Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University's Redhawk Speech and Debate Team earned national recognition at the National Speech Championship, where students competed against top collegiate speakers from across the country and two advanced to the quarterfinals. Through weekly practices and collaboration, the team continues to build strong communication, reasoning and leadership skills. Coach Noah Smentkowski said tournaments give students the chance to grow, share meaningful topics and build lasting connections, reflecting SEMO's commitment to experience-driven learning and student success.

Students in Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Mass Media are garnering recognition for their bold storytelling and real-world media experience, earning top honors at the 2026 Missouri Broadcast Educators Association (MBEA) College Media Competition and 23 honors at the Missouri College Media Association (MCMA) conference.

Southeast Missouri State University's Wind Ensemble recently performed at WindFest, an invitation-only concert held at Cincinnati Music Hall, where select ensembles showcase their talents on a national stage. The experience challenged students while providing valuable performance exposure and professional growth. The trip helped students grow in confidence, musicianship and perspective, reinforcing SEMO's commitment to hands-on learning and meaningful performance opportunities that prepare students for careers in music and education.

Southeast Missouri State University's Heartland Independent Winter Guard earned a gold medal at the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association (MCCGA) Championships, marking a major achievement in the ensemble's inaugural competitive season. Performing their 2025 program, "The Bridge Between Us," the 15-member group competed in the Independent Regional A Classification and won their class at every event leading up to the championship in Willard, Missouri. Founded this year as part of SEMO's growing performing arts initiatives, the Heartland Independent Winter Guard has quickly become a standout ensemble in the region. Led by director Luke Christisen and operating under the University band program, the team's success reflects the dedication, talent, and teamwork of its members. Recruitment for next season is already underway, with plans to continue building on this season's strong foundation.

Southeast Missouri State University marketing students recently competed in the 2022 Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference, bringing home second place and third place trophies and one finalist placement.

Southeast Missouri State University Collegiate DECA students won high honors in the 2022 Collegiate DECA State Career Development Conference and Competition Feb. 17 in Lake Ozark, Missouri.

For the tenth consecutive year, the Southeast Missouri State Cyber Defense Team has won the Missouri Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC).

Southeast Missouri State University graduate communication disorders students recently placed second in the "Quest for the Cup" competition during the Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (MSHA) annual convention in Osage Beach, Missouri.

For the first time in Southeast Missouri State University history, two International Collegiate Programming Competition (ICPC) student teams have competed in the ICPC North American Division Championships (NADC), with one finishing in the Top 15.

The Southeast Missouri State University Cyber Defense Team took third place at the virtual 2021 Erich J. Spenger Midwest Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC).

The Southeast Missouri State University debate team finished fifth in the virtual Education Debate Association's (NEDA) National Debate Tournament March 27. The team of sophomore Olivia Fensterman of Edwardsville, Illinois, and junior Jaina Ryanne Bemis of Alton, Illinois, placed fifth out of 43 teams at the NEDA National Debate Tournament. Additionally, Fensterman was recognized individually with the "Top Speaker" award.

For the ninth consecutive year, the Southeast Missouri State University Cyber Defense Team has won the Missouri Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC).

The Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State University is pleased to announce the winners of the fourth annual SEMO Pitch Competition.

University Marketing along with students at Southeast Missouri State University brought home several local ADDY Awards Feb. 19 at the annual American Advertising Awards Show at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Cape Girardeau.

For the eighth straight year, the Southeast Missouri State University Cyber Defense Team has won the Missouri Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC).

Southeast Health Sciences, Athletic Training Students Repeat as Winners of Regional ACSM Quiz Bowl

The winners of the inaugural Hult Prize Challenge at Southeast Missouri State University were announced at a Common Hour program Nov. 6. This year's challenge topic was "Bold Businesses for a Better Planet." Participating teams, using the topic as inspiration, created startup businesses that have a positive impact on the planet with every sale completed, dollar earned and decision made. The Douglas C. Green Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosted the competition.

The Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State University is pleased to announce the winnerss of the third annual Southeast Startup Pitch Competition on May 1.

The Arrow, the student newspaper of Southeast Missouri State University, won 13 awards at the 2019 Missouri College Media Association (MCMA) Conference April 13-14 at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.

Ten Southeast Missouri State University student members of the Zeta Alpha Lambda chapter of Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) brought home seven awards in individual and team events at the Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference June 24-28 in San Antonio, Texas.

Southeast Missouri State University Collegiate DECA students won high honors in the 2019 Collegiate DECA State Career Development Conference and Competition Feb. 21-22 in Lake Ozark, Missouri.

Southeast Missouri State University's Redhawk Debate brought home first place and a top speaker award at the Otterbein University Spring Cardinal Tournament March 1-2 in Columbus, Ohio.

A team of Southeast Missouri State University business students finished fifth out of 16 qualifying finalists at the Championship Round of the 2019 Network of International Business Schools (NIBS) Worldwide Case Competition Feb. 17-22 in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

The Southeast Missouri State University Cyber Defense Team has extended its streak as the reigning Missouri state champion after winning the 2019 Missouri Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) Feb. 5 for the seventh straight year.

Three Southeast Missouri State University students from the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation won the Student Quiz Bowl at the Central States Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Conference Oct. 18 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Catapult Creative House at Southeast Missouri State University are pleased to announce the finalists of the inaugural Southeast Startup Pitch Competition (SSPC) taking place on May 2.

Continuing a tradition of outstanding performance, Southeast Missouri State University students won 30 awards in 24 individual and team events at the State Leadership Conference of Phi Beta Lambda April 6-7 at Ozark Technical College in Springfield, Missouri.

Southeast Missouri State University Marketing Club students recently competed in the 2018 Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference and Competition April 11-14 in Washington, D.C.

Students of the Sales Competition Team proudly represented Southeast Missouri State University at the 20th Annual National Collegiate Sales Competition (NCSC) April 3-6 hosted by Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Southeast Missouri State University students placed in 19 events at the State Phi Beta Lambda Collegiate conference March 21-22 in Columbia, Mo. Eight Southeast students finished in first place and 11 Southeast students placed second in 50 competitive events. Southeast students also had four third place finishers; two fourth place finishers; three fifth place finishers; and one sixth place finisher. Students from 20 four- and two-year Missouri colleges competed in the event. Southeast students participating in the competition represented the following majors: marketing, finance, accounting, management, economics, international business, athletic training, computer information systems, mass communications and multimedia graphics. Southeast winners are as follows: