Transfer Champions List
UMKC Transfer Champions
Transfer Champions are UMKC faculty and staff who have your back as a transfer student. They have expertise, knowledge, and lived experience that can help you in your transition to UMKC and your journey towards degree completion.
Faculty and staff are invited to add their name to the Transfer Champion list if you have expertise in transfer student success, such as being a transfer student themselves, have professional experience advising transfer students, or have completed or are involved in research related to transfer students, and/or have a general vested interest in the retention and degree completion of transfer students.
Drake Summers Senior Manager of Student Engagement Office of Student Involvement I work with: Transfer Student Programs, Roo Welcome, Family Weekend Undergraduate Institution: Northwest Missouri State University Other institutions that I have experience with: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Omaha Why I'm a Transfer Champion: Transfer students are the bedrock of UMKC - I am here to help, support, and advise transfer students along their UMKC journey in any way I can.
Devon Paden Assistant Director of New Student and Family Programs I work with: Transfer Student Programs, Roo Welcome, Family Weekend. Undergraduate Institution: Missouri State University Other institutions that I have experience with: UMKC Why I'm a Transfer Champion: I want to help build a community! My goal is to create spaces where transfer students feel seen, supported, and included. Whether it’s through programming, conversations, or simply being a familiar face, I want to help turn UMKC into a place that feels like home.
Tanna Engle Assistant Director of Fitness, Wellness, and Marketing I work with: Marketing, Group fitness, personal training, wellness events Undergraduate Institution: Iowa State University Other institutions that I have experience with: North Carolina State Why I'm a Transfer Champion: I am here to help navigate resources on campus and support students holistic well-being.
Marge Wight Bloch Scholars Program Director I work with: Bloch Scholars Program and Academic Support & Mentoring Undergraduate Institution: James Madison University (Go Dukes!) Other institutions that I have experience with: Metropolitan Community College, Donnelly College Why I'm a Transfer Champion: My work gives me the opportunity to support students before, during, and after transfer. And let’s be real... while transferring to a university is so exciting, it’s also a lot of moving parts! I’m here to help scholars understand the process, find their community, and feel confident in each next step. Transfer students bring such valuable experiences and perspectives to UMKC, and I’m grateful I get to see their impact #GoRoos #GoTransfers #GoYou!
Kim Kushner IT Project Manager I work with: UMKC IT Undergraduate Institution: The Ohio State University Other institutions that I have experience with: Indiana University, Princeton University, University of Colorado - Boulder Why I'm a Transfer Champion: I previously worked in the Office of Student Involvement. In my previous role, I started National Transfer Student Week, and other Transfer Student Network initiatives. I love working with our transfer student population here at UMKC, and hope to help transfer students find community, build relationships, and connect to our amazing university in any way possible.
Brad Martens Director, School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences Email: martensbm@umkc.edu Undergraduate Institution: UMKC Why I'm a Transfer Champion: I was a transfer student! I attended a couple of different institutions before arriving at UMKC. The advising I received during my time on campus made all the difference and inspired me to continue on a career with UMKC. I enjoy working with transfer students to help them find opportunity and support to achieve personal success.
Jessica Moniz Bloch Scholars Program Support Coordinator I work with: Bloch Scholars and Academic Support & Mentoring Undergraduate Institution: University of Missouri - Kansas City Other institutions that I have experience with: Wichita State University, Labette Community College, Cloud County Community College, Johnson County Community College. Why I'm a Transfer Champion: Earning my degree took a five-year, non-traditional path across multiple schools, but my drive kept me going. I had a wonderful transfer experience at UMKC and now I’m passionate about helping other transfer students navigate their own journeys and achieve their degree goals!
Zach Parker Assistant Director of LGBTQIA Programs and Services I work with: LGBTQIA student success Undergraduate Institution: Wichita State University Other institutions that I have experience with: Butler County Community College, Valencia College, University of Kansas Why I'm a Transfer Champion: I was a transfer student! I entered undergrad already burnt out, and when I started my degree I didn't feel a sense of connection with my major, my residence hall, or my school and I quickly decided to leave the institution. Over the following years, I attended a number of different institutions under a number of majors as I tried to figure out how to make one stick, I eventually landed back at my original undergraduate institution but prepared with a different set of skills to help make that campus my home-- I brought an understanding of how to connect with professors, why I should get involved with offices, and how to build better relationships that would help me persist through my undergraduate degree-- and that helped propel me through my BFA and a Master's program. I am excited to support transfer students, in part because I am one, and in part because I know firsthand that transfer students can find success, beyond just the degree, at the institution they choose to make their home.