Two faculty members of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) have been selected for Missouri State University’s 2025 community service award.

Associate Professor Dr. Judith Martinez and Associate Professor Dr. Elizabeth Dudash-Buskirk received the Excellence in Community Service Award during a ceremony Jan. 28.

The award recognizes MSU personnel who give back to their communities outside their normal work capacity.

“The 2025 recipients have all exceled at demonstrating how the public affairs mission can be put into action,” said Stacey Trewatha-Bach, assistant director of the Office of Public Affairs Support.

The award is presented annually to two faculty and two staff members. Each honoree receives a plaque and a one-time cash award of $1,500, funded by the MSU Foundation.

MSU staff members Carrie High, Custodial Services, and Crockett Oaks III, Business Support Services at the West Plains campus, were also recognized.

Dr. Judith Martinez

Dr. Judith Martinez, from the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions, has taught at MSU for over 20 years. She was recognized by the university for her work with multiple causes.

Martinez holds leadership roles in the Minorities Business Association, Leadership Springfield, Sister Cities, Junior League and the A Girl Like Me Network. She also volunteers as a translator for the Drew Lewis Foundation and the Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks.

“I was very happy my work for the past two decades was acknowledged, since I strive to live up to [MSU’s] public affairs mission,” she said.

Martinez admits that balancing her community work with her job at MSU can sometimes be challenging.

“I struggle finding enough time as a researcher and professor,” she said. “I also have many committees and service [activities] to complete at MSU. But I want to give this community my best and it is part of my values. Making time to serve is what makes my job meaningful.”

Makes volunteerism part of teaching

Martinez makes sure she models her volunteerism in her teaching. As one example, during the COVID-19 pandemic Martinez encouraged her students to volunteer as tutors. Her students assisted others who needed help when schools went online but could not afford private tutoring services.

“This allowed them to view the world from a different perspective and apply their knowledge and feel the satisfaction of using their talents to serve others,” she said.

“The Springfield community has been very kind to me since I arrived,” Martinez continued. “My church people, my yoga teachers, my Zumba friends, and every group I am a part of has been very friendly and caring. I want to give back to make this community an outstanding place for future generations.”

Dr. Elizabeth Dudash-Buskirk

Dr. Elizabeth Dudash-Buskirk has taught in the Department of Communication, Media and Journalism for nearly two decades. Her journey into volunteerism began in 2015 when the City of Springfield sought her expertise on civil public discourse. In response, she started the Be Civil, Be Heard project.

Since then, Dudash-Buskirk has expanded her volunteer efforts to include several community-building initiatives. Two of these are the City of Nixa’s U-Turn in Education and the Nixa Share Project. She also finds time to volunteer at local animal rescue charities.

Dudash-Buskirk said she was “excited and surprised,” to be acknowledged. “Ever since this award was opened, I knew it would be great to be a part of it,” she noted.

Volunteerism reflects public affairs mission

Dudash-Buskirk hopes her efforts reflect both the ethical leadership and cultural competence pillars of MSU’s public affairs mission.

“Being the president of a board or a weekly volunteer at a shelter reminds me that we need to work together at all levels in our community,” she said. “I have read books to children, cleaned up after cats and dogs, advocated for libraries and helped my friends become more involved.”

Leading by example is key to Dudash-Buskirk’s teaching. She encourages her students to “become involved” in some manner.

“Teaching has always been a passion. It gives me opportunities I never thought I would have to work in the community,” she said. “I teach my students that we cannot always control things from the top-down. But one thing we can do is serve our community and make it better.”