Distance Learning
M-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CST
Sat/Sun 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Telephone (417) 625-9885
blackboardhelp@mssu.edu
Webster Hall Room 109E
Telephone (877) 837-8527
onlineadvising@mssu.edu
Webster Hall Room 116
Telephone (417) 625-9577
Telephone (877) 837-8527
distancetesting@mssu.edu
Webster Hall Room 117
Distance Learning’s Online Academic Advising office provides academic advising services to online students who are Undeclared or Bachelors of General Studies candidates. Undeclared students work developmentally with their advisor on major and career exploration activities to reach the point of major declaration. Once an online student declares a major, they are transitioned to that academic department and assigned a faculty advisor. Online BGS candidates work on developing an interdisciplinary degree customized to their career and life goals.
Advisor for 60+ Students
Name: Jennifer Head
Position: Coordinator, Online Academic Advisor
Jennifer loves being able to put people and information together.
Education:
Hometown: Jennifer has lived in Granite Falls, Washington but now calls southwest Missouri home. She enjoys spending her free time reading lawprof and economics blogs.
Career Highlights: Jennifer worked as a recruiter/advisor for MSSU and has worked for both Borders Books and the regional library system.
Favorite Quote: "Advisors are responsible for themselves and their professional practice, to the individuals they advise, for involving others, to their institutions, to higher education and to their educational community.”--National Academic Advising Association
Summer Hours: Monday through Thursday 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: 116 Webster Hall
Contact: (417) 625-9610
head-j@mssu.edu
Advisor for Last Names A - D
Name: Damian Buttle
Position: Online Academic Advisor
Damien enjoys working with students and helping them reach their academic goals.
Education:
Hometown: Damian is from Taunton, England and moved to the United States in 2006. He lives in Carl Junction with his wife and children.
Career Highlights: Damian says that becoming part of the team here at MSSU is one of his best career highlights.
Favorite Quote: "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty". -- Robert Frost
Summer Hours: Monday through Wednesday 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Thursdays 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: 116 Webster Hall
Contact: (417) 625-3513
mailto:buttle-d@mssu.edu
Advisor for Last Names E - J
Name: Michelle Kleinheider
Position: Online Academic Advisor
Michelle enjoys interacting with students and helping that “light bulb” go off that they are able to complete an education.
Education:
Hometown: Michelle grew up in Rootstown, Ohio before moving to the Joplin area. She enjoys spending her free time reading, cooking and traveling.
Career Highlights: Michelle has worked as a marketing communication specialist for a medical service company and as a communications specialist for Hattie Larlham
Michelle is away for the summer. Please contact:
Jennifer Head, Coordinator
417-625-9610
onlineadvising@mssu.edu
Advisor for Last Names K - O
Name: Debra Swearengen
Position: Online Academic Advisor
Debra's favorite part of the job is working with the students to acheive their educational goals.
Education:
Hometown: Debra is from the Joplin area and enjoys reading and spending her free time with her family.
Career Highlights: Debra previously worked as the head of the Counseling Department at St. Mary's High School in Independence, Missouri before coming to MSSU.
Favorite Quote: "Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or self-confidence." -- Robert Frost
Summer Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Location: 116 Webster Hall
Contact: (417) 625-3516
swearengen-d@mssu.edu
Advisor for Last Names P - S
Name: Dianna Baker
Position: Online Academic Advisor
Dianna loves interacting with the students especially to help them discover what they want for a career choice and then helping them make that happen.
Education:
Hometown: Dianna is originally from the Kansas City area but moved to Pittsburg, Ks when she was in grade school. She likes to spend her free time exercising, cooking and reading.
Career Highlights: Dianna worked for 11 years as a third grade teacher in the Nevada School District. She later moved to Neosho where she was a Special Education Teacher, Process Coordinator, Elementary and High School Counselor for 20 years. She has also taught Psychology classes at Crowder College.
Favorite Quote: "You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about it's width and depth" -- Shira Tehrani
Summer Hours: Tuesday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Thursdays 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: 116 Webster Hall
Contact: (417) 625-3587
baker-dianna@mssu.edu
Advisor for Last Names T - Z
Name: John R. Baker
Position: Online Academic Advisor
John enjoys being able to assist students work toward their goals.
Education:
Hometown: John is from Pittsburg, Ks and enjoys reading and traveling.
Career Highlights: John has worked in public education for 35 years. For 14 years John worked as a high school social studies teacher and coach. The last 21 years he worked as a school guidance counselor.
Favorite Quote: "A goal is a dream with a deadline." -- Napoleon Hill
Summer Hours: Tuesday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Thursdays 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: 116 Webster Hall
Contact: (417) 625-3587
baker-j@mssu.edu
3950 Newman Road
Joplin, MO 64801-1595
(417) 625-9300
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