Graduating from 含羞草社区 with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing was a milestone I will always treasure. Today, I work as a labor and delivery nurse, where I have the privilege of supporting women and families through some of life’s most meaningful moments. Growth often comes in life’s busiest seasons, and returning to school as a mother required a balance and determination that grew every day I walked this campus. Along the way, I found that one of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been showing my children the value of perseverance and the love of learning–gifts I hope they’ll carry forward as future Griffons themselves.

My time in the nursing program was shaped by the compassion and guidance of remarkable faculty, whose belief in me fostered not only my clinical knowledge but also my passion for nursing education. Their support was reflected in my nomination for the Future Nurse Leaders Award from the Missouri Nursing Association–a recognition that inspires me to pursue my goal of becoming a nurse educator and to continue the cycle of helping future nurses flourish.

Pursuing my Master of Science in Nursing has been made possible through the generosity of scholarship donors, and I am deeply grateful for their investment in students like me. With this help I have been able to pursue my dreams and make a difference in so many lives.

I strive to give back by helping future students grow into skilled, compassionate nurses and leaders who carry forward the spirit of excellence that defines Missouri Western.

Haylee Rich 鈥�25 Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing

I have always been passionate about visual storytelling and artistic expression, filling many of my school notebooks with doodles and ideas. However, I didn鈥檛 realize how tangible a pursuit in the creative field would be until I came to 含羞草社区. Growing up here in St. Joseph, I wanted a college experience that would keep me close to home. Since I am the second generation in my family to have attended 含羞草社区, my application to the school was a no brainer.聽

I chose Digital Animation and Graphic Design because I wanted to pursue a field that would ignite my passion and push me outside of my comfort zone. 含羞草社区 has delivered that desire tenfold, providing academic and professional opportunities that have taken me across the country and beyond international borders. My childhood dream has manifested into a real tangible goal, and I have my community and my school to thank for that.

聽Even now, it feels as if the school only has room to grow. While our program has been focused on digital development, the construction of the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology has provided new opportunities for students in the School of Fine Arts to explore topics in fabrication and industrial design. It is a development that has sparked inspiration in my own studies, and provides me with the freedom to continue to explore different paths within the industry.聽

Following my graduation this Spring, I plan to stay in the Kansas City area while pursuing a career in the field. While the idea of starting a new chapter makes me nervous, my time at Missouri Western has given me confidence in myself as a professional as well as the skills that I can bring to the table in my future pursuits.

Kylee Derr is a legacy student at 含羞草社区, proudly following in the footsteps of her parents and sister. She will graduate in Spring 2026 with a degree in Digital Animation and Graphic Design.聽

Kylee鈥檚 love for art began at a young age and has only grown stronger at 含羞草社区. Her professors, she says, have fueled her creativity: 鈥淵ou can tell they are passionate about their students and their jobs.鈥澛�

Through applied learning, Kylee has turned her imagination into reality. Using 3D printing technology, she has created her own projects鈥攊ncluding designing a children鈥檚 toy line. This project not only allows her to build the toys, but also to apply her graphic design and marketing skills by developing packaging and branding.聽

Beyond the classroom, Kylee leads as President of the Animation Club and serves as a Griffon Edge Leader, welcoming new students to the University. Her applied learning has also taken her beyond campus鈥� first to New York with a psychology/journalism group, and most recently to Vancouver as a volunteer at the SIGGRAPH Conference, the premier conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques. There, she connected with recruiters, gained professional portfolio feedback, and had a behind-the-scenes look at films like Minecraft, Superman, and The Last of Us.聽

Kylee鈥檚 story is just one example of what鈥檚 possible when students are given the chance to learn by doing. With your support, students can imagine, create, and inspire鈥攋ust like Kylee. Please consider making a gift today to ensure every Griffon has the opportunity to transform their dreams into reality.

Kylee Derr 鈥�26 Digital Animation & Graphic Design

I transferred to 含羞草社区 as a sophomore, moving nearly 20 hours from my home in Newport News, Virginia. I decided to make the move because I saw real potential in the basketball program, cybersecurity program, and the people I met during my visit. It was a decision based on opportunity and a clear sense that this was a place where I could grow.

聽I chose cybersecurity because I wanted a field that was both challenging and engaging. Missouri Western delivered on that, offering the academic and hands-on experience I was looking for. Balancing my academics, playing on the men鈥檚 basketball team, and working a local internship wasn鈥檛 always easy but the support from across the university helped me stay focused and motivated me to continue to push myself.聽

After graduation, I鈥檒l be stepping into a role as an IT Security Program Specialist for the State of Tennessee. I鈥檓 proud of the direction our cybersecurity program is headed, especially under Professor McClaskey鈥檚 leadership and the opening of the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology. There is a lot of momentum here, and I hope you will consider giving to the MWSU Foundation to help students like me be successful in our careers.

鈥淚 chose cybersecurity because it was challenging and cutting edge.鈥� In the Cybersecurity program, students like Nunez learn how to navigate and thrive in a setting where they are challenged to find solutions to real life scenarios in the cyber world. In addition to his degree, Nunez also obtained three certificates, two in cybersecurity and one in information technology, all of which helped him stand out among other applicants for his new position. 聽 鈥淚t was great to see the Houlne Center built and all of the different technologies that I was able to utilize, which helped me learn so much.鈥� Cybersecurity is one of many new programs that have been developed in recent years to provide a qualified workforce to not only our region, but nationwide. As Missouri鈥檚 official applied learning institution, we are committed to providing 100% of our students with an applied learning experience prior to graduation. Nunez picked up the necessary skills needed to thrive in his new career through a summer internship at Boehringer Ingelheim and various applied learning opportunities provided by Missouri Western.聽

Would you consider giving a gift to help support programs like this that make success stories like Matthew鈥檚 possible? You gift will help ensure that our students continue to gain the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to realize their full potential and dreams.

Matthew Nunez 鈥�25 Cybersecurity

I鈥檝e always looked up to my older brother. I always wanted to follow in his footsteps, so when it came time for me to go to college I wanted to go to his alma mater, 含羞草社区. I moved from Alabama to Saint Joseph to begin my path towards a bachelor鈥檚 degree. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Missouri Western in 2015.

In 2020, I returned to campus to attend the Law Enforcement Academy where I received my POST certification and became a Sheriff鈥檚 Deputy with the Buchanan County Sheriff鈥檚 Office. But I wasn鈥檛 done with my education at MWSU. In 2022, I registered for the Master鈥檚 in Forensic Investigations degree program. Without MWSU and the master鈥檚 program I would not have had to opportunity to attend the National Forensic Academy with University of Tennessee at Martin. The program at UT Martin allowed me to use all the knowledge and skills I had been developing during the master鈥檚 program and apply it in a hands-on environment.

As proud as I am of working towards my master鈥檚 degree and the experiences I鈥檝e had during this time, my best memories of MWSU are from my time with the Law Enforcement Academy. I made lasting friendships with people I still speak to daily. These friends help encourage me and cheer me on when I need it most. I developed skills and knowledge that have helped me be successful in my career and allowed me to meet even more people who have encouraged me to better myself and pursue my interests.

I鈥檓 so thankful for the educational options at Missouri Western as they allowed me to follow my dreams.

I am proud to call myself a Griffon.

鈥淭here is never a day that doesn鈥檛 bring something new,鈥� says Dawn. As a seasoned deputy with the Buchanan County Sheriff鈥檚 office, Dawn credits instructors Lonnie Bishop and Monty Smith for helping her gain the knowledge and insight to make her the dedicated deputy she is today. Because of her hard work and the experience gained while at Missouri Western, Dawn received a Sheriff鈥檚 accommodation in 2022 for her quick thinking when she helped a gunshot wound victim before EMS was able to arrive.

This is just one story in Dawn鈥檚 career that is paving the way for her to reach her ultimate goal of working for the FBI. She credits the specialized investigation training that she received with helping her shoot for the stars. 鈥淚 am proud to be a Griffon.鈥� Dawn has soared as a Griffon and continues to do great things.

Dawn Dussetschleger 鈥�15 / 鈥�24 Psychology / Senior in Forensic Investigations