Advice from Campus Experts

Give your student enough space to grow, to make decisions on their own and to learn from failures. Encourage your student to become involved on campus and explore new ideas and experiences. Be there to support their efforts when they are successful and when they fail. Much can be learned from either outcome.

– President Clif Smart Missouri State University

Good news – your student cannot make a wrong decision about a major. There may be better decisions than others but no wrong decisions. Encourage your student to meet with faculty, senior students and alumni who can help them make good decisions. Encourage your students to challenge themselves every day. The faculty at MSU will be there to help your student face their challenges.

– Dr. Tammy Jahnke Dean, College of Natural and Applied Sciences

While it is tough to see them learn on their own, encourage them to make the call or send the email when they need resources instead of you doing it for them. How they will know you care is how you encourage them to advocate for themselves while standing next to them in the process.

– Dr. Andrea Weber Assistant Vice President – Student Affairs, Dean of Students