6 student leaders receive Citizen Scholar award from Missouri State

Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader

Tue, December 16, 2025 at 9:50 AM UTC

3 min read

Six Missouri State University students were recently honored with the Citizen Scholar award for the 2025-26 year.

Created in 2007 as a special program of the MSU Board of Governors, it is the highest award available to the students at the university. It recognizes those who exemplify academic success and the university’s public affairs mission.

The university’s faculty and staff members submit nominations each fall.

“Our Citizen Scholars represent the very best of MO State — leadership, service and purpose. They’re true ambassadors of our university,” said Dee Siscoe, vice president of student affairs, in a news release.

The Citizen Scholar recipients are:

Megan Bolen

A special education major, Megan Bolen is an active member of Bears Lead, a college transition program for first-time college students. The Springfield junior has also served as a Bear POWER ambassador, mentoring students with disabilities and helping them navigate college life.

In addition, she is part of the Missouri State PRIDE Band, Bear Mania and Concert Band. After graduation, she plans to teach in an elementary special education classroom, then pursue a master’s degree in gifted education and eventually a doctorate in organizational leadership.

Robert-Thomas Gumersell

Robert Thomas-Gumersell, a senior from Springfield, is majoring in communication studies. A transfer student, he has been active in the Student Government Association (SGA), serving as director of university affairs. He was also inducted into Tau Sigma, the national honor society for transfer students.

Gumersell founded and runs “R.T.’s Project Suitcase,” a nonprofit that helps foster children about to age out of the foster care system. After graduation, he plans to pursue a master’s degree, then begin teaching as a college instructor or professor. His long-term goal is to earn a doctorate in higher education and move into higher education administration, ultimately becoming a university dean or college president.

Chandler Harris

Chandler Harris, a senior from Rogers, Arkansas, is an entertainment management major who is also in the accelerated MBA program. Since his sophomore year, he has been president of the Entertainment Management Association.He runs his own freelance production company that includes clients such as Walmart and 21C Hotels.

Additionally, he is a board member for Home for Dinner Inc., a nonprofit that helps veterans in northwest Arkansas. After graduation, he plans to either work in operations management for an entertainment company or focus on growing his business.

Moira Lizarraga

Before coming to Missouri State to study communication, Moira Lizarraga was an accomplished educator and public servant in Bolivia, earning a Teacher of the Year award in 2020. She also served in municipal government in Santa Cruz.

As a Graduate College graduate assistant, she worked as the bilingual liaison for the university’s first master’s degree program offered entirely in Spanish. In addition, she is a board member for the Ozarks Lyric Opera. Her next step after graduation is to pursue a PhD in communication.

Jessica Snare

An Honors College student, Jessica Snare is double majoring in information technology-cybersecurity and IT-infrastructure. She founded and directs the Information Technology and Cybersecurity Cyber Cubs Youth Technology Summer Camp program.

The senior from Warrensburg also president of the Association for Business Information Technology Students and inject manager and co-captain for Missouri State’s Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition team. She will start an IT role at ConocoPhillips after graduation.

Sam Wang

An Honors College student, Sam Wang is an anthropology major who serves on the SGA, where he is currently student body vice president and formerly chief of staff and chief sustainability commissioner. As an AmeriCorps member, Wang worked closely with the Bear Pantry on campus. He is from Springfield

During his internship with the Center for Ozarks Poverty Research, he ran the center’s Virtual Reality Poverty Immersion program. After graduation, Wang plans to pursue an master's degree and doctorate in applied anthropology, aiming to teach in higher education while staying active in the nonprofit sector.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State awards 6 student leaders its Citizen Scholar award

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