Health and Human Services News

Highlighting impact and achievement

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Excellence shows up every day across the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS).  

It is in the classroom, in research labs and in the way faculty and staff support students and each other. 

On April 23, the college gathered at the Old Glass Place for its 3rd Annual Awards Banquet to recognize contributions and celebrate excellence. The evening brought together faculty, staff and partners to recognize achievements across teaching, research, service and collaboration. Each award reflected the shared commitment to student success and meaningful community impact. 

“I enjoy the tradition we’ve built with the Awards Banquet because it gives us a chance to pause and celebrate our faculty and staff,” said Dr. Letitia White Minnis, MCHHS associate dean.  

“In the fast-paced world we live in, we don’t always take time to do that. Their work reflects our shared commitment to Missouri State’s public affairs mission and helps prepare our students to make a real difference in the communities they serve.” 

List of awards  

 Office Orchestrator Award  

This award recognizes a staff member who goes above and beyond to create a welcoming, supportive college environment for colleagues and students. 

Community Impact Award 

This award recognizes a faculty or staff member for impactful community engagement that reflects Missouri State University’s public affairs mission.   

Outstanding Service Award 

This award honors faculty or staff for exceptional service that goes beyond expectations and positively impacts the workplace.   

Teamwork Trailblazers Award 

This award is presented to a group that demonstrates exceptional collaboration, teamwork, idea-sharing and commitment to a common goal.   

Outstanding Academic Advisor 

This award honors a staff member who demonstrates excellence in advising and provides strong support to students as they work toward achieving their academic and professional goals. 

Outstanding Faculty Advisor 

This award honors a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in advising and supports students throughout their university experience. 

Bearwise Educator Excellence Award 

This award recognizes a faculty member for innovative, inclusive teaching and outstanding mentorship that inspires student engagement and learning.   

Bear-illiant Researcher Award 

This award recognizes faculty members who actively involve students in research activities through strong mentorship and meaningful research opportunities. Recipients help foster a vibrant research community that values students’ active role in the pursuit of knowledge.

Dean’s Awards

From left Dr. Mark Smith, Greg Rainwater and Dr. Letitia White Minnis
From left Dr. Mark Smith, Greg Rainwater and Dr. Letitia White Minnis

Retirements  

MCHHS also honored this year’s retirees for their devotion and years of service: 

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Supporting student success through partnerships

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Supporting student success comes in many different forms, through multiple avenues and from individuals across the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) community. These include philanthropic financial donations and grants. 

“Philanthropic gifts and grants are essential for the college,” said Dr. Mark Smith, MCHHS dean. “They help us expand access to advanced instructional technology and equipment, provide support services, develop innovative experiential learning opportunities and offer students financial aid.” 

Two recent examples of support for MCHHS are a community partnership gift from Arvest Bank and a collaborative workforce development grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Opening more doors 

 The Arvest Bank gift will benefit the newly opened Collaborative Care Clinic in Kampeter Hall.  

The funds enable the clinic to purchase new toys and essential supplies. These resources will make the clinic more welcoming and help it provide children with the high-quality pediatric and mental health care they deserve. 

As for the workforce development grant, MCHHS partnered with Ozarks Technical Community College, the Alliance for Healthcare Education and several regional health care organizations to secure the grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.  

Through the Strengthening Community Colleges grant program, Ozarks Tech received nearly $5.7 million. It was one of only 18 institutions nationwide to receive the award and the only recipient in Missouri. Missouri State was part of the grant consortium, which brought together education, workforce and health care partners across the region.

This collaboration has provided $800,000 in scholarships for students pursuing degrees in key health fields at MCHHS. 

Eligible programs include: 

Additionally, BSN students at the Alliance campus will also benefit from these funds. They will support the renovation of instructional spaces and facilities, helping to strengthen health care training. 

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