2025 Power of Women Luncheon and Expo
The Southeast Missouri University Foundation invites you to the Power of Women Luncheon and Expo whether you are looking to support student scholarships, hear Dr. Natissia Small, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, have a delicious lunch, get offerings from local businesses, or connect with other female leaders.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Expo: 10 a.m.
Luncheon: 11:45 a.m.
Tickets: $35
Table: $200/6 tickets + 2 Student Hosts
Expo Package: $300 Expo Booth + 2 Tickets
Student Registration is FREE!
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Natissia Small
As the CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM), Dr. Natissia Small is a visionary leader providing oversight for one of the ten largest Girl Scout councils in the United States, where she oversees the strategic operations serving nearly 25,000 girls and manages a network of 10,000 volunteers. Under her executive leadership, GSEM has strengthened its market position through collaboration, inclusivity, and data-driven community development initiatives.
Drawing on nearly three decades in higher education and organizational leadership, Dr. Small has established herself as a transformational executive in creating scalable support systems for youth development and empowerment. Her strategic approach to program innovation and stakeholder engagement has consistently delivered measurable outcomes in education access, mentorship development, professional skill-building, and resource optimization – all aligned with developing the next generation of global leaders.
At Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Natissia has led several initiatives including the most recent creation and implementation of the ADVANCE HER© Leadership movement, a strategic initiative that amplifies Girl Scouts' core mission through post-secondary programming. This comprehensive framework drives organizational growth while providing Girl Scouts, volunteers, and staff with educational pathways, mentorship opportunities, and socio-emotional support essential for lifelong success. Her passionate commitment to breaking down barriers and creating innovative programming and inclusive opportunities for all is evident in her life’s work.
Prior to taking her role at GSEM, Natissia served as Vice Provost for Access, Academic Support, and Workforce Integration at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. During her tenure, Natissia led the university to gain local, state, and national recognition for college access and academic support. This commendation includes the Missouri Senate for “Excellent Contributions and Outstanding Dedication to the Community,” the Dr. Asa G. Hilliard Model of Excellence Award from the National College Board, FOCUS St. Louis “What’s Right with the Region Award,” and many more notable recognitions.
Born and raised in rural Charleston, Missouri, Natissia, a first-generation college student went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from Southeast Missouri State University. She also earned dual master’s degrees in secondary school education-adult education, and counseling, as well as obtained her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Her academic credentials, executive accomplishments, and unwavering dedication exemplify the transformative power of education and mentorship – principles that continue to drive her strategic vision, organizational leadership, and passion for creating a lasting change for girls and women in our communities and beyond.
Presenting Sponsors
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Celebrate the Power of Women Luncheon and Expo
Join Us!
The event is Wednesday, March 19 at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. The Expo is at 10 a.m. and the Luncheon begins at 11:45 a.m. Individual tickets are $35 each. Table packages are $200 and include six luncheon tickets and two student ambassadors as table hosts. Expo packages are $300 and include an expo booth and two luncheon tickets.
About the Power of Women
The Southeast Missouri University Foundation launched the Power of Women program for Southeast students in 2012, designed to encourage women – Southeast alumni, businesswomen, and community members throughout the region – to support the University through service and philanthropy.
Through this program, the University Foundation hopes to connect female students at Southeast with financial resources to fund their education as well as opportunities to learn through mentorships, internships, and service projects in the region. The annual event brings together extraordinary women to celebrate and empower one another and to enhance the future of their next generation of colleagues. A portion of the proceeds from the event is awarded as scholarships.
The Power of Women Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate a passion for a life of service, are attending Southeast full-time, and have completed at least 30 credit hours with a minimum 2.75 grade point average. Each recipient submits an application demonstrating significant academic achievement, involvement at the University, and commitment to volunteerism and community service. The Power of Women Scholarship Committee selects the recipients based on these factors as well as their future aspirations for success in their career and personal life.
The Power of Women Scholarship was first awarded in the fall of 2013 and endowed in the spring of 2014. Since its inception, 95 students have received the Power of Women Scholarship.
Power of Women Scholarship Committee
The University Foundation's Power of Women Scholarship Committee consists of SEMO alums and staff as well as community businesswomen who hold a valued interest in seeing our current female students succeed.
Every spring, the Committee reviews dozens of applications and ultimately chooses ten recipients, based on demonstration of significant academic achievement, involvement at the University, and commitment to volunteerism and community service, as well as future aspirations for success in their career and personal life.
Committee Members
- Nanci Burchell, External Committee Member
- Marsha Haskell, Foundation Board Member
- Michele Irby, Director of Campus Life
- Brad Koester, Major Gift Officer
- Amanda Lincoln, Assistant Vice President for University Advancement
- Lysa Rhodes, External Committee Member
- Jayne Schrader, External Committee Member
- Tonya Wells, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications
Scholarship Recipient
"Scholarships are the reason I am able to study and work towards my dreams. As a student from a single-parent household, the price of college was something I was concerned about, and scholarships like the Power of Women are the reason I am able to be here."
Ciara Southard
The generosity to give. The will to do.
Support Southeast
When it comes to supporting our fellow Redhawks, we do whatever it takes. Help advance the causes and mission of Southeast Missouri State University by supporting it with a gift.
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