Annual Journey to College Day spotlights program updates and recognizes Missouri educators

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) hosted Journey to College Day on July 24 in Jefferson City, an annual event that brings together Missouri high school counselors and college access professionals for an opportunity to network and share best practices as they prepare for a new academic year.

"Journey to College is an important initiative that helps inform students about their postsecondary options and execute the steps to achieve their higher education and career goals," said Dr. Bennett Boggs, Commissioner of the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. "High school educators from across the state put in the legwork throughout the school year to put students on a path toward success. We look forward to hosting this event each year to honor and recognize their important contributions and to make sure we are providing them with the most up-to-date, helpful information and resources as possible."

This year, State Treasurer Vivek Malek joined the event to present the benefits of Missouri's Education Savings Plan (MOST 529) and emphasize the advantages the plan can provide to Missouri families that are saving for their students' education. In addition, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) spotlighted the Governor's Workforce of the Future Challenge, representatives from the Missouri College and Career Attainment Network (MOCAN) provided information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and representatives from Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation and My Scholarship Central offered information about scholarships and funding.

The event highlighted the Journey to College programs and publications, the FAFSA Completion Project, state financial aid, state legislative updates, and department services.

MDHEWD also recognized educators for their exceptional work during the 2024-2025 academic year. The 2025 recipients of the Journey to College Awards include:

• Regional Excellence Awards: Presented to those who show steady dedication and resourcefulness to their individual Journey to College programming.
  • Ashley Deel, Appleton City High School
  • Anna McMillen, Douglas High School
  • Nichole Ingersoll, Pacific High School
  • Stacy Utterback, Paris High School
  • LaChelle Nichols, Southeast High School
• Innovator of the Year: Highlights high school educators who consistently seek new approaches to hosting Journey to College events to grow attendance and awareness of higher education opportunities.
  • Trish Lewis, Bourbon High School

"On behalf of the MDHEWD outreach team, we truly appreciate the dedication and passion Journey to College site coordinators and high school counselors across the state have for helping students and their families navigate their educational journeys," said Alison Notter, Director of Outreach.

Journey to College programs - Apply Missouri, FAFSA Frenzy, and Decision Day - help students plan and pay for college, while the FAFSA Completion Project aims to increase the number of Missouri students who complete the FAFSA.

For more information about Journey to College programs, visit dhewd.mo.gov/ppc/journey-to-college.

Photos from the Journey to College Day event are available on the MDHEWD Flickr page.