Family tradition inspires health science and wellness scholarship

Northwest staff members Dr. Tyler and Christy Tapps (center), along with Tyler's parents, Roger and Michelle Tapps, recently established the Tapps Family Health Science and Wellness Scholarship. The family is pictured with Tyler and Christy's sons, Landon and Carter. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

A new scholarship at Northwest Missouri State University is rooted in family legacy and a shared commitment to student well-being.

Dr. Tyler Tapps, the associate provost of academic operations and assessment at Northwest, and his wife, Christy Tapps, who serves as assistant vice president of student affairs for health and well-being, along with Tyler's parents, Roger and Michelle Tapps, recently established the Tapps Family Health Science and Wellness Scholarship to invest in the next generation of students.

The Tapps family has pledged a gift totaling $25,000 during the next five years, and the scholarship fund remains open and capable of receiving additional contributions. A scholarship of no less than $1,000 will be awarded annually to a full-time Northwest student studying a major within the School of Health Science and Wellness.

The selection committee will consist of faculty within the School of Health Science and Wellness. Recipients must be classified as a sophomore, junior or senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Preference will be given to students majoring in health sciences or recreation with career aspirations in health sciences, sports or the recreation industry.

Northwest has remained a central part of the Tapps family story across generations. Tyler and his sisters, Mary and Rachel, graduated from Northwest with degrees in health science and wellness. The idea for the scholarship grew from a family conversation reflecting on how Northwest has made a difference in their lives.

"It became clear that we wanted to give back in a way that honored that impact," Tyler said. "We have been incredibly blessed, and Northwest has poured so much into us personally and professionally. Creating this scholarship felt like a natural way to invest back into students and help continue the cycle of support that has shaped our lives."

Beyond financial support, Tyler said scholarships affirm and remind students that someone believes in them. He also said his own unique experience at Northwest inspired him to collaborate on the scholarship with his family.

"As a first-generation transfer student, my arrival at Northwest was a defining moment," Tyler said. "I came in unsure of where I fit, but quickly found a community that welcomed me, valued me and helped me see my potential. That experience remains central to why this scholarship exists today. We want students, especially those navigating unfamiliar paths, to feel supported, seen and encouraged as they pursue their goals."

Similarly, when Roger and Michelle sent their children to college, they felt confident placing their trust in Northwest.

"I believe Northwest provided a quality education at an institution that has a family-oriented culture," Roger said. "As parents, we felt safe knowing that our children were at Northwest."

For Christy, being able to support her husband's family legacy alongside them is something she holds dear. Before stepping into her current role, she spent years working directly with students as an athletic trainer at Northwest. That experience shaped her belief in personalized support.

"I've seen firsthand that students often face multiple barriers at once, including financial stress, health concerns, academic pressures and life transitions," Christy said. "I understand that many of these barriers often make students question whether they can continue their education. Experiencing those moments alongside students reinforced how meaningful targeted support can be. A scholarship like this has the potential to reduce one of those barriers and give a student the opportunity to stay, persist and succeed when they might otherwise feel forced to step away."

For Christy and Tyler, mental health and well-being are shared passions. In rural communities like Maryville, the demand for skilled health professionals continues to grow, and they hope to empower students to make a lasting difference.

"We want students to know that their work matters," Tyler said. "Choosing health science and wellness means choosing to support others during meaningful and sometimes difficult moments. Mental health, preventative care and holistic wellness are increasingly important, and students entering these professions will play a vital role in shaping healthier communities."