Why Stephens?
At Stephens College, we go all in on immersive and experiential learning. There are lots of reasons to choose Stephens—see for yourself!
Proud to be one of the oldest women's colleges in the nation, we strive every day to provide all our students with the best college experience possible.
Academics
We offer bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees in more than 35 subjects. Browse our programs to find the one that intrigues you.
Learn about our Block Schedule that offers one immersive class, topic, and experience at a time.
Why Choose Stephens
Become a partner in your own education. Start the free and easy application process to become a key part of our community.
The Stephens Promise provides up to four years of tuition funding for qualified full-time undergraduate students. Imagine graduating with no tuition debt!
Life at Stephens
Make Stephens College your home away from home. Discover what makes our campus and student experience truly unique.
A small college in the middle of nowhere? Nope, not us. Bring your pet and explore all Stephens and "College Town USA" have to offer.
Conservatory
The Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College offers programs for artists of all gender identities who are interested in theatre, television, and film.
The Conservatory accepts students of all gender identities. Learn more about our immersive programs.
Home / News
June 17, 2026
$30,000 Investment Strengthens Pathways for Women Entering Skilled Trades Careers The ESS Foundation has awarded a multi-year grant totaling $30,000 to the Stephens College Women in Trades program. The investment will provide $15,000 in 2026 and another $15,000 in 2027, helping expand pre-apprenticeship training and workforce development opportunities for women entering skilled trades careers. The […]
June 15, 2026
When Dr. Eryca Neville joined the Stephens College Board of Trustees, she brought more than two decades of experience in education, community partnerships and student advocacy. As Principal of Frederick Douglass High School in Columbia Public Schools, Neville has spent more than 15 years helping students navigate challenges, discover opportunities and prepare for life beyond graduation. Now entering her second year […]
June 8, 2026
Stephens College is proud to celebrate alum Rheaume Crenshaw ’98, a member of the ensemble in the Broadway revival of Ragtime, which won the 2026 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Directed by Lear deBessonet, the acclaimed production began its journey at New York City Center in 2024 before transferring to Broadway, where it earned […]
June 4, 2026
Three weeks into the Summer Performing Arts Intensive (SPAI) program, students in the Stephens College Conservatory are already seeing growth in skills that often do not fit into a traditional semester schedule. After spending the first half of the program learning accents and dialects, vocal pedagogy and movement for actors, Conservatory students are now preparing […]
May 29, 2026
A Candid Conversation on Belonging, Leadership, and the Future of Higher Education Stephens College President Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen is the latest guest on Beyond the Quadcast, a leading podcast advancing best practices in higher education produced by Insight Into Academia. The newly released episode offers a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about what it truly […]
May 28, 2026
Stephens College is pleased to welcome Dr. Trish Parsons, as our new Senior Director of Institutional Research, effective June 1, 2026. In this role, Parsons will serve as the College’s chief steward of data, analytics, and evidence-based decision-making, and as the institution’s primary campus coordinator for Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation. Reporting to the Vice President for […]
May 27, 2026
When Courtney Kocak arrived at Stephens College, she dreamed of a career in acting. Life ultimately took her in a different direction — a lesson that helped inspire Girl Gone Wild, the debut memoir from the Stephens alumna-turned-author. Since graduating from Stephens, Kocak has built a successful career as a writer, podcaster and producer, with work appearing in major national […]
May 18, 2026
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) proudly announces a new partnership with Stephens College through the GSEM AdvanceHER™ Leadership Program, creating expanded pathways to higher education and leadership development for Girl Scouts and staff across eastern Missouri. This collaboration reflects a commitment to empowering young women through education, mentorship, and holistic student support designed to […]
May 14, 2026
Leaders from the Columbia Fire Department surprised Stephens College’s President, Dr. Shannon Lundeen, with commemorative gifts recognizing the long-standing relationship between the two institutions and celebrating both her inauguration and the completion of her first full academic year at the College. Four leaders from the department, including the Fire Department’s Chief, Brian Schaeffer, visited campus […]
Stephens College President Dr. Shannon Lundeen led a discussion on the vital role of women’s education in shaping leadership and the future of higher education at the League of Women Voters-Columbia/Boone County Learn and Lunch. The event gathered community members at the Daniel Boone Regional Library on Wednesday, May 13. The presentation highlighted both the […]
May 12, 2026
Stephens College celebrated the Class of 2026 during commencement ceremonies held on May 8 and 9, recognizing undergraduate and graduate students as they marked the completion of their academic journey at Stephens. Students, faculty, family and friends filled the campus throughout the weekend to celebrate the milestone accomplishment. The College honored 19 students during Friday’s graduate commencement ceremony. The undergraduate ceremony […]
May 7, 2026
For the Stephens College softball team, the 2026 season was defined less by its record and more by the leadership and impact of a small but influential senior class. With just three seniors and a roster featuring 14 freshmen, Stephens leaned heavily on experience to guide a young team through a season of transition. The Stars […]
