Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life

Alicia Green
Junior
Accounting

Alicia Green is a junior at the University of Missouri-St. Louis pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Accounting. Following graduation she will be pursuing a Masters of Accounting making her eligible to take the CPA exam. Alicia transferred to UMSL from San Diego City College where she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa National Honors Society on the Dean’s List. She currently studies in the Pierre Laclede Honors College and enjoys the challenge of intensive writing. Alicia is motivated through community service and has just finished the position of Chair for the Autism Walk Committee. She is eager to see many of the opportunities UMSL and the St. Louis area has to offer.

Annetta Canady
Senior
Political Science

Annetta Canady is a senior political science major pursuing certification in public policy administration.  Annetta has over 10 years of experience in the field of Human Services. Her skills set include interviewing clients and interpreting the laws and regulations for Human Services. Prior to coming to UMSL, Annetta earned an Associate Degree as a Legal Assistant from Tarrant County College and a B.A.  in Business Administration Management from Texas Wesleyan University.  Annetta has been awarded the Multicultural Tuition Remission Award at UMSL through the Office of Multicultural Affairs for two consecutive years.  In 2010 alone Annetta has been  recognized as an honoree for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest, the recipient of the Women’s History Month award , and was awarded for her volunteer work for The Missouri State Black Expo. This past year she also volunteered at the UMSL Girls Leadership Camp under the UMSL Executive Leadership Consortium.  Annetta has participated in several leadership programs that include The Women’s Networking Series and The Women’s Mentoring Project Series. Annetta has also served as an outreach volunteer to a senior social center, food pantry/clothing closet and Union Commission Ministries. Upon completion of her certification, Annetta plans to pursue a Master of Public Policy Administration with emphasis in Managing Human Resources and Organization.

Claire Regnier
Junior
Criminal Justice

Claire Regnier is a Junior at the University of Missouri - St. Louis pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice along with minors in Psychology and Political Science. Following graduation she will be pursuing a Masters in Psychology and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting making her eligible to take the CPA exam. Claire is currently the Student Government Association representative for Students Today Alumni Tomorrow. She is also a member of the UMSL Student Conduct Committee as well as the Student Activities Budget Committee. Off campus she is very involved with the O’Fallon Missouri Police Explorers. She was Captain, the highest ranking member, for 2 terms only surrendering the position so someone else could take on the challenge. She is the current Vice President of the St. Louis Area Police Explorer Association. In July 2009 Claire attended the very selective FBI National Leadership Academy at the FBI training headquarters in Quantico Virginia, and in July 2010 attended the National Law Enforcement Exploring Conference. She hopes to one day be an integral leader in the DEA. In her free time she works at QuikTrip, reads and plays with her 2 dogs Silverado and Walter.

Melanie Gowdy is a graduate student in the Masters of Social Work program with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Currently she is a member of the Student Social Work Association. Her undergraduate study was completed at Truman State University where she made the Dean’s List and earned a B.A. in History with double minors in Political Science and Justice Systems. She served as President of the Truman State University’s Pan-Hellenic Council and President of the Delta Kappa Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Melanie is currently employed as a Family Support Eligibility Specialist Supervisor with Family Support Division, where she supervises the work of 10 Eligibility Specialists. Melanie is founder and President of Believers Incorporated, a local nonprofit organization with the mission to provide individuals with resources for personal and professional development. As an active volunteer in the St. Louis community Melanie has worked with nonprofits to establish GED programs, youth tutoring services, local food pantries, cultural awareness events, and activities for at-risk youth. Melanie looks forward to continuing her nonprofit and volunteer efforts as well as working in the arena of Public Policy to advocate on behalf of marginalized populations.

Michelle Prince
Junior
Elementary Education

Michelle Prince is a Junior at the University of Missouri - St. Louis pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. Upon graduation she will be pursuing a career as an Elementary school teacher, hopefully in grades 3rd or 4th. Michelle is currently a participant in the Women Lead program. Off campus she is very involved with her church working in the children church and a member of her church choir. She is a substitute teacher for the Confluence Academy School district in St. Louis City. She also is a volunteer tutor at Girls, Inc. in the Normandy community. She also was a Big Sister for Big Brothers, Big Sisters. During the 2008-2009 school year, Michelle worked for the Saturday Enrichment program as a Student Motivator at Centerville Elementary School, in Cahokia School District 187. In July 2008, Michelle attended Monster’s Diversity Leadership Program in Atlanta, GA.  She hopes to one day be a school administrator. In her free time she likes to shop, read magazines, volunteer and spend time with her family and friends. Her life goal is to be able to give back to her community, help underprivileged children know there is hope and impact their lives in a positive way!

Sharon Pruitt
Senior
English/Psychology

Sharon Pruitt is a junior at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in English with a creativewriting emphasis and a certificate in Women's and Gender Studies. Before transferring to UMSL she attended Florissant Valley Community College for two years and during her time there made the Dean’s List. Being in the top twelve percent of her class earned her induction into Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society of Two-Year Colleges. She was also named English Student of the Year and has had her work published in the school literary magazine, The Voyageur. Now in her second semester at the UMSL, Sharon is a student of the Pierre Laclede Honors College and co-editor of Brain Stew, the official publication of PLHC. She is also a member of BLOC (the Black Leadership Organizing Council) and the Associated Black Collegians. Sharon is most passionate about writing and following graduation she intends to pursue a career in magazines and publishing with hopes of one day earning her MFA in creative non-fiction. Her ultimate goal is to combine her love of the written word with her strong feminist viewpoints and create a progressive women’s magazine of her own.