Health and Human Services News

A great time for gratitude

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In November, MCHHS Dean Dr. Mark Smith launched the Gratitude Campaign.  

In a college-wide email, Smith stated, “It is during good times that I am reminded we often take for granted the everyday, yet important, parts of our careers and lives that make a difference for others.” 

From Nov. 1-14, postcards were made available for students, faculty and staff to express their gratitude to whoever they felt thankful for. 

A picture of one of the postcards
All distributed postcards looked like this, thanking the recipient.

All postcards were collected by the Dean’s Office, then sorted and hand delivered to recipients by Nov. 17, just in time for Thanksgiving Break. 

In a mere few weeks, over 1,000 postcards were delivered throughout campus to a variety of colleges, not just MCHHS. 

Many faculty and staff commented on the positive atmosphere that was created by the campaign.   

The Gratitude Campaign far surpassed engagement within the MCHHS family, in the best way possible. 

In the words of Ted Lasso:  

“To the family we’re born with, and to the family we make along the way.”

Building bridges with Burrell

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Have you heard about the new PsyD program? 

Dr. Adam Andreassen, Chief Operating Officer of Burrell Behavioral Health, and Dr. Paul Deal, psychology department head at Missouri State University, lift the curtain to discuss what the partnership with Burrell entails. 

“We want to develop a workforce that is going to meet a demand that is extremely prevalent at this time. All of us at Burrell are thrilled about this partnership and the creation of this Doctor of Psychology program,” Andreassen said. “It’s going to change the community; it’s going to change the state and it’s going to save lives.”  

Listen to the episode 

Psychology professor to showcase Black woman representation in local exhibit

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Join Dr. Ashley Payne, assistant professor of psychology, as she showcases her research project: “#BlackGirlMagic: Illuminating Contemporary Representations of Black Girl and Womanhood in Hip Hop and Social Media” 

This project showcases photo and performative representations of Black girl and womanhood from local girls and women in the Springfield area.  

Payne will use this exhibit to highlight issues related to racism, sexism, education, mental health and identity.  

Exhibition details 

  • Friday, May 7 
  • 5:30-7:30 p.m. 
  • PSU Ballroom East 

Admission is free. You must RSVP.  

Check out Payne’s research

Panel: How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted women and communities of color

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Join a presentation from the MCHHS diversity, equity and inclusion council on Zoom at 3:30 p.m. March 26.

The panel will discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected women and communities of color. They will also provide resources to combat these disparities.

Register

Zoom Meeting ID: 948 4263 9049

Panelists include: