Griffons GROW
Missouri Western State University has always been more than a university to me; it has been part of my family’s story for generations. My grandmother was a proud alumna and a passionate supporter of both the University and the St. Joseph community. Growing up, she instilled in me the importance of education, service and investing in the place we call home. Those values stayed with me long after I graduated from high school.
I first enrolled at MoWest in 2002 with dreams of pursuing an art degree. Like many people, life took me in unexpected directions. Years passed, and although my path looked different than I had imagined, I never gave up on the idea of finishing what I had started.
In 2023, I returned to MoWest with a renewed sense of purpose. I had discovered my passion for teaching and knew I wanted to make a difference in the same community where I was raised. Returning to college later in life wasn’t always easy, but it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
The Education Department became a community that believed in me every step of the way. The faculty continually encouraged and supported me as I completed my bachelor’s degree in 2024 and my master’s degree in teaching in 2026. Because my program was 100% online, I was able to teach full time while continuing my education, allowing me to immediately apply what I was learning in my own classroom. My professors didn’t just teach from a distance, they visited my classroom, encouraged me personally and celebrated each milestone alongside me.
MoWest also invested in my future through scholarships that helped make earning both degrees possible. That support allowed me to focus on becoming the best educator I could be while balancing the responsibilities of work, school and raising a family.
Today, I have the privilege of teaching students in St. Joseph, the same community my grandparents taught me to love. Every day I walk into my classroom, I am reminded that MoWest didn’t simply prepare me for a career. It gave me confidence, knowledge and opportunities to positively impact the lives of young people in our community. For that, I will always be grateful to be a Griffon.
From her roots as a St. Joseph native, Jennifer always believed it was never too late to become the person she was meant to be. Missouri Western State University gave her the confidence to pursue that belief—and today, she shares that same message with her students.
“You always have the opportunity to change your life and your path.”
Driven by a deep love for her community, Jennifer has inspired not only her students but St. Joseph itself. Through a historic sign project at Central High School, her woodshop students researched local businesses and recreated their historic signs using woodworking and design skills. The project came to life through a grant from Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 2, whose investment reflected Jennifer’s vision of preserving local history while creating meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities.
“Growing up seeing my family support this town and this college was a big part of what shaped me into the person I am.”
This year, Jennifer is taking the next step in her journey as she begins teaching art at Lafayette Middle School—fulfilling a lifelong dream.
“I would have loved to start in my 20s, but I know I am in the right place now, doing exactly what I was meant to do.”
Stories like Jennifer’s don’t happen by chance. They begin with people who believe in the power of education and invest in the next generation.
Your generosity creates opportunities that build confidence, develop leaders and transform lives through hands-on learning, dedicated faculty, mentorship and the life-changing experiences that define a MoWest education.
Make your gift today and invest in future educators like Jennifer. Because when you give to the Missouri Western State University Foundation, you do more than support a student—you help shape a future that will inspire countless others.