Dr. Lance Tatum, President | Northwest Missouri State University
Dr. Lance Tatum, President | Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University continued its commemoration of Women’s History Month on Wednesday by recognizing four individuals with its annual Influential Women Awards.
Dr. Joni Adkins, Grace Stephens, Ryleigh Lindsey, and Vanessa Parsons were honored at the event for their outstanding dedication to supporting, advocating for, and establishing equity for others.
Dr. Joni Adkins, who was named director of the School of Computer Science and Information Systems in 2021, was recognized for her work in diversity and inclusion within the field of computer science. Adkins' nominator praised her efforts, stating, "Not only does Dr. Adkins work incredibly hard, but she supports her faculty, staff, and students with the time and resources needed to meet the high needs in computer science."
Grace Stephens, a coordinator in Career Services at Northwest, was commended for her kindness, collaboration, and commitment to self-care. Her nominator highlighted, "Grace models the way for others in the office through her kindness and willingness to collaborate."
Ryleigh Lindsey, a senior mathematics education major, received the Lonnae Young Influential Student Award for her work in helping students succeed in math at both the college and high school levels. Her nominator described her as having "an uplifting attitude."
Vanessa Parsons, a vocal music director at Maryville High School, was presented with the Community Champion Award for her dedication to supporting young women and creating a nurturing environment for her students. Her nominator praised Parsons for being a role model and a source of support for all her students.
The Influential Women Awards were presented in conjunction with a Women’s Leadership Summit themed “Inspire, Connect and Empower.” The summit featured learning sessions, discussions, and a keynote address by Dr. Karen Kassenbaum, the Global Inclusion Lead at Hudl.
The event was sponsored by various organizations and received additional support from Mosaic Life Care and local businesses.
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