I've always been drawn to a great origin story — maybe that's why I love UMKC so much. Born in the heart of the Great Depression, UMKC arose from our city's collective belief that we could thrive in the worst of times and drive prosperity, change and innovation through learning. That mission fuels us to this day. Our faculty, staff and students are deeply embedded in the fabric of our community and set out to the change the world through research and engagement and by embracing the diverse backgrounds and stories of the people on our campus. For the storyteller and do-gooder in me, UMKC provides unlimited scope for the work that we do.