Where are the best walking paths on campus? What are our top traditions? And which seasons take your breath away?

We caught up with some team members who support academic affairs to learn a little about their work and to get their Missouri State tips — including campus life hacks, favorite ways to style BearWear and recommendations for can’t-miss events.

Susan Blades

Susan Blades just completed her first year in a new role at the provost’s office. As someone who values responsibility, organization and cooperation, she loves it when her work calls for her to take on a big project. If you want to make her day, just ask about her adorable grandchildren. “You better have a seat!” she says.

• Favorite Spot on Campus: “There are many beautiful spots, thanks to our talented landscaping and gardening staff,” she says. “However, I have to choose the themed memorial garden near the PSU — if I’ve piqued your curiosity, go check it out!”
• Can’t-Miss Events: She loves Staff Appreciation Week, particularly the ice cream social with its popular root beer floats. And Tent Theatre’s Staff Appreciation Night has become a special tradition for her. “I take my sister to it every year,” she says.
• In Her Free Time: You might spot her in an art supplies aisle. She loves to get crafty, especially when she has a chance to create gifts for her grandkids or custom floral arrangements.

Rhonda Breshears

Rhonda Breshears began her current role at the provost’s office in 2023. She loves that her job involves helping others — students, faculty and colleagues. “The campus feels like a big family,” she says. When people take time to let her know they appreciate her work, she says, “it means the world to me.” And we hear that she always appreciates a gift card for coffee.

• Campus Life Hacks: First, she recommends reading Inside Missouri State every Tuesday morning, calling it “vital to what’s going on in the MSU world.” She also suggests loading your BearPass with faculty/staff dining dollars — and making sure you get the benefit of the bonus dollars that come with specific increments. “And take full advantage of Magers Health and Wellness Center — it’s wonderful!” she says. Finally, when you need customized items, she recommends keeping your purchase on campus with the McDonald Student Entrepreneurship Lab, located in Glass Hall. “They rock!” she says, noting that she’s ordered a range of goods and housewares from them.
• Favorite Spot on Campus: She enjoys every spot where flowers bloom and praises the outstanding work of the groundskeeping team. A particular fave? “I love seeing the banana tree over by Cheek Hall as it grows tall all summer!” she says.
• Most Bearrrific Time of Year: She loves the fall foliage, but summer flowers also make her smile. Even in winter, she says, “I love coming across campus early in the morning when it’s still dark. The campus looks magical, and I love seeing Carrington Hall with the sunrise reflecting off the front of the building.”

Mary Lynne Golden

Mary Lynne Golden has been a friendly face in the provost’s office since 2009. She says it feels great when, “at the end of the day, I know that I’ve completed the tasks for the day, helped people that needed help and made the boss happy.” And if you want to share some sunshine with her, just recognize her work and let her know that it makes a difference for you.

• Campus Life Hacks: Like Breshears, she’s had great experiences with the McDonald Student Entrepreneurship Lab, and she loves that it supports students in our management programs. This is the same reason she says, “I always recommend dining at Carrie’s Cafe when it’s open. Not only is the food really good; it also supports our students and our hospitality leadership program.”
• Most Bearrrific Time of Year: It’s all about the fall. She’s a fan of the breathtaking show the campus’s trees put on for us each year.
• In Her Free Time: Find her at a theater near you! She enjoys unwinding at the movies.

Rose Lee

Rose Lee has been part of the College of Education team since 2013. She loves that in her job, she gets to help people, particularly when it involves collaborating with colleagues. In her spare time, she creates her own cards. “That’s my happy place!” she says, so if you want to treat her, she’ll always be happy to receive small card-making materials like glues and stamps. “And actually,” she says, “the quickest way to my heart is a smile.”

• Campus Life Hacks: She shared two, both of which promote good self-care. “The Union Club has the most wonderful salad bar,” she says. Even on days she doesn’t make it there, she loves “to take a quick walk, watch the squirrels and enjoy the campus.”
• Now, Make It Maroon: On BearWear Fridays, you’ll often find her in Missouri State tees or dresses. (And in what could qualify as a bonus “campus life hack,” she tells us that she stocks up on BearWear during the Bookstore’s annual Tent Sale.) “I love adding maroon shoes and bracelets and bear jewelry of any kind,” she says. “I’m always on the hunt!”
• Can’t-Miss Events: “I love all the special events for staff,” she says, specifically mentioning Tent Theatre’s Staff Appreciation Night and Pineapple Whip Day — along with the fun energy of Fountain Day.

Gale Lininger

Gale Lininger has been at home in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CNAS) since 2004 and part of the CNAS dean’s office since 2009. In her role, she loves “getting to know our students, their accomplishments and research and then being part of their graduation.”  When you want to show her you’re thankful for her work, nothing beats thank-you notes. “I appreciate each thoughtful one,” she says.

• Favorite Spot on Campus: “The Pit” in Blunt Hall.
• Now, Make it Maroon: On BearWear Friday, you might find her sporting a tee that promotes the university’s public affairs mission. She loves this chance to shine a light on the work of Mary Ann Wood and Stacey Trewatha-Bach in the office of public affairs support.
• In Her Free Time: You’ll run into her at events hosted by the Springfield Sertoma Club or puttering around in her yard.

Blanca Mallonee

Since 2020, Blanca Mallonee has been part of the division of student success — which is dedicated to supporting students as they pursue their degrees — so it’s no surprise that seeing them graduate is her favorite part of her job. She tells us that “compliments, acts of kindness, smiles and good Starbucks drinks” are guaranteed to brighten her day.

• Favorite Spot on Campus: The seating area on the West Mall, near the Fountains, especially when the Carillon is playing.
• Now, Make It Maroon: She loves to style her BearWear with a tennis skirt and a pair of her trademark Converse shoes.
• In Her Free Time: She might be the friendly face that greets you at Springfield Little Theatre, where she enjoys volunteering. You’ll also find her spending time with family and friends.

Aaron Qiu

Aaron Qiu has been a helpful presence in the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities since 2018. He loves that in his role, he gets to exercise his problem-solving skills while also getting to help students and witness progress as it’s happening. It’s easy to make his day — just ask him to take a walk around campus with you.

• Campus Life Hack: When you’re on campus after sunset, be sure to swing by Meyer Library, which he says “looks great at night!”
• Favorite Spot on Campus: He loves the quintessentially collegiate vibes and sure-to-see-someone-you-know serendipity of the walking path in front of Carrington Hall.
• Most Bearrrific Time of Year: It’s tough to choose! Fall and spring are equally lovely in his eyes.

Lisa Taylor

Lisa Taylor has been part of the Graduate College since 2015. It’s a place where she can “help students and faculty fulfill their desire for a better career path.” She gets to be part of the full cycle — from the funding stage, where they might get support for a research agenda, all the way to the presentation stage, where individual researchers and the whole institution get recognized for their achievements. If you want to brighten her day, a simple “thank you” or acknowledgement will do the trick.

• Campus Life Hack: “The Breast Cancer Awareness luncheon and the Valentine’s luncheon always have the best desserts!”
• Favorite Spot on Campus: She loves the view from the Union Club, “where you can look out and see so much activity on campus, especially during the fall and spring semesters,” she says.
• Most Bearrrific Time of Year: It’s spring. “When the dogwood trees between Carrington Hall and the PSU bloom, they are beautiful!” she says.

Around Campus…

Hill Hall, the home of the College of Education (COE), is turning 100 years old. When you consider that teacher training is part of Missouri State’s heritage — and that we graduate more teachers than any other institution in the state — you start to understand how many Missouri educators have walked through this historic building’s doors. It’s a great reason to celebrate.

This Homecoming, COE will welcome faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends to festivities that are themed “Still in Our Teaching Era.” Attendees will have the chance to tour Hill Hall and the one-room schoolhouse. They’ll also enjoy delicious food, “Still in Our Teaching Era” tees, a photo booth, live music, performances and presentations. And in a touch that will make any teacher smile, attendees will receive a special hall pass to commemorate Hill Hall’s 100 years.

COE Dean Dr. Barri Tinkler tells us to expect “fun, history and community.” She calls it “a day to honor our history and celebrate our future.”

Event Details

• What: Still in Our Teaching Era: Celebrating 100 Years of Hill Hall
• When: Saturday, October 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where: John Goodman Amphitheatre
• More information: On the event’s webpage