Rhonda Allen-Lewis to Deliver Keynote Address at Lincoln University Honors Convocation

Rhonda Allen-Lewis will deliver the 2025 Honors Convocation keynote address on Thursday, April 17, at 11 a.m. in the Robert and Charlene Mitchell Auditorium at Richardson Fine Arts Center.

Rhonda Allen-Lewis will serve as the keynote speaker for Lincoln University of Missouri’s 2025 Honors Convocation. The event will take place Thursday, April 17, at 11 a.m. in the Robert and Charlene Mitchell Auditorium at Richardson Fine Arts Center.

A Jefferson City native and Lincoln University alumna, Allen-Lewis has 23 years of experience in education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Lincoln, as well as a master’s degree in educational administration from Grand Canyon University. She is in her fourth year as an assistant principal at Lewis and Clark Middle School.

Allen-Lewis previously taught second through fourth grades at East and Thorpe Gordon elementary schools before serving as a behavior interventionist. While at Thorpe Gordon, she led the district’s only elementary drama program for 10 years, guiding students through theatrical performances. She now directs the drama club at Lewis and Clark and recently founded Theater for Youth, or “Ty,” an organization named in honor of her late father, Tyronne Allen.

Her dedication to education and community service has earned her multiple honors, including the Zonta Woman of Achievement Award, the 2017 Jefferson City School District Teacher of the Year award and the Mother of the Year award from the Masonic Lodge. She was also recently nominated for the Youth Leadership Award by Building Community Bridges.

Allen-Lewis is deeply involved in her community. She has been a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters for 10 years, positively impacting the lives of young people. She is also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, an organization dedicated to supporting veterans and their families. Each Thanksgiving, she and her family volunteer by distributing and delivering meals to families throughout the community. As an active member of the Lincoln University Alumni Council, she continues to support her alma mater.

In her free time, Allen-Lewis enjoys singing at church and various events, listening to podcasts, shopping online and staying active at the gym with her husband, John. She also cherishes time spent with their beagle, Winston, taking him on walks and enjoying his company.

Lincoln University’s annual Honors Convocation recognizes top student achievements, with each school and department honoring outstanding scholars.