Sep. 8, 2026
This is part of a series of Q&As introducing faculty who have joined the College of Health Sciences for the 2026–27 academic year. Meet all of our new faculty members.
Nathan Dare
Assistant visiting professor, Occupational Therapy
What classes are you teaching this semester?
- HSCI 4200W: Introduction to the Research Process and Evidence Base
- OT 5470: Evidence-Based Practice Seminar
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
I grew up in Puxico, a small town in southeast Missouri. I came to Mizzou in 2016 to pursue a career in occupational therapy, which led to me becoming a triple Tiger:
- Bachelor of Health Science, 2019
- Master of Occupational Therapy, 2021
- Ph.D. in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, 2025
Growing up in Puxico has largely shaped my perspective as a clinician and researcher. Much of my work has focused on assessing diagnostic and intervention access and quality for families of children with neurodevelopmental conditions in rural Missouri.
What drew you to your field — and what brought you to Mizzou?
I shadowed many different professions in high school. I knew I wanted to help people but quickly found that medicine and nursing were not the right fit for me. I shadowed pediatric physical and occupational therapists at Kenny Rogers Children’s Center in Sikeston and knew from that moment that occupational therapy was for me.
My first visit to Mizzou was for a football game in 2007 against Texas A&M. I never seriously considered another college for my bachelor’s degree. Mizzou became home shortly after I arrived.
What are your research or professional interests?
Much of my work has focused on assessing diagnostic and intervention access and quality for families of children with neurodevelopmental conditions in rural Missouri. My goal is to continue examining how we can close the rural health care access and quality gap for these families.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I really enjoy working with so many people, including faculty, staff and students, who care deeply about helping Missourians. It’s always powerful to hear about the work happening across the College of Health Sciences and the impact it can have.
What are you looking forward to this semester?
I’m getting the opportunity to work in different spaces and collaborate with colleagues I greatly respect. I’m looking forward to learning from those experiences and growing as a teacher, clinician and researcher.
What can students expect from your classes?
I hold high expectations for myself as a teacher and for my students. I aim to be intentional, and I try to communicate the reasoning behind the decisions I make.
Share a memorable moment from your time teaching.
I’ve taught HSCI 4200W several times, and I understand the burden many students feel when they enter that course. Research and writing are often areas where students lack confidence.
My favorite part of the course is the first day, when I can help reframe learning from a focus on mastery to a process of growth. My hope is to remove fear as a barrier to learning, and it’s especially rewarding when students go from having “deer in the headlights” expressions to even the smallest smile.
What’s one fun hobby or activity you enjoy outside of work?
I enjoy playing games with friends and woodworking.
What is your hidden talent?
Organization and tidiness! I’m good at optimizing physical spaces to improve efficiency.
Favorite place in Columbia so far?
- For a special occasion: Flyover
- For a walk: The Mizzou campus
- Favorite restaurants: 44 Canteen, Addison’s and Broadway Brewery
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you?
Winnie Dunn is wonderful at providing support and advice when needed. She has helped me become more aware of my tendency to focus on small details when there is a broader picture to consider.
Details can be important, but not at the expense of the overall goal.
