Your admissions counselor is here to help you learn what SBU has to offer, navigate the admissions and financial aid processes, and answer any questions you might have. Use the map below to meet your SBU admissions counselor!
Recruiting Territory: Freshman International Students
Call: (417) 328-1815
Email: bvanstavern@SBUniv.edu
Twitter: @SBU_Becky
What SBU means to me: SBU is an amazing family of Christians serving each other with our own unique gifts and talents. Our students are such an important part of that family. Being in this Christ-centered family encourages me to remain focused on my relationship with Christ.
Tips for success in your first year at SBU: Use the resources provided for you at SBU! We all want our students to succeed and will do whatever we can to help them achieve success. Most importantly, remember Philippians 4:13.
Call: (417) 328-1817
Email: ctoler@SBUniv.edu
What SBU means to me: SBU means home to me! This is where I met my husband and so many lifelong friends. This is where I was blessed to get an outstanding education and grow spiritually. SBU is an institution that changes lives, and I am incredibly blessed to work here and be a part of that life change for so many students.
Tips for success in your first year at SBU: Don’t be afraid to approach new people or get involved; you have to remember that all of the other new students are going through the same exact experience as you are. They are probably just as nervous as you are and people are generally more nice and welcoming than you would think, especially at SBU. You will be so thankful you stepped out of your comfort zone when you look back years from now on all of the wonderful friendships you have.
Recruiting Territory: Transfer Students
Call: (417) 328-1800 | Text: (417) 327-9429
Email: cmitchell@SBUniv.edu
Twitter: @SBU_ChrisM
What does SBU mean to you? SBU is a place full of many amazing opportunities awaiting to be discovered. With the many areas of study offered, the possibilities are endless to discover your passions, desires, and goals. SBU is a Christ-centered and academically focused community that gives students the college experience they need to be successful in their future. Become a Bearcat where your life will be changed for the better!
Tips for success in your first year at SBU: 1) Try it out! You never know what God has planned for you, so don't be afraid to try something new. 2) Check into everything SBU has to offer you. There are a lot of options for you that you can pick and choose from that best fit your passions, desires, and goals for your life. 3) SBU has many different areas to help make your college experience one you will never regret. Get involved because your college experience is what you make of it.
States: IL
Missouri Counties: Adair, Audrain, Chariton, Clark, Franklin, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis,
Lincoln, Linn, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland,
Shelby, St. Charles, St. Louis, Sullivan, Warren, Washington
Call: (417) 328-1814 | Text: (417) 399-1508
Email: nharmon@SBUniv.edu
How has SBU been influential in your life?: The woman I am today is due largely in part to this place and the people I've met during my time here. The faculty and staff that have poured into me, the professors who spent countless hours teaching me, and the experiences that I have had here have been invaluable to my identity as a woman in God's Kingdom.
Tips for success in your first year at SBU: Once you're here, start looking for your niche. Find what you're passionate about and then go do it! By doing so, you'll be surprised as to how quickly this place can start to feel like a second home and how fellow students and faculty members can start to feel like family.
Missouri Counties: Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Hickory and Polk
Call: (417) 328-1812 | Text: (417) 327-5554
Email: spalmer@SBUniv.edu
What SBU means to me: SBU means the world to me! SBU is a place that continues to cultivate my faith as well as my education daily. Initially I came to SBU not knowing the impact it would have, not only on my development as a professional, but also on my eternity. I truly believe that God worked through the students and the professors at SBU to bring me into TRUE fellowship and relationship with Him.
Tips for success in your first year at SBU: Here’s my personal opinion. Get involved. Get out of your dorm room and go network. This place is a WEALTH of knowledge that is just waiting for you to explore. Students, staff, your resident assistants and director, faculty, and especially our president — they are all such a critical part of your development here and you won’t be able to engage with them all in your dorm room. So, yes, study. Strive for excellence in your academics — but don’t forget about your journey at SBU is also about the lifelong friendships you’ll make.
Missouri Counties: Benton, Boone, Callaway, Camden, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dent, Douglas, Gasconade, Henry, Howard, Howell, Johnson, Laclede, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Montgomery, Morgan, Osage, Ozark, Pettis, Phelps, Pulaski, Saline, Shannon, Texas, Webster, Wright
Call: (417) 328-1824 | Text: (417) 327-5553
Email: nokeefe@SBUniv.edu
Twitter: @SBU_Natalie
Tips for success in your first year at SBU: Get plugged in! The options for campus and community involvement are endless. Try new things and explore your options. Plug in to activities and groups on campus, but also be engaged in the Bolivar community. Finding a local church will powerfully enrich your college experience!
What sets SBU apart from other universities? Southwest Baptist University is unique in that the focus is preparing students to be successful in every area of their lives. Students receive an excellent education, while also being nurtured spiritually, emotionally and socially. I'm so thankful that God let me to a place that fostered growth in every facet of my life!
States: AR, IA, NE, OK
Missouri Counties: Barry, Barton, Bates, Cedar, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton,
St. Clair, Stone, Taney, Vernon
Call: (417) 328-1800 | Text: (417) 327-9429
Email: tsublette@SBUniv.edu
How has SBU been influential in your life?: SBU influenced my life in so many ways while I went to school here. It challenged me and pushed me to work hard so I could grow as a student. It gave me opportunities to be a part of multiple clubs and groups on campus, make many friends, and even go on missions to places like Guatemala. Most of all, it gave me the tools to go on to graduate school and feel confident that I can be successful in the future.
Tips for success in your first year at SBU: It is extremely important to get involved right away. There are so many awesome opportunities to be a part of a club, an event, or your dorm community. Make sure you get involved early and enjoy every aspect that SBU has to offer!
States: KS
Missouri Counties: Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton,
Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Jackson, Lafayette, Livingston, Mercer,
Nodaway, Platte, Ray, Worth
Call: (417) 328-1829 | Text: (417) 328-9151
Email: rtabor@SBUniv.edu
How has SBU been influential in your life?: SBU has immeasurably influenced my faith, direction, and relationships. I learned more about the incredible love of God during my time as a student than I had at any other point in my life. I was instructed on how to understand and appreciate His works in new and incredible ways. Additionally, SBU refashioned and reinforced the direction of my life through the speech and debate team, theatre program, and campus life. Many of my closest, lifelong friendships were formed while I was an SBU student. Ultimately, SBU continues to impact and shape my faith and future.
Tips for success in your first year at SBU: Since there are so many fun and exciting opportunities outside the classroom, like Bible studies, theatre, or intramural sports, the temptation to jump into everything all at once is very strong. Find a few things that excite and inspire you and run with them without becoming too overwhelmed.
States: AL, AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN,
MS, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA,
WV, WI, WY
Missouri Counties: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Iron, Madison,
Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Pemiscot, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, St. Francois,
Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Wayne
Call: (417) 328-1912 | Text: (417) 298-3375
Email: mwingerd@SBUniv.edu
What sets SBU apart from other universities?: The heart of SBU is people, and this sets us apart in everything we do. Our professors are accomplished scholars who can't wait to get to know you and your academic interests, and they are passionate about preparing you to excel at your goals. Our Student Life staff are friends and educators who are excited to live life, serve, and learn alongside you. SBU offers you an outstanding education and college experience because the people here care about you.
Tips for success in your first year at SBU: Make yourself at home here. Invest in the places where you want to grow and connect with the people around you! College is all about developing as an individual, and SBU offers you a variety of opportunities to embrace growth in the classroom and beyond. You will gain a family of lifelong friends and mentors in the people around you here. So, chat with your professors after class, serve in a campus organization, stop by your RD or RA's open door, go to a football game or concert with your roommate, join a local church...Plant yourself in this community and you will flourish!