Staff
We'd like everyone on campus and in the community to feel welcome during their visit to the UMKC Women's Center. Our friendly staff is always willing to assist with inquiries whether it be discussing programs, finding resources or just getting on-campus directions. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Click here for contact and location information.
Brenda Bethman, Ph.D., Director
Phone: 816-235-1643
Email: bethmanb@umkc.edu
Brenda has been at the UMKC Women’s Center since January 2007. She also holds appointments as Acting Director of the Women’s & Gender Studies Program, and as Adjunct Faculty in German in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Currently, she serves on UMKC's Staff Council Governing Board as Secretary. Before coming to UMKC, she was founding Program Coordinator of the Women’s Center and then Director of the Women’s & Gender Equity Resource Center at Texas A&M University. She is a past chair of the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) Women’s Centers Committee, as well as past Secretary for NWSA. Brenda was a member of the committee that revised the CAS Standards for Women Student Programs and Services.
Brenda has presented and published on social media, assessment, women’s leadership, women’s literature, Elfriede Jelinek, Marlene Streeruwizt, Ingeborg Bachmann, and feminism in a variety of venues. She holds a B.A. in German Literature from Dickinson College, an M.A. in German Literature from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in Modern German Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Feminist Studies from UMass Amherst. Her dissertation, “Obscene Fantasies”: Generic Perversions in Elfriede Jelinek, examined Elfriede Jelinek’s investigation of Austria’s and Western Europe’s “obscene fantasies” through her “perversion” of generic forms in three of her best-known texts, women as lovers, The Piano Teacher, and Lust.
Arzie Umali, Assistant Director
Phone: 816-235-5577
Email: umalia@umkc.edu
Arzie joined the UMKC Women’s Center in August 2009. Prior to joining the Women’s Center staff, Arzie worked as the Student Services Coordinator for the UMKC Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. With over five years in higher education, Arzie has extensive experience in program development for multicultural student populations and in the recruitment and retention of underrepresented and first-generation students. An advocate for women’s issues and social justice, Arzie served on the Chancellor’s Advisory Board to the Women’s Center for two years and has been an active volunteer for the local affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union for several years. In 2007, the ACLU of Kansas & Western Missouri awarded Arzie with the Volunteer of the Year Award. Arzie holds a B.F.A. in Painting from the University of Kansas and has exhibited her artwork in and around the Kansas City area. She is currently working on a Masters degree in Public Administration at the UMKC Bloch School of Business and Public Administration. She is the proud mother of two children, Max and Mimi.
Michelle Kroner, Victim Services Adjudication Advisor
Phone: 816-235-1652
Email: kronermm@umkc.edu
Michelle assumed the duties of Victim Services Adjudication Advisor in April 2008. Before coming to UMKC, Michelle worked as Victim's Rights Advocate for the Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney's Office in Missouri. She was also a board member for the Lincoln County Family Violence Council, as well as the Chairperson for the local Sexual Assault Response Team.
Michelle received her B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Women's Studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has devoted her entire professional career to empowering the lives of women and is very excited to be working at the Women's Center.
Kerra McCorkle, Violence Prevention Coordinator
Phone: 816-235-6175
Email: mccorklek@umkc.edu
Kerra joined UMKC Women’s Center in September 2009. Before joining the Women’s Center, Kerra completed a Graduate assistantship with UMKC’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. In addition, Kerra serves as an instructor for the Project First Upward Bound program housed on the UMKC campus. Kerra holds a Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis on Strategic Human Resources from the UMKC Bloch School of Business and Public Administration. In 2007, she obtained a Bachelor in History and a Bachelor in Political Science from UMKC.
Student Staff
Graduate Assistants
The phone number for all student staff is 816-235-1638
Sergio Cavanati, Graduate Assistant for Technology
Sergio is a graduate student taking classes with the intent of obtaining an i.Ph.D. in Economics and Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In 2007 he obtained a Bachelors in Business Administration from William Jewell College where he worked as a student tutor and marketing assistant. During his time at William Jewell College he was also a part of the university's football team. Sergio joined the Women's Center to become better involved with the university's community and to gain a greater understanding of the issues facing women on and off campus.
Nikeisha Fortenberry, Graduate Assistant for Programming
Nikeisha J. Fortenberry is a graduate student receiving her Master’s in Criminal Justice/Criminology. Currently, she serves as a Graduate Assistant; focusing on event programming at the Women’s Center. Prior to graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice/Criminology, she was involved in numerous activities on campus. Now, her main objective is to still remain active, while pursuing her dream to be the best she can be. She enjoys working at the Women’s Center because “it has and still is teaching her about herself”. She is a dedicated individual who strives for nothing but greatness.
Undergraduate Student Assistants
Brandon Bone, Violence Prevention and Response Assistant
Brandon is currently a junior majoring in German and seeking a minor in Anthropology. He is originally from the small community of Lebanon, Missouri, located in the Ozarks, but has lived in several communities in Germany and Missouri over the last 13 years. Prior to coming to UMKC to complete his education, he has worked as an ESL instructor, translator, and advocate for people with disabilities who wish to return to work. Brandon takes the UMKC Women’s Center mission of promoting gender equality very seriously, and hopes to work with the center to increase awareness of women’s issues within the male student population.
Patsy Campos, Office/Events Assistant
Patsy is currently a freshman in the 6 year medical program. She is originally from Los Angeles, California but has lived in Kansas City, Missouri for many years. This is her first year in the Women's Center. Being part of the Women's Center team, she knows that she will grow to become a better person inside and out. The communication skills that she gains from the Women's Center will arise in life and especially when she is in medical school. She is excited to be a new addition and is grateful for the opportunity to be at the Women's Center.
Emily Mathis
Emily joined the Women’s Center in January of 2010. She is a transfer student from Johnson County Community College. Emily is a sophomore majoring in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. She has lived in Kansas City all her life. Emily joined the Women’s Center because she wants to get involved in the community at UMKC and is passionate about educating, supporting, and empowering women. She is excited about the opportunity to be involved with the UMKC Women Center’s events and the opportunity to learn more about women’s issues.
Miyako Rauls, Office/Event Assistant
Miyako is currently a junior pre-nursing major in the School of Nursing. She is originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, but has lived in the Kansas City Metro area for nearly 10 years. She is a member of the Global Med Society and is hoping to be an APC Mob member soon. She feels that working at the Women's Center will improve her communication skills and make her a better nurse. She is really glad that she could be a part of the Women's Center's team.
Nicole Reeves, Office/Event Assistant
Nicole Reeves is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. She is originally from St. Louis, MO. She joined the Women’s Center staff in February 2009 and also works at the the Writing Center. Her goal in life is to become a successful lawyer in family law, because the world needs more female lawyers. Working at the Women’s Center will give her the opportunity to help her peers and to be a positive role model for young women.
Bethany Reyna, Violence Prevention and Response Assistant
Bethany is a first year student at UMKC and is currently undecided in her major. She was born and raised in Independence, Missouri and chose UMKC because she thought it was the best fit for her personality. Bethany is very excited to get involved in all the activities at UMKC and is excited to be a part of the Women’s Center.
Sara Jean Tucker, V-Day Assistant
Sara Jean Tucker is a sophomore studying Middle School Math Education, because she loves math and has a passion for teaching and helping. She is extremely involved on campus, holding a variety of leadership roles, such as President of the School of Education Student Government, Secretary of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, and she is also a Peer Coach. Sara Jean joined the Women's Center team on August 24, 2009 and is excited to learn more about the center.