The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) selects one recipient for each of its six regions. Gilbert was selected as the Midwest Region Award recipient for demonstrating high integrity, creative leadership, and sustained commitment to professional development. The award was presented during the opening general session of the NASFAA Conference.��� 

���I was incredibly humbled and honored to receive the NASFAA Regional Leadership Award,��� said Gilbert. ���I���ve admired this award for years because I know many of the incredible professionals who have received it before me. To now see my name included alongside theirs is honestly a little surreal.������ 

Stephens Investment in Professional Development Yields Results 

Gilbert���s award reflects 勛圖窪蹋厙���s commitment to investing in ongoing staff development. Since joining the college, Gilbert has attended the NASFAA National Conference every year, bringing back innovations that have improved financial aid processes on campus.��� 

���Professional development isn���t just about learning something new; it���s about bringing that knowledge back to campus and putting it into practice,��� said Gilbert. ���Many of the improvements we���ve made in the Office of Financial Aid have been inspired by ideas, best practices, and innovative approaches shared at conferences like NASFAA.������ 

The recognition comes as colleges across the nation navigate significant changes in federal financial aid policy, including the implementation of FAFSA Simplification, and preparation for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3), which will eliminate entire aid programs and revise loan calculations.��� 

���We are incredibly fortunate to have someone with Keri���s expertise leading our financial aid efforts, especially at a moment when the regulatory landscape for higher education financial aid is shifting so significantly,��� said 勛圖窪蹋厙 President, Dr. Shannon Lundeen. ���Her NASFAA Regional Leadership Award is a testament to the caliber of guidance our students and families receive every day, and it reflects Stephens��� broader commitment to investing in the ongoing training and professional development of our faculty and staff.������ 

���When the rules change, we want our people at the table shaping the conversation, not just reacting to it, and that���s exactly where Keri has been,��� said Lundeen.��� 

Leading Through Change 

At the conference, Gilbert co-presented a number of sessions, including a Taylor Swift-themed session on managing stress while leading through change in the post-OB3 world. The presentation, delivered alongside Gena Boling, Associate Provost for Enrollment at Cornell University, drew a standing-room-only crowd, despite being scheduled as the final session before dinner.��� 

Boling, a Stephens MBA graduate who began her financial aid career at 勛圖窪蹋厙, reflected on the significance of presenting alongside Gilbert.��� 

���Co-presenting with Keri was an absolute blast,��� Boling said. ���Keri was the brains behind bringing this whole session together, which shouldn���t be a surprise for anyone because she���s been rocking presentation stages at both the regional and national levels for some time!������ 

The presentation addressed the emotional toll of rapid regulatory change on financial aid professionals, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus on student success.��� 

���Behind every regulation and every policy is a student whose future may be changed by the opportunity to earn a college degree,��� said Gilbert. ���We talked about setting healthy boundaries, taking time away before burnout sets in, and remembering that we can���t effectively serve students if we don���t take care of ourselves first.������ 

In addition, Gilbert also co-presented alongside financial leaders from colleges across the nation, including: an audit session, a session on providing fast financial aid service, and a session on Satisfactory Academic Progress.��� 

Stephens Alumni & Current Leaders Represent the College on the National Stage 

Boling���s participation in the presentation underscored 勛圖窪蹋厙���s role in developing leaders. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in art history and archaeology from the University of Missouri before joining Stephens��� financial aid office in 2010. Boling completed her MBA from Stephens in December 2013 and has since advanced to a leadership position at an Ivy League Institution.��� 

���I���m forever grateful for my time in the Stephens MBA program because it offered the flexibility to take core business foundations and apply them to any industry,��� said Boling. ���Having that academic space to analyze complex systems, combined with an early hands-on work experience at Stephens, prepared me to succeed in any direction my career may have taken me.������ 

Both women took the stage and represented 勛圖窪蹋厙 at the national level, a testament that Lundeen said showcases the college’s commitment to creating strong leaders.��� 

���To see two women with deep Stephens roots, one who works here now and one whose career began here, representing our college on a national stage tells you everything about the kind of talent this institution produces and attracts,��� said Lundeen. ���We could not be prouder of both of them.������ 

A Personalized Approach to Financial Aid 

Gilbert emphasized that Stephens��� recognition at the national level translates directly to improved student services.��� 

���One of the things I���m most proud of at Stephens is that we take a highly personalized approach,��� said Gilbert. ���We know our students by name, we take the time to understand their circumstances, and we���re committed to helping them make informed decisions about paying for college.������ 

She added: ���Financial aid isn���t just about numbers; it���s about removing barriers and creating opportunities.��� 

Gilbert has presented at every NASFAA National Conference since joining Stephens, an achievement she attributes to the collaborative culture of the financial aid profession and the strength of her institution’s work.��� 

���Stephens may be small, but we are doing innovative, student-centered work that deserves to be part of the conversation,��� said Gilbert. ���Often the spotlight naturally falls on larger colleges and universities because of their size and resources. Receiving this recognition is a reminder that you don���t have to be a large institution to make a meaningful impact.���

Pictured left to right: Melanie Storey, President and CEO of NASFAA; Keri Gilbert, 勛圖窪蹋厙; James Brocheit, Montana State University; Audra Main, Norman Technology Center; and Heidi Carl, NASFAA National Chair, Purdue University.

Pictured left to right: Melanie Storey, President and CEO of NASFAA; Keri Gilbert, 勛圖窪蹋厙; and Heidi Carl, NASFAA National Chair, Purdue University.

Pictured left to right: Alex DeLonis, Saint Louis University; Dr. Matthew Kearney, Southeast Missouri State University; and Keri Gilbert, 勛圖窪蹋厙.

Pictured left to right: Ben Montecillo, University of Houston; Dr. Nick Prewett, Stony Brook University; Dr. Kimberley Willis, SUNY Brockport; Lyndsay Johnson, Stony Brook University; and Keri Gilbert, 勛圖窪蹋厙.

L to R: Christina Lomeli, John Burton Advocates for Youth; Vanessa Martineau, Western Governors University; Daniel Barkowitz, Uni of Miami; Dr. Christina Tangalakis, Antelope Valley College; Keri Gilbert, 勛圖窪蹋厙; & Paul Friebus, Ivy Tech CC

Gena Boling, Cornell University (and 勛圖窪蹋厙 MBA alumna), representing the Evermore era; Amy Hager, Moberly Area Community College, representing the Red era; and Keri Gilbert, 勛圖窪蹋厙, representing the Midnights era.

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The foundation’s primary focus is on youth who have incarcerated loved ones, or who are system-impacted themselves. However, Warren’s role has her going inside detention centers, teaching incarcerated youth directly. 

���My primary role is to empower youth by teaching them the craft of writing and helping them find their voice while building tangible skills,��� said Warren. 

Warren said 勛圖窪蹋厙���s focus on studying and serving underrepresented voices encouraged her to join the foundation, while the MFA program sharpened her storytelling skills ��� skills she is now sharing with potential future storytellers. ��� 

���The program discourages you from writing a cookie-cutter film and instead encourages you to mine your own unique perspectives and craft your own narratives. I share this in every class I have with my students,��� said Warren.��� 

A Career Built on Understanding the Story��� 

Warren���s path to this meaningful work began long before she enrolled at Stephens. After graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in ���02, with a BA in theatre and a minor in dance, she built a successful career in front of the camera. But as her industry experience grew, so did her conviction that she needed deeper knowledge of the craft behind the scenes. ��� 

���Understanding the story is the most important part of filmmaking,��� said Warren. ���I���ve always been a writer, and there is a big push for actors to create their own content. I didn���t want to start doing that until I felt like I really knew what I was doing. I had so much respect for the writers I have worked with, that if I was going to go down the path of content creation, I wanted to do it right.������ 

The 勛圖窪蹋厙 MFA Program provided the exact foundation Warren was searching for. But the education came with an unexpected consequence: it fundamentally altered how Warren views every script she encounters.��� 

The Showrunner���s Education: Learning to Lead as a Graduate Assistant 

Beyond the classroom, Warren���s role as a Graduate Assistant for the Class of 2026 provided an intensive education in the realities of television production. The position gave her the opportunity to manage every logistical detail of the program���s residencies while simultaneously developing her own creative work.��� 

���I think the amount of work the program does to have a successful residency and to keep the program running as one unit, while being a low-residency program, cannot be understated,��� Warren said. ���If a writer wanted to get a glimpse into the life of a showrunner, I would recommend trying to get the GA position. You learn how to work very long hours on tight deadlines with very interesting and sometimes demanding personalities. You���re the one everyone expects to have all the answers.������ 

From managing and planning group dinners and get-togethers while adhering to a strict budget to handling hundreds of emails from both industry professionals and fellow students, Warren’s responsibilities were substantial.��� 

���You are the one everyone expects to have all the answers,��� said Warren. ���These individuals have no patience for errors, missed windows or shifting details, as their time is incredibly valuable, and you are doing this all while reading, researching and writing your own material!������ 

The GA Position put her right in the middle of the action, and introduced her to the demands of professional screenwriting.��� 

Continuing the Creative Journey 

Warren remains committed to her multifaceted career in television, film and theatre. 

���At the moment, I am working on adapting one of my works to a stage play,��� said Warren. ���I���ve also been a theatre lover all my life, and I always return to the stage as often as I can!������ 

Warren said 勛圖窪蹋厙 gave her the tools and contacts to succeed. ��� 

���How the program continues to benefit its alumni is up to us,��� said Warren. ���It���s up to us to continue developing our craft.������ 

For prospective students considering Stephens MFA program, Warren offers candid advice rooted in her experiences.��� 

���Unless you were born with famous family members, there isn���t an easy path to getting work,��� said Warren. ���There never has been, and there never will be. It���s all on your shoulders. Getting an MFA shows the industry that you take the craft of what you do seriously, and that can help open doors. The program will put you in the room with folks who can actually hire you, so don���t waste those relationships. And really develop a working relationship with your fellow cohort members. Most likely, your first job will come from one of them.������ 

For Warren, the Stephens MFA was the bridge between performing in someone else’s story and telling her own���and now, empowering others to do the same.��� 

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On July 8, 2026, the world lost an extraordinary woman when Funk passed away peacefully at her home in Grapevine, Texas, surrounded by those she loved. She was 87 years old, and her legacy ��� one of determination, perseverance, and an unwavering refusal to accept limitations ��� will continue to inspire generations of women to reach for the stars, both literally and figuratively. 

A Stephens Education Takes Flight

Funk���s connection to 勛圖窪蹋厙 was profound. At the age of just 16, Funk enrolled in 勛圖窪蹋厙, where she joined the ���Flying Susies��� aviation club and flight team. The Taos, New Mexico native quickly learned the ropes and earned her pilot’s license when she graduated top of her class in 1958. Funk graduated with an Associate of Arts and left her mark on Stephens by becoming part of a pioneering cohort of women who dared to pursue aviation at a time when the field was almost exclusively male-dominated.泭

Funk’s trailblazing in aviation was recognized by 勛圖窪蹋厙 in 1964 when she was presented with the Alumni Achievement Award ��� making her the youngest woman ever to receive the highest honor bestowed upon Stephens graduates. 

Her ties to Stephens go beyond just the flight team and classroom. Funk left a lasting impression on her classmates as well ��� and that was shown when Funk finally achieved her lifelong dream of going to space. At the age of 82 on July 20, 2021, Funk was a part of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin Rocket Launch that sent him and two others to space.

Nearly 100 勛圖窪蹋厙 alumni and friends gathered over Zoom that morning to cheer her on as she became the oldest woman ever to travel to space and earned a Guinness World Record in the process. 

Those who watched the launch from campus wore shirts that said ���Girls who go to space begin at Stephens.��� This line was reminiscent of Funks favorite former admissions tagline, ���Woman who are going places start at Stephens.���

The pride that Stephens alumni felt in that moment was immense. For decades, Funk had represented the very best of a Stephens education. Funk embodied intellectual rigor, leadership and a steadfast commitment to breaking barriers. Her achievement in space was, in many ways, the culmination of a journey that began on the Stephens campus more than 60 years earlier. 

Refusing to Accept ���No���

Funk���s path to that historic moment was anything but straightforward. In 1961, she was selected as one of 13 elite women in the groundbreaking Mercury 13 program ��� a rigorous astronaut training initiative that put women through the same physical and psychological testing administered to NASA���s Mercury Seven Astronauts. Funk was the only member of the group to pass all the tests, ranking among the program���s top performers and outscoring many of her male counterparts on several tests. 

Yet despite her qualifications and the qualifications of her fellow Mercury 13 members, NASA was not prepared to send women into space. The space agency selected seven men who became known as the Mercury Seven to be its first astronauts instead. This came as a crushing disappointment for Funk, but it was not a defeat. 

It has been said that she refused to let those barriers define her career. Instead, Funk forged an extraordinary path through aviation that spanned more than seven decades and included a series of historic firsts: the first female flight instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; the first female inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration; and the first female air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board. 

A Legacy of Mentorship

What truly set Funk apart, however, was her commitment to lifting other women into the cockpit. Over her remarkable career, she trained more than 3,000 pilots, many of them women who might never have had the opportunity to learn to fly without her guidance and encouragement. She logged more than 30,000 hours of flight time, much of it spent teaching the next generation of aviators. 

Her mentorship extended far beyond technical instruction. Funk was a living example of what was possible when a woman refused to accept the limitations others tried to place on her. Every pilot she trained carried forward not just her knowledge of aviation, but her spirit of determination and resilience. 

���She was told what was not possible, and she spent seventy years proving otherwise,��� said 勛圖窪蹋厙 President Shannon Lundeen. ���She became the first woman in role after role that had never admitted one.���

Her achievements earned her numerous honors throughout her career, including induction into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame in 2024, the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame, and the Mercury 13 Hall of Fame. But perhaps the most meaningful recognition came from the countless pilots she trained, women and men alike, who owed their careers to her willingness to teach, mentor and inspire. 

Wally Funk Day and Her Lasting Legacy 

The City of Grapevine proclaimed ���Wally Funk Day��� in her honor and celebrated her as one of the community���s most distinguished residents. It was a fitting tribute to a woman whose impact extended far beyond aviation into the very fabric of her community. 

勛圖窪蹋厙 also dedicated a day to Wally Funk. 

���On July 20���our Wally Funk Day���we will celebrate her as we always have, and now we will also honor her memory,��� said Lundeen. ���She was a Stephens graduate who lived her life to the fullest, and we are proud beyond words to have called her ours.��� 

From being the oldest woman to travel to space, to training thousands of pilots, breaking barriers and refusing to accept defeat, Funk spent 60 years proving her worth in the skies and leaving her mark on every person she encountered. 

���Though I never had the privilege of meeting Wally, she has long stood among our most accomplished alumnae,��� said Lundeen. ���Her courage and determination remain a standard our students measure themselves against to this day.��� 

A Stephens Spirit that Endures

Funk���s life embodied the spirit that 勛圖窪蹋厙 has long championed���intellectual rigor, leadership and steadfast commitment to breaking barriers. In her 2020 memoir, ���Higher, Faster, Longer: My Life in Aviation and My Quest for Spaceflight,��� Funk simply wrote: ���Aviation has been my whole life. I eat it, and breathe it.��� 

As the world mourns her passing, 勛圖窪蹋厙 joins family, friends and admirers from around the globe in celebrating a woman whose extraordinary courage and determination proved that dreams truly have no expiration date. Wally Funk will be posthumously inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame at the New Mexico Museum of Space History, a fitting final honor of a Stephens alumna who refused to accept the limits others tried to place on her. 

Her legacy lives on in every young woman who dares to dream bigger, aim higher and refuse to accept ���no��� as an answer. It lives on in the 3,000 pilots she trained, in the barriers she broke and in the 勛圖窪蹋厙 community that nurtured her dreams from the very beginning. 

Photos of Wally Funk ’58

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For Melissa Torrico ��� known affectionately as ���Mel��� to the Stephens community ��� this milestone was more than a professional certificate; it was a testament to the drive, resilience and leadership that 勛圖窪蹋厙 instills in its students from the moment they step onto campus. 

A Dual Identity of Leadership

Torrico graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing; she is a proud Stephens alum and a vital member of the Stephens Staff. Shortly after graduating from Stephens, Torrico joined the office of Student Success & Engagement, where she has been building her skills as a leader, mentor, event planner and one of the go-to people on campus for students, faculty and staff. This dual identity as both a product of a Stephens education and a professional carrying its mission forward is what makes her recent accomplishment so significant. 

���Mel represents Stephens in two ways at once ��� as a young graduate of this college, and as a member of our own staff who carries our name into the Columbia Community every day,��� said 勛圖窪蹋厙 President, Shannon Lundeen. ���Completing Leadership Columbia in both of those ways and giving so fully to the people and organizations around her tells you everything about who she is. Mel is proof of how her Stephens education shaped her, and in how she now represents this institution out in the world.��� 

Understanding the Heart of Columbia

Leadership Columbia is a premier program through the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and is designed to identify and connect the next generation of civic leaders. Over the course of six months, participants dive deep into the inner workings of the city, exploring sectors ranging from healthcare and education to government and economic development. 

The program requires members to participate in 13 program activities ��� ranging from retreats to regular work sessions and graduation day. During regular sessions, members like Torrico partake in panel discussions, hands-on experiences, one-on-one interactions with current community leaders, and much more. Torrico said those experiences, discussions and one-on-one meetings during her time with Leadership Columbia were eye-opening. 

���Leadership Columbia is much more than a leadership program,��� said Torrico. ���It is an opportunity to truly understand the people, organizations and partnerships that make Columbia such a strong community. The program challenged me to think beyond my own role and see how collaboration across different sectors creates meaningful change.���

Torrico said her biggest takeaways were the realization that leadership is a continuous process of learning and listening. 

���Every community leader we met had a unique journey, but they all shared a willingness to collaborate, adapt and invest in others,��� said Torrico. ���It reminded me that leadership is about relationships, and that today���s emerging leaders become tomorrow���s community leaders through mentorship, curiosity and service.��� 

From Bolivia to Columbia, Missouri: A Global Perspective

Torrico���s path to leadership began long before she joined the Columbia Chamber. Originally from Bolivia, she arrived at Stephens as an international student, a transition that required immense courage and adaptability.泭

���勛圖窪蹋厙 has given me opportunities to lead from the moment I became a student,��� said Torrico. ���As an international student, I learned the value of stepping outside my comfort zone, embracing new experiences and finding my voice.���

She believes her background is a core part of her leadership style. ���I believe diversity makes leadership stronger. Every culture and life experience bring a unique perspective to solving problems and building communities. I hope my journey encourages other international students and individuals from different backgrounds to pursue leadership opportunities and know that their voices matter.��� 

The Power of Mentorship

No leader grows in isolation, and Torrico is quick to credit the ���Stephens family��� for her success. At her Leadership Columbia graduation, she was surrounded by supervisors, coworkers and friends, a support system that has been with her since her undergraduate days.

Torrico also extended her gratitude to 勛圖窪蹋厙 and the mentors she has had along the way. 

���I would especially like to recognize Dr. Rebekah Stewart for continuously believing in my potential and encouraging my professional growth,��� said Torrico. ���I am also incredibly grateful to President Shannon Lundeen and the 勛圖窪蹋厙 community for investing in my development.���

President Lundeen views this mentorship as the heartbeat of the college���s mission. 

���Watching her step into a room full of established civic leaders, this early in her career, and hold her own on behalf of both herself and this institution: that���s when you see the education and the mission take hold,��� said Lundeen. ���Mel earned her place in that room, and I���m proud she did it while wearing the Stephens name.���

Shaping the World as it is Becoming

For a women���s college like Stephens, seeing a young alumna take her place in the broader community is the ultimate validation of its values. President Lundeen notes that Torrico���s participation in Leadership Columbia first aligns the college���s mission ���almost perfectly.���

���We prepare our graduates, and we ask our staff to represent this institution not just for the world as it is, but for what it’s becoming,��� said Lundeen. ���Leadership Columbia does the same, connecting emerging leaders to the real challenges and opportunities in front of this city. When a program like that invests in her, it extends exactly the kind of leaders we set out to build.���

As Mel looks toward the future, her commitment to both Stephens and the Columbia community remain steadfast. Her advice to current students and those considering the Stephens journey is simple: ���Say yes to every opportunity that helps you grow. 勛圖窪蹋厙 gave me the confidence to become a leader by encouraging me to get involved, build relationships, and make an impact beyond the classroom.��� Torrico���s graduation from Leadership Columbia is not just a milestone for her career; it is a celebration of the Stephens Spirit in action.

Photos from Mel’s Leadership Columbia Experience

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Blending craftsmanship, performance and purpose, Henry-Allen approaches every commission and collection as a narrative opportunity, designing pieces meant to mark life���s milestones, while also inviting viewers to reconsider what a garment can be.��� 

Her label,泭Alexandra Marie泭(Also known as AM Designs), offers both made-to-order pieces and one-of-a-kind collaborations with visual artists, creating a personalized, participatory shopping experience rather than a purely transactional one.��羔�

Whether she is drafting a custom bodice or sketching an experimental runway look, the 2023 Alum begins with who will wear the piece and the moment it will inhabit. From fit to finish and fabrication, Henry-Allen uses the skills she acquired at 勛圖窪蹋厙 to craft unique, eye-catching custom pieces of clothing.��� 

A Foundation Built at Stephens��� 

Henry-Allen received a BFA in Fashion Design and Product Development, and credits Stephens��� small class sizes and attentive faculty for giving her the technical and creative backbone to pursue ambitious work.��� 

���The professors built relationships with each designer, and I really believe that helped us along the way,��� she says. Even now, she reaches out to her former mentors when she encounters a new technical challenge. ���They are always my first contact. They instilled in us a number of helpful practices when it comes to developing a collection from start to finish.��� 

Professor Dr. Monica McMurry has watched that growth firsthand. ���Alexandra exemplifies the kind of creative curiosity and professional rigor we encourage,��� Dr. McMurry says. ���She takes classroom techniques and pushes them into performance spaces, representing Stephens with both skill and imagination.��� 

Dr. McMurry added that Alexandra���s rapid growth since graduation echoes the current success rate for employment and engagement of alumnae in fashion.��� 

���The 2025 graduating fashion design and product development class is 100% employed in a fashion-related job,��� said Dr. McMurry.��� 

Dr. McMurry credits the program’s success to looking at the needs of the fashion industry and supporting students. 

���勛圖窪蹋厙 fashion graduates are making a difference each day at many firms across the country,��� said Dr. McMurry. 

A Lifelong Dream Realized��� 

Henry-Allen’s professional success is the fulfillment of a dream that began in the first grade. She recalls sketching under her desk during a writing exam at age ten, then taking those same colored pencils outside during recess to draw dress designs. 

���When I got home, I told my parents and grandma, ���When I grow up, I���m going to create my own fashion house,������ she remembers. Her grandmother���s response? ���Just like Valentino.��� 

That moment sparked a lifelong bond. Her grandmother became a primary influence, teaching her about quality textiles and flipping through���Vogue��眩ogether. ���All of this is for her now,��� Henry-Allen says. 

Design with Purpose 

Today, that childhood dream has evolved into a career defined by community impact. Henry-Allen is a frequent participant in���, a benefit show supporting���, an organization providing emergency housing and services to people affected by HIV, illness, and poverty. 

For her most recent ALTBall appearance���her third consecutive year���she pushed her technical boundaries to the limit. Inspired by the movie���Burlesque, she created a look using no fabric at all, instead utilizing over 5,000 beads and ostrich feathers. 

���Fashion designers love a challenge and a problem to solve,��� Dr. McMurry notes. ���Lexi has found she can express herself with beadwork, creating garments for self-expression and the runway.��� 

These projects do more than just dazzle; they expand her professional reach. Collaborations with St. Louis artist Brock Seals helped Henry-Allen transition from the bridal focus of her senior thesis into a more colorful, performance-oriented practice. 

Sustainability and the Future of Craft 

As she looks toward the future, Henry-Allen is bringing that same intentionality to sustainability. While preparing a recent collection for Milan Fashion Week, she prioritized using remaining fabrics before purchasing new yardage���a practice Stephens faculty reinforce in the classroom. 

���We challenge students to consider material lifecycle and creative reuse as central design questions,��� says Dr. McMurry. For Henry-Allen, sustainable thinking is both an ethical choice and a creative spark. 

Advice for the Next Generation 

To the students currently in the Stephens studios, Henry-Allen���s advice is simple: say yes, stay open, and build a support system. ���You might be meant to design for a completely different space than you imagined for yourself,��� she says. She urges emerging designers to stay true to their aesthetic while cultivating mentors who will sustain them through the inevitable “no”s of the industry. 

What���s Next 

The momentum isn’t slowing down. With a final photoshoot for her recent collection set for July and a five-episode documentary series in production, Henry-Allen is continuing to refine her craft. 

Her long-term aim remains the same as the ten-year-old girl sketching under her desk: to create garments that matter. With technical rigor and a community-minded heart, she is doing exactly that���honoring her grandmother���s legacy one bead at a time. 

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The has awarded a multi-year grant totaling $30,000 to the 勛圖窪蹋厙 Women in Trades program. The investment will provide $15,000 in 2026 and another $15,000 in 2027, helping expand pre-apprenticeship training and workforce development opportunities for women entering skilled trades careers. The ESS Foundation is an ESS Companies (ESSC) employee-owner-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promote the construction industry, provide career opportunities, and benefit community development projects.

The Women in Trades program prepares students for apprenticeship opportunities through hands-on training, industry exposure, and career readiness experiences in trade fields and heavy highway construction. Created to help women enter trade careers, the program removes barriers to participation by providing support services such as childcare, PPE, stipends, etc.

The program currently serves local Douglass High School students, with 勛圖窪蹋厙 providing transportation to ensure accessibility and participation. Strong enrollment demand continues to drive program growth, making investments like this critical to expanding opportunities.

“As a matching partner for our FHWA Highway Construction Training Program grant, this investment directly strengthens our ability to provide hands-on training, industry connections, and workforce pathways that lead to sustainable, high-demand careers for our students,” said Dr. Scott Taylor of 勛圖窪蹋厙. “The ESS Foundation’s commitment to workforce development is making a meaningful impact not only on our students, but on the future of the construction industry itself.”

The program is designed to equip participants with the technical skills, industry knowledge, and professional connections needed to succeed in the workforce.

“Supporting this effort alongside 勛圖窪蹋厙 to prepare women for careers in the trades is crucial to meeting the daily demand for highly skilled workers,” said Ed Scavone, ESS Foundation Board Member. “A thriving economy is impossible without well-trained people ready and willing to jump into every type of job.”

The grant reflects the ESS Foundation’s ongoing commitment to workforce development initiatives that help build the next generation of construction professionals.

“It’s an honor to present this grant and support the incredible work happening at 勛圖窪蹋厙,” said Tim Paulson, ESS Foundation President. “The Women in Trades program changes lives by creating pathways into meaningful, well-paying careers in the construction trades.”

The partnership highlights a shared commitment to increasing workforce participation and expanding career opportunities within the construction industry.

“This partnership reflects what the ESS Foundation is all about, creating opportunities, helping grow the construction workforce, and opening more doors for women in the skilled trades,” said Angie Regan, ESS Foundation Board Member.

As demand for skilled workers continues to rise across the construction industry, partnerships like this help strengthen the workforce pipeline.The ESS Foundation supports programs that prepare future industry leaders and build a stronger construction workforce.

The post ESS Foundation Awards Multi-Year Grant to Support 勛圖窪蹋厙 Women in Trades Program appeared first on 勛圖窪蹋厙.

As Principal of泭Frederick泭Douglass High School in Columbia Public Schools, Neville has spent more than 15 years helping students navigate challenges, discover opportunities and prepare for life beyond graduation.泭Now entering her second year as a trustee, she brings that experience in education, community leadership and student advocacy to the Stephens Board of Trustees.泭

���I see education as a step in a process, not an end goal,��� Neville said. ���We���re not the end.��� 

Bringing a Local Voice to Stephens  

Neville’s commitment to education is reflected in her own academic journey. She earned泭bachelor’s degrees in economics and marketing, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, an educational specialist degree in educational administration and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, all from the University of Missouri. Today, she brings that combination of academic expertise and practical leadership experience to her work in Columbia Public Schools and on the 勛圖窪蹋厙 Board of Trustees.泭

Throughout her career, Neville has been recognized as an NAACP Outstanding Educator, a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow and the recipient of the 2022 ATHENA International Leadership Award. 

Neville said much of her motivation comes from her three children, whom she describes as her ‘why’ ��� a source of inspiration throughout her career in education and community leadership. 

As one of the few board members who live and work in Columbia, Neville offers a unique perspective on the needs of local students and the community Stephens serves.  

Her first year on the board was spent learning the culture and history of Stephens. Moving into her second year, Neville hopes to contribute even more through her community connections and experience in education. 

���At the board level, I want to continue to ask different questions from different perspectives,��� said Neville. ���A lot of the board members no longer live in Columbia, so I have a different vantage point for that.���  

As a high school principal, Neville also understands what many students are looking for as they consider higher education options.  

���I think there are a lot of students, especially post-COVID, that need a smaller learning environment that, in addition to the academic piece, provides multiple spaces to develop leadership,��� said Neville. ���When I look at Stephens, I know that it���s a place that can provide those opportunities.��� 

Neville believes more students across Missouri should know about Stephens and the opportunities it offers.  

���Stephens is an underappreciated jewel,��� said Neville. 

She believes the college should continue expanding its reach across Missouri.  

���I want those students to see themselves here,��� said Neville.  

As a Columbia resident, Neville also hopes Stephens continues creating opportunities to engage with the broader community through partnerships and events that welcome residents to campus. 

Building Opportunities for Students through Community Partnerships 

Building partnerships has been a cornerstone of Neville���s career.  

When she arrived at Douglass High School, she quickly recognized that many students had tremendous potential but lacked access to resources and opportunities.  

���Our kids are very talented, but they are under-resourced,��� said Neville.  

That realization led to the development of partnerships with colleges, nonprofit organizations and local businesses to help students access scholarships, internships, mentorship and career exploration opportunities.  

Among those partnerships is Douglass��� connection to 勛圖窪蹋厙���s workforce development program. Through the college���s construction initiative, students have gained hands-on experience and pathways into careers after graduation.  

Neville said former participants in the construction workforce program are now securing jobs in the industry after graduation.  

���We���re not just here to build students,��� said Neville. ���We���re really here to help build competent adults.���  

Leadership that Opens Doors 

Throughout her career, Neville has become a strong advocate for leadership development and representation.  

She believes students thrive when they feel known, valued and connected to a community.  

���People need to know their name. We need to know our community,��� said Neville.  

That belief is one reason she feels strongly about Stephens��� mission and its ability to help students develop confidence and leadership skills.  

���This is a place where we can develop women in leadership,��� said Neville. 

As a Black woman in education leadership, Neville understands the importance of representation and hopes students leave Stephens knowing they belong in spaces where they may not always see themselves reflected.  

She recalled a moment early in her career when someone assumed her male assistant principal was the school���s leader.  

Experiences like that reinforced a lesson she hopes students carry with them throughout their lives: Effective leadership comes in many forms. 

���There is this need to actually understand that leadership can look different and be impactful and effective,��� said Neville.  

Looking Ahead 

This summer, Neville will begin a new role as Columbia Public Schools��� , where she will work to expand support systems for students across the district.  

The position is a natural extension of the work she has spent her career doing ��� helping students find opportunities, build confidence and see themselves as future leaders. 

It is also the message she hopes students carry with them long after they leave Stephens. 

“My hope is that they are always emboldened to realize that they are more than enough,” Neville said. “The table needs you, especially if the table does not reflect you.”

The post Meet Dr. Eryca Neville: Educator, Advocate and Member of the 勛圖窪蹋厙 Board of Trustees appeared first on 勛圖窪蹋厙.

Directed by Lear deBessonet, the acclaimed production began its journey at New York City Center in 2024 before transferring to Broadway, where it earned 11 Tony nominations this season. Ragtime ��� featuring a score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens and a book by Terrence McNally, based on E.L. Doctorow’s landmark novel ��� interweaves the stories of three families chasing the American Dream at the dawn of the 20th century.

Crenshaw joined the Broadway company in 2025, adding Ragtime to an impressive list of stage credits that reflects more than a decade of work on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and on tour.

Stage Credits

• Ragtime泭(Broadway, 2025) ��� Ensemble
• Shucked泭(Original Broadway Production, 2023) ��� Ensemble; Understudy for Lulu and Storyteller 1
• Road Show泭(Encores! Off-Center Revival, 2019) ��� Ensemble
• Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope泭(Encores! Off-Center, 2018) ��� Performer
• Waitress泭(First National Tour, 2017) ��� Nurse Norma, Ensemble, Becky (Understudy)
• Groundhog Day泭(Original Broadway Production, 2017) ��� Doris, Ensemble
• Amazing Grace泭(Original Broadway Production, 2015) ��� Ensemble
• Amazing Grace泭(World Premiere, Chicago, 2014) ��� Ensemble

From the world premiere of Amazing Grace in Chicago to a Tony-winning revival on Broadway, Crenshaw’s career exemplifies the artistry, resilience, and excellence that 勛圖窪蹋厙 theatre alums bring to stages across the country.

The Stephens community joins in congratulating Rheaume and the entire Ragtime company on this remarkable achievement.

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After spending the first half of the program learning accents and dialects, vocal pedagogy and movement for actors, Conservatory students are now preparing to enter the second phase of the intensive program ��� which will focus on acting for the camera, monologue work and acting through song.  

The six-week summer program is designed to provide concentrated training in specialized areas of performance while helping students build the professional habits and technical skills required in today’s entertainment industry. 

���Just having time to really focus and buckle down on a few specific concepts is really elevating them for us,��� said Rebecca Lambert, a rising second-year acting student. ���It feels crazy to say that just these first two weeks has already made such a big difference.��� 

Building Skills Beyond the Classroom 

While conservatory students spend the academic year immersed in coursework focused on acting, singing and dance, SPAI offers an opportunity to dive deeper into subjects that often receive less dedicated attention during a busy semester. 

���You get to study some of the little things that you’re not able to get in the main classes,��� said Ethan Riley, a first-year musical theater student. ���Our main conservatory classes are dance, acting and singing, but this gives us the chance to focus on things like accents, stage movement and how the voice works.��� 

The intensive format allows students to dedicate several hours each day to a single subject, creating space for both instruction and practical application. 

For Lambert, that concentrated approach has accelerated learning and provided a stronger understanding of how specific techniques can support future performances. 

���A lot of this is stuff that’s teaching us how to teach ourselves in the future,��� she said. ���Being able to learn all of this now and then bring it into our classes and productions next year is really valuable.��� 

Learning From Industry Professionals 

A defining feature of the program is the opportunity for students to work directly with faculty members who continue to build careers in the performing arts industry. 

One of those instructors is Paula Vanlandingham, who teaches accents and dialects during the first half of SPAI. In addition to her work at Stephens, Vanlandingham has spent 15 years coaching dialects for film, television, stage productions and video games, with credits spanning major networks, streaming platforms and productions within the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. 

Vanlandingham said the summer format allows students to tackle material that might otherwise be spread across an entire semester. 

���This is a way to cram a lot of content into a short period of time,��� she said. ���We get to do what would normally be lecture and lab all in one session, giving students plenty of time to practice and apply what they’re learning.��� 

Students say learning from faculty with extensive professional experience provides valuable insight into the realities of the industry. 

���The best part is learning from people who have both worked in the industry professionally and have taken the time to come here and teach you,��� Lambert said. 

Preparing for a Changing Industry 

Faculty members say those specialized skills are becoming increasingly important as expectations within the entertainment industry continue to evolve. 

According to Vanlandingham, performers are now expected to arrive at auditions with a wider range of technical skills already in place. 

���They really kind of need you to hit the ground running,��� she said. ���They’re preparing you for professional paid work at a professional level.��� 

The immersive nature of SPAI mirrors the pace and discipline students can expect after graduation, helping them develop habits that extend beyond the classroom. 

Riley said balancing the intensive coursework alongside work and personal responsibilities has already strengthened his approach to time management and professional preparation. 

���It’s really gotten me into this work ethic that I really love,��� he said. ���It’s helping prepare us for what it’s going to be like working every day as a performer.��� 

As students transition into the second half of the program, they will begin exploring acting for the camera, acting through song and monologue work: experiences designed to broaden their understanding of performance across multiple mediums. 

A Community That Grows Together 

Beyond the coursework, students and faculty alike point to the conservatory’s close-knit environment as one of its greatest strengths. 

Vanlandingham described the program as a small, repertory-style community where students receive individualized attention while building relationships with peers and faculty. 

For Riley, that sense of connection has become an important part of the experience. 

���We spend so much time together,��� he said. ���I can truly say that this is probably my family. Nobody is a stranger here.��� 

As SPAI enters its second half, students will continue building on the skills developed during the first three weeks, carrying new techniques, professional insights and collaborative experiences into the upcoming academic year, and eventually, into their careers beyond Stephens. 

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勛圖窪蹋厙 President Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen is the latest guest on泭, a leading podcast advancing best practices in higher education produced by .

The newly released episode offers a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about what it truly takes to build a college experience where students feel seen, challenged, and prepared for the world beyond graduation.

In the episode, Dr. Lundeen traces her unconventional path ��� from selling vacuums door-to-door after earning a degree in philosophy and women’s studies to leading one of the nation’s most historic women’s colleges. Along the way, she shares the formative experiences that continue to shape her approach to education and leadership today.

What Listeners Will Hear

The conversation explores some of the most pressing questions in higher education today, including:

• Why colleges must move beyond “comfort” and focus on cultivating true belonging
• How residential campuses can profoundly shape student development
• What institutions often get wrong about student-centered education
• Why authentic relationships matter more than programming
• The realities of financial sustainability in modern higher ed
• 勛圖窪蹋厙’s distinctive programs in equestrian studies, theatre, and women’s workforce development
• How colleges can prepare students for an AI-driven workforce while cultivating deeply human skills

Dr. Lundeen also opens up about leadership and integrity, the mentors who shaped her, movement as a form of self-care, and what gives her hope about the future of higher education.

A Conversation Worth Hearing

Described by the Beyond the Quad team as “one of our most honest, thoughtful, and inspiring conversations yet,” the episode offers a candid look at the values and vision guiding 勛圖窪蹋厙 forward.

Listen now to the full episode of泭Beyond the Quadcast泭featuring Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen.

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