Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services Blog -

Success Stories: April 2026

May 6, 2026 by Kallen A. Brown

Hall council members represent their building by creating a safe and welcoming environment for residents to engage in fun and interactive activities while also serving as a liaison of communication between their building and the Residence Hall Association. Because of all of their hard work dedication, our buildings have been able to host events such as, clothing swaps for residents, grocery store bingo where residents could participate in games to win grocery items or laundry essentials, and each hall council has been able to host meeting with our dining facility team so residents could give feedback on changes they would like to see within the dining halls around campus. Because of their dedication to our buildings, we have invited fourteen members back to serve and lead on their hall council executive board next year with the incentive of a $1,000 yearly scholarship!

The Student Talent and Recognition (STAR) awards is an award ceremony held annually to honor outstanding student leaders and student organizations that have been nominated by various faculty, staff, and student organizations around campus. This year we had a handful of Residence Life staff and student leaders nominated for awards! Our Residence Hall Association (RHA) won Sponsored Student Organization of the Year for the work they have put forth to benefit the greater good of our on-campus community. Alongside their win, RHA Advisor, Toni Braddish, also had the honor of accepting the Advisor of the Year award for the work she has put forth to not only help support her student leaders, but for the way she guided them to success!

In addition to winning these awards, Heritage Hrehor won the Resident of the Year award! Heritage is a freshman majoring in biomolecular biology. He serves as the Advocacy Chair for Hammons Hall Council, and additionally serves on the RHA Advocacy Committee as a General Assembly member. When asked what his experience has been like living on campus, Heritage stated, “Living on campus has been a great experience, it allows you to connect with other students, make new friends and be a part of the community. It also changes your perspective on other people, the more individuals you get to know around campus the closer everyone feels. It’s almost as though your next best friend is just greetings away!” In a conversation with Heritage he stated that welcome week was his favorite memory of living on campus and that it’s a must have experience for college students. When asked how recieving this award has impacted him he stated, “I’m very thankful to receive this award. Being nominated resident of the year makes it feel like all the connections made are noticed not just by me, but those around me. Just knowing that I made a difference in others’ lives as a resident gives me great hope for my future as an RA, where I’ll be setting up the next year of bears to be their best. So, in time I’d like to pay it forward and aid as many individuals as possible! Thank you so much for the award and it means the world to me! GO BEARSSS!!!” Thank you to our staff and student leaders for your amazing work!

This spring semester all of our hall councils have been hard at work to plan their signature events. Each signature event raises awareness and provides an educational component for every resident that attends the event. The signature events include Woodstock, hosted by Woods Hall Council; an event that teaches residents about drug/alcohol awareness. Connection carnival, hosted by both the Holars and Hammons Hall council; an event that teaches residents about healthy relationships and sexual health. Mindfulness Masquerade, hosted by Apartments Hall Council; an event is geared towards teaching residents about mindfulness and mental health. RootBeer Kegger, hosted by Wells Hall Council; an event that helps to raise awareness of alcohol abuse. Block party, hosted by both Blair- Shannon and Freddy Hall Council; an event geared toward raising awareness about the importance of sustainability. Stop, Drop, and Dance, hosted by Heitz hall council; an event that taught residents about fire safety. Clue, hosted by Kentwood Hall Council; an event that taught residents about the history of Kentwood. Each of these events requires months of planning and many hours of execution. This work would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of our staff, whose efforts ensure that our student leaders are able to host these events with ease. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication in making these events possible!

Spring 2026 Semester Closing Information

April 17, 2026 by Tyler J. Barton

Hello!

As you begin to prepare for finals, we want to share information about the move-out process and what steps you may need to take, as well as information regarding summer housing options.

Our buildings close at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

All Resident Assistants (RAs) will be hosting closing floor meetings between April 16 and April 24. It’s important you attend because they will cover everything you need to know to check out and avoid being charged for damages / cleanliness. Also, ensure your forwarding address is updated for mail and package processing. Consider updating your delivery address with Amazon and other online retailers.

All residents have two different options to properly check-out:

Option #1 – Check out with an RA.

You will need to sign up for a day and time to be checked out by an RA. Please do this as soon as possible, but at least 24 hours before you plan on checking out. Information should be available for you on your floor and throughout your building. On the day you plan to depart, please remove your belongings, clean your space, and then meet with the RA you signed up with so they can inspect your room and take your keys and access card.

Option #2 – Express Checkout Process.

On the day you are ready to depart, remove your belongings, clean your space, and then report to the front desk. Inform the desk you want to do an Express Checkout. You will then be provided an envelope to fill out. Follow the instructions on the envelope to return your keys and access card. Please note that your living space will still be inspected by a staff member after you are gone. Please note that you will not have the right to appeal any charges if you complete an Express Checkout.

Failure to properly check out using one of the two options above prior to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9 will result in various fees:

Improper Checkout: $75
Keys & Access Card Replacement: $95
Packing Fee: $150 minimum (if necessary)
Damages/Cleanliness: varies based on the condition of your room

Starting April 30, 2026 at 10:00 p.m., quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (23 hours a day) daily for the remainder of the semester.

If you are taking intersession classes and need to request housing beyond 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9:

You will need to complete the Summer 2026 housing application and specify the dates you need housing. All students with a summer housing contract will move to Hutchens House (unless you currently live in Sunvilla or Monroe). You will be emailed your room assignment and move-in information prior to May 9.

You can find the housing application by going to the following:

My.MissouriState.edu, Housing card, Housing Application link, Summer 2026.

We wish you good luck on your finals. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services
417-836-5536 / ResidenceLife@MissouriState.edu

Success Stories: March 2026

March 31, 2026 by Kallen A. Brown

Amir is a freshman majoring in electrical engineering and is a current resident of Wells House. He currently serves as the Treasurer on the board of the Wells Hall Council. Amir stated, “I have loved my experience living on campus because it’s where I’ve met many of my closest friends. Being involved in Hall Council has also helped me grow and develop in many aspects, including leadership, teamwork, and being more involved in my community.” We want to brag on Amir for their amazing work in Hall Council. one of Amir’s peers said that “Amir is one of our greatest members on the Hall Council. Being able to conduct and analyze our funds effectively has truly been a huge help. Additionally, he is a vibrant and outstanding resident of Wells. Everyone loves Amir and he is always a friendly face to see in Wells.” Thank you, Amir, for being an amazing resident and student leader!

Mike is the evening supervisor at The Food Hall at Garst Dining Center. Mike has worked at MSU for a year and a half, and his favorite part of working at MSU has been the busy pace and his connection with his co-workers. Mike recently went above and beyond to help support our residence life team with their dining experience. “Mike is always helpful, yet this evening was especially gracious and went above and beyond to support colleagues in Residence Life. Mike not only helped get ticketed meals for employees in the moment but wrote names on the boxes to help keep their orders known, found a box to ease transport, and offered to help me carry the to go meals to Hutchens. This was exemplary service and very much appreciated, especially on a challenging evening. Thank you Mike!!!” Thank you Mike for being such an integral part of our team here at Missouri State!

Gabriella is a sophomore double majoring in theatre and cybersecurity. Gabriella has lived on campus for two years, and is a current resident of Monroe Apartments. She serves as the Advocacy and Service Coordinator for Residence Hall Association, President for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, is a general member of the National Residence Hall Honorary, and a University Ambassador. We want to brag on Gabriella for their amazing work preparing and presenting “How to Submit the Perfect RPF” during winter RA training. When talking to Gabriella about her presentation she stated, “My presentation explained the process of how RA event items they order are bought, and how to improve their RPFs to increase the efficiency of buying those items and to increase the chances they get exactly what they wanted. This helped demystify how items are bought in the department and answer questions many RAs had.” Since her presentation, many of our RA’s and staff have expressed how thankful they are for the presentation and information she gave. Thank you Gabriella for being an amazing student leader!

Spring Break 2026 Information

March 6, 2026 by Tyler J. Barton

Important Dates

March 14 – March 22 (Spring Break): Blair-Shannon, Freddy, Wells, and Woods close at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14.
March 14 – March 21: Dining Centers will be closed.
March 22: Closed Residence Halls open at 8:00 a.m.; Blair-Shannon Dining Center opens at 10:00 a.m.

Staying On-Campus During Spring Break?

If you live in Hammons, Heitz, Hutchens, Kentwood, Monroe, Scholars, or Sunvilla, your building remains open during the break periods, you are able to come and go from your on-campus space as much as you please! If you will be staying on campus at any point, be sure to check out our Break Housing Resources webpage for any important information during that time. We encourage you to display an occupied sign on your door, and signs are available at your front desk.

Need Housing During Spring Break?

Do you live in Blair-Shannon, Freddy, Wells, or Woods, and need housing during break? A limited number of spaces are available on campus for $25/night. If you have this need, please visit our Break Housing webpage to submit a request.

Mail Service During Break

Please be aware that mail service to residence halls will look different during Spring Break.

Mail and packages will be processed during the break for the buildings that remain open (HA, HE, HU, KE, MO SC, SU). Scholars residents should visit the Hutchens House front desk on an individual basis for any mail or packages that may have been delivered.

Mail service to closed residence halls (BS, FR, WE, WO) will be suspended during break. There will be no access to mail during these times, as the reception desks are not staffed. If you are expecting an important piece of mail or packages, please make sure it is delivered before your residence hall closes or make other arrangements for delivery.

Normal mail delivery for all buildings will resume on Monday, March 23.

Room Checks

All student rooms will be checked at the beginning of break (Saturday, March 14) to ensure rooms are prepped to use energy efficient practices, review rooms for facility needs, etc. During this time, Residence Life staff members will be entering all student rooms.

We wish you a safe and restful Spring Break! Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services
417-836-5536 / ResidenceLife@MissouriState.edu

Success Stories: February 2026

February 27, 2026 by Kallen A. Brown

Our MSU campus will be hosting the MACURH Regional Business Conference, February 26 – March 1. Our conference staff is made up of 11 student leaders, one graduate assistant, and three full-time staff advisors. While the entire conference team is has worked hard to make this conference come to life, we spoke to Sam Rudoy, RBC Conference Chair, to learn more about the conference preparation experience. Sam is a senior pursuing her Bacheolor’s in socio-political communication with a minor in non-profit leadership. Sam lives on-campus in Monroe apartments and holds many leadership positions in organizations across campus. She is the National Communications Coordinator for the Residence Hall Association and a Mentor for the Bears Mentoring Bears program.

When asked what the most challenging part of planning the conference was, she stated, “ensuring the completion of tasks that weren’t mine – with fourteen other awesome people working in fourteen different areas, it was hard to keep track of everything at times!” Sam has expressed that she is very excited to new and returning attendees at the conference, and she hopes they take away how meaningful it is to make connections. The conference theme for this year is Roadmap to Growth, which symbolizes the “focus on one’s leadership journey rather than the destination.” Sam said, “We want to take delegates on their own road trip, if you will, and help them create their own roadmaps to growth in their leadership roles. The meaning behind our ‘Roadmap to Growth’ theme is that while we all have individual paths, they’ve all intersected and led us to RBC. We want to celebrate that!” Thank you Sam and the Conference team for making this conference a possibility!

Sam Rudoy – Conference Chair, Gabriella Coambes – Finance Chair, Matt Koczan – Safety/Accessibility, and Transportation Chair, Benjamin Crawford and Kenzie Mullins – Marketing and Spirit Chairs, Maggie Murphy – Dining Chair, Zoe Stevens – Housing Chair, Peyton Griffith – Volunteer Coordinator, Triona Leach – Sponsorship Chair, Sadie Hugelman – Philanthropy Chair, Sarah Desmond – Technology Chair, Winston Laughlin – Registration Chair, Toni Braddish – Advisor, Andrew Thompson – Advisor, Reagan Mulungi Mwenyi – Advisor

Kai Jones is a sophomore majoring in vocal music education. Kai is a Resident Assistant in Kentwood Hall and has lived on campus for two years. Aside from being an RA, Kai is also a member of the Missouri Choral Directors Association. Kai said, “living on campus makes it very easy to get in touch with friends that also live on campus because they are just a short walk away.” We want to brag on Kai for going above and beyond in their duties as an RA. When Kai was visiting Hammons House, the fire alarm went off. There was one RA who was unable to clear their own floor, and Kai stepped in to help make sure that all of the necessary procedures were followed and the floor was clear of residents. Thank you for being an amazing Student Leader!

Kierstin Howard, Assistant Coordinator for Leadership Development and Programming, has worked at MSU for 4.5 years, starting as a Desk Assistant, serving as an RA, and now as a graduate assistant! Her favorite part of working at MSU has been the people, Kierstin stated. “This is my 5th year at Missouri State, and I truly consider it home. The people are the reason I’ve stayed and grown here, and I aim to return some of that kindness and support to students who may need it as I did.” She has mentored both RHA and NRHH student leaders to successfully host educational and social programs. Most recently, Kierstin helped a student leader execute the restructured version of Silver Bells, a large-scale banquet that is put on to recognize the hard work of student leaders like RA’s, Hall Councils, and Desk Assistants. The event was well received, and all our student leaders left feeling fulfilled in the work they do. It was said that “all of this wouldn’t be possible without the personal steps taken at the advisory level, which Kierstin is a large part of!”

When talking with Kierstin about this, she stated, “in terms of Silver Bells specifically, Zoe Stevens – RHA’s Leadership Development Coordinator, was the brains behind Silver Bells’ restructuring. I just had the opportunity to listen and translate the reasoning to other staff members. Really, the students do all the hard work!” Thank you, Kierstin, for being a champion for student success!

Inspired by Missouri Good Neighbor Week, the motto for Residence Life going into the 2026-2027 academic year, was to “Be a Good Neighbor.” Residence Life staff were encouraged to focus on our opportunities to be a good neighbor to our coworkers and residents and intentionally engage in our community as we began the spring semester. In acknowledgment of our theme, we provided staff members with a “neighBEAR” shirt to wear on BearWear Friday’s, as a way to help us keep positive community connections top of mind.