Health and Human Services News

Staff spotlight: Ann Heidendal

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Ann Heidendal is an executive assistant in the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS).

Let’s learn more about her.

Where are you originally from?

I grew up in Audubon, Iowa. I attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, and then stayed in Maryville for the next 15 years until moving to Springfield.

What brought you to Missouri State University and how long have you been here?

Ann Heidendal
Ann Heidendal

My husband is Egon Heidendal, associate provost of institutional effectiveness. We moved to Springfield when he started at Missouri State in April 2024, and I started at the university in October.

What’s your educational background?

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a music minor and a Master of Business Administration, both from Northwest Missouri State.

What do you do in your role at the university?

I’m the MCHHS dean’s executive assistant. I wear lots of hats – everything from coordinating meetings and events to some finance duties.

Why did you choose your area of work?

I enjoy the challenge of no day being the same as the previous. There’s always something new going on here in the McQueary College.

Where did you work prior to Missouri State?

I’ve worked in higher education for the past seven years for Northwest Missouri State doing graduate admissions work and I also worked in financial aid. Before that, I worked as an administrative assistant doing human resources and payroll for a nonprofit.

What do you enjoy most about working at Missouri State?

I’m enjoying getting to know new people and a new university. I enjoy working in the dean’s office and feel like we have a good team that is always working to make the college and the university as a whole a better place for our students.

What do you do for fun or leisure?

I have lots of hobbies! When the weather is nice, my husband and I enjoy hiking and are really looking forward to exploring the Springfield area more. I also enjoy baking, especially homemade bread, and gardening.

What’s your favorite spring activity/activities?

We moved into a new house last fall, so this spring I’m really looking forward to working outside on my landscaping and planting a garden. I have ordered a couple raised bed planters and will plant raspberries and strawberries this year.

Explore MCHHS

Guiding students through their college journey

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College life can be overwhelming, but in the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS), students don’t have to navigate it alone.  

The MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center, located on the first floor of Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall, offers guidance and support at every step.  

The center is staffed by a director and seven academic advisors who support students across various disciplines in MCHHS. 

Among the advisors are Sharon Harter and Sara Bajalan. They help students navigate their academic journeys. 

No more guesswork

Sharon Harter headshot
Sharon Harter

For students, thinking about choosing or changing a major, planning their course schedule and wondering if graduate school is the right move are a lot to figure out. Harter and Bajalan make the process easier.

“Advising isn’t just about picking classes — it’s about empowering students to make informed decisions about their future,” Harter said.  

Advisors work one-on-one with students to create personalized plans, making sure they stay on track and feel confident about their choices. 

Beyond course selection, advisors connect students with tutoring, career counseling and campus resources. They also provide guidance on academic strategies and workload management, ensuring students have the support they need to succeed. 

More about the advisors 

Harter and Bajalan are both new to their current roles at the MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center, but they are not new to Missouri State University. 

An MSU alumna, Harter graduated with bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2006 and joined the university in 2015. She has worked at the center for the past five years as the administrative assistant before being promoted to academic advisor in November 2024. 

Bajalan joined MSU in 2017, starting out as an academic advisor in the history department. She transitioned to the center this January.  

She holds a bachelor’s in history and political science from the University of West Florida and a Master of Philosophy in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from Oxford University. 

“The most rewarding part of advising is seeing students gain confidence in their choices and shape their own path,” Harter said.  

She values the opportunity to support students in discovering their strengths and achieving their academic goals. 

Sara Bajalan headshot
Sara Bajalan

Flexible advising 

Students are busy and advisors get that. That’s why they offer multiple ways to connect. Students can meet in person, over Zoom or via phone — whatever works for them.  

“If you don’t see a time that fits your schedule, just reach out. We’ll figure something out,” Bajalan said.

The duo encourages students to take advantage of available resources, ask questions and   accept help to find success.  

Make the most of an advising session 

To ensure students maximize their advising appointments, Bajalan shares six key tips:

  • Know your registration date so you can plan ahead.
  • Schedule an appointment early to avoid last-minute stress.
  • Review your degree audit to understand your course requirements.
  • Come prepared with a list of potential classes based on your degree path.
  • Explore minors and certificates that align with your interests.
  • Stay connected after your session — advisors are there to support you beyond the appointment. 

“Advising works best when students take an active role in their planning,” Bajalan said.   

Explore the MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center

Staff spotlight: Andrew Cole

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Our featured staff member, Andrew Cole, is an academic technology support administrator in the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS).

Andrew Cole
Andrew Cole

Let’s find out more about him.

Where are you originally from?

I’m originally from Moberly, Missouri, but I’ve lived in the Springfield area since 2005.

What brought you to Missouri State and how long have you been here?

I’ve been at Missouri State since early 2018. I always wanted to work in education, and working at a university is a great fit.

What’s your favorite part about working at Missouri State so far?

My favorite part is the wide range of people I’ve met during my time at the university.

What’s your educational background?

I have an Associate of Applied Science degree from Ozarks Technical Community College, with additional coursework in programming and accounting.

Where did you work prior to Missouri State?

I worked in the IT department at the corporate office of Meek Lumber here in Springfield.

What do you do in your role as academic technology support administrator for MCHHS?

I handle the IT support needs of the MU School of Medicine Springfield campus and the Alliance for Healthcare Education at Cox College. When I’m not working at either location, I assist the MCHHS team on the main campus.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I enjoy reading books, watching movies and playing video games.

What holiday tradition is special to you?

I love taking a week off from work to have a movie marathon. I usually watch “The Lord of the Rings” or “Harry Potter” series.

Find out more about MCHHS

Faculty and staff spotlight

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Get to know Dr. Naomie Corro and Rebeca Reut-Robinson better.

Corro is an assistant professor of occupational therapy (OT) and Reut-Robinson is an executive assistant II for the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS).

Let’s find out more about them!

What brought you to Missouri State?

Corro: I was drawn to teaching at MSU because of its strong reputation for academic excellence, student-centered learning and its commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment and community engagement. Prior to joining as a full-time faculty for MSU’s OT department, I was an OT pediatric clinical fieldwork educator working in an outpatient hospital setting for many years. I worked with MSU OT graduate students as they completed their fieldwork experiential learning. Collaborating with them solidified my pursuit of teaching for the MSU OT department. I love being part of a vibrant academic community and making a meaningful impact on the lives of students here at MSU.

Reut-Robinson: I was a previous student at MSU. I received my bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in international relations. I knew it was a great place to work after my student experiences! I also knew I would enjoy working in an academic setting.

What’s your favorite memory here so far?

Corro: I’ve not been here too long yet, but my favorite memory was from a Halloween costume event our OT faculty and students took part in. Another favorite memory was from the team building and faculty retreat our department had prior to commencing the fall semester last year. Lastly, I couldn’t forget my first semester of teaching, where I had to ask one of my grad students for logistics on campus as I wasn’t very familiar with the locations. To me, all these experiences fostered a sense of culture, family and camaraderie among faculty and students, both in and out of the classroom.

Reut-Robinson: I love seeing our student workers graduate and achieve their academic goals.

How long have you been at Missouri State?

Corro: One year.

Reut-Robinson: I started working in the communication sciences and disorders academic office in March 2016 and moved to the dean’s office in September 2019. I can’t believe it’s been that long!

What’s your favorite part about working here?

Corro: My favorite part of working at MSU are the faculty colleagues I work with and the cohort of students I get to teach. There’s a sense of community, genuine respect and collaboration that I cherish even from day one. Knowing that I’m part of a community that values collaboration and mutual support makes coming to work each day a truly enjoyable experience.

Reut-Robinson: All of the people! We have great staff in our college who go above and beyond. MCHHS admins, technology support and advising staff are all amazing. I also enjoy working with Mark, Letitia, Hillary, Ian and Sarah.

Where are you from?

Corro: I’m from Joplin. I lived there for 15 years prior to moving to Springfield a year ago. But if you ask me about ethnicity, I’m a Filipino and was born and raised in the Philippines. I immigrated to the U.S. over two decades ago as an OT. I was a first-generation student back then and the first in my family to immigrate. While I had my career working as an OT in multiple clinical settings, I continued to pursue my doctoral degree to fulfill my desire for learning and my goal to teach in higher education.

Reut-Robinson: I’m originally from Romania. My family and I immigrated to the U.S. when I very young. I grew up in the U.S. for most of my life, but the Romanian culture has always been a part of my upbringing. My parents still speak Romanian as their primary language and they’re always making delicious Romanian food.

How are you keeping yourself motivated as the semester is wrapping up?

Corro: As the semester is winding down, I find motivation as I break down my remaining tasks into manageable chunks and check items off my list of to-do’s. I also draw motivation from the students. Seeing their dedication to their studies and genuine desire to learn inspires me to give my best. Engaging with them in class discussions, providing support and encouragement, and witnessing their growth and development throughout the semester serve as constant reminders for my role as an educator. I also try to make sure to take breaks and engage in activities that recharge my energy and creativity. Whether it’s going for a walk, spending time with loved ones or pursuing hobbies, taking time for self-care helps me maintain a positive mindset, stay focused on the tasks at hand and finish strong.

Reut-Robinson: It’s a very busy time, but I’m great at keeping organized! I’m a pre-planner and am task-oriented, so this is my time to shine. We also have fun events coming up, which are always motivating. These include the MCHHS Student Research Symposium and MCHHS Awards Banquet.

CTA: Learn more about MCHHS https://mchhs.missouristate.edu/