Feb. 23, 2024

Northwest student senators, president visit capitol to advocate for University

Northwest Missouri State University students made their case for the institution on Monday and Tuesday, visiting the capitol building in Jefferson City and engaging legislators during the Student Senate’s annual legislative reception.

Nineteen students made the trip with University staff, including President Dr. Lance Tatum.

The objective of the legislative reception is for students to speak with state lawmakers and advocate for Northwest while gaining some insight into the legislative process. Students navigate the capitol halls in small groups and visit the offices of state representatives and senators, sharing Northwest’s story and working to gain support for University programs, campus upgrades and appropriations.

Elizabeth Motazedi, who represents Northwest’s student body as Student Senate president and the University’s student regent, said the experience made her proud to be a Missourian and helped her feel more connected with the state.

A senior from Joplin, Missouri, who is nearing the completion of her bachelor’s degree in social studies-history education this spring, Motazedi said she is especially interested in proposals that will impact schools and educators as she prepares to begin her teaching career.

“It made me proud to be a Bearcat,” Motazedi said. “It was great to represent Northwest and advocate for a place that really just means so much, and it really showed me that Northwest is an awesome place, because a lot of legislators would say, ‘Oh yeah, we know Northwest. You guys have a great education school.’ Or ‘You guys are really good at sports.’ So it made me feel very proud.”

Callie Spunaugle, an agricultural business major from Warsaw, Missouri, who serves with Student Senate as a junior class representative, said she wanted to participate in the legislative reception to speak with representatives about topics that are important to students and make connections that are valuable to the community. 

“I am so thankful to be able to be in the position to speak with state lawmakers about supporting Northwest,” she said. “Many of the state lawmakers we met with were receptive to us and made us feel seen and heard. It was nice to be able to make connections with the people representing you at that level and know your opinions were taken into consideration.” 

Spunaugle said one of the key conclusions for her was the value of hearing other people’s stories.

“Every legislator we met had an amazing story, and a lot of lessons could be gained from listening to them,” she said. “I was lucky enough to meet the representative from my district and learn about all of the change he was making within my own community. Legislative reception has allowed me to see certain things in a different light and have a deeper appreciation for the work our legislators accomplish.” 

Jillian McNamara, a political science major from Papillion, Nebraska, who serves as Student Senate’s executive secretary, said she took pride in having conversations she hopes will positively impact the University and future students. McNamara, who will graduate from Northwest this spring, said the legislative reception demonstrated to her the value of advocacy and making connections, which she plans to practice in her career.

“Advocating for your needs and for what you care about can indeed promote change,” McNamara said. “Each year we go back, there is a chance that more and more legislators will remember us, and Northwest may see some real positive growth in the future, thanks to aid the state can offer.”

Meeting with legislators, Motazedi said, inspired many of the participating students to be more active citizens.

“A lot of students, I think, felt very inspired the same way I did,” Motazedi said. “They felt more in touch with their state and as citizens, especially citizens who vote, citizens who go to a public university. They felt really connected and inspired but also grateful to be a part of this University and be a Bearcat and be able to represent the greatness that is Northwest.”