Hometown: West Plains, MO
Currently Resides: State College, PA
Occupation: Teaching Assistant, Penn State University
All Degrees: AA General Studies – Missouri State University-West Plains, BS in Modern and Classical Language-Spanish – Missouri State University, BA Global Studies with a minor in History – Missouri State University, MA World History – Missouri State University, Ph.D. Latin American History – Penn State University (in progress)
“Missouri State University-West Plains gave me the option to begin my college journey while staying close to home and saving a lot!
As a freshman, Micaela Wiehe says she was very shy and not confident in her skills and abilities. All that changed during her time as a student at Missouri State University-West Plains. A member of the Student Ambassador program, the Grizzly Cheer Team, the Student Government Association and other groups, she became comfortable making connections and speaking in front of people.
“All of these skills, and many more, I attribute largely to the impact that these organizations and their leaders had on me as a student. I left the Missouri State-West Plains campus confident I could achieve my goals,” Wiehe said. “I grew so much as a person from my time at Missouri State-West Plains. I would say my experience was instrumental in making me who I am today.”
Though Wiehe knew she wanted to continue her education, she wasn’t sure she could accomplish her academic goals. For her, the stellar faculty and staff made all the difference.
“They believed in me and my potential and gave me the opportunities to be involved and to grow as a student leader. Without having been given that chance, I don’t know how I would have been able to accomplish all of the things I wanted when I transferred to a bigger school,” Wiehe said.
Now, having graduated with an associate’s degree with honors, two bachelor’s degrees, and having spent nearly 12 months studying abroad without student loan debt, she feels she can do anything.
“This incredible freedom has given me the chance to pursue my master’s degree, also paid for by Missouri State, in a field that I love and will open even more doors for me to give back to my community after I graduate.”
Wiehe is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Latin American history at Penn State University. For the next five years, she said, she will conduct research and serve as a teaching assistant. Ultimately, she said, she hopes to become a professor.
“I knew I wanted to apply for the Dalian China program, which is an amazing opportunity provided to students on the West Plains campus.”
Wiehe was not content to let her newfound freedom be constrained by boundaries. She explains the semester she spent studying and exploring in China was what prepared her the most for her future.
“This experience allowed me to grow in the areas of independence, confidence and cultural competence. It made me feel like my goals and dreams were not limited to my hometown, home state or even home country, but that I am able to make an impact globally – as an MSU student and beyond,” Wiehe said.
“My advice for any student is to be as involved as possible in college! Missouri State-West Plains offers so many opportunities for students to get involved in their communities, to network, to grow and to have experiences they might never have been able to have otherwise,” Wiehe said. “There are resources and opportunities for students through the university that many don’t even know are there. My advice is to take advantage of all the ways you will be able to grow and learn – both inside the classroom and out!”