Category: Staff

  • Mountain Grove Burger Cook-off & Concert

    Mountain Grove Burger Cook-off & Concert

    This event has been postponed due to high temperatures.

    The Mountain Grove Burger Cook-off & Concert has been rescheduled for November 7.

    You’re invited to attend or participate in Mountain Grove’s Burger Cook-off & Concert

    Officials have requested teams register as soon as possible. 

    Saturday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m.
    Mountain Grove Square

    Whether you’re a restaurant, local organization, or just a group of friends, you’re invited to take part in the Burger Cook-off & Concert in Mountain Grove, Missouri! Lawn chairs recommended. Bounces houses and vendors available.

    Enjoy a free concert with live music featuring a performance by Eastern Heights at 4:30 p.m.

    Trophies | Prize Bundles | Bragging Rights

    Compete for both the People’s Choice and the Judges’ Choice Awards while serving up your best burgers to event attendees.

    Vendors are welcome to sell additional food items, but each competitor must feature at least one burger option.

    Admission to the event is free for attendees. Guests may purchase burgers directly from vendors or opt to purchase a wristband which allows guests to sample each competitor’s burger and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award.

    All vendors are required to provide a complimentary slider or burger sample to judges and wristband holders for the Judges’ and People’s Choice Awards.

    For additional information, contact Tourism@MountainGroveMo.gov or 417-926-4162.

  • Deadline to register for intramural pickleball and dodgeball approaches

    Deadline to register for intramural pickleball and dodgeball approaches

    The deadline to register for our intramural pickleball and dodgeball leagues is quickly approaching. Teams must be registered by Thursday, Sep. 10 at 11:59 pm. There are a limited number of team slots available, so be sure to sign up soon.

    Each member of the winning team will receive their own individual trophy and hold the ultimate bragging rights. Teams may consist of any combination of current MSU-WP students, staff, and/or faculty. More information can be found by clicking the registration links below.

     

    Once the registration closes, the official schedule will be sent out on Friday, September 11. You will see your team’s opponent and play time listed. 

    Dodgeball

    Dodgeball will take place on Monday evenings on September 14, 21, and 28. The playoff tournament will then take place on September 5 for those who advance.

    Register your dodgeball team

    Pickleball

    Pickleball will take place on Tuesday evenings on September 15, 22, and 29. The playoff tournament will then take place on September 6 for those who advance.

    Register your pickleball team

     

    We hope to see you on the court!

    Respectfully,

    Douglas Cooley II
    Assistant Director
    Student Life and Development

    Missouri State University-West Plains
    128 Garfield Ave.
    West Plains, Mo 65775

    O: 417-255-7734 | DouglasCooley@MissouriState.edu 

  • Employee Community Involvement Survey

    Employee Community Involvement Survey

    As part of our Strategic Plan, we are establishing a baseline for Outcome 1.2.2: Increase the Number of Meaningful Community Engagement Activities. To support this effort, we ask that you complete the Microsoft Form below and share your current and previous community involvement activities.

    Community involvement may include volunteer service, participation in civic or community organizations, service on boards or committees, involvement in professional associations, and other activities that connect and engage with our communities.

    Please complete the form by Thursday, October 1.

    Employee Community Involvement Survey

    Your responses will help us better understand the impact our employees are already making in the communities we serve and provide a foundation for measuring future growth in community engagement.

    Thank you for your participation and for the many ways you contribute to our communities.

    Brand Awareness Committee

  • Please welcome Sheila Decker

    Sheila Decker – Academic Advisor

    Sheila Decker is an academic advisor with WP Advising & Academic Support.

    Sheila Decker, Willow Springs, is no stranger to MSU-WP. When she attended classes here, she was a part of the student government association. “I loved being able to help MSU-WP grow,” she said.

    Prior to MSU-WP, Sheila worked in the West Plains RVII district as a high school teacher for a total of 20 years before retiring.

    In 2000, she earned a Master of Science in Education, so addition to advising, Sheila will be teaching one class in the fall and spring semesters: Intro to Physics for Education.

    “I am passionate about my family, my pets, and helping people,” Sheila said. She also enjoys crime shows, many card games, some anime and online games. When she lived in Colorado, she found she also loved to go white water rafting.

    “I also have a deep connection to military families; I was a Navy brat, Army wife, and now an Air Force mom,” she said. Sheila’s father retired from the Navy, and her daughter, Andrea Decker, is enlisted in the United States Air Force and stationed at the Yokota Air Base in Japan.

    If you see Sheila on campus, be sure to give her a big Grizzly welcome!

  • Campus Parking

    Message from Administrative Operations

    As the semester gets underway, we would like to remind all MSU-WP faculty, staff, and students to pay close attention to campus parking regulations.

    The area surrounding the First Methodist Church, highlighted in red on the map, is a “No Parking Zone.” Please remind students, faculty and staff to park in university parking lots.

    Vehicles should be parked only in the designated gray parking lots identified on the campus parking map. The Methodist Church parking lot is not an approved student parking area. Unauthorized vehicles parked in the church parking lot may be ticketed.

    Additionally, the church parking lot is shared with a daycare facility. If you are driving through this area, please slow down and use extra caution to help ensure the safety of children, families, and staff.

    If you still need a parking permit, you may purchase or pick one up in the Business Office, located in Hass-Darr Hall, Room 110

    Questions may be directed to Keri Elrod, Associate Vice-Chancellor Administrative Operations at KeriElrod@MissouriState.edu or 417-255-7966.

     

  • Profile Picture (Headshot) Day

    Profile Picture (Headshot) Day

    To assist the scheduling process, please fill out this brief sign-up form.

    On Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., a Springfield photographer will be on campus before the evening’s volleyball game to take a professional photo for staff and faculty.

    This photo will be used to update pages such as the People Search navigation menu and news releases featuring faculty and staff.

    What: Profile Picture Day
    When: Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 2 – 4:30 p.m.
    Where: Lybyer Hall, Room 201

    For additional questions, please contact Marketing and Communications.

  • Grizzly Ambassadors Program

    Grizzly Ambassadors Program

    We are excited to share with you the opportunity to apply for our sixth cohort of the Grizzly Ambassadors Program. GAP is a joint project of Faculty Senate and Staff Senate and is a great way to build relationships with your fellow colleagues. The application deadline is Friday, August 7.

    For more information and to access the application, please visit the GAP website.

  • Readvertised Scholarships

    Readvertised Scholarships

    2026-2027 Readvertised Scholarship Application Flyer

    Readvertised Scholarship Application Now Open

    The readvertised scholarship application, which students use to automatically apply for remaining donor-funded scholarships, is now open through Sept.15 for submissions.

    The application is for scholarships that will be awarded for the 2026-2027 academic year at the West Plains and Mountain Grove campuses.

    Students who submitted an application in the spring for the 2026-2027 academic year do not need to reapply. However, several new scholarships with additional questions have been added, so students are encouraged to update and resubmit their applications to be considered for these opportunities.

    For assistance or questions, direct students to call 417-255-7750 or email WPFNDScholarships@MissouriState.edu.

  • Grizzly Gear schedule for 2026-27 academic year

    Grizzly Gear schedule for 2026-27 academic year

    Please view the 2026-27 Jeans Policy & Grizzly Gear Schedule for full details

    A new Grizzly Gear schedule for the 2026-27 academic year has been approved by the Administrative Council on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

    For every Monday and Friday of the 2026-2027 academic year, faculty and staff are encouraged to share #GrizzlyGearMonday and #GrizzlyGearFriday photos on social media or upload photos to the Grizzly Gear website.

    As stated in the policy, please be mindful of events that require a more professional attire, like the Board of Governors meeting in June.

  • Strategic Planning Workshop #3

    Strategic Planning Workshop #3

    Interactive Workshop #3
    April 24, from 2 – 4 p.m.
    Student Recreation Center

    Hello, Grizzlies!

    Thank you for your continued engagement as we move deeper into the strategic planning process. Our Strategic Planning Goal Work Groups that were assigned to each goal have been making steady progress, incorporating campus feedback into the final goal statements, strategies, and outcomes. Groups are also identifying the individuals, departments, and divisions that will be responsible for tracking each outcome, helping ensure clarity and accountability as we move toward implementation.

    This workshop is open to all faculty and staff, and we encourage you to join us. You’ll have the chance to hear how campus feedback has shaped the final plan and gain a deeper understanding of the goals and strategies that will guide our next steps.

    Thank you again for your thoughtful contributions and collaboration. We look forward to seeing many of you on April 24.

    Lindsey Waggoner | Jason McCollom
    Co-Chairs for 2026-2031 Strategic Planning Committee
    Missouri State University-West Plains
    128 Garfield Ave.
    West Plains, MO 65775
    Lindsey’s Phone: 417-255-7230
    Jason’s Phone: 417-255-7284