Health and Human Services News

From reflection to action

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At the beginning of this academic year, I shared two letters with the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) community where I reflected on who we are, the challenges we face and the kind of college we should aspire to become together. Those letters were rooted in reflection on courage, compassion, accountability, psychological safety and the importance of building a culture grounded in trust, openness and shared purpose.

As I reflect on the year, I am extremely proud of how our college collaboratively transformed reflection into action. Across MCHHS, faculty, staff, students and community partners all demonstrated what is possible when we move forward together with purpose, commitment and care.

Dr. Mark Smith headshot.
Dr. Mark Smith

A few highlights

One of the most exciting milestones this year was the opening of the Collaborative Care Clinic. This initiative represents the very best of interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement. The clinic clearly reflects a commitment to preparing students for team-based care while also providing meaningful services to the communities we serve. Watching this vision become reality reminds me of what we can achieve when we work together with innovation and a shared mission.

FY 2026 also marked exciting progress at the Alliance for Healthcare Education and the continued growth of nursing education partnerships that are helping address workforce needs across our region. Welcoming the first two cohorts of nursing students represented a significant milestone. These students symbolize not only the future of healthcare in Missouri but also the power of collaboration between education and community healthcare systems. Their success reinforces our commitment to expanding access to healthcare education while preparing compassionate, highly skilled professionals who will serve communities throughout the state.

Additionally, this year brought tremendous success in accreditation efforts. Our programs in anesthesia, audiology, public health and speech-language pathology each completed highly successful accreditation reviews. These accomplishments reflect the dedication, professionalism and tireless work of faculty, staff, students and leadership teams across the college. Accreditation successes like these affirm the quality of our programs and our continued commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Throughout the year, the McQueary Minute highlighted the heart of our college through stories of student achievement, faculty scholarship, innovative teaching, clinical partnerships, outreach efforts and service to communities across Missouri and beyond. These stories consistently reminded me that our work extends far beyond classrooms and clinics. Every interaction, mentorship opportunity, research project and act of service contributes to transforming lives and strengthening communities.

Fostering open communication

In my letters, I also discussed the importance of transparency, dialogue and creating spaces where people feel heard and valued. This year, I have been encouraged by the ways our college community embraced opportunities for collaboration, conversation and relationship building. Whether through formal initiatives or everyday interactions, I have seen people come together with a shared commitment to strengthening our culture and supporting one another.

We saw this spirit reflected in the most attended MCHHS Awards Banquet in college history, where faculty, staff students, and partners gathered to celebrate excellence and community. We saw this when more than 80 MCHHS faculty members attended spring commencement in support of our students and their accomplishments. We saw this at the first ever all college staff retreats, which created meaningful opportunities for collaboration, dialogue and shared problem solving. We saw this as MCHHS faculty and staff collectively welcomed over 1,000 high school students to our spaces, during our monthly Friday high school visits and showcases. To me, it is during moments like these where we clearly demonstrate that our culture continues to grow stronger through shared experiences, recognition and collective pride in one another’s success.

As we prepare for the next academic year, I remain extremely optimistic about the future of MCHHS. The accomplishments we celebrate today are not endpoints … they are foundations for what comes next.

The completion of Phase 2 of Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall represents another transformational investment in the future of healthcare education and interdisciplinary collaboration. Next year, we will continue expanding services across our clinics while building upon important milestones, including the 10-year anniversary of the MSU Care Clinic and the 25-year celebration of the Ozarks Public Health Institute. These accomplishments reflect not only our growth as a college, but also our enduring commitment to serving communities, improving health outcomes and creating opportunities for students to learn through meaningful engagement and practice.

Most importantly, this year reaffirmed for me why we do what we do. Education is not only about knowledge. No, education is about people, purpose, compassion and hope grounded in integrity. I passionately believe that MCHHS is a place where we will continue to strive to model collaboration, care and courage in ways that positively impact our students and communities for generations to come.

Thank you for everything you have contributed this year. Because of you, MCHHS continues to demonstrate that education itself can be a living love letter to our students, communities, colleagues and ourselves.

Dr. Mark A. Smith, Dean

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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Ozarks Public Health Institute marks 25 years of impact

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Public health is not just a service in Missouri. It is a shared commitment among residents, health care providers, community partners and educational institutions, working together to improve health outcomes across the state. 

The Ozarks Public Health Institute (OPHI) at Missouri State University brings university expertise into communities. It focuses on practical solutions that address real public health needs beyond policy discussions. 

Created to address public health needs 

Over two decades ago, President John Keiser of what was then Southwest Missouri State University formed a committee with representatives from every college to establish an institute focused on health prevention funding.  

As discussions progressed, the work aligned under public health, with a focus on preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health. For this reason, the committee named the institute OPHI to address pressing public health challenges in Missouri. 

On Feb. 16, 2001, the university’s Board of Governors officially approved OPHI and appointed Dr. Dalen Duitsman as its director.  

Since then, OPHI has followed a grassroots approach, bringing together local government and academic partners to support better health outcomes across Missouri communities. 

“For 25 years, the OPHI has shown what’s possible when a university commits to partnering with communities, said Dr. Mark Smith, dean of McQueary College of Health and Human Services. “Under Dr. Duitsman’s steady and visionary leadership, OPHI has built partnerships with local agencies, advanced prevention efforts and prepared the next generation of professionals.” 

A statewide track record 

OPHI has a strong history of supporting Missouri’s public health system through local, regional and statewide projects. 

For example, OPHI managed a multi-year Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) project that supported nearly 60 local agencies and partners working to reduce health disparities in their communities. 

OPHI’s tobacco prevention work is another long-term effort.  It helped advance smoke-free laws in Nixa and Springfield. It also supported Missouri State’s move to become a smoke-free campus in 2012. 

The institute has also played a key role in emergency preparedness. It served as a primary evaluator during Missouri’s statewide full-scale emergency response exercise, contributing to exercise design, implementation and after-action reporting. 

As it marks 25 years of service, OPHI continues to expand its work. Current efforts include strengthening resources tied to Missouri’s Foundational Public Health Services Model. OPHI is also building a statewide database and mapping tool for sexual violence prevention and response, while partnering with DHSS to improve communication with local public health agencies. 

 In addition, the institute is supporting rural health departments as they pursue accreditation through quality improvement, strategic planning, performance management and community health assessment. 

Student engagement and the next chapter 

OPHI carries out its mission through community partnerships, applied research and workforce development. A key part of that work is student engagement. Faculty, staff and graduate assistants (GAs) from across the university contribute to OPHI projects. 

Over the years, OPHI has employed many GAs from the public health program. More recently, it has expanded student involvement to include counseling, sustainability, project management, marketing, English and digital film and television production. These students contribute directly to public health projects while gaining practical field experience. 

Looking ahead, OPHI will continue to work in public affairs, rural health, health communication and workforce development to respond to emerging public health needs across Missouri. 

“As we look to the future, OPHI’s foundation of collaboration, innovation and service ensures its impact will continue to shape healthier communities across our state for decades to come,” Smith said.  

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Homecoming at the heart of MCHHS

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On Nov. 15, BearFest Village once again came alive for Homecoming as maroon and white shirts, the Pride Band, families, alumni and friends filled Missouri State University with energy. 

 The celebration highlighted Missouri State’s first year in Conference USA. 

“Right in the middle of it all, the MCHHS Homecoming Tent marked its fourth year as a signature gathering spot,” said Dr. Mark Smith, dean of McQueary College of Health and Human Services.     

What began in 2022 as one more potential stop in the Homecoming lineup has grown into something more. It developed into a place where alumni, students, faculty and staff reconnected, told their stories and renewed their sense of shared purpose.  

Belonging in action and advancing the strategic plan  

Throughout the fall, MCHHS has emphasized “belonging in action,” focusing not just on talking about community but creating it. This commitment has taken shape through real, face-to-face experiences.  

The Homecoming tradition brought that commitment to life while supporting the university’s new strategic plan. The plan calls for increased participation in campus events, stronger alumni engagement and deeper connections between students and graduates.  

Over the course of the celebration, the MCHHS tent:  

  • Created a welcoming, informal space where alumni, students, faculty and staff could reconnect outside the structure of meetings, classes and email.  
  • Showcased the value of an MCHHS education through personal stories and real-world outcomes.  
  • Strengthened college spirit and pride through a visible presence.  

In a time when higher education can feel weighed down by challenge and change, the tent offered a hopeful counter-story. It was a space where members of the MCHHS family showed up for one another regardless of roles, departments and generations.  

Looking ahead  

As this issue of the McQueary Minute published, Homecoming 2025 was already a memory. However, its importance continues to ripple forward in new connections, renewed relationships and a stronger sense of community.  

With four years of the MCHHS tent now behind us, the college continues to build a Homecoming tradition rooted in togetherness, belonging and Bear pride.  

Those who visited left with more than popcorn or a photo. They carried with them shared stories and memories that will continue to shape the MCHHS community long after Homecoming ended.

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