July 17, 2025
Story By Kaleigh Ibarra and Jake Aron
Kiera Gonzales, a senior from O’Fallon, Missouri, was one of three participants in TRiO Student Support Services at the University of Missouri who were recently recognized for their success.
Gonzales is majoring in health science with an emphasis in leadership and policy; she’s also pursuing minors in business and human development and family services. She received the Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska Rising Achievers Scholarship.
Gonzales has always enjoyed leadership, but thanks to TRiO, she feels like she has become a stronger leader.
“Through my courses and the help of TRiO, I have learned different leadership theories and skills have helped me become the leader I am today,” she said.
She credits her TRiO advisor, Shannah Lewis, for being instrumental in her TRiO experience.
“Shannah has been a rock through everything,” Gonzales said. “She is a fountain of knowledge on all things TRiO and health science advising. She has helped me through deciding what career path to take, internships and graduate school. If she does not have the answer, she has a plethora of other professionals to connect me with!”
Outside of TRiO, Gonzales is a proud member of Mizzou’s Women’s Club Rugby team. She’s been playing rugby for seven years and was glad to join Mizzou’s team as a freshman. She is now a team captain and the vice president of the club. She is also the HR Coordinator for Right at Home, an in-home care and assistance company serving the elderly population, and a member of the College of Health Sciences Student Council.
After graduation, Gonzales plans to stay at Mizzou to earn a Master of Health Administration degree before pursuing a career in medical device sales.
