One of the things I’ve come to appreciate most about Missouri State University is how deeply our work connects to the communities we serve. Nowhere is that more evident than in our College of Education.
From preparing future teachers to partnering with rural schools, this college is living out our public affairs mission every day.
Leadership and continuity
I want to begin by recognizing a leadership transition in the college. Effective July 1, Dr. Marjorie Shavers will serve as interim dean as Dean Barri Tinkler returns to a faculty position.
As associate dean, Dr. Shavers has advanced strategic initiatives, academic programs, faculty development and external engagement. I appreciate her willingness to step into this role.
I also want to thank Dr. Tinkler for her leadership and service, first as interim dean beginning in 2021 and then as dean since 2022. Her steady guidance has strengthened the college and its impact on students, faculty and our community.
I’m confident the college will be in good hands.
Faculty excellence
College of Education faculty members continue to earn recognition across the state.
Most recently, Dr. Kayla Robinson and Dr. Chloe Bolyard received awards at the 2026 Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Conference. Their recognition reflects the quality of our faculty and their dedication to preparing future educators.
Supporting rural schools
Through the Center for Rural Education, the college is strengthening partnerships that support student success across Missouri. The center is in the second year of its Grad Partnership grant, working with 10 rural school districts to implement student success systems. Among the school districts are Alton, Eminence, Fair Play, Hollister and Pleasant Hope.
This effort is made possible through a grant funded by the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University and connects us to a national Rural Schools Cohort, which is facilitated by the Rural Schools Collaborative. In addition, the center recently received a highly competitive Community Collaboration Challenge grant through the Partnership for Student Success. Out of 700 applicants nationwide, Missouri State was selected.
In February, the center hosted its second annual Rural Summit on campus, bringing together 14 rural superintendents, principals and teachers. The event reflected the power of listening, connection and collaboration to elevate rural voices.
Growing our educator pipeline
To continue meeting workforce needs, we must be intentional about building strong pathways into the profession.
Our partnership with Springfield Public Schools continues to grow. The Future Educators program
is now in its fourth year. It welcomed 23 students last fall, and this spring a record 54 people applied for the next cohort. That momentum shows students are excited about becoming educators, and they see Missouri State as the place to begin that journey.
SPS has also joined our Pathways for Paras program, helping paraprofessionals earn their degrees and advance their careers. This effort is meeting people where they are and helping them take the next step.
Inside Greenwood
At Greenwood Laboratory School, students continue to engage in high-impact learning experiences that prepare them to excel.
Science Olympiad has grown into the school’s largest student organization, with 62 middle and high school students participating this year. Both teams earned second place at regionals. They also competed against nationally ranked programs, honing skills in science, engineering and teamwork.
The school’s seniors are making an impact through the Senior Exhibition, a capstone experience that combines research, community service and public presentation. This project reflects our public affairs mission, particularly community engagement and ethical leadership.
Another achievement to celebrate – Tristan Khoshyomn (Class of 2026) was named a finalist in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship program. This recognition places him among the top students in the country as less than 1% of U.S. seniors are selected as finalists.
To Dean Tinkler and the entire College of Education team, thank you for the meaningful work you do to support our students and serve our communities. Your efforts continue Missouri State’s proud legacy as a leader in educator preparation in our state.
In memoriam
As we move closer toward the end of this academic year, we want to take time to remember members of our campus community we’ve lost in recent months. Please join us for the Campus-wide Memorial Service at 4 p.m. April 23 to honor their lives and reflect on the impact they left behind.
A special performance
I want to close with a positive note from earlier this month. Thanks to an invitation from the New York-based production company National Concerts, music professor Dr. Cameron LaBarr got to guest conduct a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York on April 11, along with South African conductor Michael Barrett. Missouri State alumna and Dr. LaBarr’s wife, Susan, was composer-in-residence for the project and they performed several of her works.
Participating in the concert were also their 11-year-old son, Elliott, who played the bongos; Parker Payne, Missouri State’s artist-in-residence and collaborative pianist; and 10 students and alumni within the festival choir. Congratulations to all of them on this tremendous honor.
It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff