Dr. Karla Eslinger, a lifelong educator and former Missouri State Senator, will serve as the keynote speaker at the 2025 Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) commencement ceremony. The event is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at the West Plains Civic Center.
Dr. Eslinger brings over 30 years of experience in education and public service, having worked as an elementary teacher, principal, and superintendent in both Ava and West Plains. Her career also includes influential leadership roles with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the U.S. Department of Education, and as a senior analyst in Washington, D.C.
She represented Missouri’s 33rd Senate District from 2021 to 2024 and previously served in the Missouri House of Representatives. Currently, she is the Commissioner of DESE, continuing her dedication to improving education throughout the state. A native of Gainesville, Missouri, Dr. Eslinger holds multiple degrees, including a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia.a
For more information about the 2025 MSU-WP commencement, contact the Office of University Communications at (417) 255-7960.
