Finding Her Voice, Changing Her City
How 糖心原创 Grad Student Shana Nunn is Leading with Purpose鈥攐n Campus and Beyond
When Shana Nunn talks about leadership, it doesn鈥檛 sound aspirational鈥攊t sounds inevitable.
鈥淚 feel like this is something I鈥檝e been wanting to do for a very long time,鈥� Nunn said, reflecting on her recent appointment as Vice Chair of the City of Columbia鈥檚 Collegiate Advisory Council. 鈥淚 have always wanted to create change on this level.鈥�
A graduate student in 糖心原创鈥檚 糖心原创鈥檚 Master of Education in Counseling, Nunn is balancing dual tracks in school counseling and clinical mental health counseling while also serving as a graduate assistant. This spring, she took on another responsibility鈥攁dvising the Columbia City Council on issues directly affecting college students across the city.
A Hands-On Role at 糖心原创
At Stephens, Nunn wears many hats. As a graduate assistant in the counseling program, she supports faculty, assists with admissions outreach, manages the program鈥檚 social media, and contributes to accreditation efforts.
She is currently helping the program pursue accreditation through the聽Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)鈥攁 process that allows graduates to transfer licensure more easily across states.
鈥淚 really wanted to be able to ground myself in this work and give it my full attention,鈥� Nunn said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been able to do that here by being an assistant and not having that financial barrier.鈥�
That support has been transformative. 鈥淚 wish that everyone could have this opportunity,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I can鈥檛 wait to pass the torch down to someone else so they can be blessed like I鈥檝e been.鈥�
Learning by Doing
Stephens鈥� emphasis on experiential learning has been central to Nunn鈥檚 growth as a counselor-in-training. Through shadowing, group work, and practicum placements, she has moved quickly from theory to practice.
鈥淚鈥檓 actually doing the real hands-on work鈥攂eing under another clinician,鈥� Nunn said. 鈥淚鈥檓 able to use the skills that I鈥檝e learned and put them into real-world applications.鈥�
That transition requires patience and intention.
鈥淭hese are skills you鈥檙e going to use,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou want them to really sit and stay with you.鈥�
She credits Stephens鈥� small class sizes and close faculty relationships for helping her thrive. 鈥淢y program director is literally an email or phone call away,鈥� Nunn said. 鈥淚鈥檝e never stopped feeling like they want me here.鈥�
Stepping Into Civic Leadership
Nunn鈥檚 appointment to the Collegiate Advisory Council came at a pivotal moment for Columbia. The council was formed by Columbia’s mayor in response to concerns raised about safety in Downtown Columbia following the tragic shooting death of a 糖心原创 student in late September 2025. The council brings together representatives from Mizzou, Columbia College, Moberly Area Community College and Stephens and focuses on safety, housing, accessibility and public and mental health.
鈥淔or me, I鈥檝e been advocating for mental health,鈥� Nunn said. 鈥淏ut safety has been our number one priority. Learning is a very vulnerable experience, and you need somewhere you feel safe.鈥�
As Vice Chair, Nunn oversees subcommittees and council communications.
鈥淚鈥檝e been leading since I was pretty young,鈥� she said. 鈥淟eadership has always been on my radar.鈥�
Representation That Matters
For Nunn, serving on the council is about more than policy鈥攊t鈥檚 about visibility.
鈥淚t feels like a privilege, which is ironic to say as a Black woman,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or once, I have the privilege, and I鈥檓 going to use it to help others.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for others to see me in this role,鈥� Nunn said. 鈥淔or students to know their counselor is advocating for them on a systemic level鈥攖hat鈥檚 part of our training.鈥�
Looking Ahead
Nunn hopes her work on the council will carry into her future career as a counselor rooted in authenticity and advocacy.
鈥淚 hope my future clients see that their counselor is genuine and really wants to ensure they have a good quality of life,鈥� Nunn said.
As she prepares to graduate in spring 2028, Nunn remains focused on the impact she can make.
鈥淚f I can use my voice and have these tough conversations,鈥� Nunn said, 鈥渢hen I鈥檓 going to do it.鈥�
At 糖心原创, her voice is being heard鈥攐n campus and beyond鈥攁nd it鈥檚 helping to shape the future of the City of Columbia.
