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  • McQueary College of Health and Human Services

A nod to excellence

May 14, 2025 by Sewly Khatun

A Make Your Missouri Statement banner on campus.

Passionate faculty and staff are at the heart of McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS), making an impact every day through their dedication and service.  

On April 24, the college came together to celebrate these exceptional individuals at its 2nd Annual Awards Banquet. 

Their contributions go beyond personal achievement — they enrich the learning environment and strengthen support systems that define the MCHHS community. Each honoree embodies the college’s core values, serving as an inspiring example for others to follow.  

“The banquet was such a fun way to connect with colleagues and recognize the hard work happening across our college,” said Dr. Sarah Murray, assistant professor and program director of nutrition and dietetics.  

List of awards 

 Foundation Recipients Award 

  • Teaching Award: Natalie Allen, clinical associate professor, nutrition and dietetics 
  • Research Award: Dr. Amy Hulme, associate professor, biomedical sciences 
  • Service Award: Dr. Randi Ulbricht, associate professor, biomedical sciences 

Office Orchestrator Award

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

  • Missi Lafarlette , academic administrative assistant II 

Community Impact Award

This award recognizes a faculty or staff member for impactful community engagement that reflects the public affairs mission. 

  • Kelly Dudley, clinical assistant professor, social work 

Outstanding Academic Advisor 

This award recognizes a staff member for excellence in advising. 

  • Jessica McShan, academic advisor II 

Outstanding Faculty Advisor 

This award recognizes a faculty member for excellence in advising. 

  • Dr. Robert Niezgoda, visiting assistant professor, public health 

Bearwise Education Excellence Award 

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

  • Dr. Traci Garrison, clinical associate professor, occupational therapy 

Outstanding Service Award 

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

  • MCHHS information technology department 

Teamwork Trailblazers Award 

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

  • MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center staff 

Dean’s Awards 

  • Dean’s Recognition for Service: Dr. Sarah Murray, assistant professor and program director of nutrition and dietetics 
  • Outstanding Service to MCHHS: Dr. Letitia White Minnis, MCHHS associate dean 
  • Outstanding Student Engagement: Nicole Gorley, senior instructor and lab coordinator, biomedical sciences 
  • Outstanding Support to MCHHS: Teri Trickey, director of catering, Chartwells 
  • Outstanding Community Partnership: Burrell Behavioral Health 

Roy D. Blunt Life Science Professorship 

This endowed award, established through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, supports faculty in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines. It recognizes excellence in teaching, research and scholarship advancing the life sciences. 

  • Dr. Amy Hulme, associate professor, biomedical sciences   

Research Fellow 

This new appointment provides support and mentorship to new faculty, centered on the development of a scholarly agenda. 

  • Dr. Leslie Echols, associate professor, psychology 

“I was so surprised and honored to receive the Dean’s Recognition for Service, especially since I helped plan the event and thought I knew the program inside out!” Murray said. “Serving as the Dean’s Fellow for the past two years has been an incredible opportunity to learn about leadership and the administrative side of our college.” 

For White Minnis, receiving the Outstanding Service to MCHHS Award fills her with both gratitude and humility.  

“It affirms my efforts to support others and contribute to our college community. I’ve had the good fortune of working with people who inspire me to serve with purpose and carry that commitment forward with the same dedication that brought me here.” 

Retirements

Besides recognizing outstanding contributions from faculty and staff, the banquet also offered a heartfelt moment to honor those whose long-standing dedication helped advance the college. This year’s retirees honored for their dedication and years of service included: 

  • Dr. Roberto Canales, faculty emeritus 
  • Dr. Susan Dollar, faculty emeritus 
  • Dr. Anne Marie Hunter, faculty emeritus 

Explore MCHHS

Filed Under: MCHHS Events Tagged With: Biomedical Sciences, faculty, Letitia White-Minnis, MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center, Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, Psychology, public health, Sarah Murray, Social Work

From service to scholarship

November 18, 2024 by Sewly Khatun

The MSU Bear statue with American and Missouri flags.

In honor of veterans this November, the McQueary College of Health and Human Services shines a light on two of its veteran students: Andrew Falk and Samuel Durham. 

Both have transitioned from military service to academic pursuits. Falk is in the kinesiology graduate program and Durham is pursuing a Master of Public Health.

Find out more about them and their journey.

Andrew Falk
Andrew Falk

Where are you originally from?  

Falk: I’m from Strafford, Missouri.

Durham: I’m from DeRidder, Louisiana.  

When did you start your studies at Missouri State and when will you graduate? 

Falk: I began my undergraduate degree in exercise and movement science in August 2019 and graduated in fall 2023. I then started my master’s in kinesiology, focusing on sport and human performance. I’ll graduate in spring 2025. 

Durham: I started the public health program in fall 2023 and will graduate in spring 2025. 

Why did you choose to study at Missouri State? 

Falk: Springfield feels like home, making it a great place to start my academic career. MSU’s support system for veteran students was also a strong attraction. 

Durham: I was drawn to MSU while at Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC). Expanding my education and staying in Springfield were major benefits for my career. 

What motivated you to pursue your area of study?

Samuel Durham with his family.
Samuel Durham with his family

Falk: I’ve always loved health, wellness and exercise. They provide discipline and consistency, which carry into other areas of life. 

Durham: While pursuing a nursing degree at OTC in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted my perspective. I realized I could better serve by focusing on population health and wanted a career dedicated to protecting public health. 

How long have you served in the military and which branch?  

Falk: I served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years on active duty and 10 months in the reserves. 

Durham: I served in the U.S. Army for four years. 

Why did you decide to join the military? 

Falk: It was something I always wanted to do. My dad was in the Marines during the Vietnam War, which inspired me to enlist. 

Durham: My family has a history of military service and I saw my enlistment as my way of protecting our rights and liberties. 

What were your key responsibilities and rank?    

Falk: My responsibilities included looking after my Marines’ well-being and ensuring they met all required standards. When I left active duty, I was a platoon sergeant with the billet of squad leader. 

Durham: I served as a signal intelligence analyst. My responsibilities included focusing on collecting, analyzing and reporting military intelligence. 

What did you find most meaningful or rewarding about the experience?    

Falk: Leading Marines and preparing them to one day lead others and give back to the Corps was incredibly rewarding. 

Durham: From basic combat training to technical intelligence training, this experience was transformative. I was always learning and growing, which was rewarding to me.  

Andrew Falk and his fellow service members.
Andrew Falk and his fellow service members.

What military skills best help you in your studies?  

Falk: Discipline, accountability and attention to detail have been most helpful in my studies. 

Durham: My role required solving complex issues, which aids in my studies. The integrity, respect and dedication I developed in the military also help me succeed academically. 

What resources at MSU have helped you most as a veteran student?   

Falk: The Oldham Family Veteran Student Center has been a great help. While on active duty in Hawaii, they guided me in using my benefits. Working there for over two years also helped me find a supportive community. 

Durham: Public health software is costly. But I can use the open-access computer labs at MSU. So, access to software and technology has been invaluable here. 

What challenges did you face transitioning to student life and how did you overcome them?  

Falk: As a non-traditional student, I initially felt isolated, but reaching out to classmates helped me overcome it. 

Durham: Military culture differs greatly from university culture, which encourages exploration and independent thinking. I learned to think outside the box and challenge norms. 

What do you enjoy most about being a Missouri State Bear? 

Falk:  MSU has always been home for me. I get support here like a family member.  

Durham: One of the best parts of being an MSU Bear is the professional and personal relationships I’ve built within the community. 

What types of things are you involved in on campus? 

Falk: I’m an intern strength and conditioning coach with the MSU football team and a graduate assistant in the School of Health Sciences. I instruct labs in KIN-465 (Strength and Conditioning) and KIN-362 (Exercise Physiology). 

Durham: While I’m not involved in campus activities currently, I enjoy attending MSU sporting and seasonal events like Homecoming. 

What’s your future career aspiration?   

Falk: In the next two to five years, I plan to continue coaching football, combat sports and tactical athletes at the college or professional level. I aim to pursue a doctorate in sports psychology or strength and conditioning and eventually teach or conduct research in the field. 

Durham: I aspire to work as a public health specialist in epidemiology and research, ideally with a federal agency. My dream job is to serve as a health services officer in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, contributing to public health on a larger scale. 

What tips or advice can you share with future veteran students?   

Falk: Be proactive with your academic goals. You may not know your exact career path, but setting goals can guide you forward. Find like-minded people and a supportive community. 

Durham: Military skills like organization, timeliness and pride in one’s work are invaluable in academics. Apply the motivation and dedication that helped you succeed in the military to your studies. 

Explore MCHHS

Filed Under: Student spotlights Tagged With: Kinesiology, public health, Public health and sports medicine, School of Health Sciences, Student Success

Missouri State’s dual degree program receives top five ranking

April 12, 2024 by Avery E. Adkins

Graduates

The Master of Public Health and Master of Health Administration (MPH/MHA) dual degree program at Missouri State University is one of the top programs in the country, according to NursingProcess.org. 

This standout program operates under the department of public health and sports medicine and is offered in collaboration with the department of management in the College of Business. It combines knowledge from both areas to give students a well-rounded education. 

“We’re excited by the ranking,” said Dr. Robert Niezgoda, visiting assistant professor of the MPH program. “The MSU MPH/MHA dual degree is a high-quality program with a flexible modality that prepares students for leadership positions in public health or health care organizations. The program’s success is due to our outstanding students and years of successful partnership between the MPH and MHA programs.” 

Ranking criteria 

To qualify for NursingProcess.org’s rankings, a school must be accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation body. 

The rankings are based on these criteria: 

  • Academic quality – acceptance rate, enrollment rate, graduation rate, retention rate and student-to-faculty ratio (50%). 
  • Editorial team ratings – considers the school’s infrastructure, faculty credentials, use of technology, student services, industry partnerships, college rankings, ratings and student reviews from respected online publications like U.S. News (30%). 
  • Affordability – net price and the percentage of enrolled students receiving financial aid (20%). 

Program highlights 

MSU’s MPH/MHA program allows students to earn two master’s degrees at the same time, bridging health care and medicine.  

Students can complete the two degrees in 72 credit hours. Courses range from epidemiology to international health and infectious disease to managing health care organizations and health law and ethics.  

The completion of the program equips graduates with a set of knowledge, skills and abilities that enables them to communicate relevant health information; account for health care priorities, policy and delivery; manage crises; and address major health concerns at the population level.   

As part of the program, students engage in at least 200 hours of public health field practice. They also complete a public health capstone project. 

Career opportunities 

Graduates of the program can find themselves in a variety of careers, such as: 

  • Biostatistician. 
  • Emergency management. 
  • Environmental health specialist. 
  • Epidemiologist. 
  • Health educator. 
  • Public health administrator. 
  • Public health information officer. 

Learn more about the dual degree program

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Health Administration, public health, Public health and sports medicine, Student Success

Empowering future leaders with the Pathways internship program

October 18, 2023 by Avery E. Adkins

Student looks under microscope

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has partnered with Missouri State University to offer statewide public health internships through Pathways. 

Robert Niezgoda, visiting assistant professor in the department of public health and sports medicine at MSU, received a grant of $2.1 million to fund this project. He plays a key role in facilitating the development of the program. 

Niezgoda spent time as a local health department director and student mentor for MSU’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program. This makes him a prime candidate to oversee this project. 

“The grant partnership was based on the MPH program’s history of successful field experiences and the connections with the DHSS,” Niezgoda said. 

Pathways public health internships 

Fifty Pathways public health internship positions are open to undergraduate and master’s students starting in spring 2024.  

The internships are either with a public health agency or with DHSS offices. Each internship is 320 hours and students will receive a stipend of $6,400. 

This opportunity is not limited to one branch of study. Any health care-related field from nursing to health care administration can qualify.  

“The purpose of these internships is to help local public health agencies find potential employees,” Niezgoda said. “We want to get more people excited about public health, while strengthening their workforce.”  

What this means for MSU and the state 

The Pathways Missouri public health internship program is an ideal opportunity for organizations to provide students with practical experience for roles in a new career field. This enables students to get on-the-job skills the classroom may not provide.  

The DHSS partnership with MSU promotes a workforce development strategy to create more applicants for full-time public health jobs. 

Other participating Missouri universities include:  

  • University of Missouri. 
  • Saint Louis University.  
  • Washington University in St. Louis. 
  • Lincoln University. 
  • Lindenwood University. 
  • Missouri Southern State University. 
  • Truman State University. 
  • University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis.  

These academic partners will aid in coordinating the internships and developing a sustainability plan.   

“The important part is there will be opportunities for students to have paid public health internships,” Niezgoda said. “This will strengthen the Missouri public health workforce leading to improved health for Missouri.” 

Learn more about internships or apply

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: public health, Public health and sports medicine, Robert Niezgoda, Spotlights

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