Health and Human Services News

Bearing the banner at commencement

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Some honors represent more than one achievement.  

They reflect years of leadership, growth and commitment to making every opportunity count. 

At the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS), the Banner Bearer honor recognizes a student whose academic excellence, campus involvement and service make a lasting impact. 

“Serving as a Banner Bearer is a recognition reserved for students who exemplify Missouri State University’s highest ideals,” said Dr. Letitia White Minnis, MCHHS associate dean. “The role represents a student’s demonstrated commitment to the university’s public affairs mission of ethical leadership, community engagement and cultural competence.” 

Representing MCHHS at commencement 

Seven exceptional students were nominated for the honor this year: 

From this group, German was chosen to carry the MCHHS banner and lead the procession for the college at the spring 2026 commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. May 8 in Great Southern Bank Arena. 

Reflecting on the honor 

Allie German
Allie German

For German, being selected as a Banner Bearer is a meaningful achievement and reflects her undergraduate journey.

She also expressed her gratitude to Dr. Amber Abernathy, professor and psychology undergraduate program director, for the nomination.  

“I spent my undergraduate years making the most of each course, participating in many extracurriculars and seeking experiences that pushed me out of my comfort zone,” German said. “Through these experiences, I became more involved on campus and got to know my professors and Missouri State peers better.” 

Abernathy praised German’s commitment to learning and leadership.  

“Over the past few years, I’ve watched Allie distinguish herself through research, campus leadership and academic excellence,” Abernathy said. “She approaches all projects with excitement and zeal for knowledge.” 

After graduation, German plans to continue her academic journey through Missouri State’s experimental psychology master’s program. 

“My long-term goal is to be an experimental psychologist and to spend a lifetime learning more,” German said. 

 

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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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Bringing clinical services together under one roof

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This spring, the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) opened a new Collaborative Care Clinic in Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall on Jan. 26.

It unites several existing services in a single, renovated facility designed to support both education and community service. The grand opening celebration will take place Feb. 20. 

Collaboration and student learning 

The clinic strengthens interprofessional education while continuing to deliver affordable health services to the public. 

“This new facility allows us to bring services together in one collaborative space while expanding supervised, hands-on learning opportunities for our students,” said MCHHS Associate Dean Dr. Letitia White-Minnis. “At the same time, it reinforces our role as a community partner by providing high-quality, accessible care.” 

The renovated space spans about 17,000 square feet and occupies more than half of Kampeter Hall’s first floor. It repurposes the former Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic space and adds additional first-floor space to expand the footprint, creating a shared, modern clinical facility. 

A one-stop clinic 

The clinic will offer: 

  • Counseling services  
  • Speech-language pathology diagnostics and treatment  
  • Hearing and balance testing  
  • Hearing aids and learning diagnostic services 
  • Psychological and learning diagnostic services 

Each service operates in a dedicated clinical area with a shared patient waiting room, centralized check-in and coordinated staffing. 

“By bringing everything into one location with shared systems and staff, we’ve made care easier to access for students, faculty and the broader Springfield community,” said Ian Alaimo, director of information technology and operations for MCHHS.

Graduate students from speech-language pathology, counseling, audiology and psychology will provide services under direct faculty supervision. The clinic is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to individuals of all ages and is available to both the campus and the larger community.   

Learn more about the Collaborative Care Clinic

Celebrating the next generation of health care professionals

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The McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) proudly celebrates its students’ achievements. 

Nearly 400 students will graduate this December. Many participated in department or school ceremonies, where they were hooded, pinned and/or received a white coat. 

“William Shakespeare once said, ‘It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves.’ This reminder feels especially meaningful as we celebrate the accomplishments of our students,” said Dr. Letitia White Minnis, MCHHS associate dean. 

She added that each graduation ceremony reflects a moment of transition.  

“On behalf of the MCHHS, I want to congratulate all students celebrating important milestones, whether it be a white coat ceremony, a pinning ceremony or graduation. These achievements reflect your dedication and hard work. We look forward to the positive impact you’ll make in your profession and the communities you serve.” 

These ceremonies mark key academic milestones for students at different stages in their programs. Hooding and pinning recognize progress toward degree completion, while white coat ceremonies represent the transition into clinical rotations.  

The programs 

Occupational Therapy  

Nursing 

Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) 

  • Twenty-six SLP students were pinned this December. The ceremony recognizes their readiness to begin clinical rotations ahead of spring graduation. 

Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) 

  • Thirty-three PAS students received white coats as they transitioned into clinical training, while another cohort of 33 students graduated this fall. 

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) 

  • DNAP CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) students celebrated their program completion at a graduation ceremony, with 21 graduates this year – 15 in August and six in December. 

Counseling program 

Psychology 

MCHHS remains committed to supporting students as they move from classroom learning into professional practice. These new graduates and trainees will strengthen communities and contribute to the future of the health and human services workforce. 

Explore MCHHS programs