Reynolds College Blog

Reynolds College announces appointment of Dr. Christopher Ford as Director of Defense and Strategic Studies

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Dean Shawn Wahl and the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Christopher Ford as the new director of Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS), located in Arlington, Virginia.

“Dr. Ford’s academic profile, extensive government experience, and expertise in defense and strategic studies make him the ideal leader to take DSS to the next level,” Wahl noted. “I am especially impressed with his foreign policy experience, diplomacy acumen and vision for the future of DSS.”

Starting immediately, Ford will work with DSS’ current director, Dr. John Rose, on the leadership transition process. Ford’s formal appointment begins on July 1, 2026.

Honored to serve

Ford said he is honored to serve as the next DSS director.

“Our graduates are what this country needs today,” he said. “I am grateful to Dean Wahl and the rest of his RCASH team for this opportunity.”

In particular, Ford recalled the legacy of DSS’ Dr. William Van Cleave, who started the program in the 1970s.

“I am honored and delighted to be carrying forward the proud legacy of national security education and scholarship pioneered by Professor William Van Cleave more than half a century ago, and built upon so successfully by Directors Keith Payne and John Rose,” he said.

“DSS has a strong tradition and a unique track record in producing national security professionals attuned to the requirements of defense and security in a challenging world,” Ford added.

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Dean Shawn Wahl honored with Uebel Award

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Dr. Shawn T. Wahl, Dean of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH), has been honored with the 2025 Rick and Dee Uebel Award.

Created in 2019 and named after key supporters Rick and Dee Uebel, the award honors long-term commitment, generosity and support of the Missouri State University Choral Studies program.

Director of Choral Studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor Dr. Cameron LaBarr, along with the Missouri State University Choral Studies program, presented Wahl with the award Oct. 18 at the annual Choral Gala event, held at The Old Glass Place in Springfield, Missouri.

“I can say without a doubt that Dean Wahl’s support has been and continues to be critical to the success of all the arts programs at MSU, including the MSU Choirs,” LaBarr noted. “He’s the absolute faculty and student champion, with a work ethic second to none.”

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RCASH sets new participation record in Education Abroad programs

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The Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) continues its impressive participation in Missouri State University’s Education Abroad program.

For the 2024-25 academic year, RCASH led in both the number of participants and percentage of graduates who engage in study abroad.

According to a report issued by Education Abroad Director Elizabeth Strong, 188 RCASH students participated in education abroad programs during the 2024-25 academic year. That number is up from 177 during the previous year.

“This growth is reflected in the percentage of RCASH education abroad participants compared to RCASH graduates in the same academic year, which is 28.5%,” Strong said.

A total of 434 Missouri State students participated in education abroad programs during 2024-25.

In addition, of the 316 faculty-directed activities, 140 were led by RCASH faculty.

Panzer and Geibler named 2026 Education Abroad Faculty Fellows

Two RCASH faculty members have been named to the 2026 Education Abroad Faculty Fellow cohort. They are Associate Professor Dr. Sarah Panzer, from the Department of History, and Assistant Professor Dr. Robert Geibler, from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Other Missouri State faculty named to the cohort are Alison Alaimo (McQueary College of Health and Human Services), Mandy Benedict-Chambers (College of Education), Leslie Echols (McQueary College of Health and Human Services), Asif Ishtiaque (College of Natural and Applied Sciences), Nancy Kageyama (Darr College of Agriculture) and Kristen Thornton (College of Business).

RCASH schedules robust Education Abroad activity for 2026

RCASH Dean Shawn Wahl said he continues to be impressed by faculty engagement with Education Abroad.

“Their collaboration across academic areas to deliver impactful learning experiences for our students is inspiring,” he said. “This collaboration is the essence of Missouri State as the Public Affairs University.”

Several RCASH faculty have already scheduled Education Abroad activities for 2026, Strong noted.

  • 2025 Education Abroad Faculty Fellows Nikki Ferry and William Harwood — Greece
  • 2025 Education Abroad Faculty Fellow Jeff Loughary (coordinated with Dr. Tonia Tinsley) — Morocco
  • Leslie Seawright — United Arab Emirates
  • Jonathan Newman and Rhonda Stanton — United Kingdom
  • Cameron LaBarr — Australia and New Zealand
  • Antoinette Barffour — Ghana
  • Vadim Putzu — Italy
  • Gwen Walstrand and Marcus Howell — Italy
  • Luis Lombilla — Mexico and Spain
  • Jason Shepard — Ecuador [“Eight Missouri State students enjoy studying in Ecuador“]
  • Vanessa Rodriguez de la Vega — Peru
  • Holly Holladay and Cristina Pippa — United Kingdom
  • Amy Muchnick — United Kingdom

Learn more about Education Abroad

 

School of Defense and Strategic Studies moves to new office

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Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) has found a new home.

During July and early August, DSS will be relocating from its current office in Fairfax, Virginia, to its new campus in Arlington, Virginia.

The school plans to be fully operational and hosting in-resident classes by Aug. 18, the start of the Fall 2025 semester. During the transition, DSS staff will work remotely.

The department’s phone number, 703-218-3565, will remain the same. The department can also be reached at DSS1@MissouriState.edu.

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Fourth annual Judy Awards celebrate Reynolds College excellence

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Missouri State University’s Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) held its fourth annual Judy Awards May 2, 2025, at The Old Glass Place.

Two women standing at podium during ceremony.
Jennifer Murvin and Dr. Judith Martinez hosted the 2025 ceremony.

The event honors the legacy of Judith Enyeart Reynolds by celebrating the achievements of faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends within the RCASH community.

RCASH Associate Dean Dr. Jake Simmons opened the ceremony, followed by hosts Dr. Judith Martinez and Jennifer Murvin, who announced the 2025 winners. RCASH Dean Dr. Shawn Wahl then presented the Dean’s Awards.

Mock Trial students recognized

For the first time, the Judy Awards recognized a student organization for its achievements. Missouri State’s Mock Trial Team, from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, received the Dean’s Champion Award.

“The Mock Trial Team is the first student group being recognized with a Judy Award,” Wahl said, adding that the team competes at regional and national levels.

“I am especially proud of our students who compete against larger public and private universities,” he said.

Two staff members merit recognition

Another first this year was to recognize two Staff Impact Award recipients instead of one. The awards went to Christy Titus of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and James Chang from the Department of English.

“The Staff Impact Awards recognize outstanding Reynolds College staff who focus on building and maintaining conditions of excellence for students and faculty,” Wahl said. “Christy and James are both deserving of this special recognition.”

English department wins award of distinction

The awards ceremony concluded with the Department of English receiving the Dean’s Award of Distinction for excellent performance as an academic unit over the past year.

“The English Department continues to raise the bar with high quality research and teaching innovation, including graduate program expansion,” Wahl said. “In addition, the department maintains robust dual credit offerings.”

Awards commemorate Reynolds’ legacy

Named in honor of Reynolds, a dedicated staff member and role model for many years in the English department, the Judy Awards cover a variety of contributions to the college, ranging from traditional awards in teaching, research and service to those that recognize collaboration and other efforts that highlight the pillars of the University’s public affairs mission.

Except for the Dean’s awards categories, winners were nominated either by their peers or self-nominated, then selected by representatives from each academic department serving on the Judy Awards selection committee.

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