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

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

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 2013

Kate Steever
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Major: Pre-Dental

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

Lydia DeGarmo
Hometown: Valley Center, KS
Major: Business Administration
Sponsor: Atterbury Family Foundation

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

Kyle Gruber
Hometown: Peculiar, MO
Major: Business Administration-Finance


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


Kelli Schmidt
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Major: Nursing


Kate Tankel
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Major: Education

Class of 2014

Benjamin Campero
Hometown: Escobedo, Nuevo Leon, MX
Major: Economics
Sponsor: Kansas City Southern


Lauren Case
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Major: Nursing


Esther Finney
Hometown: Winfield, KS
Major: Criminal Justice


Fabian Gomez Gonzalez
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Major: Psychology


Amy Johnson
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Major: Biology


Sydney Llewellyn
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Major: Spanish/Communications


Grant Meyer
Hometown: Stillwell, KS
Major: Mechanical Engineering

Class of 2015

Landon Berry
Hometown: Lee's Summit, MO
Major: Pre-Secondary Education-History


Kathleen Brueggemann
Hometown:  Sullivan, MO
Major: Business Administration-Accounting


Ivan Figueroa
Hometown: Rogers, AR
Major: Biology-Biotechnology Emphasis


Alaina Shine
Hometown: Wichita, KS
Major: Biology


Bailee Slack
Hometown: Lake Ozark, MO
Major: Biology


Mia Sutton
Hometown: Saint Louis, MO
Major: Criminal Justice


Class of 2016

Haley Crane
Hometown: Peculiar, MO
Major: Conservatory


Elaine Eason
Hometown: Manchester, MO
Major: Business Administration


Daniel Galarza
Hometown: St. James, MO
Major: Software Engineering


TeeJay Hughes
Hometown: Saint Peters, MO
Major: Mechanical Engineering


Jordan Miles
Hometown: St. Louis, KS
Major: Conservatory


Claire Peterson
Hometown: Baldwin City, KS
Major: Nursing


Alexis White
Hometown: Florissant, MO
Major: Business Administration


Meet a Trustees’ Scholar

 

Name:
Grant Meyer

Major:
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering; Minor in Spanish, Emphasis in Pre-Dentistry

Graduation Date: Spring 2014

How has being named a Trustees’ Scholar changed your life?
Without the Trustees' Scholarship, I simply wouldn't be the same person.  I have learned so much about myself through the opportunities for networking, learning about the business community in Kansas City, experiencing academic and professional growth, and having the support of a fabulous and intelligent group of scholars. the support from the Trustees' Scholarship Program is incredible, and not only financially but also because the program aims to develop the future leaders of Kansas City. As a result, The Trustees' Board and the Trustees' Scholarship Program leaders are incredibly dedicated to providing the Scholars with the best experience imaginable. The scholarship program is committed to giving individual attention and I have seen so much of my own growth as a result of this amazing program. 

How do you intend to make an impact on Kansas City?
Kansas City has so many opportunities for civic involvement and I have always enjoyed leadership opportunities and volunteering my time. I would like to get involved in the healthcare arena so that I can have some influence in the direction healthcare services go with regard to underprivileged people and especially children.

What has been the best part of the Trustees' Scholars Program for you?
To me, the highlight of the Trustees' Scholarship Program is the close association I have with incredibly talented students and influential leaders in Kansas City. I am challenged, supported and stimulated by the group of Scholars and many of them have become my best friends. The events we attend through the program are very beneficial to our careers because we network and make connections with business leaders.  In my opinion, the single most important part of professional growth is meeting new people and the Scholarship Program does a phenomenal job of providing those opportunities.