Lincoln University of Missouri Student Nia Walker to Serve on Lincoln’s Governing Board

Lincoln University Student Nia Walker was introduced to the Senate Gubernatorial Committee and sworn in as a member of the Lincoln University Board of Curators on April 25, 2023. Walker (second from the right) and her parents speak with Lincoln University President John Moseley (left) after her swearing in. (Photo credit: Josh Cobb/News Tribune)

Nia Walker, a junior political science major, has been selected as a student representative for the Lincoln University of Missouri Board of Curators. Walker is the first student representative in more than five years and is slated to join the board by its June 8 meeting.

Walker appeared before the Senate Gubernatorial Appointment Committee in April for a confirmation, where she faced zero questions. During an executive session, the committee moved nominees forward, setting them up for a final confirmation from the full Senate.

“I’m excited to be in a position where I’m able to share the perspective of students and be able to have our voices heard,” Walker said in a recent News Tribune article. “I just want to be in a position of power where I’m able to make change, so that’s really what motivates me to be in politics.”

Nominations were submitted to Gov. Parson by Lincoln’s Student Government Association in December. Candidates were nominated by Lincoln University faculty members for their loyalty to Lincoln and their outstanding academic performances. The selected candidates were also vetted by the Student Government Association. Walker was one of three nominees.

Walker will be a non-voting member of the board. Since the board makes decisions that affect students, Walker wants to ensure that students can weigh in on these topics. Specifically, she would like to see the university address its retention issues and cater more towards the first-generation student population, according to the News Tribune article.

“I’ve gotten to know Nia over her time at Lincoln, and she’s an impressive young lady,” said Lincoln University President John Moseley in the News Tribune article. “She’s got a very bright future, and we’re honored that the Governor’s Office selected her to serve in this capacity.”