Attendees at the 2025 Missouri Governor’s Student Leadership Forum met with Governor Mike Kehoe on Feb. 14, 2025. Photo provided by Tim Bommel, photojournalist, Missouri House of Representatives.
March 7, 2025–Patty Lashbrook, a senior applied communications and journalism major at Missouri Western State University, was one of about 70 students from across Missouri who attended the 38th annual Governor’s Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values Feb. 14-16 in Jefferson City.
Lashbrook is an honors student and has served on the leadership board of several student organizations, including her current position as secretary of Alpha Chi National Honor Society.
“Honestly, I’m still processing it all, but I learned some things about myself this weekend,” Lashbrook said. “I think I have a little clearer path for my future.”
The theme of this forum was servant leadership, and students heard several talks on the aspects of good leadership from this perspective. Students were divided into small groups, and the weekend was peppered with in-depth discussions.
Missouri State Senator Travis Fitzwater opened up the forum, and students enjoyed a tour of the state capitol building and a reception at the governor’s mansion, where they had an opportunity to meet Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe and his wife, Claudia. Other speakers at the forum were from sales, law, nonprofit and ministry.
Attendees also toured the Jefferson City Correctional Facility, where they learned about innovative programs that are training offenders in areas ranging from sewing and art to animal training and video production. Officials believe these programs better prepare the offenders for their return to society. Students participated in a discussion panel with two former inmates whose lives were transformed and who are now transforming the lives of others.
Part of the program involved a local family hosting each of the small groups with a home-cooked meal and meaningful conversation. Lashbrook’s group was hosted by a local pastor and his family.
“I’ve never had anything like that as part of a conference,” Lashbrook said. “Our hosts were so warm and welcoming. They were genuinely interested in our lives and our plans.”
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.