Third-generation student becomes Student Government President

The SEMO’s third-generation student has recently made history by being elected to the Student Government Association (SGA), fulfilling a lifelong aspiration rooted in her family's legacy and commitment to positive change.

Lydia Pobst is a junior pursuing a communications major with a double minor in business and business law. Her focus on SGA is to promote campus beautification, innovation and accessibility. For this role, former president, Layla Bouzihay, was an inspiration for Pobst.

Pobst's mother, Merideth Pobst, spoke about their family history with the university.

“Her father and I are Southeast Missouri State University graduates and her grandfather. We're honored that she could see and appreciate the wonderful education that we received from Southeast and that she chose it for herself," Merideth Pobst said.

Pobst’s vision led her to strive as a transformative community member.

“Something I was taught from my parents and grandparents, and I still try to pass on in leadership positions, is to be ‘passionate and compassionate,’” Pobst said.

Pobst's leadership began during her first year when she won a seat in the institution’s Senate. In addition, Pobst earned the competitive National Student Leadership Congressional Fellowship in Washington, D.C., as the first SEMO student.

The 20-year-old worked alongside 39 other college students from across the United States and various countries, further broadening her leadership and community engagement perspective.

As SEMO’s Student Body President, Pobst is proud of her running mates and the vision they've set forth with their "GrowSEMO" campaign.

GrowSEMO ensures work towards innovative proposals such as online student ID, digital parking meter payment, new students' campus tours, renovating the Center for Student Involvement, building accessibility and more.

Their campaign, which they began planning in Dec. 2023 and culminated in their successful election in April 2024, is focused on sustainability, engagement, modernization and organization.

"I wanted to make sure I could work well with my ‘Big Three,’" Pobst said.

Her mother mentioned that Pobst’s leadership is rooted in her family values towards her future career and personal aspirations.

“That has been a priority for my husband Justin and I. Our girls know we have the wonderful opportunity to be their mom and dad for a short period. We want to give them every skill we can to live out their passion and then spread their wings and soar,” Merideth Pobst said.