The Missouri Nursing Students’ Association (MONSA) is a statewide organization for student nurses in Missouri and is a constituent of the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA). MONSA is independently organized and governed by Missouri nursing students. In 2019, there were over 2000 members whose membership came from nursing programs throughout the state.
Founded in 1952, MONSA is an organization for students enrolled in associate, baccalaureate and diploma nursing programs. It is dedicated to fostering the leadership and professional development of nursing students.
MONSA's Board of Directors is made up of 10 nursing students who are elected at the organization's annual convention and one non-voting consultant who was appointed by the Missouri Nurses Association to provide guidance to the association.
Over 300 nursing students participate in MONSA's Annual Convention, which gives Missouri nursing students the opportunity to hear well-known speakers, discuss trends and issues relevant to nursing today, learn about leadership, nurse specialties and career development activities. In addition, there is a mini NCLEX review and opportunities to network with other students from across Missouri and the region. Panels, exhibits, education sessions and fun events round out a conference designed to help students prepare for their careers as professional nurses.
Our Mission
Enhance professional nursing students education and practice in all environments to assure quality, affordable, and accessible health care for the people of Missouri.
Our Purpose
1. Assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the highest quality health care.
2. Provide programs representative of fundamental and current professional interest and concerns.
3. Aid in the development of the whole person, his/her professional role, and his/her responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life.
Our Function
1. To have direct input into standards of nursing education and influence on the education process.
2. To influence health care, nursing education and practice through legislative activities as appropriate.
3. To promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities toward improved health care and the resolution of related social issues.
4. To represent nursing students to the consumer, to institutions, and to other organizations.
5. To promote and encourage student participation in interdisciplinary activities.
6. To promote and encourage recruitment efforts, participation in student activities, and education opportunities regardless of a person’s race, color, creed, sex, lifestyle, national origin, age, or economic status.
7. To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with the Missouri Nurses’ Association (MONA) and the Missouri League for Nursing (MLN), as well as other state nursing and related health organizations.
8. To promote nursing education by rewarding scholarships based on academic excellence and financial need, as funds are available.
Board of Directors
2025-2026
Leadership is…
…an integral part of the nursing profession. At the Missouri Nursing Students’ Association, leadership is a collaborative effort where the members work with the Board of Directors to chart the best course for the future of nursing.
MONSA’s elected volunteer leaders are committed nursing students who work strategically with the student nursing association school chapters, the National Student Nurses’ Association and other professional nursing organizations in Missouri. By working together, these organizations are able to combine leadership talent and insight to develop a clear picture of what nursing needs today - and tomorrow.
President
Asa Palmeri
North Central Missouri College - Trenton, Missouri
I am incredibly honored to serve as the President of the Missouri Nursing Students Association (MONSA). This role is a remarkable opportunity to use my voice and platform to be a positive and strong light in the field of nursing. I am committed to representing Missouri nursing students with pride while continuing to serve as an ambassador for North Central Missouri College (NCMC), where I remain actively involved as a professional tutor.
My journey into nursing has been guided by a deep commitment to excellence, leadership, and advocacy. I have lived in Jefferson City, Missouri, for most of my life, where I was homeschooled and attended Lighthouse Preparatory Academy for high school. In 2016, I earned my LPN license from State Technical College, which allowed me to gain valuable experience in hospice, mental health, primary care, pulmonary care, and nursing informatics. Over the past four years, I have specialized in building and maintaining electronic medical record systems for large hospitals—blending my passion for technology and healthcare.
I am currently continuing my education through Galen College of Nursing’s online BSN program while mentoring future nurses at my alma mater. As MONSA President, I am honored to lead alongside the Board of Directors and State Consultant as we develop initiatives that strengthen nursing education, support annual conventions, and represent Missouri nursing students at both state and national levels. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve and to help shape the future of nursing in our state.
Vice President / Convention Director
Trina Ledford
North Central Missouri College - Trenton, Missouri
Hi! My name is Trina Ledford, and I am the Vice President of the Missouri Nursing Student Association. It is an unexpected honor, but I am excited to be leading the nursing students of Missouri in this capacity. Nurses have been a major source of inspiration to me throughout my adult life, and the opportunity to advocate for this profession at the state and national level is overwhelming. It is my goal to help shape the future of nursing by supporting and protecting nursing students, providing them with the resources they need to become nurses who will deliver exceptional patient care and be leaders in the medical field.
My desire to become a nurse began with the passing of my oldest child in 2019. As a child with a rare genetic disorder, he had a very complicated medical history and was cared for by many wonderful nurses during his 18 years of life. It was because of their encouragement that I began the pursuit of a career in nursing. In 2021, I earned my LPN after graduating from Lex-La Ray Technical Center at the top of my class. I went on to work as a school nurse for the Missouri State School for the Severely Disabled and then for the Missouri Department of Mental Health. In 2024, I took a position as a private duty nurse and have been blessed to provide nursing services to an amazing family for the last two years. In February of this year, I was accepted to the LPN to RN Bridge program at North Central Missouri College as an online learner and was elected the President of NCMC’s chapter of the Student Nurses Association. I consider it an honor to serve my fellow nursing students in these leadership roles and am determined to make a positive impact on a profession that has become my passion.
Secretary / Treasurer
Tanya Maswera
Northern Regional Director
Julia Lipp
University of Missouri – Columbia, Missouri
Hello! My name is Julia Lipp, and I am currently enrolled in the pre-nursing BSN program at the University of Missouri—Columbia. My passion for nursing has been a lifelong calling, rooted in my desire to help others. This passion deepened after my own experience as a hospital patient, which ultimately led to my diagnosis of type one diabetes. That experience sparked my interest in endocrinology and in supporting individuals affected by hormone disorders.
I currently work as a nurse technician in the float pool at the University of Missouri Hospital. This position has been incredibly insightful, revealing both the challenges and rewards of working in healthcare. Beyond clinical care, I am also passionate about advocacy—both for patients and healthcare professionals—through public policy. I hope to integrate these two passions into my future nursing career.
I am honored to serve as the Northern Region Director for the Missouri Nursing Students Association (MONSA). Although my decision to run for this position was unexpected, I am so grateful to have found a role that combines my love for nursing and advocacy. As your Northern Director, I plan to connect students with resources that support them throughout their nursing education, while also helping them understand how changes in government policy can affect their profession—and how they can advocate for themselves and their patients. I am so excited for this upcoming year and ensure that I will do my best as your Northern Director.
Southern Regional Director
Amelia Stone
St. Louis Regional Director
Addison Loveless
University of Missouri – St. Louis, Missouri
I’m Addison Loveless, a freshman at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). I'm also currently a PCT at Saint Louis Children's Hospital. Some of my past experiences include roles in student government and leadership in my high school’s FBLA, Mediation, Student Voice, and HOSA organizations. I've also had volunteer experience collaborating with a local non-profit ( St. Louis Arc) that focuses on providing resources to families with disabled children. There, I was able to help and connect with families similar to mine. My little brother, who is disabled, is the reason I chose nursing. Seeing his nurses provide him with such compassionate care over the years made me realize how big an impact nursing can have not only on patients but also on their families. In this role, I want to help provide nursing students with the resources & community needed to succeed while managing the rigors of nursing school. I want to help future nurses in my area feel connected, no matter where they currently are in their journey, and I feel this role will be an incredible opportunity to do so.
State Consultant
Desma R. Reno, Ph.D(c), MSN, APRN, GCNS-BC
Southeast Missouri State University - Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Desma Reno graduated from Three Rivers Community College in 1974.While in Poplar Bluff she worked at the Poplar Bluff Hospital as staff nurse, charge nurse and as evening shift supervisor. She moved to the Cape Girardeau area in the late 70’s where she continued her career at St. Francis Medical Center. She worked in a variety of nursing roles, which include staff nurse in medical, surgical, cardiac and orthopedics. She also worked in nursing management as a house supervisor, area coordinator and as nurse manager for the Skilled Nursing Facility. Her most recent position was as Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology. Ms. Reno completed her BSN from Southeast Missouri in 1976. She continued her education at the University of Central Arkansas graduating in 1986 with a MSN with an emphasis in Medical/Surgical nursing and teaching. She currently is a student at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale as a PhD student in Workforce Education.
Ms. Reno is also certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology and as a Nursing Home Administrator in the state of Missouri. In 1981 Ms. Reno joined the faculty at Southeast Missouri State University where she is an Assistant Professor in Nursing. In the faculty role she teaches in both the baccalaureate and graduate program. In addition, she serves as the Director of the Institute of Gerontology. She also serves as a Nurse Consultant in Gerontology in acute and long-term care facilities. Ms. Reno is a member of a variety of professional nursing organizations. She has served two terms as President of the Missouri Nurses’ Association (1997-2001). She has served as a delegate to the American Nurses Association since 1988. In addition, she has served on a variety of committees, task forces and coalitions at both the state and national level. Ms. Reno is very active in a variety of other organizations and community base initiatives. She has received numerous awards and honors for her tireless work for the nursing department, university, community and for the nursing profession. I am available to faculty and students regarding questions you may have about SNA Chapter development and how to get involved at the local, state and national level. I encourage you to get involved and make a difference.
