This week, I got to meet with Dr. Tara Benson, Associate Director of the Plaster Student Union and the Director of the Office of Student Engagement, to discuss her responsibilities and how she has managed to adjust to Covid this year. Dr. Tara Benson, Associate Director of the Plaster Student Union and the Director of the Office of Student Engagement Our meeting took place over Zoom, and we quickly began to discuss how she manages to balance both of her positions and what those responsibilities look like. Within her roles, she gets to work with a number of students and different offices in ord ..read more

Did you know that seven of the top 10 reasons why students struggle in their first year of college are health and wellness related? Concerns like stress, sleep problems, depression, anxiety and alcohol abuse have been linked to failure in college. Partner with us to ensure these issues don’t become barriers to your student’s success. Help enhance your student’s overall well-being by encouraging them to: • Select healthier foods and never skip breakfast Breakfast can improve energy levels, help maintain their focus and increase the overall quality of a student’s life. Students should choose le ..read more

Bear Bucks are the University’s declining balance account for your student’s BearPass card operated by Blackboard. Bear Bucks can be used at all campus vendors, including Plaster Student Union restaurants (except the bank and the Post Office which is cash only), Bear Necessities. the Meyer Library and the Bookstore. If you invest in Bear Bucks your student will only need his/her BearPass ID card for most on-campus purchases. Your student would only have one card instead of cash/change or several other cards in his/her wallet. There are no fees, minimum balance requirements or other stipulatio ..read more

Hello! My name is Dola Flake, and I’m the Coordinator for Bears L.E.A.D., a FREE program offered at Missouri State University. This new program is designed with the unique needs of our diverse and first-generation students in mind.  We want students to be successful at Missouri State University! I realize times are uncertain due to Covid-19, but we are planning for the near future with hopes campus activities will resume soon. Bears L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Empowerment, Achievement, and Diversity) is an initiative created out of Missouri State University’s commitment to providing a welcomin ..read more

Have you ever wondered who keeps the Plaster Student Union (PSU) running? Well, meet Karen Foster! Karen is the Administrative Assistant IV of the Plaster Student Union. Karen has been working for Missouri State for the past 19 years, and her duties include assisting Terry Weber, Director of the PSU, facilitating student organization’s budgets ranging from Student Activities Council to Fraternity and Sorority Life, making sure things are running properly in the PSU, working with Commencement and so much more. During her time at Missouri State she has served as an advisor for Delta Sig Fraterni ..read more