By Cary Littlejohn | Show Me Mizzou

Meet University of Missouri staff members who are pursuing degrees in their spare time.

At the University of Missouri, education is a lifelong pursuit that extends beyond students.

Mizzou encourages staff members to take advantage of its first-rate academic programs by offering support and resources that allow them to continue their education.

Meet some of Mizzou’s employees who are using off-work time to complete degrees at every level.

Name: Sam Snavely
Staff Position/Title: Student support staff/placement coordinator
Department: Office of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships in the College of Education and Human Development
Degree Seeking?: Completing a master of library and information sciences degree in May 2026 and has been accepted into the doctoral program for information sciences and learning technologies starting Fall 2026
Format: Mizzou Online 

Why did you decide to further your education? 

At the start of my high school English teaching career, I had already gone back to college once to complete my master’s degree and get a reading specialist certification. As more years went by, I knew that I wanted to go back to being a student. I loved learning so much, and I really wanted to be able to pursue a doctorate at some point. Spring 2023 was my last semester in the public-school classroom, and I knew it was my time to apply for something else. I had always considered getting my MLIS, but I wanted to be able to support and advocate for K-12 education still. I applied for the master’s program at the same time that I applied for my position in the College of Education and Human Development, supporting preservice and student teachers. I was incredibly lucky to be accepted in both roles. 

How has Mizzou made it easy for you to go back?

I think Mizzou has done so much to make this an easy transition back. It does help a lot that my place of work is within the same college that my degree programs are housed. Even though I am considered an online student, I am still within walking distance to a lot of the resources and people on campus, but I know that there is a ton of outreach and support for people who are not as close as I am, too. Our faculty and staff are incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate. They are always willing to help and guide students. It makes it so much more approachable. My experience and engagement would not be possible without all of those pieces from Mizzou — the people and the resources.

What have you enjoyed most about continuing your education, and how do you hope to use it?

I have most enjoyed learning and studying with peers and experts interested in the same work, but who are from all over and from so many different backgrounds. I have learned a lot about advocating for libraries, emerging technologies and aspects of information sciences that I had not fully considered before. My goal is to now take this education into my doctorate so that I can combine all of my interests. I am currently working on ideas related to the school-to-prison pipeline and how we can build community, supporting our most disenfranchised through the lens of information sciences. The community at Mizzou is so special to me, and I believe it is always important to move forward in finding ways to support one another. I hope that my future research can be a part of that. 

This story originally appeared on Show Me Mizzou.

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