Student Success

Kimberly Barr senior spotlight graphic

Dec. 11, 2023

Senior Spotlight: Kimberly Barr

When her cousin was born prematurely, Kimberly Barr found herself spending a lot of time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). While Barr was plenty familiar with hospitals – her mom is a nurse – this was first time she had spent an extended period of time interacting with other nurses. As she watched her cousin get stronger, Barr, who was in high school, began searching for collegiate nursing programs, with the goal of eventually becoming a NICU nurse. That search led her to the University of Missouri. “Growing up, my mom always told me that I should pursue…

Two students posing for a picture while smiling.

Nov. 30, 2023

The World as a Classroom

A Stamps Scholar, Sara George (pictured on the right) has had a variety of exciting hands-on learning experiences while at the University of Missouri, including two opportunities to study abroad. She is pictured here with fellow Stamps Scholar Maddie Reiser. Photo courtesy of Sara George. Sara George, a senior double majoring in journalism and Spanish from Boulder, Colorado, did not originally have Mizzou on her radar. That changed her sophomore year of high school when her dad, an alumnus originally from Kansas City, Missouri, mentioned the prestige of Mizzou’s School of Journalism. After…

Jenny Park Rhodes Scholarship Finalist graphic

Nov. 3, 2023

Trusting the Process

The past year has been one of growth and self-discovery for Jenny Park. It’s also been a year of celebration for the University of Missouri senior. Park began the year by being named a Goldwater Scholar. One of four Tigers to receive the award, the Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious national scholarships in natural sciences, engineering and mathematics in the United States. Park is ending the year with another illustrious honor – she was named a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. “I was very surprised and also thrilled to hear that I had been named…

Maddie Reiser

Nov. 1, 2023

The Student Success Sequence: Finding Your People

A Stamps Scholar, Maddie Reiser has been involved in a variety of organizations and internships while at Mizzou. She is a senior political science major who is also minoring in business. Photo courtesy of Maddie Reiser. If you are one of the thousands of University of Missouri students from out-of-state, the struggle of being away from home for the first time is all too familiar. For others, building a community far away from old friends and family is a daunting enough task that they decide to not leave their home state. Maddie Reiser, a Mizzou senior majoring in political science…

Manisha Muthukaruppan performing a research task during one of her classes.

Oct. 30, 2023

Making Connections

A Discovery Fellow, Manisha Muthukaruppan has been plenty involved in undergraduate research opportunities during her first semester at Mizzou. The chance to participate in research early in her collegiate career at MU was actually a big selling point as Muthukaruppan was searching for the right college fit. When Manisha Muthukaruppan arrived on the University of Missouri campus in August to begin her first semester, she knew there were going to be multiple chances to make connections with her fellow Tigers. The freshman biochemistry major has taken advantage of those opportunities. Muthukaruppan has joined a handful of organizations during…

Two students working with another individual on a writing task.

Oct. 9, 2023

Contributing to Vital Research in African Linguistics

Students who are part of the Collaborative Research in African Languages (CORAL) team at Mizzou contribute to vital research in African linguistics. Students routinely meet with native speakers to gain a better understanding of the languages they are studying. Photo courtesy of Michael Marlo. Undergraduate students who are part of the Collaborative Research in African Languages (CORAL) team at the University of Missouri contribute to vital research in African linguistics. Students perform a variety of tasks depending on their experience, their interests and the needs of the team. Some of that work includes extracting linguistic data from existing sources, such…

A student using VR technology to view a picture.

Oct. 6, 2023

ASH Scholars Program Promotes Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

The ASH Scholars Program has led to ongoing research opportunities for undergraduate students at the University of Missouri involved in the arts, social sciences and humanities (ASH) disciplines. For example, the Art of Death research project is focused on normalizing conversations about death and dying through the lens of artistic production. Photo courtesy of Katina Bitsicas. A unique collaboration between the University of Missouri Office of Undergraduate Research and the MU Honors College has led to an ongoing research opportunity for undergraduate students involved in the arts, social sciences and humanities (ASH) disciplines. The ASH…

A student showing their research via a poster presentation.

Oct. 5, 2023

Examining Close Relationships

The Close Relationships research project studies how youths’ interactions with close relationship partners shape their development and emotional adjustment. Mizzou students who are part of the project have numerous hands-on learning opportunities, including sharing their findings with the public. Here, senior Lynn Eckhardt talks with an individual about the work being done. Photo courtesy of Amanda Rose. Undergraduate students at the University of Missouri who participate in the Close Relationships research project study how youths’ interactions with close relationship partners shape their development and emotional adjustment. Students approach the study of relationships from a lifetime perspective – with a primary…

Two students sharing their research during a presentation.

Oct. 5, 2023

Studying the Importance of Minority-Focused Content

Students on the Minority Focused News as a Locus of Empowerment research team have ample opportunities to share their work. For example, Maya Morris, a recent MU grad, presented during Mizzou’s Research Symposium. Photo courtesy of Chris Josey. The Minority Focused News as a Locus of Empowerment research team investigates the manners in which news websites and streaming platforms that serve under-represented and marginalized populations provide a benefit to society. Undergraduate students at the University of Missouri who participate in the research seek to understand how identity-focused content serves as a safe space for those affected groups. The original research…

A picture of an individual sitting in a dark room looking at a photo being projected on the wall.

Oct. 5, 2023

Exploring Death Through the Lens of Artistic Production

Part of the ASH Scholars Program, the Art of Death research project has allowed undergraduate students at the University of Missouri to normalize conversations about death and dying through the lens of artistic production. Photo courtesy of Katina Bitsicas. Since 2017, the Art of Death research project has allowed undergraduate students at the University of Missouri to normalize conversations about death and dying through the lens of artistic production. Students use a variety of media tools – such as virtual reality (VR), projection mapping, augmented reality (AR) and video art – to generate creative projects that explore death and dying.