Health and Human Services News

Missouri State University stands out

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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: 

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

Centralizing student success

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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

MCHHS leadership transitions

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This summer, we added two new members to Missouri State University’s McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) leadership team.

Dr. Michael Bird is the new department head for the kinesiology department and Dr. Joshua Smith is the interim department head for the biomedical sciences department.

“Change in leadership is always bittersweet, said Dr. Mark Smith, MCHSS dean. “However, with change comes an opportunity to examine, review and refine processes and procedures.”

About the new department heads

Bird joined the kinesiology department in August after 27 years of service at Truman State University.

He received his PhD in exercise and sport science — biomechanics from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. He describes himself as a servant leader.

Smith was appointed department head of biomedical science in July 2022, after 14 years of service as a faculty member in the unit.

He received his PhD in pharmacology from the University of Minnesota-Medical School. Smith describes himself as a thoughtful leader, committed to open communication.

“I am extremely confident in all the new leaders who have chosen to tackle the big responsibilities which come with running a department.

“Additionally, I am excited to see what new ideas and innovative solutions each one of them bring to the table.”

Missouri State student receives national recognition

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Cassidy McCandless, MS, RD, is the sole champion of the 2022 PAS Student of the Year, determined by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).  

McCandless received this honor in May 2022 at a conference attended by hundreds of PA students and professionals from across the nation. 

When she initially had been told that she won, McCandless couldn’t believe that it was real. 

“I was on campus in one of the study rooms. I returned a missed phone call from a random number and was convinced there had been a mistake.” 

The first person she called to share the news? Her PAS advisor, Nathan Miracle. 

“I had been stressing out about the whole process for so long and all the while he was in my corner, constantly cheering me on,” McCandless said. “So were my family and friends, of course, but my advisor had a front-row seat the entire time.” 

One out of 10,000 

The AAPA PA Student of the Year is chosen at the end of a lengthy selection process. 

In order to be considered, students must: 

  1. Be nominated by a faculty member or peer. 
  2. Get contacted from someone from the AAPA.  
  3. Submit information, including a resume, details of volunteer experience, two short essays about the future of the PA profession, as well as describing where you see yourself fitting into the profession. 

There are over 280 PAS programs throughout the United States with the average class size being roughly 30 students per program. In any given year, there are about 10,000 PAS students per class. 

“There are so many unique and talented people within our program. It easily could’ve been someone else,” McCandless humbly stated.

“I’m in no way the best PAS student. I just happened to meet the requirements for the AAPA board’s criteria and had some luck. With that being said, I’m thankful that I was chosen.” 

Meeting her fans 

The craziest thing to happen since being chosen? The recognition she’s received within her local and PA community.  

“My friends came up to me and told me that I was on the front page of a local newspaper,” McCandless shared. “I had no idea where to even buy a newspaper. I found a stack at my nearest gas station and ended up buying three because I was so excited.” 

McCandless was also rendered speechless upon meeting Hayley Arceneaux, one of her idols. Arceneaux was the medical officer on the 2021 SpaceX flight, an astronaut PA, and the youngest American to fly in space. 

Her future in the PA profession  

With this prestigious honor under her belt, McCandless has had many new doors open to benefit her career as a PA. 

“I’ve been contacted by so many people and presented with some amazing job and volunteer opportunities after being recognized for this award.” 

McCandless began her medical career as a dietician. Her hope is to blend her new career as a PA with her background in dietetics. 

“Everybody always assumes that if you change professions, there’s something wrong with it. But for me, it was the opposite. I want to further my impact to reach a larger community.” McCandless said. “I wanted to learn more and become more involved with patient care.” 

The AAPA Student of the Year award gave McCandless the platform she needed to shed light on the issues with nutrition in healthcare, as well as the need for greater diversity within the world of medicine. 

“Becoming a PA allows me to share my nutrition background with my colleagues and patients,” McCandless said. “I hope to open the door for a more nutritious approach to medicine.” 

Learn more about the PAS program