The Joplin Scholars Program is a unique opportunity for high-achieving students seeking a well-rounded college experience enriched by leadership development and community service.Â
Background and Overview
The Joplin Scholars Program was established in 2001 at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) in Joplin, Missouri. It was created with the goal of attracting outstanding students and expanding their leadership potential through personalized education, community involvement, and career preparation.
Each year, 30 new students are selected to join the Joplin Scholars cohort based on academic merit and demonstrated leadership attributes. Students receive a dedicated advising team and participate in a variety of enrichment activities throughout their undergraduate careers. The program aims to cultivate well-rounded graduates who are ready to make meaningful impacts in their careers and communities.
Commitments and Benefits
Joplin Scholars are expected to complete 30 hours of community service per semester and participate actively in program events and organization meetings. This ensures they gain valuable hands-on experience while still maintaining flexibility in their academic schedules.
In return, scholars receive dedicated private advising, career counseling, and leadership development opportunities. This includes guidance on securing internships, studying abroad, and graduate school applications. Scholars also get exclusive access to professional development workshops, networking events, and mentoring relationships.
Financially, Joplin Scholars are awarded prestigious four-year scholarships covering full tuition, fees, and on-campus room and board. For many outstanding students, this makes the program uniquely appealing and life-changing.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Joplin Scholars Program, applicants must meet the following basic criteria:
- U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
- Minimum composite ACT score of 27 or SAT score of 1230 (writing section not required)
- High school GPA of at least 3.75 out of a 4.0 scale
- Strong record of community service and leadership experience
- Two letters of recommendation
- 500-word personal statement
Students may apply during their senior year of high school or as college transfers if they have completed fewer than 30 credit hours. All full-time undergraduate degree programs are open to Joplin Scholars.
The Application Process
The Joplin Scholars Program follows a traditional application cycle with deadlines in the fall for the upcoming academic year. Here are the standard steps:
September – October: Complete the online preliminary application providing basic information. All qualified applicants will then be invited to submit a full application.
November – December: Submit a more in-depth application, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and optional supplemental materials. Applications are thoroughly reviewed by a selection committee.
January – February: Selected finalists will be invited for an interview, which is a major factor in the final admission decision. Interviews typically occur on campus and involve meeting scholars, faculty, and administration.
March: Notification of admission decisions is released. Accepted students have until May 1st to accept their Joplin Scholars offer. All documents, like transcripts, must be submitted by the summer.
August: The new cohort of Joplin Scholars begins their first semester at MSSU with an orientation and introduction to program requirements.
Required Curriculum
Once accepted, Joplin Scholars follow a distinctive curriculum that supplements their chosen academic major. This layered learning approach is designed to holistically develop essential competencies.
Leadership Coursework: All scholars enroll in a 1-credit seminar each semester specifically focused on cultivating leadership skills. Topics may include communication, teamwork, project management, and community advocacy.
Career Preparation: Scholars meet one-on-one with professional advisors to explore career paths, prepare resumes and cover letters, practice interviews, and connect to potential internships and job opportunities.
Community Service: A minimum of 30 hours per semester is required through approved on- and off-campus service placements. This fosters civic engagement and contributes to the Joplin community. Hours are logged and reflected upon.
Capstone Project: During their final year, scholars complete a substantial research or experience-based independent study project on an approved topic of their choice. They present their findings to program administrators.
Study Abroad: International study is highly encouraged, though not mandatory. Scholars receive guidance on selecting programs and securing funding like scholarships. Credits typically transfer seamlessly.
Defining Technical Concepts
As the Joplin Scholars Program deals with higher education, leadership development, and career preparation concepts, it utilizes some technical language. Let’s define a few key terms:
Academic Major: The primary field of study a student pursues, like Biology, English, or Business Administration. Most bachelor’s degrees require the completion of a major.
Credit Hours: The unit used to measure academic coursework and progress toward a degree. Most college courses are worth three credits. Scholarships may require full-time status of at least 12 credits per semester.
GPA (Grade Point Average): This represents a student’s overall academic performance calculated on a 4.0 scale based on the quality point value of each letter grade received. GPA is a major factor in college admissions and scholarship decisions.
Letters of Recommendation: Written evaluations from teachers, counselors, employers, or other references that provide social proof of a student’s character and capabilities. Recommenders comment on attributes like work ethic, leadership, and academic ability.
Sample Curriculum and Timeline
Let’s visualize what a typical four-year plan may look like for a Joplin Scholar majoring in Psychology:
First Year
- Fall: PSY1225 Intro to Psychology (3 cr.), ENG1115 Composition I (3 cr.), MTH1125 College Algebra (3 cr.), elective course (3 cr.), Joplin Scholars seminar (1 cr.)
- Spring: PSY1235 Human Development (3 cr.), ENG1225 Composition II (3 cr.), BIO1115 General Biology (3 cr.), SOC1115 Intro to Sociology (3 cr.), Joplin Scholars seminar (1 cr.)
- Summer: Study abroad program in England
Second Year
- Fall: PSY2345 Abnormal Psychology (3 cr.), foreign language course (3 cr.), elective course (3 cr.), Joplin Scholars seminar (1 cr.)
- Spring: PSY3355 Social Psychology (3 cr.), foreign language course (3 cr.), elective course (3 cr.), perform 10 hours of community service per week
Third Year
- Fall: PSY3425 Cognitive Psychology (3 cr.), STAT1425 Statistics (3 cr.), elective course (3 cr.), Joplin Scholars seminar (1 cr.)
- Spring: PSY4465 Behavioral Neuroscience (3 cr.), elective course (3 cr.), elective course (3 cr.), complete internship at local mental health center
Fourth Year
- Fall: PSY4475 Senior seminar (3 cr.), elective course (3 cr.), elective course (3 cr.), start a capstone research project.
- Spring: Elective course (3 cr.), elective course (3 cr.), complete and present capstone project
Succeeding in the Program
Beyond academics and service commitments, scholars benefit greatly from fully engaging in all program activities and building relationships. Here are some tips for maximizing the Joplin Scholars experience:
- Attend monthly scholar meetings, professional development workshops, and special events. These foster bonds with peers and mentors.
- Pursue campus leadership roles outside the program, like student government, honor societies, or research assistantships. Well-rounded involvement looks impressive.
- Utilize one-on-one advising for course planning, internship searching, graduate school preparation, and general guidance. Advisors are invested in each scholar’s success.
- Connect personally with program alumni on LinkedIn and through networking receptions. Alumni relationships may lead to job opportunities down the road.
- Take advantage of unique scholarship perks like dinner with prominent campus speakers, cultural event tickets, and travel reimbursement for conferences.
- Maintain a professional online presence through a polished LinkedIn profile and consistent grades that will impress future employers and graduate schools.
Potential Career Paths
As the Joplin Scholars Program develops versatile leadership and interpersonal skills on top of an academic foundation, graduates have pursued diverse career paths across many sectors:
- Healthcare administration, social work, counseling
- Higher education administration, academic advising
- Non-profit management, program coordination, fundraising
- Marketing, communications, public relations
- Business consulting, project management
- Law, politics, policymaking
- K-12 education, curriculum development
- Entrepreneurship, startup roles in technology, science, arts
With the well-rounded training received, Joplin Scholars feel prepared for further education too. Many continue on to prestigious master’s and doctoral programs at top universities across the country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have a 27 ACT/1230 SAT score or a 3.75 GPA? Can I still apply?
While the minimum test scores and GPA are recommended, the selection committee takes a holistic view of each applicant. Strong letters of recommendation, community service experience, and your personal statement can make up for a slightly lower metric. It’s still worth applying if you believe the program is right for you.
How competitive is acceptance to the program?
Admission to the Joplin Scholars Program is highly selective. Each year, over 200 students typically apply for the 30 available spots. It’s estimated that around 15% of applicants are ultimately selected. Having a well-rounded application that demonstrates leadership potential is crucial to standing out.
Is the program limited only to residents of Missouri?
No, the Joplin Scholars Program is open to any qualified student regardless of home state or country of residence. A number of scholars have come from other areas of the U.S. and even other nations to take advantage of this excellent opportunity.
What if I want to transfer to a different college after my first year – can I keep my Joplin Scholars scholarship?
Unfortunately, the scholarship is specific to studying at Missouri Southern State University for a full four years as a member of the Joplin Scholars cohort. Transferring to another school would result in forfeiting the scholarship. The program aims to support the entire undergraduate experience exclusively at MSSU.
Is community service really required every semester? What if I have a very full course schedule?
Yes, the 30 hours of service per semester (fall and spring) is a non-negotiable commitment for Joplin Scholars and integral to the program’s mission of developing civic leaders. However, scholars do have flexibility in where and when they complete hours, such as on weekends. Advisors also help ensure obligations don’t become too burdensome alongside academics. Proper time management makes it very doable.
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APPLY NOW
If the Joplin Scholars Program sounds like the right fit, I encourage you to apply! The application portal will be made open in early September here Be sure to thoroughly review the eligibility requirements and start preparing your strongest possible application materials over the summer. Select current scholars and alumni are also available to answer further questions by emailing joplinscholars@mssu.edu. This truly is a unique opportunity worth pursuing for outstanding students seeking great benefits and a truly enriching college experience.
