With the Fall semester still fairly fresh, many of us are still getting in the groove of our class schedules. With that, comes several questions. Questions about classes, financial aid, student services, and maybe even transcripts.
Missouri Southern is equipped with several services on campus to help assist and answer any questions you might have.
Here is a rundown of some of the resources on campus that would be beneficial to know, ahead of this school year.
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Admissions
The Admissions Office serves as “the gateway to the university.” It’s in charge of providing students with information, university marketing, campus events, and so much more. The great thing about the Admissions Office is, they are able to connect prospective and current students with the departments or offices that students may need.
According to Dr. Shellie Hewitt, the Dean of Admissions at Missouri Southern, the university prioritizes student support through a wide range of specialized services aimed at ensuring their success.
“We do have everything a student needs to be successful at Southern,” Hewitt said.
While the office stays busy year-round doing things such as attending area high schools and college fairs to promote MSSU’s Lion Pride, they also highlight all of the hidden gems the university has to offer. These can include campus life, events, and even academic programs.
For more information on The Admissions Office, contact Dr. Shellie Hewitt at [email protected].
Registrar
The Registrar’s Office may possibly be one of the most overlooked offices on campus as it handles nearly everything related to student records. This includes transcripts, graduation, degree audits, address and name changes, and etc.
This office is here to ensure that student records are accurate and consistent at all times.
[We are] always ready and willing to help the student and the advisor make sure the student’s records are accurate, that the student record is complete, and [that] if they need any assistance… we are here and ready to help.
— Faustina Abrahams
According to MSSU’s Registar, Faustina Abrahams, for the months of July and August, the Registrar’s Office is very busy due to them spending time processing grades, conferring degrees, and issuing diplomas.
Days before the official start of classes, they ensure class rosters, enrollment confirmations, and student transcripts are accurate and ready to go for the semester.
As you might have picked up, the Registrar’s Office diligently focuses on getting students prepared while showing a strong dedication to ensure a smooth functioning academic process.
Abrahams wants students to know that their office is there to help with anything regarding their student records.
If you have any questions regarding these topics, email [email protected].
Financial Aid
Every student aims to receive as many scholarships as they can to ensure a financially stable and worry-free academic year.
MSSU’s Financial Aid department helps students find resources to offset the cost of college. Resources can either be discovered federally, state-wide, city-wide, at the university, or even through certain organizations.
If you have received some sort of financial aid, regardless of what it is, you can make an appointment and talk with an available Financial Aid Counselor to discuss any questions or concerns you might have.
We work together to give you as much support as we can.
— Chris Mitchell
Chris Mitchell, a Scholarship and Outreach Counselor here at Missouri Southern, says that there are many deadlines for scholarships, bills, and other programs that all need to be met by the students and the advisors. Because of this, Mitchell encourages students to plan ahead.
The best way to do this is by making a calendar with all your scholarship due dates or planning to meet with counselors at the beginning of each school year, to ensure that counselors are still able to make arrangements to help you.
You can approach anyone in the office with confidence knowing they will point you in the right direction and guide you to the proper resources and aid you might need.
Contact Chris Mitchell, [email protected], with any questions regarding financial aid or stop by his office, which is located in Hearnes Hall.
Bursar
While the Financial Aid Office focuses on ways to help you offset the cost of college, the Bursar’s Office serves as “the accounts receivable for the university.”
This basically means that they are in charge of taking student payments, billing students, and issuing financial aid refunds.
The Bursar’s Office and the Financial Aid Office work extremely close on a daily basis which makes them equipped to handle almost any situation. They encourage students to reach out if they have questions about payments or holds on their accounts.
“We just want students to ask us whatever and we’ll handle delving out where it goes and finding the answer, [even] if it’s not for our office…a student can come to us for anything and we’ll help,” said MSSU’s Bursar, Alicia Hughes.
Everyone in the office is eager and well-prepared to handle all of your payment needs and questions you might have, as they are thrilled to see the campus alive again after a long summer break.
Reach out to Alicia Hughes at [email protected] for questions regarding payments, scheduling payment plans, or removing holds from your accounts.
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center, located on the third floor of Hearnes Hall, has virtually everything a student would need. A full list of their services are as follows:
- Academic recovery
- Advising services
- Career services
- Counseling services
- Disability services
- Orientation programming
- Special programming
- Student employment
- Tutoring
- University experience
Within the Student Success Center, are all the tools and resources that are important and beneficial to you to excel during your time as a Lion.
Craig Thompson, Director of Advising, recommends the Student Success Center for those who are struggling with certain things whether that be with grades, mental health, or deciphering goals.
“It’s a good place to start if you’re not sure where you want to go,” Thompson said.
If you have questions about counseling, tutoring, etc., reach out to Craig Thompson by stopping by his office (Hearnes Hall 314H) or emailing him at [email protected].
Residence Life
While Residence Life may only deal with a portion of the student body, they also ensure to deliver their best efforts when arranging accommodations for students.They are in charge of room placements, the Student Life Center, and dorm emergencies, along with occasional cleaning and maintenance.
For Resident Directors the start of the school year is a pretty hectic time.
“It’s definitely been a lot more running around which I expected,” said Abby Brower, a Resident Director at MSSU.
Because of the influx of new students on campus, residence halls have been close to full capacity which means an influx of calls and questions for Residence Life.
“I would say having so many students, it’s really the maintenance requests that get kind of backed up,” Brower said.
Residence Life encourages anyone with problems or questions to either call or email the Residence Life department and someone will point you in the right direction.
To do so, you can contact Abby Brower at [email protected].
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Now, you’ve had a glimpse of the several amazing services and resources that are available to you on Missouri Southern’s campus. These are poised to help you kick the school year off to a great strong start!
