AA General Studies, Missouri State-West Plains
BS Athletic Training, Missouri State University
MS Health Promotion and Wellness Management, Missouri State UniversityPhysician Assistant at Meyer Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital
“My time at West-Plains made me who I am”
Being in a comfortable environment was key to his success outside his hometown.
Tim Brazeal, Mansfield, came to Missouri State University-West Plains for the comfort of a small town and the student-faculty ratio. Being in a comfortable environment was key to his success outside his hometown.
“I feared college when I started because I had seen how you are a number at a larger campus. West Plains offered a personalized, caring setting to learn how to function academically at the college level,” Brazeal said.
Independence gained, goals met.
Once he arrived, he says he was exposed to a lot more than he expected.
“I was blind to what college life would be like,” Brazeal said.
As a Student Ambassador, he met his wife, Rochelle, and got connected with “excellent” faculty members. Grizzly Athletic Trainer Keri Elrod served as a mentor for a year and helped him transfer to the athletic training program at Missouri State University in Springfield.
He graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and mentored upcoming athletic trainers. He is now working toward a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.
“Every patient that I touch and care for, and seeing the positive change that I can make in every individual, becomes a new greatest accomplishment every day,” Brazeal said. “My associate degree from West Plains gave me the opportunity. It’s a great place to start.”