From mentoring students with disabilities to running a nonprofit and more, six Missouri State University students have shown why they are worthy of this year’s Citizen Scholar award.

Today, the university’s Board of Governors honored the deserving students with the award. Created in 2007 as a special Board of Governors program, it is the highest award available to Missouri State students. 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 Dr. Dee Siscoe, vice president of student affairs.

The 2025-26 Citizen Scholars

The Citizen Scholar recipients are:

Megan Bolen, junior, Springfield, Missouri

A special education major, Bolen is an active member of Bears Lead, a college transition program for first-time college students. She 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, senior, Springfield, Missouri

Gumersell is a senior majoring in communication studies. A transfer student, he has been active in the Student Government Association, 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, senior, Rogers, Arkansas

Harris 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, graduate student, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Before coming to Missouri State to study communication, 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, senior, Warrensburg, Missouri

An Honors College student, 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.

She is 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, senior, Springfield, Missouri

An Honors College student, 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.

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 MA and PhD in applied anthropology, aiming to teach in higher education while staying active in the nonprofit sector.

Explore public affairs