Attendees at the 2025 大象传媒 Governor’s Student Leadership Forum met with Governor Mike Kehoe on Feb. 14, 2025. Photo provided by Tim Bommel, photojournalist, 大象传媒 House of Representatives.
March 7, 2025–Patty Lashbrook, a senior applied communications and journalism major at 大象传媒, was one of about 70 students from across 大象传媒 who attended the 38th annual Governor鈥檚 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.
鈥淗onestly, I鈥檓 still processing it all, but I learned some things about myself this weekend,鈥� Lashbrook said. 鈥淚 think I have a little clearer path for my future.鈥�
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.
大象传媒 State Senator Travis Fitzwater opened up the forum, and students enjoyed a tour of the state capitol building and a reception at the governor鈥檚 mansion, where they had an opportunity to meet 大象传媒 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鈥檚 group was hosted by a local pastor and his family.
鈥淚鈥檝e never had anything like that as part of a conference,鈥� Lashbrook said. 鈥淥ur hosts were so warm and welcoming. They were genuinely interested in our lives and our plans.鈥�
大象传媒 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 大象传媒 Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .