Health and Human Services News

Making a name for herself

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Cassidy McCandless, first year physician assistant (PA) and member of the MSU physician assistant studies class of 2022, has accepted the position of student-member-at-large on the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Board of Directors.

As the student-member-at-large, she will represent PA students nationwide in quarterly meetings. Cassidy was selected for this position from a national pool of accomplished PA students.

“I’m so excited for this opportunity to represent my fellow students nationwide and to learn from leaders in the PA profession about ways our profession can continue to grow,” McCandless said.

McCandless will work with the board on facilitating student participation in PAEA projects. She will assist with strategic planning, serve as liaison to the Future Educator Development Steering Committee and take on other duties assigned by the board.

She will begin her two-year term on the board Jan. 1, 2022.

The Learning Diagnostic Clinic: What do they do?

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According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, one in five people have a learning disability.

The dropout rate for students with learning disabilities is three times that of other students, making the need for resources crucial.

The Learning Diagnostic Clinic (LDC) at Missouri State University offers comprehensive testing for:

  • Learning disabilities.
  • ADHD.
  • Autism.
  • Anxiety.
  • Depression.
  • And other psychological disorders that impact learning.

The clinic’s services are available to MSU students, staff, and adults and children from the community.

What is Project Success?

Alongside its testing services, LDC also has a program called Project Success for MSU students.

Project Success is designed for students who have been diagnosed with something that affects their education path.

“The intent of the program is to assist these students in fulfilling their goal of attending and completing college,” Program Director Steven Capps said.

The program offers academic and personal support to MSU students. Tutoring is offered alongside weekly meetings with a team member to discuss study skills, time management, organization, test-taking strategies and more.

If you think you may benefit from LDC services, contact the clinic at ldc@missouristate.edu or Steven Capps at stevencapps@missouristate.edu.

Learning Diagnostic Clinic

Student on the Street: Rikki Beldon

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Rikki Beldon is a second semester nursing student at Missouri State University. She is originally from Shelbina, Missouri, and attended South Shelby High School.

Her favorite course has been Fundamentals of Nursing.

“We really got to see a lot of hands-on things,” Rikki said. “We had a lab portion where we learned how to do things like start IVs and care for someone who needs assistance. It really prepared me for what’s coming up in clinicals.”

For Rikki, the best part of being a Bear is “being able to make different connections. The campus is big enough, yet small enough to still see people you know and recognize every day.”

After graduation, Rikki plans to work in the St. Louis area at a hospital. She hope to eventually become a travel nurse, helping people from location to location.

Learn more about MSU Nursing Program

Early intervention, unique instruction

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Students studying communication sciences and disorders at Missouri State have many options to complete their clinical training through the Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic.

One service the clinic offers is a private preschool for deaf and hard of hearing children. The preschool encourages early intervention for children with hearing impairments.

Tara Oetting, clinical professor of communication sciences and disorders, and graduate students work with visual and audio techniques in the preschool program.

Read more about the preschool