Health and Human Services News

Staff spotlight: Hillary Mayes

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A Missouri State University alumna, Hillary Mayes has been the director of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) Student Success and Advisement Center (SSAC) since 2019.

Let’s get to know her more.

Hillary Mayes headshot.
Hillary Mayes

Where are you originally from?

I’m from Webb City, Missouri.

Why did you decide to join Missouri State and how long have you been here?

I began working for Missouri State as a graduate assistant in the fall of 2006. Upon earning my graduate degree, I transitioned to an instructor role in MCHHS. I served in that capacity until I transitioned to a staff role in 2019. This academic year is my 19th year on campus.

What do you enjoy most about working at the university?

Finding ways in which we can effectively work with and support our students while they navigate their academic journeys is most important to me.

What’s your educational background?

I earned my BA in Psychology from Mizzou and my MS in Psychology – industrial-organizational track from Missouri State.

What does your current role at the university entail?

Am I allowed to just say “a lot of different things” and leave it at that? Like every position, my role and the role of the Student Success and Advisement Center is multi-faceted. I feel like my job must continuously evolve so that the focus of my work always aligns with the objectives of the college and university. First and foremost, our office supports student success-related activities and initiatives within the college. We work to ensure students feel as though our office can serve as a safe space and as an informational hub that can help them navigate their time at Missouri State. A lot of what we do centers upon communication, collaboration, problem-solving and building relationships.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from this job so far?

Forming and maintaining positive relationships with the team of people you work closely with is paramount to success. I’ve learned I can tolerate a lot when the team that surrounds me is strong and supportive (our SSAC team is amazing, by the way).

Why did you choose this area of work?

I didn’t intentionally seek out this pathway, so I can’t say there was this “a-ha moment” when I decided this is the career I want to pursue.  As a graduate assistant, I had the opportunity to learn about and engage with various aspects of college/university operations. It was this experience that helped me better understand the different roles on campus and how my interests, skills and abilities could fit within. I most enjoy work that makes me feel challenged and engaged.

What type of work did you do prior to Missouri State?

I’ve had some prior experience related to admissions, recruitment and career services in higher education. I’ve also worked for an attorney, as well as in retail and food service.

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

I enjoy what many would consider “traditional” Thanksgiving foods/flavors (particularly the side dishes, not so much the turkey), but I don’t follow any specific “traditions” in my household.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I enjoy shopping, particularly online, or at boutiques, antique stores/flea markets and specialty stores. I like to find fun and unique items, especially those that I can gift to others.

Learn more about the MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center

How RStats turns data into direction

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Research can feel overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. 

That’s why the RStats Institute within the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) exists — to make the process easier, less intimidating and even enjoyable. 

Here, students and faculty work with experts who guide them with clear directions, simple tools and steady support. 

Guiding research at every stage 

The RStats Institute is a free resource dedicated to supporting faculty and students in MCHHS.  

Services include choosing the right design, finding the best measures, selecting proper statistical tests, developing surveys, collecting data and analyzing them using software like JASP, SPSS and Qualtrics. 

“We want students and faculty to feel confident at every step,” said RStats Director Jessica Willis. “Whether they’re designing research or interpreting complex results, we’re here to make the process easier.” 

Most support goes to graduate students working on capstone projects, theses or community-based research. Faculty can also receive help, usually up to three hours per project. 

A history of growth 

The RStats story began in the early 2000s, when Dr. Chantal Levesque, professor in psychology from 2002-2012, and Dr. Wayne Mitchell, faculty emeritus, started helping colleagues with statistical needs.  

They joined forces with the Ozarks Public Health Institute and Dr. Frederick Maxwell, faculty emeritus, to propose a dedicated consulting center. In 2006-07, RStats officially launched within MCHHS.  

During COVID-19, RStats expanded through online consultations, connecting students and faculty from more than 15 programs. Over time, it has grown from basic support to a full-service research hub. 

From student to RStats leader

Jessica Willis
Jessica Willis

A proud Missouri State alumna, Willis earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology in 2015 and 2017, respectively. She also holds a graduate certificate in statistics and research design.  

Before joining RStats, she worked as a health care data analyst for the Missouri Primary Care Association. 

She joined RStats in September 2018 as coordinator and was promoted to director on July 1, 2024. Since then, her focus has shifted more toward overseeing RStats while still teaching ANE 700 each fall. 

In recent years, Dr. Caitlin Masterson, assistant professor in the School of Health Care Professions joined the team to teach research and statistics courses while also providing RStats consultation support. 

Together with two graduate assistants, they form the core team supporting RStats clients. 

The impact in action 

RStats doesn’t just ‘do the stats.’ It teaches students how to use them. They learn to run analyses, interpret their findings and share results with confidence. 

“Toward the end of the project, we often see that ‘light bulb’ moment where everything clicks,” Willis said. “They make the connection between theory and practice, and their learning goes beyond just the classroom.” 

Willis shared an example of a project led by Dr. Ashlea Cardin, professor and Master of Occupational Therapy program director.  

She and a few of her OT students studied 150 infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mercy Hospital to understand factors affecting hospital stay and oral feeding progress.  

RStats handled the data analysis, explained the results and assisted in the publication process. The study was published in the Journal of Neonatal Nursing in 2023, a big accomplishment for the team involved. 

“What made this project so impactful was how it showed students the real-world relevance of research and statistics,” Willis said. 

Explore RStats Institute

Welcome new faculty and staff 

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This year, McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) welcomed 36 new faculty and staff members.  

“We’re thrilled they’ve chosen to share their talent, expertise and passion for teaching, research and service with our community,” said Dr. Letitia White Minnis, associate dean of MCHHS.

“At MCHHS, your success is our focus. Welcome aboard! We can’t wait to see the positive impact you all will make in the months and years ahead.”  

Who they are 

The new faculty and staff are joining various schools and departments in MCHHS:  

School of Anesthesia  

School of Health Care Professions  

School of Health Sciences  

School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences  

School of Nursing  

Ozarks Public Health Institute 

Student Success and Advisement Center 

Explore MCHHS

Staff spotlight: Andrew Cole

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Our featured staff member, Andrew Cole, is an academic technology support administrator in the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS).

Andrew Cole
Andrew Cole

Let’s find out more about him.

Where are you originally from?

I’m originally from Moberly, Missouri, but I’ve lived in the Springfield area since 2005.

What brought you to Missouri State and how long have you been here?

I’ve been at Missouri State since early 2018. I always wanted to work in education, and working at a university is a great fit.

What’s your favorite part about working at Missouri State so far?

My favorite part is the wide range of people I’ve met during my time at the university.

What’s your educational background?

I have an Associate of Applied Science degree from Ozarks Technical Community College, with additional coursework in programming and accounting.

Where did you work prior to Missouri State?

I worked in the IT department at the corporate office of Meek Lumber here in Springfield.

What do you do in your role as academic technology support administrator for MCHHS?

I handle the IT support needs of the MU School of Medicine Springfield campus and the Alliance for Healthcare Education at Cox College. When I’m not working at either location, I assist the MCHHS team on the main campus.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I enjoy reading books, watching movies and playing video games.

What holiday tradition is special to you?

I love taking a week off from work to have a movie marathon. I usually watch “The Lord of the Rings” or “Harry Potter” series.

Find out more about MCHHS