Health and Human Services News

A nod to excellence

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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 

Office Orchestrator Award

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

Community Impact Award

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

Outstanding Academic Advisor 

This award recognizes a staff member for excellence in advising. 

Outstanding Faculty Advisor 

This award recognizes a faculty member for excellence in advising. 

Bearwise Education Excellence Award 

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

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. 

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. 

“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: 

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Building the future of health care education

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Twice a year, members of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) Advisory Board come together to learn about the college’s progress, new collaborations and opportunities for growth. 

The spring 2025 MCHHS Advisory Board meeting took place in April. Members got the chance to visit the campus of the Alliance for Healthcare Education (currently housed in Cox College) to learn more about MCHHS’ role in the partnership and its impact on the community. 

A closer look at the Alliance

The Alliance is a collaborative initiative among local education and health partners designed to transform how health care education is delivered in the region. 

Logo of The Alliance for Healthcare EducationIt was launched in fall 2023 as a partnership among Missouri State University, CoxHealth, Ozarks Technical Community College and Springfield Public Schools.  

The Alliance was created to expand access to education, strengthen collaboration and address workforce needs in health and human services. 

“This new and exciting approach to health care education offers real potential to serve students and communities more effectively,” said Dr. Sarah Murray, assistant professor and program director of nutrition and dietetics. 

Visit highlights 

During the visit, Advisory Board members toured the Alliance campus, explored its educational spaces and student support needs and learned more about its structure and mission. They also asked thoughtful questions to find out how the partnership can support evolving community needs. 

Members also heard about how the Alliance will double the number of seats in MSU’s nursing programs (increasing from 56 to 112 per semester), supporting both student retention and the growing demand for health care professionals. 

In addition, the visit included: 

  • A panel discussion featuring voices from all four partners, sharing how each organization contributes to and benefits from the collaboration. 
  • A discussion on future plans for the Alliance, which highlighted growing interest from other community stakeholders eager to join this one-of-a-kind collaboration. 

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Fun times at the Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo 2023 

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The Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) is the largest conference focused on the latest research in the nutrition and dietetics field. 

Missouri State University nutrition and dietetics faculty members Dr. Sarah Murray, senior instructor and program director, and Jaime Gnau, clinical assistant professor, got to present at this year’s conference. 

Held in Denver, Colorado, from Oct. 7-10, the conference offered a variety of innovative technology and evidence-based research in the field of nutrition. Three MSU faculty and five undergraduate students attended the event. 

“Attending the annual FNCE is always invigorating! The conference is packed with cutting-edge information about what’s new in nutrition and dietetics,” Murray said. “It’s a great learning experience for all dietitians – no matter how long you have been in the profession.”  

About the event 

This annual event is hosted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, h which is the largest professional organization of nutrition and dietetic professionals in the country.   

“Attending FNCE provided me with invaluable networking opportunities and access to latest trends in nutrition,” said Ashlyn Ooi, senior dietetics student.  

“FNCE offers a unique chance to connect with industry experts, gain insights into cutting-edge research and foster deeper understanding of the field, ultimately advancing my professional development in the world of nutrition and dietetics.” 

The expo showcases innovative food products that support health, good nutrition and offer a variety of alternatives for special dietary needs. 

Yun Ji Kim, senior dietetics student, enjoyed learning about plant-based alternatives at one of the many informative sessions.  

“This knowledge will help me recommend the proper plant-based milk alternatives to future clients and patients based on their individual needs,” Kim said. 

Presentations on relevant topics 

This year, nutrition and dietetics faculty presented their research during the poster presentation session of the conference: 

  • Murray presented her research in student leadership development. 
    • “Exploring How Nutrition and Dietetic Students Make Meaning of Their Educational Experiences and the Impact It Has on Their Leadership Development.” 
  • Gnau and Stephanie Urich, graduate student, presented research on perceived nutrition risks among low-income patient populations.  
    • “Exploring Connections Between Perceived and Actual Nutrition Risk Among Low-income, Uninsured Patients and Their Healthcare Providers.” 

Enjoying the conference 

At the conference, MSU students and alumni had the chance to meet up, taking the opportunity to snap a group picture in front of Denver’s famous “Blue Bear.” 

Students were amazed at how much more there is to learn about the profession outside of the classroom. Topics ranged from leadership, career development, public policy and innovations in clinical dietetics. 

“Attending FNCE was a great experience,” said Cassidy Fontinel, senior dietetics student. “It was a great opportunity for learning, networking and paving the path to my future as a dietitian.” 

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