Lobina joining Missouri Western in workforce development role

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Workforce development efforts at Missouri Western State University are getting a boost with the addition of a new staff member.

Rebecca Lobina is the university's new director of workforce development. Lobina, currently continuing professional education director at Northwest Missouri State and the regional director of the Missouri Small Business Development Center, will start at Missouri Western on April 1.

She will oversee all workforce development initiatives at the college and will work with faculty, staff and industry partners. Lobina also will implement training programming at the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology and in other areas for non-credit and for-credit continuing professional education. 

“It’s exciting to see the direction that MWSU has been pursuing in the past few years under the leadership of Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy,” Lobina said. “Now, with the Houlne Center and this position, Missouri Western is engaging businesses directly in a way that goes beyond encouraging collaboration and instead engages both businesses and their workforce to make relevant, meaningful change as a result of an educated workforce.”

Lobina who has a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Science in Administrative Studies degree from Missouri State University, has been with the Small Business Development Center since 2007. In that role, she has provided thousands of small businesses in the region with training and advice. 

“I am thrilled and very excited to bring Rebecca to Mo West,” said Dr. Jay Johnson, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Rebecca has several years of experience and success in workforce development. She will be a major asset as we continue to invest in our future and work closely with the community and local industry to provide opportunities for our region to thrive.”