Kayla Siam Encourages Students to “Borrow Lessons” as Governors State University Convocation Keynote Speaker

Kayla Siam with faculty and trustees at Governors State University Convocation

Kayla Siam, an attorney in Thompson Coburn’s corporate and higher ed practice groups, gave the keynote address at Governors State University’s Annual Convocation on September 7, 2023. Kayla, a GovState Alumna, was joined by faculty and trustees at the event which welcomed new and returning students to the academic school year.

During her speech, Kayla emphasized the idea of “borrowed lessons” stating, “During your time at Governors State, borrow all the lessons you can.” Her stories earned smiles and laughs from the students whom she urged to “…absorb all of the nuggets of wisdom that can help you in pursuit of your goals or make the journey ahead of you a little bit easier to navigate.”

Kayla has spoken at a number of GovState events, dating back to when she was a student trustee on the Board of Trustees. As a student trustee, she became familiar with the inner workings of University decision-making, interactions with the regulatory agencies, and higher education governance. In fact, these early experiences have fed into Kayla’s legal career as she frequently counsels colleges and universities on corporate and board matters.

After graduating from law school in Atlanta, Kayla returned to Chicago and immediately started giving back to GovState. She is currently a member of the University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and a member of their subcommittee which awards grants from a DEI fund. She also attends a number of GovState events and was recently inducted into their College of Business’s “Hall of Achievement.” As an undergraduate, Kayla attended Governors State on the GSU Promise Scholarship which she credits for making access to higher education more attainable.

Click here to watch the Governor’s State Convocation.