Health and Human Services News

Mercy gift completes transformation of Mo State’s Kampeter Hall

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Missouri State University’s McQueary College of Health and Human Services celebrated the opening of the Mercy Athletic Training Lab on Sept. 9.

The facility is part of the completed Phase II of the renovations inside Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall and was made possible by a donation from Mercy.

This transformed space allows for an immersive learning environment. It gives athletic training students greater opportunities to learn, practice and prepare for their future careers.

In total, the renovations to the academic building at Cherry Street and Kimbrough Avenue took six years, with a two-year gap between the major phases. Missouri State dedicated Phase I in 2022.

“We’re deeply grateful to Mercy for this gift. Their investment reflects exactly the kind of partnership that moves Missouri State forward,” said Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement. “Our athletic training students are now learning in a space built for real-world success, and that benefits the entire Springfield community they’ll one day serve.”

Read more about the milestone on the News blog.

Where passion meets practice

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A single moment on the field or court can change everything. When an athlete goes down, time slows and someone must be ready, not just with skill, but with calmness, confidence and the instinct to act. 

For Missouri State University graduate students Cooper Lewis and Malia Moore, that moment is not hypothetical — it is the reason they chose the athletic training path. 

Both are in the Master of Athletic Training program at Missouri State and will graduate this spring. Through their time at the university, they have found their purpose by combining a love for sports with a drive to help others. 

Finding the calling

Malia Moore
Malia Moore

Moore grew up in Liberty, Missouri, just outside Kansas City. Her path to athletic training began through personal experience. 

“I played soccer in high school and suffered from an injury,” she said. “I saw what athletic trainers did firsthand and knew this was something I wanted to do in future.” 

While exploring programs across Missouri, Moore was drawn to Missouri State’s strong reputation and felt the Springfield location was the right fit. She began her bachelor’s degree in sports medicine in fall 2020 and, after graduating in May 2024, continued on to pursue her master’s. 

As for Lewis who grew up in Laredo, Missouri, he came to the field through a different way. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he spent years searching for a career that included everything he cared about: athletics, health and helping people. Athletic training brought those pieces together. 

“I loved sports my entire life and wanted a career that could combine my interests,” he said. “Once I discovered athletic training, the rest was history.” 

Lewis chose Missouri State for its high-quality program and supportive learning environment. He also valued the opportunity to complete both his undergraduate degree in sports medicine and graduate degrees in one place, building his clinical foundation from the ground up. 

Learning that extends beyond the classroom 

The duo began their master’s program in summer 2024. They found a curriculum that places students in real clinical environments early and often. They got to work alongside athletes, preceptors and health care professionals in ways textbooks alone cannot replicate. 

“I thought I wouldn’t like any setting other than high school. But I fell in love with the college environment, which I didn’t expect,” Moore said. 

Cooper Lewis
Cooper Lewis

Lewis credits the program for turning him into a professional.  

“The relationships made the biggest impact on my life,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed and developed friendships with classmates, professors, preceptors, athletes and patients.”  

Both students also stepped into research and leadership. Lewis is completing a critically appraised topic research study on dry needling and its effects on chronic tendinopathy injuries. He also serves as president of the Athletic Training Student Association.  

Moore worked on a research project that focused on the effectiveness of dry needling on hamstring strength, range of motion, pain and extensibility. She presented it at the recent McQueary College of Health and Human Services Student Research Symposium. 

An experience that stands out for both of them was traveling with Missouri State Football to its first-ever bowl game, the Xbox Bowl in Frisco, Texas, last December. They enjoyed experiencing a major athletic event. 

“It was such a fun experience and one of my favorite memories,” Moore said.  

Lewis echoes that feeling and described it as an opportunity to build strong connections while working alongside fellow students and professionals. 

What comes next 

With graduation coming up, the students are already clear on their next steps and purpose. 

Moore wants to work in college athletics, building the same kind of relationships with athletes she experienced with her own athletic trainers, including assistant professor Dr. McCall Christan.  

“I hope to help athletes stay healthy, recover from injuries and perform at their best,” she said. “As a former injured athlete, I know the value of having someone steady in your corner.” 

Lewis is interested in rehabilitation and clinical care, with long-term goals in health system leadership. In a profession often misunderstood or overlooked, that kind of advocacy matters and begins with practitioners who believe in the work. 

“I want to continue to advocate for athletic trainers and increase public knowledge of what we do,” he said.  

For Lewis and Moore, athletic training is more than a career path. It is about being present in critical moments, building trust with patients and using knowledge and compassion to help them return stronger. 

Learn more about the athletic training program

Mo State junior achieves All-American status in flag football officiating

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SPRINGFIELD – For her outstanding performance as an official, Missouri State University junior Ashley Sanders earned All-American honors at this year’s National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) National Flag Football Championships. 

A national-level collegiate tournament for recreational flag football in the United States, the event took place from Jan. 7-9 at Rice University in Houston, Texas.  

Competing among student officials from colleges and universities across the country, Sanders, a sports medicine major from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, was recognized as one of the top officials at the tournament. The All-American distinction is an honor awarded to only the top eight officials in attendance. 

“Being named an All-American among such a talented group of student officials was a shock at first,” Sanders said. “I was incredibly honored and a little overwhelmed. My first reaction was gratitude toward my mentors, crewmates and everyone who has pushed me to grow as an official.” 

For her, the recognition affirmed that her work matters and that growth comes from stepping outside her comfort zone. 

About the award

Ashley Sanders (first from left) with fellow officials at the NIRSA Championship Series.
Ashley Sanders (first from left) with fellow officials at the NIRSA Championship Series.

Throughout the tournament, officials were evaluated by the Official Committee, a group of Campus Recreation professionals with extensive expertise in flag football officiating. The committee assessed each officer’s performance on the field, including rule knowledge and application, mechanics, positioning, communication and leadership. At the end of the event, officials were ranked and the top performers were selected to receive All-American honors. Sanders is the first Missouri State student to receive this recognition.   

“It was a proud moment, but also one that reminded me how much support it takes to reach this level,” Sanders said. “My community around me is a huge reason why I’m so dedicated and driven to do things like this. The first thing I did was text my boss Caroline Wieters at Missouri State and my mom!” 

A path that began at Mo State 

Sanders started officiating flag football during the second semester of her freshman year at Missouri State. She also played flag football as a freshman, joining intramural teams through Campus Recreation. Now, she works as a recreation sports supervisor and coordinator, where she trains and evaluates younger officials.  

As she gained experience, her sports medicine coursework began to influence how she saw the game and did her job on the field.   

“Being a sports medicine student has helped me tremendously as an official,” she said. “My education has improved my understanding of movement, injury prevention and player safety, which allows me to anticipate plays better and position myself effectively.” 

Mastering her craft

Sanders officiating on the field during a match.
Sanders officiating on the field during a match.

Sanders brings four years of experience to the field. She credits consistent preparation, film review, rule study and learning how to apply feedback for her success.  

“The championship experience was incredible and exciting,” she said. “Being surrounded by top-level officials from across the country was fun and pushed me to elevate my performance every game.”   

The tournament demanded long days and focus under pressure. Even then, Sanders stayed committed to learning.  

“It’s easy to get in your head at these tournaments,” she said. “But I was constantly reminded that mistakes are how you truly grow and the way you handle them and bounce back is very important.”   

The honor represents trust in her ability to handle high-level games, pressure situations and leadership responsibilities. It also motivates her to continue improving and hold herself to a high standard on and off the field.   

“It reinforced by drive for excellence and my long-term goals in sports medicine,” Sanders said. “I hope to keep growing as a leader, mentoring younger officials and applying the same dedication to my future career as an athletic trainer.” 

Explore sports medicine program

Shining a spotlight on student research

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Innovation, discovery and a spirit of exploration were on full display at this year’s McQueary College of Health and Human Services’ (MCHHS) 29th Annual Student Research Symposium.  

The event took place on April 24 in the Plaster Student Union. It featured 53 abstracts with contributions from 147 student researchers across undergraduate and graduate programs. 

Participants represented a wide range of disciplines, including athletic training, biomedical sciences, dietetics and nutrition, exercise science, physical therapy, psychology and speech-language pathology. 

“Our Student Research Symposium is a long-standing tradition that highlights our commitment to academic excellence,” said Dr. Letitia White Minnis, MCHHS associate dean. “The symposium provides students with valuable opportunities to share their research findings, engage with faculty mentors and other community members and contribute to knowledge that advances their field of study.” 

The research projects presented explored current issues across the health and human services spectrum. They included injury prevention, women’s health and performance, nutrition education, clinical innovation and the application of emerging technologies in health care. 

The symposium also recognized the dedication of faculty mentors, whose encouragement and insights help students turn their ideas into impactful research.  A special recognition goes to the MCHHS Student Research Symposium Committee for organizing and sustaining this important academic tradition. 

Learn more about MCHHS