August is always a big month for Residence Life as more than 3,500 students arrive on campus to move into their new home away from home. While move-in may look like a simple weekend on the surface—as Teresa Frederick, Director of Residence Life, details in an interview with KSMU—it takes a department-wide effort to make it all happen. From the moment students pull up to campus, they are greeted by a community ready to help them get settled, find their way around and feel at home. 

 

   

One of the biggest parts of that welcome comes from Bear Crew, a volunteer program that brings together current students, faculty and staff to help incoming residents move their belongings into their rooms. 

This year, approximately 560 Bear Crew Volunteers, 23 Bear Crew Leaders and 70 Faculty/Staff Volunteers came together to lend a hand. Collectively, these volunteers contributed more than 1,900 hours over move-in, carrying boxes, hauling carts and helping students navigate those first moments on campus. For many students, these interactions are among their very first experiences at MSU—and a friendly face and helping hand can make a big difference. 

Another important part of keeping move-in running smoothly was the work of our University Safety team. Throughout the weekend, team members put in long hours directing traffic, providing directions and helping families and students navigate campus safely and efficiently. Stationed at residence halls and key points around campus, they helped keep traffic moving and made sure residents could get where they needed to go. Working through the heat and the busy pace of move-in, the team was there to answer questions, offer assistance and help make the arrival process as seamless as possible. Their presence was another important piece of the campus-wide effort to welcome our Bears home.

Of course, moving is hard work, and all that unpacking requires plenty of fuel! Our Dining Services team was busy throughout the weekend, serving 6,464 meals in the dining centers from Friday through Sunday. When retail dining locations are included, that number jumps to an impressive 8,518 meals served during move-in weekend. 

There was also a new addition to campus dining this year. Located on the first floor of Heitz House, Coffee Ethic made its debut during opening weekend, bringing the familiar blends of its downtown homebase to campus. For students, families and volunteers looking for a quick coffee break amid the hustle and bustle, it was a welcome new stop. 

Getting moved into a residence hall is only the beginning. Once the boxes are inside and the door closes, students still have plenty of questions—and occasionally, a few things that need fixing. Our Residential Technical Services team completed 68 tickets during move-in, assisting with internet connections, technology questions and other technical needs. At the same time, our custodial and maintenance teams worked behind the scenes to keep the halls running smoothly, completing 58 TMA work orders in just two days. These may seem like small details, but they are the things that help transform a residence hall room into a comfortable home. 

The move-in experience doesn’t end once the last box is carried upstairs. Throughout the weekend and the days that followed, students had opportunities to meet their neighbors, explore campus and begin building the connections that make residence life special. RHA helped add some fun to the weekend with a room decor bingo activity and handed out more than 240 pounds of snow cones.  

Another important part of the welcome was House Calls, our annual program that brings faculty and staff volunteers into the residence halls to connect with students. Volunteers visit residents’ rooms, answer questions, share information about campus resources and, most importantly, let students know that they have a community here at MSU. This year, 112 faculty and staff volunteers participated in House Calls, helping extend the welcome well beyond move-in weekend. 

 

Behind every statistic from move-in is a story: a student arriving on campus for the first time, a family unloading a car, a volunteer carrying one more box, a dining team member serving another meal, or a staff member answering a question that helps a student feel a little more at ease. 

More than 3,500 students moved into their new homes this August, supported by hundreds of volunteers and staff members who gave their time, energy and expertise to make the transition a success. Move-in is a lot of boxes, carts, meals, work orders and busy schedules—but at its heart, it is about one thing: welcoming our Bears home. 

Many of our staff and former student leaders have a passion for theater and film. This summer season is an exciting time for many of staff as they will be starring in and releasing their own productions. From May 29-June 27 one of our staff members and two former student leaders are starring in Hightide theatrical’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. Elian Mackey, Hammons House Hall Director will star as Seymour Krelborn, Ashtin Umstattd, former RHA Executive Board Member will star as Audrey, and Miles Stamper, former RA will star as Orin Scrivello (The Dentist). 

Molly Crawford, Business Services Graduate Assistant, is working to release her own short film called “Shot Day.” Molly shared the trailer for her short film on June 28, and will be airing her film at the beginning of August at one of the local theaters in Springfield. Congratulations to our staff and student leaders on all their exciting adventures!

This month we would like to brag on Tim McIver. Tim is a Maintenance Technician II on our facilities team. This summer many of our incoming students are touring the residence halls during SOAR. Tim has went above and beyond to ensure the building is in tip top shape: changing lightbulbs, deep cleaning corners, and responding to issues quickly. The Blair-Shannon Hall Director shared that  “He’s so proactive in everything with residents. He takes pride in the building. He helps residents when he can and makes the building look good.” Thank you, Tim, for all your hard work! 

Kenzie Mullins, a returning RA for Sunvilla Apartments, is currently interning with ACUHOI at North Dakota State University. During her time NDSU she has presented at the NACURH annual conference on leadership styles, worked on curriculum pieces for NDSU Hall Councils and RA’s, created a community building presentation for their fall student leader training, filled in for a vacant Hall Director positions during orientation days, and planned and facilitated leadership experiences for incoming students. She is making so many valuable connections with professionals across the field, as well as learning new processes to improve our own at Missouri State. Congratulations Kenzie, keep up the hard work! 

Roaming with Residence Life is a monthly event hosted by a small committee to give our staff a chance to connect with people from all areas of the department that they may not normally get to see or work with. These outings are a great way for our staff in every department to connect, build relationships, boost morale, and provide an opportunity to step away from the office, get some fresh air, and enjoy being together outside of the work environment. Some of the most recent outings have been to Wendy’s, Andy’s frozen custard, and Potters House. Upcoming outings hope to include sporting events and the zoo!

 

The Leadership Institute at MSU is a hands-on leadership development program designed to equip students with the skills, experience, and confidence to lead in different environments. This spring semester our Student Resource Center had the opportunity to host their first cohort of students within this program. Among this cohort was former RA Shawnewa Dahozy, current RA Sadie Hugelman, and incoming RA Erin Seals. As part of their experience within this program, they participated and attended three workshops centered around our public affairs mission and completed a series of projects/milestones connected to each workshop. After completion of this program the three student leaders attended a ceremony where they earned a certificate and medallion for the work they put into the program. During the ceremony, incoming RA Erin Seals had the opportunity of giving a speech where she talked about her growth: learning  how to actively analyze disparities, mobilize student leaders, and enhance advocacy skills. With her speech, she mentioned how the Leadership Institute and its leaders were a model for growth and development in helping students feel confident and prepared to lead within their leadership positions. Congratulations on your amazing work, we couldn’t be prouder! 

 

In late May, some of our student leaders got to attend the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) conference at Texas A&M University. During this conference, several of our team members were recognized for the outstanding contributions they put forth this year. Sam Rudoy was recognized as Conference Chair of the Year. Each year NACURH has 17 conference chairs, one for each of the conferences held across the 8 regions and one at the national level. This year Sam was one of two conference chairs selected to receive this award, based on her contributions as the conference chair for MACURH’s 2026 Regional Business conference. Additionally, Sierra Chitwood was recognized for completing an online advisor training module. This year NACURH offered these modules to advisors all across the country and they range from basic advising skills and attending conferences. Each module consists of videos, workbook activities, and connecting with advisors across the country. At NACURH Sierra was recognized for completing the conference attendance track. Thank you, Sam and Sierra, for your hard work! 

 

Our student employees play a vital role in maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all students, staff, and guests. Our Conference Assistants are among this dedicated group of student employees. During the summer season our Conference Assistants help provide housing for thousands of both youth and adult guests attending conferences on our campus. The work they put forth each summer is essential to delivering a positive and successful conference experience for every guest staying in our residence halls. Thank you to our Conference Assistants for the hard work and commitment you are preparing to give this conference season, we truly appreciate all that you do! 

 

Our RAs work hard all year to support our residents while also achieving academic success. This academic year they achieved a 3.62 cumulative GPA! Way to go RAs!

 

Our maintenance and facilities team are working hard this year to make improvements to our residential laundry facilities! New washers and dryers have been placed in several residence hall laundry rooms, and the process will continue through the 2026-27 year. We want to extend a huge thank you to our facilities and maintenance teams who helped plan, order, and install all of the machines to better serve our students!

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!