10/07/2025
Introducing our panelists for the Basic Needs Panel: Dr. Alex Johnson, Daezia Smith, Ellen Currie, and Dr. Joan Barrett.
Panelist Features:
Dr. Alex Johnson is the Director of the Center for Community Engagement at Missouri State University. Dedicated to serving students and the community, Alex focuses on creating positive change through education, service, and collaboration. His work centers on supporting student success by building pathways for experiential learning and expanding programs that address basic needs, including leading efforts to establish the university’s on-campus food pantry.
Daezia Smith is the Leadership Programs Specialist in the Global Education and Engagement office. She has been at Missouri State since 2013- first for her undergrad then her graduate program. She liked it so much that she decided to stay! As a full-time staff member for the last 5 years, she finds joy in helping international students find connections and make memories during their time at MSU. She is the staff coordinator for the Global Leaders and Mentors program, which connects current international and domestic students to new international students.
Ellen Elizabeth Currie serves as the Coordinator of Student Care and Support at Missouri State University, where she is dedicated to fostering student well-being through compassionate, solution-focused support. Born and raised in Missouri, Ellen brings not only professional expertise but also a personal understanding of the unique challenges and insecurities many Missourians face — from access to mental health care to navigating economic and social pressures.
Dr. Joan Barrett is the retired Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, MO. and currently serves as the Interim Associate Director of the Academic Advising and Transfer Center at Missouri State University. A dedicated advocate for student success, Joan has spent her career working to eliminate barriers to higher education by designing and implementing strategic student support systems.