MSSU junior Maddox Studdard was listed on the Missourian Nextgen Under 30 and Joplin Globe’s 20 Under 40 this fall.
Missourian Nextgen Under 30 is awarded to nominees described as young, ambitious, and creative
individuals pushing boundaries in their field. This honor is awarded to around 35 people in the state of Missouri. Studdard was also placed on Joplin Globe’s 20 Under 40, which honors individuals making an impact on the area’s business and entrepreneurial sector.
“This is a sign that I’m doing something right,” said Maddox, a Carl Junction native. “It’s a huge step in any direction career or business wise. I’m beyond grateful to say that I was even nominated for these awards.”
Studdard credits Missouri Southern and MOSO CAPS—a collaborative program that offers learning experiences with area businesses and partners to high school juniors and seniors—for preparing his way to receiving these honors.
“Both have helped strengthen all of my skills and ambition,” he shares. “I took two business courses at MSSU and interned at five Joplin-area businesses, two of the main ones being Fletcher Toyota under Jim Adams and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce under Doug Hunt. Both men and MOSO CAPS are the reason why I attended college, and they shaped me into who I am today.”
These awards are just the tip of the iceberg regarding Studdard’s success while just a junior at MSSU. He is majoring in marketing and business administration with an emphasis in finance, and since 2023, he has served as the student representative of MSSU’s Board of Governors.
“After applying, I received a notice a few days later that the Student Senate received my application and submitted it to President Van Galen,” Studdard explains. “My interview with him went amazing, and then he informed me that he would be submitting my application to Governor Mike Parson’s office.”
Studdard would soon receive a call from Jefferson City involving four people from Governor Parson’s office. Two months later, on his way home from visiting his great-grandmother, Studdard received an email:
“I was to be sworn into the board and approved by a Missouri senate committee two weeks after that,” he said. “I bought a suit with my father and headed to Jefferson City with the director as well as my instructor from MOSO CAPS, Dr. Suzanne Hull and Mrs. Debra Schow-Kwolek.”
Senator Jill Carter was present for Studdard’s hearing before the senate committee, who approved of Studdard’s place on the Board of Governors. A few months later, Studdard was invited to speak at the national CAPS event in Kansas City.
“I spoke in front of a little more than 100 CAPS instructors and directors,” he said. “It was such a surreal experience.”
Currently, Studdard is taking 18 credit hours, composing his report for the Board of Governors meeting in March, and determining his future.
“I dream of becoming a captain of a private charter or travel boat,” he says. “It’s a lot of work, but I love serving people. If not that, then I’m considering pursuing marketing at casinos, specifically in event planning and sponsorships.”
