Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) and Missouri State University (MSU) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Dec. 16, 2025. The MOU expands graduate education opportunities for Missouri Southern students studying history through access to Missouri State’s Accelerated Master’s programs.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) has completed the renovation of its six outdoor tennis courts, a project made possible by a $55,000 grant from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Tennis Venue Services. USTA Missouri Valley contributed an additional $3,500 toward the upgrades.
Missouri Southern State University announced that Mary Joy Garcia-Dia, DNP, RN, FAAN, FHIMSS, a nationally recognized leader in nursing informatics, digital transformation, global workforce ethics, and health equity, will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Willcoxon Innovation in Health Sciences Summit on March 27. The summit will explore emerging technologies, groundbreaking research, and trends shaping the future of health and life sciences.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is inviting the community to campus Dec. 4, 2025, for its annual Holiday Happenings celebration, a free public event featuring an expanded lineup of seasonal activities and live entertainment.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) announced today that its Board of Governors has approved a series of new academic degree and certificate programs during their regular meeting on Friday, Nov. 14. The new programs and certificates represent a continuous effort in the advancement of the university’s recently expanded statewide mission, which encompasses health and life sciences, immersive learning experiences, and global education.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) proudly welcomed the Patriot Guard Riders to campus on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, for a special celebration honoring those who have served our nation.
A collection of business and visual arts professionals will present a morning of expert insight into the business side of professional art careers on Wednesday, November 12.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) brought a vibrant piece of Ghanaian culture to campus on Nov. 3, 2025, as students, faculty, and community members gathered in Corley Auditorium for the Fante Baby Outdooring and Naming Ceremony, known in Fante as “Mfantse Dzinto.”
Missouri Southern State University is pleased to announce that Abi Almandinger (‘96) will join the University Advancement team as director of alumni and donor relations, beginning November 3, 2025.
We live in a world powered by data, automation, and intelligent systems. Digital technology isn’t just something we use—it’s something we live in. Whether you’re a student deciding on a major, a professional looking to pivot, or someone simply curious about how things work under the hood, there’s never been a better time to explore Computer Information Science (CIS).
The Plaster School of Business at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) will host the fourth annual Business Gateway, a business competition and workshop event for area high school students, on November 6, 2025.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) partners with Zhejiang International Studies University (ZISU) in a joint Sino-American design exhibition, which is currently on display at ZISU’s campus in Hangzhou, China. The exhibition highlights the global collaboration and academic exchange between the two institutions, featuring the work of over 20 MSSU design students and recent alumni.
The Missouri Library Association has named Amber Carr, assistant library director and marketing/outreach librarian at Missouri Southern State University’s Spiva Library, as the recipient of its 2025 Outstanding Professional Librarian Award.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law entered into a memorandum of agreement to establish a pre-law pathway program, giving qualified MSSU students a streamlined opportunity to pursue a law degree.
LionHogTech 2025, a regional hackathon focused on automation and artificial intelligence, brought together high school and university students from Missouri and Arkansas to develop real-world technology solutions.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU)’s Recycling Enhancement and Education Project was awarded a $42,800 grant in July.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) will present a series of workshops with regional high school students on October 17 from 1 a.m. to 2 p.m. during its annual High School Art Day.
Amid a growing teacher shortage, MSSU’s teacher education department equips future educators with real-world experience and career-ready skills before they even graduate. These opportunities empower their students with the confidence and experience needed for success.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) welcomed more than 215 high school students from across the region on October 3, 2025, for its annual STEM Discovery Day, an immersive learning event designed to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on experiences.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) will host LionHogTech, a 24-hour student hackathon with the University of Arkansas (U of A) beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17 and concluding on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 5:30 p.m.
On Aug. 25, Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) welcomed a four-member delegation from the partner school Zhejiang International Studies University (ZISU) based in Hangzhou, China.
2025 marks the third consecutive year Missouri Southern’s nursing program cohort has received a 100 percent pass rate of the NCLEX, an outstanding accomplishment for the university.
In remembrance of those who dedicated their lives and service to those affected by the 9/11 tragedy, Missouri Southern State University would like to tell the story of Robert (Bob), ‘86, and Tresa Ryun Roth, ‘87.
In recognition of a historic milestone, Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) in Joplin, Missouri, hosted a campus celebration on September 5, 2025, for the formal expansion of its statewide mission in higher education.
Art unites people and creates community, which is Eric Haun’s goal with his public art project "Heart Joplin." The recognizable murals are seen on buildings of local shops and restaurants throughout the city, but now one can be found at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU). The heart is a symbol of the community at MSSU and one of the many things that make campus feel like home.
Residence Life was loud, crowded, and nearing triple-digit heat as students eagerly moved on to campus for the new school year at MSSU.
On Monday, August 4, 2025, the Joplin City Council presented a proclamation honoring the significant contributions of six area colleges and universities to the region’s economy and community. The proclamation acknowledged the collective impact of Missouri Southern State University (MSSU), Pittsburg State University, Kansas City University, Crowder College, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, and Ozark Christian College.
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) proudly announces that Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) has earned accreditation for its business programs, which is an achievement that places MSSU among the world’s leading business education institutions.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) Associate Professor of Physics Rabindra Bajracharya, PhD, has been selected as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar, a program of the U.S. Department of State, for the 2025-2026 academic year. He will represent the university and the United States in Nepal through this international academic exchange program.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) will play an even greater role in shaping the future of higher education in the state, following Governor Mike Kehoe’s approval of legislation expanding the university’s statewide mission.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is proud to announce the 680 students who have earned a place on the Dean’s List for the Spring 2025 semester.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is proud to announce plans to offer women’s flag football in the nearby future. It will first launch as a club sport beginning in the 2025–26 academic year, with plans to elevate the program to National Collegiate Athletic Association varsity status by 2026–27.
Missouri Southern’s International and Political Affairs program (IPA) provides the knowledge and skills to navigate the interconnected realm of politics, international relations, and cultural studies. With career paths potentially earning anywhere between $59,000 to $139,000, a degree in IPA can be beneficial to those interested in political and global issues or the legal system.
Missouri Southern’s Language and Literature department is dedicated to liberal arts education by increasing verbal dexterity, creating and applying critical knowledge, and exploring the rich resources of language and literature.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) celebrated its Spring 2025 Commencement on May 10, awarding degrees to 582 graduates during two ceremonies held at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
The medical field will see another force on the move when Alyssa Jerome graduates this spring from Missouri Southern with her bachelor’s in biomedical sciences on the pre-med track.
When he learned of Missouri Southern’s healthcare administration program, Alex Gomez knew that was his future. “Growing up in Joplin, I had always heard about MSSU but wasn't sure where I was going to be able to attend,” he said. “It wasn't until my advisor Melinda Brown came and discussed the healthcare administration program that I realized I wanted to pursue that field.”
The criminal justice field will gain another dedicated professional when Trinity Alley walks across the stage on May 10th. Originally from Pea Ridge, Arkansas, Alley chose Missouri Southern for its size and affordability.
The world will gain another problem solver when Kylee Sill graduates from Missouri Southern this Saturday. She had always heard good things about the university while growing up in Diamond.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is proud to announce the appointment of Derrick Bready as assistant professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities. Bready brings more than two decades of choral teaching and leadership experience to MSSU.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) proudly announces the opening of the Missouri 3D Printing Center for Precision Health, a groundbreaking initiative made possible through a Science to Jobs grant from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.
Five Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) Department of Computer Information Science (CIS) students earn a Top 10 finish at the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) HogHacks 2025, a high-stakes hackathon hosted by the University of Arkansas ACM Student Chapter. The event drew over 150 participants from universities across Arkansas and Missouri, all competing to tackle complex technical challenges.
Missouri Southern’s new Food Science and Nutrition undergraduate degree is a great addition to the kinesiology program. This four-year program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the intricate aspects of food science, nutrition, and human health.
With an expected 19% employment rise between 2023-2033, Supply Chain Management is an excellent addition to the already impressive offerings in the Plaster School of Business. This emphasis will teach students the facets and complexities of Supply Chain Management and opens them to the possibilities the field has to offer.
Data plays a central role in nearly every major industry. Healthcare providers use it to improve patient outcomes. Retailers use it to understand customer behavior. Sports teams, financial institutions, manufacturers and more rely on it to make faster, smarter decisions about business operations. As organizations like these continue to become more data-driven, employers are looking for professionals who can make sense of complex information, uncover patterns and use data to drive strategy.
Missouri Southern State University and Crowder College formalized a new academic partnership through a signing event on April 29 at 9 a.m. The event took place in Room 309 of the Billingsly Student Center on the MSSU campus in Joplin, Missouri.
Healthcare is not just doctors and nurses. Behind every healthcare system is a network of decisions about people, processes, budgets, regulations and organizational strategy. Healthcare administrators oversee each piece of this, and their work directly affects how effectively patients receive care.
On Brian Smith’s ’10, living room wall, next to a July 21, 1969, issue of “New York Daily News” hangs a personalized portrait signed by all four crew members of Artemis II, the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft around the Moon, set to launch in April 2026. Reid Wiseman, mission commander for the flight, gave Smith and his EaglePicher Technologies team members this gift last May.
The Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) television station, KGCS-TV, will soon begin transmitting from a new location. A broadcast tower on the university’s campus will be the official home to the transmitter, which will enhance accessibility for monitoring and maintenance. The tower was put in place in 1988 on the MSSU campus, but the transmitter has been located off-campus since that time.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is proud to announce that Dr. Megan Bever, associate professor of history and chair of the Social Science Department, has been honored with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education. The award is given annually to outstanding teachers who challenge and motivate Missouri students to reach their full potential.
The MSSU Cragin Art Gallery is pleased to host an exhibition titled, “2025 Missouri Southern State University Alumni Exhibition”. The show will run from March 31- April 17, 2025. There will be a reception within the gallery on April 17 from 6- 7:00 pm. The show was juried by an out-of-state juror and features a wide range of exemplary artwork by alumni of our Art & Design program.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is excited to announce that country music star Josh Turner will perform May 2, 2025, at the university’s Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is pleased to announce the approval of several new academic offerings and an expansion of the Lion Pride Tuition program following the Board of Governors meeting held on March 14, 2025.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) marked a significant milestone in the development of the Roy Blunt Health Science Innovation Center with a special topping-out ceremony on March 14, 2025. The event, attended by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, celebrated the completion of the building’s structural framework.
A new partnership between NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC), based in Bentonville, Arkansas, and Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) will allow students to more easily transfer credits from NWACC to MSSU in the future.
Missourian Nextgen Under 30 is awarded to nominees described as young, ambitious, and creative individuals pushing boundaries in their field. This honor is awarded to around 35 people in the state of Missouri. Studdard was also placed on Joplin Globe’s 20 Under 40, which honors individuals making an impact on the area’s business and entrepreneurial sector.
The MSSU Cragin Art Gallery is pleased to host Drawing is Magic a solo exhibition by artist John Hendrix. The exhibition will run from February 24 – March 25, 2025, with a reception/artist talk on March 25 at 5 PM. Additionally, the MSSU Spiva Library will host a book reading and signing from 2:30 pm- 3:45 pm on March 25.
Due to inclement weather, Missouri Southern State University will be closed on February 20, 2025. The university will shift to an online learning and work model for the day.
From serving as the former president of MSSU’s Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), to engaging in work-based learning projects at La-Z-Boy and the City of Joplin, alumna Allison Tillman, ‘24, has an impressive history of participating in projects bigger than herself, so when Ramin Zarrabi—plant manager of Ruskin in Parsons, Kansas—offered Tillman an internship, she was thrilled.
Due to inclement weather, Missouri Southern State University will be closed on February 19, 2025. The university will shift to an online learning and work model for the day. Faculty and staff who are able to work remotely are encouraged to do so. If you have any questions, please reach out to your supervisor. Stay safe!
Due to the forecast of significant snow, Missouri Southern State University will be closed on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
In 2014, Kelsey Akee found herself in a Spanish class. The Bella Vista, Arkansas native wanted to attend school outside of her hometown but still nearby, and with its affordable tuition, Missouri Southern is where she ended up.
Relationships of any sort is being a part of a team, and that’s what brought Christian Bundy and Brooke Stauffer together. The now-engaged couple came to Missouri Southern because it was close to home and because of basketball.
Missouri Southern State University will be closed on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions. The university will transition to an online learning and work model.
Although “You can’t hurry love,” often rings true, it does have its own pace, which is what the Mitchells experienced in 1995. Katherine and Chris came to Missouri Southern to study education. While they were both in the same department, the couple didn’t share any classes. But she had noticed him in February, after the final meeting of their professional semester.
What science brings together, no one can separate, and one of those things is the Eppersons. Webb City natives Lacy and Jarrett came to Missouri Southern for the affordable education. The university allowed them to live at home and form new connections.
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is pleased to announce that Dr. Kerry Johnson, chair of the Department of Mathematics, will serve as the interim dean of the College of Business, Communication and Technology. Johnson steps into this role following the upcoming retirement of Dr. Elke Howe, who has served as dean of the college since 2023.
The new year brings in new opportunities and hope for a better tomorrow, but it also marks the 10-year anniversary of Missouri Southern’s Dress to Impress event on Feb. 26 in Billingsly Student Center’s Connor Ballroom.
Stephanee Schiding, master instructor and lifetime wellness coordinator in Missouri Southern’s kinesiology department, was awarded MOSHAPE’s Dr. Robert M. Taylor Professional Service Honor Award.
“I’ve wanted to be a pharmacist since I was nine years old,” said Epperson. “It’s hard to believe, but it’s true.” Epperson was inspired to pursue this path following her uncle’s cancer diagnosis. What began as a quest to understand medication’s role in his treatment became Epperson’s mission to help the community
Every other weekend, senior Saige Haddock wades knee-deep in the Asbury Field Site’s pond. Haddock unlatches the turtle traps (that are floating on pool noodles) to tag and track the animals who find themselves caught in their temporary confinement before returning them to their watery home.
2024 is a cause for celebration for MSSU’s Honors Program. This year, the Program observes its 40th anniversary, a significant milestone for the university.
With the spring semester comes tax season. While it typically isn’t considered the most enjoyable time of the year, it does showcase the motivation of community-minded Missouri Southern alumni, retirees, and friends as they drive the mission of VITA.
KGCS-TV and the Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) Department of Communication hosted the highly anticipated Cardinals Caravan event at the Taylor Performing Arts Center on Saturday, January 18, 2025. The event, which was free to the public, brought baseball fans together to meet some of the St. Louis Cardinals’ top players and alumni.
The Lions Forward campaign has been quite successful since its launch in July 2022. Announced publicly this April, Lions Forward: The Campaign for Missouri Southern is the first comprehensive fundraising campaign the University has undertaken since the early 2000s. The five-year, $42.7 million fundraising campaign will transform MSSU and provide current and future students with access to life-changing higher education experiences.
Det. Mark Kennedy reflects on life’s journey from MSSU to “The First 48”
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) Board of Governors received updates on the highly anticipated expansion of a proposed Baccalaureate in Nursing degree, which will address the critical shortage of registered nurses and nursing faculty in the Four State region.
In Paris, surrounded by thousands of viewers in the stadium, millions watching globally at home and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the greatest athletes in the world, Rajindra Campbell, ‘23, thinks of one thing: “It’s gonna be a good day.”
The MSSU Cragin Art Gallery is pleased to host Sculptures and Works on Paper, Arny Nadler, a solo exhibition by artist Arny Nadler. The exhibition will run from January 20 - February 19, 2025, with a reception/artist talk via Zoom on January 23 at 6 PM.
Due to road conditions and extreme low temperatures, Missouri Southern will be closed on Friday, January 10, 2025. MSSU will transition to an online telework model. Faculty and staff who are able to work from home should do so. Please check with your supervisor if you have any questions.
Missouri Southern State University is proud to introduce its new Director of Communications Felicia Vaught and Director of Marketing Abby Morris.
Due to road conditions and extreme low temperatures, the Missouri Southern campus will be closed on Monday, January 6th. MSSU will pivot to an online learning and telework model. Faculty and Staff, if you have the capabilities to work from home we would appreciate if you would do so. Check in with your supervisor regarding any questions you might have.
