Southeast Missouri State University 1873

SEMO is Home

Alyssa Rueseler headshot

For many, the journey to becoming a Redhawk often starts right out of high school around the age of 18, but for SEMO freshman Alyssa Rueseler, that journey started much, much earlier.

As an infant, Alyssa attended the University School for Young Children, an early childhood education center open to University faculty, staff, students, and community. Alyssa has been a part of the Redhawk community from quite literally before she can remember. For her, playmates have become classmates, former USYC students who cared for her have become employees of the University, and Homecoming has already filled her with a lifetime of memories. SEMO is more than a college where she will receive an education; it’s home in every sense of the word.


 

Then and Now

Alyssa and her mom playing on the floor at USYC when she was in her classroom.
Alyssa with her mom when she was a baby
Alyssa and her mom taking a moment on the SEMO couch together.
Alyssa and her mom sitting on a semo blow up couch
Alyssa at Freshman Orientation ready to take on the next adventure at SEMO.
Alyssa standing in front the SEMO letters at an event
Alyssa playing on the USYC floor as a baby.
Alyssa playing on the floor as a baby in the USYC

USYC really embodied being outside and learning with your hands, hard work, and just being kind. They genuinely want you to succeed and start you from a young age this is how the world works. They put it out in front of you, let you take it with a grasp, and show you how to achieve.