Scholar Spotlight: Botswana Blackburn
To celebrate 40 years of MSA magic, we are tracking down alumni to catch up with them since completing the Academy. It’s not uncommon to cross paths with MSA alumni at Mizzou— one name that sticks out is the department chair of the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Botswana Blackburn. Call out “Boomba!” on campus…
Help Keep MSA Accessible!
The Missouri legislature is starting to vote on the 2026 budget, which includes funding for gifted education programs on House Bill 2. This funding, along with generous donations from the University of Missouri and alumni like yourselves, supports not just the three weeks in June, but MSA preparations year-round. Currently, the proposed funding for 2026…
Kevin Heisinger Community Service Award Recipient Spotlight: Rohith Ryali
Take a trip down memory lane as we highlight some of the past recipients of the Kevin Heisinger Memorial Award! Rohith Ryali, hailing from Ellisville, MO, received the award during the 2019 Academy. As a scholar, he took classes on board game design and math. Ryali is now pursuing a degree in Medical Science at…
A Dream Becoming A Reality
At the 2024 closing ceremony, Alessia Roten shared a few words regarding her life-changing experience during the three weeks of the Academy. Photo by Ever Cole. Each year, MSA faculty, RAs, and Directors choose a scholar who they believe fully embodies the spirit of the Academy to speak at the annual closing ceremony. For the…
A Glimpse into MSA 2024
The Academy is finally back! Over 300 of Missouri's best students are in the middle of a three-week-long experience on the campus of the University of Missouri. The colors of the 40th year of MSA are Lavender and Nickel. To get updates during the Academy, make sure to follow our social media pages! Instagram: @MissouriScholarsAcademy…
An Experience Like No Other
Each June, more than 300 rising high school juniors from across Missouri gather in Columbia for three weeks of exceptional educational enrichment through the Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA). These gifted students congregate on the University of Missouri campus for a specially designed curriculum with interdisciplinary courses and a variety of stimulating extracurricular activities. The Academy…
A Life-Changing Experience
As an attendee of the 2010 Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA), Jordan Henson was encouraged to write a poem and perform it during an evening poetry slam. Henson’s poem was so moving that the residential assistants leading the activity asked Henson to perform the piece during the next day’s Big Group, which is attended by all…
A Special Reunion
This year’s Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA) has been a special one for Tonya Keyser. A participant of the first Academy in 1985, Keyser returned this year as a faculty member, teaching a metalsmithing major course. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to come back after so many years,” Keyser said. “I love being here. Even…
2023 Regional Information Sessions
On May 4, MSA will hold informational sessions for the 2023 Academy in Columbia, Kansas City, Springfield and St.Louis! There will also be a session over Zoom on May 11. MSA-2023-Regional-Information-Sessions-1Download
Help keep MSA accessible for future scholars!
MSA needs your help! The Missouri legislature is starting to create the budget for 2024. The proposed funding for both MSA and another Missouri program would make the cost of attendance over $1,300 for each future scholar. So, here is where YOU come in! Help us advocate for full academy funding. Please send a letter…