The division of student affairs is excited to welcome some new faces to campus! Josh Mapels has been named director of housing and residence life for Missouri Western.
Josh served as the assistant director of residential life beginning in 2018, and as interim director since spring 2020. Prior to joining Missouri Western, Josh worked at South Dakota State University in residence life and earned a master of science in higher education student affairs from Fort Hays State University. Josh has demonstrated incredible innovation and flexibility while leading the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, and as such, we are excited to see the future of our residential communities under his continued leadership.
Nia Estes joins Missouri Western as the new assistant director of housing and residence life. She comes to Missouri Western from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, where she served as residence life coordinator. In this role, she oversaw personnel and operations for multiple residence halls, adjudicated student conduct cases, developed and implemented programming, served as a retention agent, and advised the Residence Hall Association. Nia also brings residence life experience from Truman State University where she served as a community coordinator and holds a masters of higher education in student affairs from Iowa State University. “We are extremely excited for Nia to join MWSU – she has a clear energy and enthusiasm that will help us in our efforts to develop a positive and inclusive community in our residence halls. Being familiar with her current institution, I am extremely excited to see the ideas and strategies Nia brings to MWSU to improve student retention and success”, stated Dr. Hannah Piechowski, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
Liz Thornton joins Missouri Western from McPherson College, in Kansas, where she served as student affairs support staff as a residence life coordinator. She is currently pursuing a masters of science in higher education from Purdue University Global, Liz’s recent experience includes co-advising McPherson’s Student Activities Board, M-Club Organization, and developing all spiritual life events. “Liz really impressed us during her interviews with her knowledge of housing and residence life, emergency response, and student engagement. I am excited that we get to be part of her professional journey, and I believe that she will create an excellent community in our residence halls”, also said Piechowski.