Northwest presents Women’s Leadership Awards, hosts annual summit

Northwest Missouri State University continued its commemoration of Women’s History Month on Tuesday by recognizing four individuals with its annual Influential Woman leadership awards in conjunction with its Women’s Leadership Summit.

A Women’s History Month tradition at Northwest, the University community is annually invited to nominate female students, faculty, staff and community members who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to supporting, advocating for and establishing equity for others.

Mary Collins and Diane Hargrave were presented Tuesday with Influential Woman leadership awards. Two student recipients, Austyn Fisher and Shaviyah Sese, could not attend the presentation. (Photo by Lilly Cook/Northwest Missouri State University)

Jill Brown presented a keynote address during Tuesday's Women’s Leadership Summit at Northwest. (Photo by Lilly Cook/Northwest Missouri State University)

This year’s award recipients were Diane Hargrave, the executive secretary in the Office of the Provost; Mary Collins, Northwest’s assistant vice president of finance and controller; Austyn Fisher, a junior animal science major from New Sharon, Iowa; and Shaviyah Sese, a junior middle school education major from Independence, Missouri.

“It’s truly inspiring because we’re celebrating the incredible women who lead, inspire and drive change in our communities and industries,” Dr. Jessie Peter, a senior coordinator in Northwest’s global engagement center and Women's History Month Committee member, said. “Leadership is not just about position. It is about vision, courage, resilience and the ability to empower others along the way, and that is exactly what the women’s leadership awards represent.”

Collins joined the Northwest staff in 2011 as controller and is a Northwest alumna with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration degree with an accounting emphasis. Her nominator wrote, “She is dedicated to protecting the University while helping us thrive. She has built a team that is more like a family. She leads this team with strength, intelligence and compassion that is unmatched. She stands by what is right and sets an example of what it means to be a woman in this profession.” 

Hargrave joined the Northwest staff in 2009 as a secretary in the School of Computer Science and Information Systems and has worked in the provost office since 2010; she also serves as secretary of the Board of Regents. Her nominator wrote, “She is a true beacon of strength, selflessness and unwavering dedication to uplifting those around her. Through advocacy, mentorship and acts of kindness, she continuously fosters an environment where others feel empowered to reach their full potential. Her unwavering commitment to helping others succeed is what sets her apart. She does not seek recognition but instead focuses on creating meaningful change, proving that true leadership lies in service.”

Fisher and Sese, who were unable to attend the awards presentation, were honored as recipients of the Lonnae Young Influential Student Award, which is named in remembrance of a Northwest student who died unexpectedly before being recognized with a Women’s History Month award in 2019.

Fisher is the president of the Women in Science Club. Her nominator wrote, “She is dedicated to and is a strong advocate for animal care. She is hardworking and I admire her work ethic. She is a nurturing person and empowers her peers through various opportunities in Women in Science Club.”

Sese is president of the Black Student Union. Her nominator wrote, “She has helped build a sense of community on campus. She is an incredibly dedicated and hardworking individual. She is always ready to lend a helping hand and never hesitates to find solutions when faced with challenges. Her kindness, honesty and trustworthiness make her not only a reliable person and a true friend.” 

Northwest presented the Influential Woman awards Tuesday in conjunction with a daylong Women’s Leadership Summit, themed “EmpowerHER.” The summit brought together women in leadership roles and women who aspire to be leaders for learning sessions, activities and a keynote address by Jill Brown, Northwest’s assistant vice president of university advancement.

National Women’s History Month originated in 1981 as a week-long celebration and the U.S. Congress declared in 1987 that it be celebrated each March. A presidential proclamation is issued annually to honor the achievements of American women.