Name:  Lissa Siemers

Hometown:  Dora, MO

Currently Resides: Clarksville, TN

Occupation: Certified Coding Specialist/Per Course Faculty, Missouri State University-West Plains

All Degrees/Certificates Received: AAS-Health Information Technology, Missouri State University-West Plains, 2017; Certified Coding Specialist, American Health Information Management Association, 2019

“Missouri State-West Plains gave me confidence.”

Like many non-traditional students, Lissa Siemers wasn’t sure she had what it took to complete a college degree. The Dora native was several years beyond high school and raising a child on her own. But she knew a college degree would make it easier to support herself and her child, and Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) was close enough for her to take that leap of faith into the world of higher education.

“I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to go back to school being older and a single mother. I was afraid that I didn’t have the intelligence and discipline to achieve something as high as a degree in college. I was afraid of failing,” she explained.

“But with the support of my advisor, professors and other students following the same path, MSU-WP helped me create the bonds of support I needed to carry me through my degree and showed me I had more in myself than I realized,” she said.

“If it wasn’t for my advisor, Tresa Ryan, I would not be where I am today.”

Lissa credits much of her success in college and her career to her advisor, Assistant Professor of Health Information Technology Tresa Ryan.

“She took time to work with me on achieving my goals, even after I left college,” Lissa explained. “She inspired me to want to give the same opportunity to other students who want to follow the same career path as I did. I now work with her teaching students online for MSU-WP.”

That support helped Lissa graduate Summa Cum Laude with her degree from MSU-WP in 2017 and to become a certified coding specialist with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

“My greatest accomplishment has been obtaining the knowledge I needed through learning and experience to obtain my degree and certification, which in turn has given me the financial stability to enjoy a more lucrative life,” she said.

“It was a positive, life-changing experience. I’ll never forget my time there.”

Lissa said she is thrilled that her degree has given her the opportunity as an educator to help others achieve their goals.

“I have learned so much from my career that now I am able to help new students at MSU-WP who are looking to follow the same path as I did,” she explained. “Knowing what I do now, I can look back and help students understand the trade so they, in turn, can accomplish their goals,” she explained.

She also offered this piece of advice to other students who may not feel confident enough to enroll in college.

“Don’t be afraid to try. The one who falls and gets up is stronger than the one who never tried at all,” she said. “When you try, you learn more than just what you are attempting; you learn something about yourself. This is the difference between success and failure.”