Graduate Assistant
Springfield, Missouri
AA, General Studies, 2015
BS, English Education, 2017
A “Real” College Experience
When deciding where to go to college for a “real” college experience, most students believe they have to move far away from home. Victoria “Tori” York chose Missouri State University-West Plains as a compromise of debt over distance, and she hasn’t looked back since.
“I could use my A+ and it was two hours from home. It took me awhile to get over not going out of state, but once I moved into the dorms and started classes, I was incredibly happy about where I was and the education I was receiving,” York said.
She sings the campus’ praises to anyone she can, explaining the teachers pushed her out of her comfort zone and the staff encouraged her to believe she could do anything. On the road to her Associate of Arts in General Studies degree, she became a Student Ambassador, a resident assistant in the Grizzly House residence hall, and discovered her major for her next degree – a Bachelor’s in English Education, which she received in May 2017 at the Springfield campus.
As a student teacher, York said she used skills she learned in public speaking and debate courses.
Limitless Opportunities
Now, York is still climbing the education ladder and will begin working on her master’s in counseling for secondary education soon. She also is working as a graduate assistant in the university communications office at Springfield.
“When I first enrolled, I was scared to say in the least. I was afraid of failure, my roommate, college classes, my new job, the town, the list goes on. Missouri State-West Plains gave me diversity my small town did not, new friends, new skills, new confidence and a renewed sense of purpose.”
She encourages new students to get out of their rooms and into the college community. Attend sporting events and university programs. Keeping in contact with faculty and staff can lead to life-long mentors and a wide-ranging college experience.
“If you limit yourself, you won’t grow as a person, and really, that’s what college is all about.”