Health and Human Services News

Staff spotlight: Hillary Mayes

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A Missouri State University alumna, Hillary Mayes has been the director of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) Student Success and Advisement Center (SSAC) since 2019.

Let’s get to know her more.

Hillary Mayes headshot.
Hillary Mayes

Where are you originally from?

I’m from Webb City, Missouri.

Why did you decide to join Missouri State and how long have you been here?

I began working for Missouri State as a graduate assistant in the fall of 2006. Upon earning my graduate degree, I transitioned to an instructor role in MCHHS. I served in that capacity until I transitioned to a staff role in 2019. This academic year is my 19th year on campus.

What do you enjoy most about working at the university?

Finding ways in which we can effectively work with and support our students while they navigate their academic journeys is most important to me.

What’s your educational background?

I earned my BA in Psychology from Mizzou and my MS in Psychology – industrial-organizational track from Missouri State.

What does your current role at the university entail?

Am I allowed to just say “a lot of different things” and leave it at that? Like every position, my role and the role of the Student Success and Advisement Center is multi-faceted. I feel like my job must continuously evolve so that the focus of my work always aligns with the objectives of the college and university. First and foremost, our office supports student success-related activities and initiatives within the college. We work to ensure students feel as though our office can serve as a safe space and as an informational hub that can help them navigate their time at Missouri State. A lot of what we do centers upon communication, collaboration, problem-solving and building relationships.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from this job so far?

Forming and maintaining positive relationships with the team of people you work closely with is paramount to success. I’ve learned I can tolerate a lot when the team that surrounds me is strong and supportive (our SSAC team is amazing, by the way).

Why did you choose this area of work?

I didn’t intentionally seek out this pathway, so I can’t say there was this “a-ha moment” when I decided this is the career I want to pursue.  As a graduate assistant, I had the opportunity to learn about and engage with various aspects of college/university operations. It was this experience that helped me better understand the different roles on campus and how my interests, skills and abilities could fit within. I most enjoy work that makes me feel challenged and engaged.

What type of work did you do prior to Missouri State?

I’ve had some prior experience related to admissions, recruitment and career services in higher education. I’ve also worked for an attorney, as well as in retail and food service.

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

I enjoy what many would consider “traditional” Thanksgiving foods/flavors (particularly the side dishes, not so much the turkey), but I don’t follow any specific “traditions” in my household.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I enjoy shopping, particularly online, or at boutiques, antique stores/flea markets and specialty stores. I like to find fun and unique items, especially those that I can gift to others.

Learn more about the MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center

Staff spotlight: Karla Riley

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Our featured McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) staff member is Karla Riley. She works as an academic administrative assistant in the School of Health Sciences.

Let’s get to know her better.

Where are you originally from?

I’m from Blue Springs, Missouri.

Why did you decide to join Missouri State University and how long have you been here?

I’ve always wanted to work in education and love being around and in a learning environment. I started in July 2025.

What’s your educational background?

I have my associate’s degree in applied sciences with an emphasis in medical assisting.

What does your current role at Missouri State entail?

As an academic administrative assistant for the School of Health Sciences, I assist the school director with many reports from budgeting to school wide census to course building for programs in our school.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in this job?

Learning the language of higher education and all the abbreviations of all the schools and programs, as well as how many budgets there are associated with each program.

Why did you choose this area of work?

It was connected, in a way, with health care. I love to learn and being in an environment that is about education, promoting education and my love of health sciences, this allowed me to blend a little bit of both worlds.

What do you enjoy most about working at the university?

Being around people who enjoy their job and the learning environment in general. Plus all the opportunities you have working for the university.

What type of work did you do prior to Missouri State?

Karla Riley and her husband travelling.
Karla Riley and her husband travelling.

I worked for 26 years at CoxHealth’s Bone and Joint Orthopedics department as an office manager and department supervisor for surgical practice.

What’s your favorite fall tradition?

I love fall bonfires with family, tailgating and football games. I also enjoy the transition of cooler weather and evenings on the porch listening to all the “critters.”

How do you spend your leisure time?

I love reading and I always have a book in progress. My husband, Jeff, and I also travel a lot. We love to explore this great world we live in and experience all that it has to offer.

Explore School of Health Sciences

Staff spotlight: Tia Schneider

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Our featured McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) staff member is Tia Schneider. She serves as an administrative specialist in the MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center (SSAC). 

From welcoming students with warmth to ensuring programs run smoothly, Schneider plays an important role in helping students and advisors thrive. 

Let’s get to know her better. 

Where are you originally from? 

I was born in Anchorage, Alaska, but raised mostly in Springfield, Missouri. 

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

I joined MSU in January 2025. I chose to work here because I enjoyed my time as a student and knew I wanted to keep working with students in some capacity. 

Can you share your educational background?

Tia Schneider
Tia Schneider

I was an adult student who graduated from MSU in December 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in higher education and advisement support? 

After my student teaching experience in Alaska, I needed a break from the classroom, but I still plan to return one day. I knew I wanted to keep working with students, though I wasn’t sure how until I found this position. From my interview, I could tell the people in SSAC were exactly the type of team I wanted to join. Even though I’m not in the classroom right now, I get daily interactions with students and the opportunity to help and guide them. 

What are your main responsibilities as an administrative specialist? 

My responsibilities vary depending on the time of year. In the summer, I help with SOAR (Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration). In the fall and spring, I help admit students into their programs, assign advisors, process override requests and answer student questions. Every day at work is different and that’s what makes it exciting. 

What do you find most rewarding about your role? 

Working with students is the best part. I see students come in stressed and leave with smiles. Some stop by just to say hi. I also enjoy seeing the collaboration between staff and faculty to ensure smooth running of the college’s programs. 

What was your job before joining Missouri State? 

Before joining MSU, I worked at the local assessor’s office, where I reviewed legal documents and input them into the system. 

What has been your most memorable or meaningful moment so far? 

Two moments stand out to me. One was hiding Easter eggs around the office and watching the pure joy on everyone’s faces as they searched for them. The other is admitting students into their programs. I celebrate their hard work in silence and feel proud to be part of their journey. 

What do you enjoy most about the fall season? 

The weather! I don’t like sweating, so fall is perfect. Give me 70 degrees every day and I’d be happy.  

What is one surprising thing about you? 

I’ve been a military wife for 15 years. Our family has moved twice, gone through two deployments and navigated many schools along the way. 

Explore the MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center

How RStats turns data into direction

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Research can feel overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. 

That’s why the RStats Institute within the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) exists — to make the process easier, less intimidating and even enjoyable. 

Here, students and faculty work with experts who guide them with clear directions, simple tools and steady support. 

Guiding research at every stage 

The RStats Institute is a free resource dedicated to supporting faculty and students in MCHHS.  

Services include choosing the right design, finding the best measures, selecting proper statistical tests, developing surveys, collecting data and analyzing them using software like JASP, SPSS and Qualtrics. 

“We want students and faculty to feel confident at every step,” said RStats Director Jessica Willis. “Whether they’re designing research or interpreting complex results, we’re here to make the process easier.” 

Most support goes to graduate students working on capstone projects, theses or community-based research. Faculty can also receive help, usually up to three hours per project. 

A history of growth 

The RStats story began in the early 2000s, when Dr. Chantal Levesque, professor in psychology from 2002-2012, and Dr. Wayne Mitchell, faculty emeritus, started helping colleagues with statistical needs.  

They joined forces with the Ozarks Public Health Institute and Dr. Frederick Maxwell, faculty emeritus, to propose a dedicated consulting center. In 2006-07, RStats officially launched within MCHHS.  

During COVID-19, RStats expanded through online consultations, connecting students and faculty from more than 15 programs. Over time, it has grown from basic support to a full-service research hub. 

From student to RStats leader

Jessica Willis
Jessica Willis

A proud Missouri State alumna, Willis earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology in 2015 and 2017, respectively. She also holds a graduate certificate in statistics and research design.  

Before joining RStats, she worked as a health care data analyst for the Missouri Primary Care Association. 

She joined RStats in September 2018 as coordinator and was promoted to director on July 1, 2024. Since then, her focus has shifted more toward overseeing RStats while still teaching ANE 700 each fall. 

In recent years, Dr. Caitlin Masterson, assistant professor in the School of Health Care Professions joined the team to teach research and statistics courses while also providing RStats consultation support. 

Together with two graduate assistants, they form the core team supporting RStats clients. 

The impact in action 

RStats doesn’t just ‘do the stats.’ It teaches students how to use them. They learn to run analyses, interpret their findings and share results with confidence. 

“Toward the end of the project, we often see that ‘light bulb’ moment where everything clicks,” Willis said. “They make the connection between theory and practice, and their learning goes beyond just the classroom.” 

Willis shared an example of a project led by Dr. Ashlea Cardin, professor and Master of Occupational Therapy program director.  

She and a few of her OT students studied 150 infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mercy Hospital to understand factors affecting hospital stay and oral feeding progress.  

RStats handled the data analysis, explained the results and assisted in the publication process. The study was published in the Journal of Neonatal Nursing in 2023, a big accomplishment for the team involved. 

“What made this project so impactful was how it showed students the real-world relevance of research and statistics,” Willis said. 

Explore RStats Institute