About Me
More About Dr. Ayanna Shivers
Hello, I am Ayanna Shivers and I am working to become the Missouri State Senator who represents District 18.
A native of Mexico, MO I grew up understanding the importance of good neighbors—people who would treat you like family, have your best interest at heart and respect your differences. It is that same mentality that I want to bring to Missouri’s General Assembly.
Currently, many of our legislators have forgotten what it means to be a “good neighbor” and to serve their constituents. Instead, they focus on party politics, while our neighborhoods and communities suffer—especially those of us in rural areas.
Public service is a way of life for me. Currently I am the president of the Central Missouri Municipal League and a member of the Mexico City Council, where I also served in the capacity of the mayor. I was a K-12 educator for over 18 years and I have worked in the both the public and private sector—so I can see why it is crucial for us to support our public schools, the cornerstone of our democracy!
I am currently employed with Lincoln University where I have written grants to support Grow-Your-Own Initiatives, including a route to help paraprofessionals to get their teacher certification and a $1.45 million National Science Foundation (NSF) project designed to help recruit more rural and underrepresented populations in the STEM field to serve as K-12 educators.
I am active in ministry and have helped people through some of their most joyous and grievous times. Helping others is my passion and I am looking forward to bring visibility, transparency and a listening ear to my neighbors in District 18.
Education
University of Southern Mississippi-Hattiesburg, MS. Ph.D. in Education. 2008
Liberty University- Lynchburg, VA. MA in Theology, 2015
The Citadel- Charleston, SC. M.Ed In Counseling Education, 2001
The University of Oklahoma-Norman, OK. BA in Journalism, 1994
Service and Organizations
Central Missouri Municipal League, 2017- present. Served as secretary and currently the president.
Mayor of Mexico, MO April 2019- April 2021. Termed out.
Mexico Missouri City Council, April 2017- present
Missouri Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (MACTE) 2019-present; Board member.
National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE); 2019-present. Legislative Committee and Chair of the inaugural National Teacher Institute
Anointed Life Saving Ministries, Founder. 2010- present. A 501c3 organization.
Bright Futures of Mexico, 2018- present
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., 1991- present
Member of Lambda Omicron Zeta Chapter, served as president, 2009-2014; social media chair, 2021- present
To better understand my views and what I stand for, check out My Platforms.
My top issues
"My main mission is to advocate for our rural communities, by making sure our schools, our healthcare and our towns are a priority on the state-level."
-Dr. Ayanna Shivers
My involvement
"I am involved with several organizations and boards. In some way, each of them makes a positive impact in the communities they serve."
-Dr. Ayanna Shivers
District Extent
Who can vote for Dr. Ayanna Shivers—the new District 18 map