From Scholar to Leader: Joanie Lake's Governor's Scholar Experience Leads to a Career in Student Success
For Joanie Lake, the Governor's Scholars Program is more than a summer experience; it's a life-changing opportunity she’s helping lead at Morehead State University.
This summer she’s back at MSU as associate campus director and as an added bonus, gets to spend time on campus with her twin sister, Eagle Women's Basketball Coach Jackie Alexander.
"We have been lucky to be able to spend a lot of time together while we have both been on campus," Lake recalled. "I am actually expecting twins at the end of GSP, so it's been even more special to have time together this summer before my husband and I bring two more Eagle fans into the world! Jackie is really excited to be part of the Morehead State campus and Morehead community, and I am excited to be able to return to MSU at a time other than just the summer."
Growing up in Brodhead, Lake learned about GSP from seeing the program promoted at her high school, and many of her friends shared their positive experiences with the program.
"I was always a competitive student and wanted to have new experiences away from home and try new things, so it seemed like something that was a great fit for me," she said.
After participating in the Rogers Scholars Program during her junior year, Lake was accepted into the program in 2009 and attended GSP at Morehead State, not knowing what to expect, but gaining way more than she expected.
"I immediately connected with my roommates and fell in love with my focus area class, visual arts. I left GSP with so many friendships and connections and learned a lot about myself, how to interact and communicate with others who were different than me, and had a better understanding of the world around me," Lake said. "It's difficult to put into words, but being a Governor's Scholar was an experience that truly changed my life."
After being a scholar, Lake worked for GSP and progressed through various GSP leadership roles since 2012, with the last eight summers as associate campus director after extensive experience across campuses and administrative positions.
She said that while she has served in a variety of roles and locations with GSP, she has a particular soft spot for MSU.
"Morehead State is a very special place. I look forward to coming to not only the campus, but the community each summer," she said. "The people in both the community and those who work on campus know us by name, remember us from summer to summer, and make working here a great experience. It's comforting to see friendly faces and know that we are supported by the Morehead community and MSU when we arrive on campus each summer."
Lake’s experience with GSP influenced her to change from a career in law to education, earning advanced degrees and now working as a library media specialist and cheerleading coach at Rockcastle County High School.
As Lake finishes another summer with GSP at Morehead State, she still thinks about how much the experience shaped her future 17 years ago when she was 17. She said one of the most rewarding aspects of her role with GSP is getting to help high-achieving high school scholars not just excel academically but also grow personally.
"Through their experience at the GSP, they are learning about others and themselves. Our program is helping them grow into amazing young individuals and discover their full potential," she said. "It's such an amazing experience that I am so thankful that so many KY students get experience. Being able to work for the program and come back to MSU each summer is truly a blessing."
This summer Morehead State University is hosting the Governor's Scholars Program for the 16th year, with 340 scholars on campus.
Morehead State offers two scholarships for alumni of the Governor's Scholars Program: The Governor's School for the Arts and the Governor's School for Entrepreneurs.
The Governor's Award is worth $32,000 ($8,000 annually for 4 years of study) for students with an ACT score of 23 and a 3.5 GPA. The Governor's Award+ provides full tuition for students with a 25 ACT score and a 3.5 GPA entering Fall 2026.
The Governor's Awards cannot be stacked with other general merit scholarships, but we encourage scholars to explore other MSU Foundation scholarship opportunities.
To learn more about GSP, email gsp@moreheadstate.edu.
Photo, upper right (left to right): MSU Women's Basketball Coach Jackie Alexander with her twin sister Joanie Lake, associate campus director of the Governor's Scholars Program at Morehead State University.
