Central IB Graduates:
Where Are They Now?
We've invited our IB Graduates throughout the years to share their educational journey, degrees achieved, and current employment. If you're an IB Grad and haven't shared your information, or need to update your information, please do so here:
Kaylea Bryan
Diploma Program
Class of 2019
College/University:
Missouri State University
Bachelors of Music Education
Career Status:
Student Teaching at MSU
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
I learned a lot about time management and the basics of education through IB. For example, I learned how to write a good essay in a timely manner and how to actually study for a test. I also built a good community and learned the importance of asking for help when you need it!
Gabrielle Mills
Diploma Program
Class of 2017
College/University:
Missouri State University
Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Texas
Master's of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
Career Status:
Graduate Student and Graduate Research Assistant
How did Central's IB Program help you for college/career?
Central’s IB Program helped me tremendously during my college experience. I developed writing and critical thinking skills that assisted me in course work. Additionally, I developed leadership skills that benefited me for scholarship selections and student organizations.
McKenzie Tuttle
Diploma Program
Class of 2015
College/University:
College of the Ozarks
Bachelors of Science in Psychology
Kansas State University
Masters in Gerontology
Career Status:
Working full time for Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services. Part time grad student who will be done Dec 2023
How did Central's IB Program help you for college/career?
Writing papers. I can write academic papers in my sleep. In undergrad, I was not scared of research papers or essays or even large writing assignments due in two three days from being assigned. In grad school, it's just play for me now. It also helped me to think critically in making connections across disciplines which is very exciting to see and read about in research and understanding the world better through that idea. With my career, while it's still very young, it's helped me become better at educating others, writing professionally, being detailed oriented, and overall a hard worker.
Télyse Masaoay
Diploma Program
Class of 2015
College/University:
Vanderbilt University
B.A. in Public Health & Sociology
Washington University
Master's of Social Work
Career Status:
Racial Equity Strategist in Philadelphia Mayor’s Office. I currently lead the city’s racial equity strategy & policy design in the Mayor’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
How did Central's IB Program help you for college/career?
The IB program got me into the habit of being well-rounded in my pursuits & staying curious and critical. To this day, my work covers many industries and policy topics. Without the push of IB, I wouldn’t have the same insatiable appetite to learn about topics as far-ranging as environmental justice and labor unions, from public budgeting to illegal evictions and beyond.
Mackenzie Gagne
Diploma Program
Class of 2017
College/University:
Drury University
B.A. Secondary Education (English & Spanish)
Career Status:
English Teacher at Parkview High School
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
IB shaped who I am as a life-long learner, taught me skills that prepared me 110% for college and beyond, and encouraged me to use the most of my potential. As a high school teacher now, IB took my levels of thinking and my ideology of how people learn to new heights, and it has helped create amazing things for and with my students.
Emma (McIntyre) Bailey
Diploma Program
Class of 2011
College/University:
University of Missouri
B.A. in History
MEd in School Counseling
Career Status:
College & Career Counselor
Rae (Trampler) Carmichael
Diploma Program
Class of 2009
College/University:
Missouri State University
Bachelor of Social Work
Southeastern University
Master of Social Work & LCSW
Career Status:
Founding Primary School Director at Collegiate Hall Charter School in Tulsa, OK
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
Central’s IB program helped me develop real world skills such as project management, analysis and evaluation skills, communication strategies, and systems thinking. IB provided numerous opportunities to strengthen my time management, collaboration ability, and grit.
Brynn Tucker
Diploma Program
Class of 2018
College/University:
Drury University
B.S. Biochemistry
Arkansas College of Health Education
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Masters in Biomedical Science
Career Status:
Beginning Med School Fall of 2023
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
The Central IB program helped prepare me for so many challenges I encountered in my undergraduate career. I was able to build better study habits, begin higher level thinking when approaching material, and greatly improve my essay skills. It helped open up opportunities for scholarships and gaining additional coursework credit which helped me start college as an official sophomore and graduate early! I strongly believe that without the program and how it helped me, I wouldn’t have been as successful with achieving my goals. Not only did it help me academically, but I formed so many meaningful friendships and connections with students and teachers who helped guide and support me along the career journey I wanted to pursue.
Kerri Raleigh
Diploma Program
Class of 2013
College/University:
Drury University
B.A. in Biology/Chemistry
Saint Louis University School of Medicine:
M.D.
Career Status:
Family Medicine Resident at Saint Louis University
Tabitha Frey
Diploma Program
Class of 2014
College/University:
Northwestern College
Bachelor's in Social Work
Career Status:
Resettlement Manager for the International Rescue Committee
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
The IB program helped me develop a broader worldview and set of skills. The pieces of IB related to thinking about the world, solving problems, and applying multidisciplinary theory that I learned in IB are parts of my life that have gone well beyond preparing me to excel academically in college.
Rachel Haik
Individual IB Course Student
Class of 2019
College/University:
Loyola Marymount University
B.A. in Journalism & Communication Studies
London School of Economics and Political Science
Master of Science in Media & Communications
Career Status:
Account Supervisor at 62ABOVE
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
IB helped me dream bigger and have the opportunity to move to Los Angeles. I was fortunate to receive a scholarship to receive my undergraduate degree.
Will Hutson
Career-related Program
Class of 2019
College/University:
Washington University
B.A. Biology
Master of Public Health, Epidemiology & Biostatistics (2024)
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
The IB Program was an important step towards developing the problem solving skills I need to pursue a career in public health and medicine. Having freedom to explore topics I was passionate about through the IA's in HL Math, HL Biology, SL Physics, and SL Environmental Systems and Societies helped me get into a habit of being thorough with research projects and essays.
Roxy Kraber
Diploma Program
Class of 2015
College/University:
Drury University:
B.A. in Music & Arts Administration
New York University:
M.A. in Music Business
University of West London:
MSc in Project Management
Career Status:
Operations Coordinator at The UK Hip Hop Museum and Head of A&R at Cream Collective
Amanda Morrison
Diploma Program
Class of 2016
College/University:
Temple University
Bachelor of Arts-Global Studies, Strategic Communication
Career Status:
English Teacher in Cartagena, Spain
Hannah Askew
Diploma Program
Class of 2018
College/University:
Belmont University
Bachelors of Business Administration in Music Business, Minor in Public Relations
Career Status:
Director of Digital Marketing at Evergreen Entertainment
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
IB helped me finish college on time while having a double major and a minor! I have strong conversational, writing and task management skills because of IB.
Michael McCoy
Diploma Program
Class of 2008
College/University:
University of Missouri-Columbia: B.S
Cornell University
Harvard University:
Ph.D.
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
The IB program was instrumental in helping me identify long-term career goals that were necessary for navigating a career which required an extended amount of training. The skill sets helped me triage personal, educational, and professional goals which were major drivers of success.
Tyler Bates
Diploma Program
Class of 2019
College/University:
Missouri State University:
Medical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Sciences w/minor in Spanish
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
My degree requires you to get into a program that serves as your last year of school. It has been compared to a similar difficulty of the first year of med school, and I think that IB really helped me prepare for this. I took HL Chem and it helped me get all my General Chemistry credits out of the way. In my current program, there is so much information that we go through in such a short amount of time so you have to know how to prioritize information and know how to study efficiently. IB helped me develop great test taking skills and also humbled me with many of my HL Chem test scores. In IB you are stressed to your max at times, and I think that helps you tremendously later on in life because you know how to deal with that stress.
It is also just a good opportunity to mess up early and learn from your basic mistakes that everyone will make at some point. I graduated with 33 credit hours and it gave me time to pursue my minor in Spanish when I otherwise would not have had time. Three years after graduation, it still looks good on my applications to these programs because even though some people still may not know what IB even is, they are typically impressed after you explain it to them. Sometimes you even run into fellow IB Grads like my Program Director who did IB all the way in Colorado (and also understands the struggle of HL Chem). One last thing - I think that going to Central in general, but also doing the IB program exposed me to a lot of diversity and allowed me to experience our world from the perspective of people totally different from me. I met people from all over the world at Central and I think that is very valuable to have because around here most people are not exposed to people much different from them and I think that leads to very like-minded ideology that can be limiting.
Central celebrates diversity and gives its students an understanding of its importance, where I feel that the country as a whole, at times, seems to be forgetting why our diversity makes us better. Sometimes I forget how much of a valuable experience I received from IB because of all the stress and anxiety it caused me. But when I think back on my time here, I never fail to think of all the things I gained from my experience.
Taylor Fairbank
Diploma Program
Class of 2010
College/University:
University of Illinois
Lund University
Career Status:
Director of Growth at Distribute Aid
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
I have a checkered history with success, so take anything I say with a grain of salt. Since completing IB and graduating from Central I have:
1. Studied 4 years of computer science at the University of Illinois... then dropped out with 3 gen-ed classes left.
2. Founded a tech startup in California, raised a 6 figure seed round... then flamed out two years later and lost everyone's money.
3. Hopped the pond to Belgrade, Serbia, built what may be the world's largest international mutual aid supply chain... then realized that I can't really afford to live in the US when I moved back.
Honestly? You can end up anywhere. How you get there is what counts. I'm forever grateful how IB at Central prepared me for my journey:
Theory of Knowledge helped me realize that I didn't need to get the best grades in College as long as I remained a lifelong learner.
An international program at the most diverse school in Springfield gave me confidence navigating different cultures around the world.
The difficult tests and long hours studying built up my work ethic, and taught me that I will succeed when I apply myself.
The amazing teachers I had and friends I made at Central gave me the confidence to take the next steps in my journey, since I knew they'd have my back.
To any current students who end up reading this: Here's to discovering your path. May Central shine bright upon it.
Madison McBurnie
Diploma Program
Class of 2011
College/University:
Evangel University:
BS in Biology
Logan University:
Doctorate of Chiropractic
Career Status:
Sports Medicine Chiropractic Physician
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
Central’s IB program prepared me to enter competitive and rigorous programs after graduation, giving me critical thinking skills and tools to rise to any challenge or hard material in my coursework. It set a firm foundation that allowed me to succeed in undergrad and even in my postgraduate degree.
Savannah Rush
Diploma Program
Class of 2014
College/University:
Washington University in St. Louis (undergrad), Harvard University (grad school)
BS Systems and Electrical Engineering from WashU, MBA from Harvard Business School
Career Status:
Management Consultant at McKinsey & Company
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
The way that seemingly unrelated subjects and learnings were integrated to inform certain topics was crucial to developing my understanding of complex systems. At this point in my career, there are no longer any "easy answers"--critical thinking is crucial. I'm thankful that I began to develop these skills in the IB program.
Kristen Lawson
Diploma Program
Class of 2018
College/University:
Truman State University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Master of Arts in Education
Career Status:
8th Grade Math Teacher at Jarrett Middle School
Tori (Reaves) Mercado
Diploma Program
Class of 2017
College/University:
Drury University
Bachelor of Arts, Strategic Communications & Master of Arts, Integrated Marketing Communication
Career Status:
Public Policy Analyst, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
Loni Helm
Diploma Program
Class of 2019
College/University:
Webster University
BA in Drama and Playwrighting, BA in Philosophy, Leadership Certificate
Career Status:
Lead Carrier Operations Representative at Werner Enterprises
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
More than anything I think the IB program gave me the ability to learn quickly and perform under pressure. I felt extremely prepared going into college, particularly for completing readings and written assignments. It was definitely tough in the moment, but I am very grateful I chose to do IB!
Lillian Hilmes
Individual IB Course Student
Class of 2018
College/University:
Missouri State University
BFA Theatre Design/Tech
Career Status:
Electrics Apprentice at The Julliard School
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
IB gave me the chance to tackle a college level curriculum and work load while still in high school. This made my transition in college seamless, giving me a chance to focus on my classwork as well as starting a career in theatre.
Dylan Lyon
Diploma Program
Class of 2014
College/University:
Drury University
BBA in Accounting
Career Status:
Senior Consultant II at FORVIS
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
Drury and Central have a great relationship and I received over 30 credits for the full diploma. To sit for the CPA exam you need 150 credit hours, most people seek their masters degree but I was able to sit for the exam in 4 years thanks to all of those credits.
Tori Burris
Diploma Program
Class of 2014
College/University:
The University of Tulsa
B.S.B.A
Vienna University of Economics and Business
MBA
Career Status:
Manager, Strategic Initiatives at Tulsa Innovation Labs
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
IB gave me an opportunity to build and refine my critical thinking muscles before college, which meant in the flurry of that transition I had less "new" to focus on.
The foundation I built during my time in the IB program allowed me to start my career with more confidence speaking up in rooms with more senior/experienced professional peers.
Lainie Adams (Cotner)
Diploma Class
2001
College/University:
University of Arkansas
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Harding University
Master’s in Educational Leadership
University of Arkansas - Little Rock
Masters of Education in Gifted & Talented in progress
Career Status:
K-12 Gifted & Talented Program Coordinator at Arkansas Arts Academy, Rogers, AR
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
The IB program helped me graduate early with my bachelors degree due to the credits I received from IB scores. It has also been a valuable tool as my current job is in the area of gifted and talented education, and my personal experiences have been a tremendous asset.
Katie Kring
Diploma Class
2000
College/University:
University of Michigan (undergrad)
NYU (MFA)
Career Status:
I own my own business (Pickwick & Cherry), am a professional composer, and teach at MSU
Molly Waxman
Diploma Program
Class of 2009
College/University:
University of Wisconsin-Madison: B.S. Biology
University of Missouri- Kansas City: BSN
Career Status:
Emergency room RN at University of Kansas health system
Peter Sharpe
Diploma Program
Class of 2014
College/University:
Washington University (B.S. in Mechanical Engineering)
MIT (M.S. + PhD in Aeronautics/Astronautics)
Career Status:
Aircraft Design (independent consulting)
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
Taking HL Math and Science courses at Central was instrumental in giving me a head-start for my engineering degree in college. The IB program had teachers, like Mrs. Hadden in HL Math, who went above and beyond to tailor lessons to their students' interests and offer extracurricular activities. IB also provided numerous opportunities through the Extended Essay and IAs for students to fully delve into a personal passion project—take advantage of it.
Additionally, if any sleep-deprived current IB students are reading this, know that college offers more control over your schedule and a better work-life balance than IB. If you're struggling with sleep deprivation, as I did, it gets better in college.
Despite its demanding workload, IB was an enjoyable experience, offered truly excellent quality teachers, and was exactly what I needed for my personal growth at that time. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a rewarding and intellectually stimulating challenge.
Tricia Swartz
Diploma Program
Class of 2015
College/University:
University of Missouri
Bachelor's' in Political Science
Career Status:
Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
IB taught me how to write and speak effectively, and I learned how to analyze and explain the impacts that changes in history or policy have on other people.
Jessica Arrazola
Diploma Program
Class of 2007
College/University:
Creighton University: BS
Emory University: MPH
Georgia Southern University: DrPH
Career Status:
Director of Educational Strategy at the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
Bria Hardin-Boyer
Individual IB Course Student
Class of 2014
College/University: BA
Spelman College: MA
Columbia University: MBA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Career Status:
MIT MBA Dean's Fellow
John Cantrell
Diploma Program
Class of 2013
College/University:
Drury University
Accounting and Management
Career Status:
Service Delivery Manager at Clearwater Analytics
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
Central IB allowed me to focus on the paths I wanted to in college by coming in as a freshman with needed credits and the right study habits already ingrained. In my career, my lifetime learner attitude, problem solving mindset, and global perspective is a direct result of my education at Central. It has helped me to excel in all aspects of my educational and professional life.
Erin Couch Garcia
Diploma Program
Class of 2014
College/University:
University of Missouri-Columbia:
Bachelors in Social Work, Masters in Social Work- Policy and Public Administration
University of Missouri- Kansas City
Masters in Business Administration
Career Status:
Employed as a sales manager with Altria Distribution Co.
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
The IB program helped me through college and my career by emphasizing asking questions. The inquiring mind has helped me update procedures at work, complete projects in class and just overall be a better learner in all aspects.
Mary (Boyer) Anglum
Diploma Program
Class of 2019
College/University:
University of Missouri
BS in Agriculture, Certificate of Equine Science and Management
Career Status:
Multiple Line Agent for American National Insurance
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
I was able to graduate from MU in 3 years with my bachelors because of all my credits from IB. Also I met my now husband in my IB classes :)
Lindsey Penland
Diploma Program
Class of 2018
College/University:
Park University
B.S. In Chemistry
University of Kansas
Working towards PhD in Chemistry
Career Status:
Graduate Student/Graduate Research Assistant
Laura E. Adkins
Diploma Program
Class of 2012
College/University:
NYU
B.A. in Economics and Minor in Hebrew and Judaic Studies
Career Status:
Opinion editor at the Forward
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
IB taught me how to think critically with both the emotional and rational sides of my brain — not with rote memorisation, but through deep learning. My teachers each cared passionately about the specifics of their curriculum, and I didn’t truly realise how fortunate we were until I got to a big research university, left to absorb, process, and sink or swim on my own.
Lindsay Prince
Diploma Program
Class of 2019
College/University:
University of Missouri
Bachelor's of Science in Biochemistry
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine from SLU (2027)
Career Status:
Medical Student
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
The IB program really helped me have a leg up on my classmates in terms of study habits especially freshman year of undergrad. I also thought having already had the experience of studying years worth of material for my IB exams was very helpful when it came time to review for my MCAT. I still use some of the study techniques I learned in IB Chem to study for med school, so it definitely does prepare you for higher education.
Allie Reaves
Diploma Program
Class of 2018
College/University:
Baylor University
B.S. in Public Health
Trinity University
Masters of Healthcare Administration
Career Status:
Administrative resident at Ascension Seton hospital system in Austin, TX
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
The IB program taught me to ask good questions and always lead with curiosity.
Aly Hinkle
Diploma Program
Class of 2014
College/University:
University of Missouri-Columbia
B.S. Animal Science
Career Status:
Equine Veterinary Technician
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
I was grateful for my IB experience in college because it made writing essays so much easier! And because to the many dual credit science/math courses, I was able to take more classes I was passionate about. In my career, it’s allowed me to adopt a mindset of pushing through, consideration for different learning styles, and looking at information from multiple angles.
Marissa (Beth Banks) Hardin
Diploma Program
Class of 2015
College/University:
Truman State University
BA Biology
University of Nebraska Medical Center
MPH Health Promotion
Career Status:
ASPPH Fellow at the CDC
How did Central's IB Program help prepare you for college/career?
IB gave me the confidence and skills to explore various fields and careers until I arrived at my new position at the CDC! We did not just learn how to memorize and regurgitate information; we were encouraged to critically analyze existing systems and empowered to make change.
Carter D. Jameson
Diploma Program
Class of 2013
College/University:
The University of Tulsa
BA in Music, BS in Mathematic
North Carolina State University
MS in Applied Mathematics, PhD in Applied Mathematics
Career Status:
Computer Science R&D at Sandia National Laboratories
Michaela Scott
Diploma Program
Class of 2015
College/University:
Missouri State University
B.S. Spanish Education
M.S. English Teaching and Literacy Education
Career Status:
4th grade teacher at Nahed Chapman New American Academy in Saint Louis, Missouri
Career Status:
Central’s IB program fostered within me a love and appreciation for new languages and cultures. I felt supported in my endeavors to become a global citizen by my excellent foreign language teachers and feel that my HL Spanish course set me up for success. Since graduating, I have studied foreign languages in college, received a Fulbright scholarship to teach English in Spain, earned my masters degree in English Teaching, and begun my teaching career of emergent multilingual students in Saint Louis.