Three faculty fellows join Interim Vice Chancellor Viviana Grieco in the UMKC Division of Diversity and Inclusion. All fellows have expressed a passion for working with faculty, staff and students of all backgrounds and experiences and look forward to expanding the office’s offerings and campus involvement.

Rebecca Miller Davis, Ph.D., is a teaching professor of history and came to UMKC in 2012. She specializes in histories of modern America, race, media, social justice and the New South. She co-organizes the annual Cultural Arts Festival and volunteers with the American Sign Language Club. She also serves as a support peer for Kansas families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Hyun Kim, Ph.D., joined the UMKC Conservatory in 2023 as an assistant teaching professor in vocal coaching and collaborative piano. She is a pianist, opera coach and educator who regularly collaborates with singers, instrumentalists and chamber ensembles throughout the nation as well as internationally. Her current research is "Harmonizing Minds: AI-Enhanced Audio Intervention (HMAAI) for Cyberbullied LGBTQ+ Students Facing Depression and Suicidal Ideation/Behaviors."

Michelle Smirnova, Ph.D., is an associate professor of sociology and affiliate faculty member of the race, ethnic and gender studies department at UMKC. She previously served as a provost faculty fellow for diversity and inclusion. She was also the chair of Educate-Organize-Advocate, a social justice conference, in 2020 and 2022.