UMKC celebrated the promotion and tenure of more than 30 members of its faculty Oct. 21 at a gala reception set against the city’s glittering skyline at the On Broadway event space.

“Each year, this promotion and tenure event is a celebration of achievement. Today, however, we are recognizing and celebrating a remarkable level of academic achievement,” said Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. “The operational and financial challenges posed by the pandemic came in tandem with enormous disruption in our personal lives.” He added that in the midst of those challenges, faculty also played a key role in the development and launch of the UMKC Forward initiative.

“Making your way through all that, in one piece, is a bragging point all by itself. But remember – in the midst of all those challenges, you have successfully pursued the path of professional growth and achievement that resulted in the promotions, and granting of tenure, that we celebrate tonight,” the chancellor said. “Think about that, as you stand here this evening, in October of 2021, and look back over the past several years at what you have achieved through this unique moment in history. Be proud. UMKC is proud of you. I am proud of you. You have proven yourselves to be truly exceptional.”

The event was set outdoors for the comfort and safety of the faculty members and their guests in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. The event also was focused solely on promotion and tenure. Other faculty awards and honors – such as new Curators’ Distinguished Professors, and Trustees’, Governor’s and Chancellor’s awards for research, teaching, mentoring, community engagement and commitment to diversity and inclusion – will be presented at a separate event in the spring semester.

“Our goal was an event that would be smaller, but still very special, as all of you deserve,” said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jenny Lundgren. “I hope that comes through loud and clear.”

The promotion and tenure process at UMKC involves a lengthy and rigorous review of academic performance in the areas of teaching, scholarship and service. Each of the academics recognized at the celebration has demonstrated to their peers and to the administration that they have met high standards for sustained contributions and outstanding performance.

UMKC 2021 Promotion and Tenure

Ekaterina Strekalova-Hughes, School of Education, tenure with promotion to associate professor

Megan Hart, School of Computing & Engineering, tenure with promotion to associate professor

Sue Lasiter, School of Nursing and Health Studies, tenure  

Joah Williams, College of Arts and Sciences, tenure with promotion to associate professor

Alison DeSimone, Conservatory, tenure with promotion to associate professor

LaVerne Berkel, School of Education, promotion to professor

Mike O'Connor, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, promotion to professor

Viviana Grieco, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

Shannon Jackson, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

Baek-Young Choi, School of Computing & Engineering, promotion to professor

Xiaobo Chen, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, promotion to professor

Elizabeth Vonnahme,  College of Arts and Sciences,  promotion to professor

Jennifer Huberman, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

Kym Bennett, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

Jacob Marszalek, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

Toya Like, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

Jasmine Abdel-Khalik, School of Law, promotion to professor

Del Wright, School of Law, promotion to professor

Dan McIntosh, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

Gary Abbott, Conservatory, promotion to professor

Lance Godley, School of Dentistry, promotion to associate clinical professor

Michael Murphy, School of Dentistry, promotion to associate clinical professor

Lynn Friesen, School of Dentistry, promotion to research professor

Heather Lyons-Burney, School of Pharmacy,             promotion to associate clinical professor

Lisa Cillessen, School of Pharmacy, promotion to associate clinical professor

Kendall Guthrie, School of Pharmacy, promotion to associate clinical professor

Steven Kraske, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to teaching professor

Crystal Doss, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to teaching professor

Rebecca Davis, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to teaching professor

Mitchell Brian, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to teaching professor

Kelley Martin, University Libraries, promotion to librarian III

Danielle Merrick, School of Law, promotion to clinical professor

Rachael Allen, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, promotion to associate teaching professor

Aaron Reed, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, promotion to teaching professor