About the Trustees' Scholars Program

UMKC partners with local sponsors to support a Trustees’ Scholar, which is more than $60,000 over four years. Sponsors can pay $10,000 annually toward a $40,000 pledge or fully endow their scholarship for $200,000. We welcome the opportunity to discuss these opportunities or other possible arrangements with you.

Trustees’ Scholars benefits include:

  • Full educational expenses paid, plus $500 toward books all four years

  • On-campus room and board paid for the first two years, and a $2,000 stipend toward living expenses in years three and four
  • Internship opportunities with Kansas City organizations in years three and four
  • Support from the UMKC Board of Trustees, a philanthropic organization comprised of Kansas City’s business and civic leaders

Apply now

Ready to Apply?

To qualify for the program, scholars must meet two of the three following academic criteria:

  • A minimum ACT composite score of 30

  • Rank in the top five percent of their high school graduating class
  • A minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 in 17-class core curriculum
  • In addition, candidates are evaluated on their community or school involvement and leadership abilities

Download the Trustees Scholarship Application (.pdf)


Instructions for completing application:

  • Save to your computer
  • Complete the application form
  • Print, sign and mail to the address on the form

Current Trustees' Scholars

To view a current list of Trustees’ Scholars and their sponsors, please select a drop down menu below. Students are categorized by their expected date of graduation.

Class of 2010

Sadia Aslam
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Major: Law
Sponsor: Don and Adele Hall


Andrew Daniels
Hometown: Kansas City, KS
Major: Computer Science
Sponsor: Bayer CropScience


Sarah Foster
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Major: English Education
Sponsor: Bill and Linda French


Tara Kloeppel
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Major: English/Studio Art
Sponsor: William T. Kemper Foundation


Amy Kucharo
Hometown: Wichita, KS
Major: Biology/Chemistry
Sponsor: J.E. Dunn


Moises Lara
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Major: Business Administration
Sponsor: Kansas City Southern


Luis Panameno
Hometown: Kansas City, KS
Major: Communication Studies
Sponsor: Hugh Zimmer


Lindsey Scarcello
Hometown:  Kearney, MO
Major: Philosophy/Pre-Law
Sponsor: Aquila


Salvatore Scavuzzo
Hometown: Harrison, MO
Major: Business Administration
Sponsor: Alan Atterbury

Class of 2011

Alexandra Bennett
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Major: Secondary Education/English Literature
Sponsor: Hallmark


Allen S. Hamilton
Hometown: Kansas City, KS
Major: Biology


Stephanie Hartzler
Hometown: Harrison, MO
Major: Communications Studies
Sponsor: Ken and Ann Baum


Nathan Johnson
Hometown: Saint Peters, MO
Major: Interpersonal Communications
Sponsor: Sprint


Jennifer Kaminsky
Hometown: Bridgeton, MO
Major: Political Science
Sponsor: Schutte Foundation


Corey Light
Hometown: Lee’s Summit, MO
Major: Pre-Secondary Education/Studio Art
Sponsor: Harry McCray


Allison Meyer
Hometown: Stillwell, KS
Major: Spanish/Chemistry (Pre-Dental)
Sponsor: Durwood Foundation


Ryan Occena
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Major: Choral Music Education
Sponsor: J.B. Reynolds Foundation

Class of 2012

Mary Cisetti
Hometown: Belton, MO
Major: Business Administration


Abby Sharp
Hometown: Lee’s Summit, MO
Major: Psychology


Lauren Meyer
Hometown: Stilwell, KS
Major: Nursing


Levi Rash
Hometown: Shelbina, MO
Major: Communication Studies


Brandon Russell
Hometown: Springfield, MO
Major: Music Education/Vocal Performance


Derecka Travis
Hometown: Saint Louis, MO
Major: Political Science/Pre-Law


Sara Tucker
Hometown: Kansas City, KS
Major: Math/Secondary Education

Class of 2013

Katie Arnold
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Major: Pre-Dental


Joshua Boehm
Hometown: Kearney, MO
Major: Urban Planning/Design


Lydia DeGarmo
Hometown: Valley Center, KS
Major: Business


Rachel Drabenstott
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Major: Music Education


Appie Peterson
Hometown: Saint Louis, MO
Major: Chemistry/Dance


Kelli Schmidt
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Major: Nursing


Kate Tankel
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Major: Education

 

Why sponsor a Trustees’ Scholar?

The Trustees’ Scholars program enables UMKC to bring the best students to our campus. Trustees’ Scholars help UMKC maintain our first tier U.S. News and World Report ranking in selectivity. By challenging their classmates, the scholars raise the caliber of our entire student body. The grade point average for all Trustees’ Scholars is 3.70, and this year’s freshman scholars collectively have an impressive 3.97 GPA. The scholars are inspirational campus leaders, active in student government and they participate on various advisory committees. The Scholars also influence UMKC’s educational environment through peer tutoring.

 

The Trustees’ Scholars program draws the best and brightest students to Kansas City, and helps develop our community’s future leaders. Through internships, mentoring and ongoing networking, the scholars develop strong relationships with Kansas City’s business and civic leaders. The majority of the program’s alumni work and reside in the Kansas City metro area.

 

Many sponsors have realized the added benefit of exceptional student interns through the program. Some have hired their scholars after graduation. These graduates have already received training through their internships and are ready to contribute on their first day of work.

 

Meet a Trustees' Scholar

Salvatore Scavuzzo

Name:
Salvatore Scavuzzo

Major:
B.B.A. with a finance emphasis

Expected graduation date: Spring 2010


How has being named a Trustees Scholar changed your life?
It has certainly affected my life dramatically. The scholarship itself was incredibly generous, and the internship has been such an excellent experience. I have also met so many wonderful people and made so many connections that will last a life time, particularly with my peers in the program. Because of the scholarship I can say that I have had a much more fulfilling college experience.

How did being named a Trustee scholar land you an internship with Midland Properties?
Being a Trustee Scholar opened the door to my internship. My sponsor Alan Atterbury is a co-founder of Midland Properties, and I was offered the position in December of my sophomore year.

What sort of mentoring have you received while at Midland Properties?
I have learned so much while at Midland. Everyone there has helped guide me in my understanding of real world business ideas and concepts. One person in particular has been my closest mentor at Midland, and that is Kevin Barb. Kevin is a former Trustee Scholar who now works at Midland Properties. His advice about both work and school is invaluable.

What would you like to say to your sponsors at Midland Properties?
I cannot thank them enough for what they have done. The scholarship itself is an amazing award, and the internship has been such a tremendous learning experience.