Lasek Is 50th Recipient of the David L. Underwood Memorial Lecture Award

This afternoon, Emily Lasek, MA, LPC, professor of psychology at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, was named the 50th recipient of the David L. Underwood Memorial Lecture Award.

She will present the commemorative lecture in fall 2025.

The late David L. Underwood was known for his love of education. He was deeply concerned with the welfare of students and staff alike. His dedication went beyond office hours – and he tirelessly gave of his time and talents to further the educational mission at Florissant Valley.

Recipients of the Underwood Memorial Lecture Award demonstrate that same dedication and commitment. Chosen by a committee of peers, the recipient exhibits excellence in instruction and a genuine, humanistic concern for students, faculty, staff, and all of education.

“Emily Lasek is the perfect choice for the 50th David L. Underwood Award. She is a multifaceted, conscientious, professional who has dedicated over 20 years to St. Louis Community College in counseling, curriculum and in the classroom. Her humble spirit embodies what the Underwood is all about: excellence in instruction and a genuine, humanistic concern for students, faculty, staff and all of education,” said Marie McCool, 49th David L. Underwood Memorial Lecture Award recipient and committee chair.

Lasek quickly grew from her role as a counseling intern at the College in 2002 to a full-time faculty member in the counseling department in 2004. For more than two decades, she provided academic, career and personal counseling to STLCC students while teaching interdisciplinary, orientation, personal development, and psychology classes. While working as a counselor, she also supervised graduate counseling students working to become licensed professional counselors in Missouri.

Although she now teaches psychology, Lasek is known best for her work on the curriculum committee and her ability to help faculty throughout the district provide a strong foundation for student learning. She served as STLCC-Florissant Valley’s curriculum chair for more than 17 years and was district chair six times. She facilitated more than 50 programs for students and staff across the district, participated in more than 30 committees and has led more than a dozen. Many of the programs and initiatives that she was instrumental in developing continue throughout campus. Her ability to work with both colleagues to students to address issues aided in her selection as the 2023 Adria Award winner. This award honors a woman on the STLCC-Florissant Valley campus who exemplifies dynamic service.

As a counselor, Lasek could not talk about her work with students and many of them would never admit to seeing a therapist.

Her relationship with students is different now that she teaches psychology; she can work with them in the light.

“Winning the David L. Underwood Memorial Lecture Award is an unbelievable honor that is a tad overwhelming for someone used to being in the background,” Lasek said.

“It means that people see and respect the work that I’ve done in mental health and in education. It acknowledges the impact that I’ve made here in our community, which is incredibly validating.”

Lasek’s name will display on a plaque with fellow recipients of the David L. Underwood Memorial Lecture Award.