School of Humanities and Social Sciences Archives

Graduating senior Michael Guilfoy finds purpose in global citizenship

May 5, 2025 by Damilola R. Oyedeji

For Missouri State University senior Michael Guilfoy, college was more than earning a degree. It was also about stepping beyond his comfort zone and finding purpose in unexpected places.

As he graduates this May with dual majors in political science and modern languages (German), Guilfoy reflects on a college experience that transformed his worldview and laid the foundation for a future in international education.

Taking risks helps clarify career path

When Guilfoy first arrived at Missouri State from St. Louis in fall 2021, he was not exactly sure what he wanted to do.

Young man in suit standing in state legislation room — Guilfoy was recognized on the Missouri House and Senate floors after receiving Missouri State University’s Citizen Scholar Award.

“I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to study,” Guilfoy said. “MSU offered generous scholarships and a wide range of programs that allowed me to explore.”

Over the next four years, Guilfoy challenged himself to pursue new experiences, from applying for internships and studying abroad to traveling solo in foreign countries.

“I’m proud of the personal growth that came from trying new things,” Guilfoy said. “Each experience shaped me, especially those that felt a little intimidating at first.”

His studies in political science led to prestigious internships with the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee and a law firm in Springfield. These opportunities helped him clarify his interests.

“I learned that I didn’t want to be a lawyer or work on the hill, but I loved roles where I could serve others and see a direct, positive impact,” Guilfoy said.

In 2024, Guilfoy was one of six outstanding students awarded the university’s 2024-25 Citizen Scholar Award. This is the highest award available to Missouri State students to recognize stellar achievements with academics, community engagement and leadership.

HERC sociology students present research at regional conference

April 30, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Students representing Missouri State University’s Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG) recently presented their research at the Midwest Sociological Society (MSS) conference in Chicago, Illinois.

Gabriel Patino, Sophia Sampson, Anthony Lam, Jayden Echols, Sophia Dela Coleta and Bruno Guerra Miranda are members of the Health Equity Research Collective (HERC). HERC is directed by Associate Professor Dr. Kyler Sherman-Wilkins.

Founded in 2021 by Sherman-Wilkins, HERC consists of undergraduate students who conduct research in the social, behavioral and health sciences. They specifically research health inequities, Sherman-Wilkins explained.

The goal of HERC is to provide talented undergraduate students with opportunities to sharpen their research skills. Through HERC, they also gain professional and academic experience, he added.

Regional conference ideal learning environment

Sherman-Wilkins described the MSS conference as an ideal place for undergraduate students to present their research.

“[The MSS conference] combines the rigor of a formal academic conference with a welcoming, encouraging and empowering environment for students,” he explained.

In particular, Sherman-Wilkins enjoys seeing his students interact with leading scholars and professionals.

“In a typical paper session, undergraduate students may be presenting their own work alongside prominent sociologists who have contributed much to the discipline,” he said.

HERC students continue to impress Sherman-Wilkins with their work ethic, critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity.

“What brings me the most joy as a professor is the ability to work with some of the brightest minds of the next generation,” he said. “This year, the students engaged in amazing projects, all aimed at examining the mechanisms underlying inequities in health.”

Alum Sarah Lynne Skrzypczak thrives in law school

April 14, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Contracts, Torts, Constitutional Law, Legal Writing and Analysis…these are just a few of the courses Missouri State University alumna Sarah Lynne Skrzypczak has taken during her first year of law school at the University of Wisconsin.

Skrzypczak graduated from Missouri State’s Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology in 2021 with a degree in sociology and a minor in law and society.

Now, as she wraps up her first year in law school, Skrzypczak reflects on her time at Missouri State and how she got to where she is today.

Taking things one step at a time

When Skrzypczak first enrolled at Missouri State, she was an undeclared major. She spent a year and a half taking different courses, learning as much as she could while waiting to see where her path would lead.

“I was in no way sure of who I truly was or what I really wanted to do moving forward with my life,” she said. “I just knew I liked to learn.”

By her sophomore year, however, Skrzypczak knew her future rested with sociology.

“Once I had gotten into the program, [there] was never a doubt that I was happy to be where I was in terms of academic progression and my own knowledge,” she explained. “Sociology for me was fun, complex and intriguing to learn about.”

“Learning of other cultures, studying the past, learning about people in general, I’ve always just been curious,” she said. “Sociology was a great way to get a better grasp on those things I found interesting. It was easy to learn about because I had always found it so fascinating in the first place.”

From sociology to law

Studying sociology led Skrzypczak to choose law as a career.

“Other studies such as criminology, pre-law and political science are all great to study before moving forward in law,” she said. But for her, sociology was the best choice because it included aspects of all those other disciplines.

“In a sense they all intertwine,” she said. “Sociology kind of seems like a bit of all of them plus more and just gives you a broader look on things.”

Still, Skrzypczak tailored her studies to include specific law-related courses with her minor in law and society. This gave her “a nice foundation of legal knowledge before moving into law school,” she said.

Young woman standing at law library shelves. — Sarah Skrzypczak hits the law books again.

Dr. Abby Templer Rodrigues publishes research on STEM scholarship program

April 3, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Associate professor Dr. Abby Templer Rodrigues of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG) recently published her research on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) scholarship equity.

The article, “Participation of women in STEM: an intersectional approach,” appeared in the open-source Brazilian journal Revista Estudos: Feministas in March 2025. Templer Rodrigues originally presented this research in 2023 at the 21st Biennial Conference of the Brazilian Sociological Society in Belém, Brazil.

Templer Rodrigues has taught at Missouri State since Fall 2018. Her research interests include work and occupations, qualitative methods and social inequities. She is currently writing a book on the creative economy in rural Massachusetts.

Answering a request to evaluate a scholarship program

Previously, Templer Rodrigues has researched equity issues for faculty in higher education. When asked to evaluate a scholarship program that supports academically talented students with financial need, she saw an opportunity to explore equity in higher education for students as well.

Templer Rodrigues was asked to study a scholarship program designed to increase access to STEM degrees based on social class. Her objective was to evaluate whether the program had met its goals.

In addition, Templer Rodrigues examined the program’s impact on participants based on their multiple or intersectional demographic characteristics. She wanted to determine whether a scholarship program aiming to improve class-based equity in STEM could also impact gender- and race-based equity.

Political Science and Philosophy department’s Conversation Series continues April 9

April 2, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of Political Science and Philosophy will once again host its “Conversation Series” April 9 with “Trump’s America: A Nation at a Crossroads?”

The event will begin at 4 p.m. in Glass Hall, Room 101, with refreshments served at 3:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Civil conversation between a Democrat and a Republican

Two influential authors and educators, a Democrat and a Republican, will discuss Donald Trump’s electoral victory and presidency. What does it mean for, and about, America, and why did he win?

The two speakers will conduct a civil conversation based on their knowledge of, and long experience in, American politics. [Read more…] about Political Science and Philosophy department’s Conversation Series continues April 9