Leisha Barry of Holt has been appointed by Governor Mike Kehoe to the Board of Regents at Northwest Missouri State University. The appointment is pending confirmation by the Missouri Senate. If confirmed, Barry will fill the seat formerly held by Roxanna Swaney of Liberty.
Barry retired in 2015 after a 30-year career at Cerner Corporation in Kansas City, where she served as vice president. She remains involved with community organizations, including the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City through the University of Missouri Extension. Barry has also been active with the Liberty Hospital Foundation and served on its board in various leadership roles. Since 2017, she has been a member of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors and is currently its immediate past president.
Barry holds a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master of Business Administration in management from Rockhurst University.
The nine-member Board of Regents oversees resource management and sets educational and financial policies for Northwest Missouri State University. Six members must reside within the university's 17-county district, with specific requirements for county representation and political party affiliation. There is also one non-voting student representative position, which is currently vacant.
Current board leadership includes Chair Mel Tjeerdsma of Maryville and Vice Chair Stephen Coppinger of Kansas City. Other members are Steve Black of Maysville, Shanda Durbin of St. Joseph, Jason Klindt of Kearney, and Deborah Roach of Grant City. One vacancy remains following John Moore’s resignation in June.
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