Rebecca Lobina joins MoWest to guide workforce development initiatives

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Missouri Western State University has a new face leading workforce development.  

In March 2025, the university brought on Rebecca Lobina as its director of workforce development. 

In her new role, Lobina will team up with faculty and staff to strengthen programs that meet the region’s workforce needs. 

“Workforce development is really just upskilling, training up and then educating our workforce; the only difference is that workforce development is a specific kind of training,” Lobina said.  

Right now, she and the technology team at MoWest are working closely with faculty, staff and local businesses to pinpoint gaps in the workforce.  

Students are encouraged to take workforce development courses on campus, which are open to everyone, to help them gain hands-on learning experience.  

“The workforce development goes hand in hand with the degree programs, which we call stackable credentials, which help you upskill and do better for yourself,” Lobina said.  

Lobina said, students taking part in the program are gaining key skills to prepare them for what’s ahead in their careers.  

The university is also rolling out a professional etiquette series, which will be recorded, so future students can take advantage of it too.  

“I think it’s nice for construction engineers to have the experience because when you go out in the field, especially for someone like me, it just helps to have that experience,” said Rhett Foster, a senior at MoWest.

The workforce development program paves the way for students to understand the basics of this industry and do better for the community after seeking a job.  

“I think I understand what’s going on in here is because of what I do at work, and this will help me understand more of what I do at work,” said Preston Marshall, a junior at MoWest.

Lobina said MoWest plans to add more programs based on what communities in the region need so students can build skills that not only launch their careers but also strengthen the local workforce.