Class of 2024 Profile: Paige Lannerd

Paige Lannerd's journey at Mizzou has been shaped by a combination of personal connections, academic exploration and leadership development. Drawn to Mizzou by its community atmosphere and strong academic offerings, Paige found her passion for marketing, particularly its psychological elements.

In this Q&A, Paige reflects on her experiences at the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business, from overcoming challenges as a transfer student to developing key leadership skills and preparing for her next step toward law school.

Why did you choose Mizzou?

I chose Mizzou for a few reasons. I grew up supporting Mizzou as my grandparents and aunt are both alumni, but my tour of the school really solidified my interest. I liked the community atmosphere while still being a D1 sized school. I knew Mizzou would allow me to ultimately explore who I wanted to be.

What motivated you to pursue your field of study at Trulaske?

On Friday, I am receiving my bachelor of science in business administration—marketing and a bachelor of arts in international studies. I chose to pursue a degree in marketing because I like the psychology aspect of it. A good marketer must have a good understanding of their customers and more basically, an understanding of what drives people. 

What person at Trulaske played an instrumental role in your college experience and what lessons did you learn from that person? 

Jackie Rasmussen played a large role for me because her international business class allowed me to put my interests together and apply solutions in real-world scenarios. I was able to see how my dual-degree could be applied within the business world, and it was fascinating.

What business class at Trulaske made the biggest impression on you and why?

The Writing-Intensive Management 3000 course gave me the opportunity to be a TA (teaching assistant). I've found that grading for this class has allowed me to improve my own writing skills and help other students in the college of business craft theirs as well. 

Was there an obstacle that you had to overcome while a student at Trulaske and if so, how did you overcome it?

I had to overcome the challenge of starting college a year later than my peers as I had transferred into the Trulaske College of Business during my sophomore year. I had to play catch-up to declare my emphasis which meant taking extra credit hours. For me, making those relationships with my professors was essential to acclimating. 

What kind of leadership skills have you gained at the Trulaske College of Business? 

Through my time at the Trulaske College of Business, I have gained a better appreciation for diversity in teamwork and recognizing that different skillsets bring great value to a project or team. As a result, I am more confident in holding an advisory or leadership role and recognizing what value I bring to the table within my teams.

What experience-centered learning opportunities at Trulaske have helped you the most and how will you apply them to your business career?

Events like Making Me Marketable and the Trulaske Leadership Conference have helped me become more comfortable with networking and seeking out opportunities that are available to me. I plan to use these skills as I look to apply to law schools and secure future internships.

What are your favorite Mizzou memories?

My favorite Mizzou memories include homecomings, game days, teaching dance for Center Stage Mizzou, and being a counselor for TruWelcome (formerly known as Camp Trulaske).

Looking back on your college career, what are the biggest lessons you’ve learned?

Looking back on my college career, I learned to prioritize a balanced life, meet and get to know my professors and be open to learning from people you don't necessarily expect to learn from. 

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?

I would advise incoming freshmen to get involved. As freshmen, you are all at the same place being new and there are so many opportunities crafted to help get you involved on campus and within the college of business. I was too nervous to attend a lot of those events, though I definitely wish I would have. 

What’s next for you?

After graduation, I plan to attend law school starting in the fall of 2025.