Health and Human Services News

Embarking on a future of helping others

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For Missouri State University senior Macey Maas Hauver, her goal of becoming a nurse is within reach.

This December, Maas Hauver will graduate from MSU with her nursing degree.

Realizing a goal

Macey Maas HauverFrom Kearney, Missouri, Maas Hauver grew up in a family of nurses, so she was always aware of the field. As she got older, her enjoyment of biology and health sciences inspired her to make nursing a career of her own.

Maas Hauver chose to attend Missouri State due to its nursing program.

“I visited the campus while I was in high school. I thought it was a pretty campus and the people seemed friendly. My decision was made easier because of the nursing school,” she said.

She came to Missouri State in 2020. She believes the nursing program has prepared her well for the workforce.

“Our clinicals at varying locations and different units, as well as the clinical instructors have been very helpful,” she said.

Serving in the National Guard

While a student, Maas Hauver was also juggling service in the Missouri Air National Guard. Initially, she joined the National Guard to help her pay for school. But it quickly became much more to her.

“Along the way, it has made me grow a lot through basic training and my job as a logistics planner for the 139th Airlift Wing,” she said. “The National Guard has been a huge benefit, beyond just putting me through school.”

For her job, she helps with planning for deployments and exercises for her base.

According to Maas Hauver, the National Guard has changed her life.

Maas Hauver in National Guard uniform

“I had to take off the first semester of my sophomore year for basic training and tech school. But that taught me a lot about perseverance and gave me a stronger mentality,” she said. “This journey has also given me many experiences that I wouldn’t have had otherwise in college.”

Balancing school and her National Guard obligations has been tough at times for Maas Hauver. She has to attend drills one weekend every month and sometimes assist with other responsibilities. For example, she had to be at an air show recently for a few days.

While the journey has been challenging, the people around her have made the process easier.

“Everyone’s very supportive and understanding, especially my professors and my leadership in the National Guard,” she said.

Get involved

She encourages current and future students to network and find ways to stay engaged.

“Get involved in whatever you can to make the most of your time here. And always go out of your way to put yourself out there and talk to someone in your classes,” Maas Hauver said.

She was involved in Delta Zeta sorority and the Student Nursing Organization on campus. She notes her favorite part about her time at Missouri State is the lifelong friendships and connections she has made, especially in nursing school.

Future ambitions

Maas Hauver already has a job lined up – as a pediatric intensive care unit nurse at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City.

She also has plans to continue with the National Guard even after her contract ends in 2026.

Check out nursing programs

Empowering Missouri nurses

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The Musgrave Foundation’s scholarships empower students to chase their dreams by providing crucial financial support. 

Those who receive the graduate nursing scholarship are able to make an impact in Missouri’s health care landscape.  

The scholarship benefits universities across the Ozarks, supporting the retention of current graduate nursing students and creating the next generation of Missouri nurses.   

Missouri State University graduate nursing students can apply for the graduate nursing scholarship through the Missouri State University Foundation. 

Since 2021, 17 MSU graduate nursing students have received the scholarship. 

“Scholarship support at Missouri State is extremely valuable. Some students couldn’t attend without it,” said Debbie Branson, director of foundation relations at MSU.   

About the scholarship 

The Musgrave Foundation’s graduate nursing scholarship program covers a large part of tuition costs. Each year, the MSU Foundation submits a grant application to the Musgrave Foundation to request funding for the graduate nursing scholarship. This year, the grant was $30,000, with six students receiving $5,000 in the 2024-2025 academic year.   

Recipients must be in good academic standing, enrolled fulltime and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. They also must complete the MSU Foundation Scholarships application.  

Donor-funded scholarships are privately donated funds given to MSU students each year. They come from private gifts to the university made by individuals, groups or companies. Students receive scholarships based on criteria such as major, high school attended, academic achievement, leadership and financial need. 

Recipients of the scholarship must be enrolled in one of the following programs: 

Serving the underserved  

A five-year average of MSU’s FNP graduates indicates that 98% remained in Missouri and 56% worked in rural settings to provide health care to underserved populations.   

Amid a nursing shortage, MSU graduate nursing programs address the evolving health care landscape. Many graduates focus on rural health and primary care, equipping them to bridge gaps in access to quality health care. 

“We’re in a nursing crisis right now. It’s important to know this scholarship doesn’t fund your typical nursing program. It’s for nurses who are preparing to become frontline caregivers,” Branson said. 

By reducing their financial burden, students can focus on clinical experience and become equipped to address health care challenges. 

“For the last 40 years, the Musgrave Foundation’s grantmaking has created brighter futures for so many in Springfield and southwest Missouri,” said Bridget Dierks, vice president of programs for the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO). “We’re grateful to carry on Mrs. Musgrave’s charitable legacy well into the future.” 

The Musgrave Foundation legacy  

The Musgrave Foundation began in 1983 with Jeannette L. Musgrave’s vision. It supports many charitable projects in Springfield and southwest Missouri. Its grants surpass $20 million, upholding Musgrave’s vision for community impact.  

The CFO manages the scholarship program. 

“I’m extremely grateful to Jeanette Musgrave for her love of nursing and progressive foresight to generously give to nurses seeking to provide patient care,” said Dr. Melissa Penkalski, graduate program director and associate professor at MSU.  

“I’m certain she would be proud to see the impact she has made and continues to make in health care and our communities. I’m also appreciative to the CFO for stewarding Jeanette’s wishes.” 

A call to action  

Initiatives like the Musgrave Foundation’s scholarships are vital for supporting the next generation of nurses as the demand for skilled health care professionals increases. By investing in education, the foundation is investing in the health and well-being of our communities for generations to come.  

“It’s amazing how many students the Musgrave Foundation is helping across the Ozarks,” said Jacqui Coones, executive director of prospect development at MSU.  

There is an urgent need for more individuals and organizations to help and uplift aspiring nurses on their journey to transforming lives. 

Explore graduate nursing programs

 

Faculty and staff spotlight

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We are excited to recognize Clinical Assistant Professor Morgan Nemeth and Simulation Center Coordinator Jessica Matney . 

Nemeth is a faculty member in the School of Nursing, while Matney is a staff member in the McQueary College of Health and Human Services. 

Let’s get to know them! 

What is your favorite memory here so far?  

Nemeth: I’ve had an enriching experience working at MSU, but one standout memory is from this semester’s (spring ‘24) Skills Fair for senior nursing students. We transformed the event into a lively carnival, dressing up in costumes, decorating the Simulation lab and providing treats for the students. This allowed the faculty to enjoy themselves and helped ease the nervousness among students as they demonstrated hands-on skills. 

Matney: Attending the Staff Awards Luncheon and celebrating the dedicated faculty and staff who have contributed to the success of Missouri State is my fondest memory. 

What brought you to Missouri State?  

Nemeth: Prior to joining MSU, I held a position in nursing education at a local hospital. While I enjoyed education, my passion led me to the pre-licensure side, where education wasn’t a mandatory yearly event. Working with students at the beginning of their nursing careers and contributing to the preparation of future nurses have been incredible opportunities I feel fortunate to be a part of. 

Matney: I began as a part-time employee, assisting in the Simulation Center and embracing the people and atmosphere. 

Where are you from?  

Nemeth: I was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, with both my dad and sister graduating from Southwest Missouri State University (SMSU). After moving to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2002, I obtained my nursing degree there. I moved to Seattle, Washington, in 2015 due to my husband’s job. However, the distance and weather led us back to Springfield in 2017— a journey that truly feels like coming home.

Matney: I currently reside in Ozark, Missouri, and I was raised in the surrounding area. 

How many years have you been at Missouri State?  

Nemeth: I started working at MSU in August 2021. 

Matney: I’ve been with Missouri State for a little over a year now, working both part time and full time. 

What’s your favorite part about working here?  

Nemeth: The most rewarding aspect of working at MSU is the vibrant community of individuals I interact with daily. From fellow faculty and students to administrators and clinical partners, everyone shares a collective focus on continuous growth and improvement. The university’s commitment to student success not only aligns with my values, but also makes my role more fulfilling, as their success translates into mine. 

Matney: My favorite part about working for Missouri State is the camaraderie and the fulfillment of adding value to my community.   

What are you most looking forward to this semester? 

Nemeth: Each semester brings a new cohort of students, and I’m particularly excited about getting to know my current students and accompanying them on this phase of their nursing journey. Learning from my students and constantly evaluating how I present and apply my knowledge in the nursing profession is an ongoing process — the learning doesn’t cease just because I’m the instructor! 

Matney: I’m eager to contribute to the creation of engaging experiences for students and faculty, assisting in overcoming challenges in simulation and providing a beneficial resource to the college. 

Learn more about MCHHS

Spreading their wings

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The McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) is proud to announce that 135 students were hooded, pinned or received a white coat within a department or school ceremony for the fall 2023 semester. 

“These ceremonies are crucial in offering the space to celebrate MSU students who have worked hard to excel,” said MCHHS Dean Dr. Mark Smith. 

Students who were hooded or pinned will be graduating, while those who received a white coat will progress to clinical placements. 

Occupational therapy (OT) 

Twenty-five Master of OT students were hooded. 

Nursing 

Forty-five Bachelor of Science in Nursing students were pinned. 

Communication sciences and disorders 

Thirty-two speech-language pathology students were pinned. 

Physician assistant studies (PAS) 

Thirty-three PAS students received white coats.