.  

The key to maintaining a healthy diet and budget? Don’t put pressure on yourself to drastically change everything at once, Blansit recommends. 

To start, she suggests thinking ahead and sticking to a pre-written list. 

“Plan ahead! Pair the meals you want with ingredients you already have at home,” she said. 

“Create a list of things you need. Try not to be tempted by the inner aisles of the grocery store, which tend to be bingeable snack foods.” 

But what if you could avoid temptation altogether? 

“We’re seeing an uptick in online or pickup grocery delivery services and that can be extremely beneficial for mindful shopping,” Blansit said. “This eliminates buying foods last-minute just because they look good and cost only a couple bucks. That adds up quickly.” 

When you stick to your plan and prioritize nutrient-dense foods, you eat better and spend less. 

Find fresh, frozen or canned foods 

Blansit suggests switching to fresh foods and eliminating boxed food items. If that’s not affordable, the next best option is frozen, then canned. 

“Our society tends to look at a meal as a hunk of meat, a baked potato and then maybe a small salad,” Blansit said. “When in actuality, one chicken breast can be split among four people. Couple it with beans, brown rice and other items.” 

She recommends finding several nutritionally dense foods that fit within your budget to satiate pesky cravings:  

  • Nuts and seeds. 
  • Legumes. 
  • Whole grains. 
  • Leafy greens. 
  • Fruits and veggies. 

You can help eliminate food waste 

A happy side effect of planning out meals and only buying foods you need?  

Considerably less food waste. 

“Many people overbuy and cook a surplus of food that gets thrown away at the end of the meal,” Blansit said. 

There is a stigma surrounding leftovers that we must work to dissolve, she added. 

If we track the amount of food we buy and eat, it holds us accountable for the food that is wasted. 

For those concerned with fresh foods going bad and being wasted, frozen is a fantastic alternative, Blansit said. 

How to stretch a dollar 

For people living on food stamps or paycheck to paycheck, “there are programs and options that highlight nutritionally dense foods,” Blansit said. 

If you have the opportunity and funds to buy in bulk, then do so. Load your freezer every month with frozen proteins and plan accordingly with your meal schedule. This saves money as well as time, Blansit said. 

Another option for eating well on a budget is to take advantage of the reduced prices included in a Sam’s Club or Costco membership.  

While the annual fee might be pricier than some can afford, Blansit suggests splitting a membership with another family or more. 

Putting a meal plan into action 

“I sympathize with working parents who are stressed about not getting food on the table until 8 p.m., which they use as justification as they pull through the drive-through,” Blansit said. 

“However, if they plan ahead, the meal could take less than 30 minutes to throw together.”  

It’s important to have forward thinking, Blansit said. If you dedicate time to plan your meals, then you don’t have to worry about it later. 

Stop what you’re doing and give yourself some time to look at your pantry and freezer. 

Then follow three simple steps: 

  1. Be aware of filler foods in your diet.
  2. Create a basic meal plan for the week and use that while grocery shopping.
  3. Be patient with yourself and keep doing your best.

“No one can achieve perfection instantly. Do the best you can and don’t be discouraged,” Blansit said. “What’s important is to be consistent with trying — that’s what will create better habits.” 

Explore degrees in kinesiology 

Filed Under: Kinesiology

Faculty fan-favorites

September 8, 2022 by Olivia R. Fowler

Evening exterior of O’Reilly Hall on August 23, 2022. Jesse Scheve/Missouri State University

Dr. Ebony Nicole McCluney, assistant professor in kinesiology and Professor Wendy Jackson, clinical instructor in the School of Social Work, are two members of our stellar MCHHS faculty. 

Let’s get to know them! 

Q: Where are you from?  

McCluney: Union, South Carolina. 

Jackson: Bootheel, Kennett, Missouri. I moved to Springfield in 1997. 

Q: Where did you go to school for undergrad/graduate? 

McCluney: I attended Lander University for my B.S. in physical education. Afterwards, I went to Augusta State University for my M.S. in kinesiology, then finally to University of Georgia for my Ph.D. in kinesiology. Gooooo Dawgs! 

Jackson: I received my bachelor’s in sociology from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. I received my master’s in social work from Missouri State University. Go Bears! 

Q: What brought you to Missouri State? 

McCluney: I was previously teaching at a university in Atlanta, Georgia. However, when I learned that Missouri State had a tenure-track opening in kinesiology and I would have the opportunity to be a part of the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, I applied immediately. 

Jackson: In 2011, I began teaching per course in the social work program. I was thrilled to once again be a part of a program that has afforded so many career opportunities. In 2021, I made the leap to a full-time clinical instructor. I love sharing my experiences with social work students. Their energy and excitement are contagious! 

Q: What’s your favorite part about working here? 

McCluney: It’s hard to pick just one, there’s so much I enjoy about working at Missouri State! I love the ability to be creative in my classes, as well as support I’m provided to try innovative teaching strategies. Not to mention, I absolutely love the view in the mornings when I arrive to campus and walk in as the sun rises over the football field. 

Jackson: My favorite part about working at MSU in the MCHHS is the encouragement and opportunities for interprofessional collaboration. I find that this is not only enriching my career but also the education of our students.  

Dive into the department of kinesiology 

Q: Do you have a favorite class to teach? 

McCluney: My favorite class to teach is Social Basis in Physical Activity. This class is all about sociological issues that occur in sport. The class produces a stellar podcast on recent sport trends and issues. 

Jackson: That’s an easy one: Macro Level Social Work- Communities and Organizations. This is my passion. Our department does an excellent job of matching your strengths and passions with the classes you teach.  

My favorite thing that happens in my classroom is when there is a lively debate on a topic, and I can see students open their minds to differing viewpoints.  

Explore the school of social work 

Filed Under: Kinesiology, Social Work, Spotlights Tagged With: Kinesiology, McQueary College of Health and Human Services, School of Social Work, Spotlight

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