Casey Davison helped found the Special Olympics and UMKC unified teams, which have become models for the state
Casey Davison, senior coordinator for recreational sports at UMKC Campus Recreation, was honored by the Special Olympics of Missouri at the organization's annual event, An Evening With Andy Reid.
Davison was invited to speak at the event in recognition of his strong partnership with the organization. His relationship with Special Olympics goes back to 2023 when he led the effort for UMKC Campus Recreation to incorporate a Unified Sports League in its intramural programming.
Unified Sports is a Special Olympics program that joins people with and without disabilities on the same team. Teammates are matched up based on age and ability to train and play together, forming friendships and understanding.
But Davison was quick to share credit. Likening his involvement with UMKC Unified Sports to something guest of honor, Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid knows a thing or two about.
"You can think of me as the head coach, my counterparts from SOMO are my coordinators, the Director of Campus Recreation Liz Hoffman-Shrout is the General Manager and the Chancellor of UMKC, Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, is the team owner," Davison said.
"We all will receive chances in our lives to make a difference in our community and world and be a part of something bigger than ourselves," Davison said during his speech. "That is what UMKC Unified Sports gives to all who are involved."
It's not the first time Davison has been honored by the Special Olympics of Missouri, in 2025 Davison was selected as the Special Olympics Community Champion for the state of Missouri.
“Our partnership with KC Metro Area Special Olympics and our Unified Sports programming exemplifies the power of inclusion, creating a space where people of all abilities can connect, compete and grow together,” Davison said. “This partnership not only enriches our campus but also strengthens ties with the KC community through meaningful engagement and collective impact.”
The UMKC Unified Sports teams include UMKC students and athletes from the KC Metro Area Special Olympics playing flag football, volleyball, pickleball, basketball, kickball, bocce and soccer.The unified teams have won multiple National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Regional championships and ranked first in Missouri and 12th in the nation during ESPN's Unified College Championship Week.
"Casey has been key in building a strong partnership between UMKC and Special Olympics of Missouri," said Meg Ward, Kansas City program director for the Special Olympics of Missouri. "His advocacy and dedication have created lasting opportunities for inclusion and growth for SOMO athletes." Cameron Reece, a senior in electrical and computer engineering, plays on the Unified basketball team. One of his favorite memories was traveling with the team to compete in the regional tournament in Columbia, Missouri.“Unified Teams on campus is something dear to my heart,” Reece said. “I love basketball…I find it a lot of fun practicing together, coming up with plays, then getting to see how far we can go. It's something I look forward to.”
Brooke Tanner is a senior in nursing who plays on the flag football team. She traveled to Nebraska with the team, where they won a regional tournament. “I have made amazing connections with the athletes and their families,” Tanner said. “We just have a blast together and it is so fun.” Ward said UMKC is one of the only universities in Missouri to incorporate Unified teams into its intramural programs.“We see UMKC as an exceptional model for peers across the state,” Ward said. “Through the context of Unified intramurals, our SOMO Athletes are playing sports on a college campus, building new friendships and ultimately finding increased joy and confidence on and off the playing field.”For students who may be interested in joining, Reece said all they have to do is come to a Unified Night. “We are always looking for people to join us to play or just have a good time,” he said.
Unified Nights are Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Swinney Center and Durwood Soccer Stadium, dependent on the season.
Jun 11, 2026
Emily Shoemake loves the opportunities and experiences she couldn’t find elsewhere
At UMKC, students write their own stories, form their own definitions of success and chart innovative career paths. With Kansas City as their classroom, they turn dreams into reality every day.
Emily Shoemake Anticipated graduation: 2027UMKC degree program: HistoryHometown: Troy, Missouri
When Emily Shoemake was looking for colleges, she didn’t have high expectations.“I had negative preconceived notions about what college would be,” Shoemake said.As a high school student, she watched as her older sister battled cancer while trying to earn her degree, fight administrative hurdles and keep her scholarship as a student athlete. The experience left Shoemake and her family with a skeptical outlook of whether the college she chose would live up to the common promise of support and community. So, when the time came for her to decide where to go, Shoemake knew her priorities. She and her family toured UMKC, where they learned about support programs like First Gen Roo, Peer Academic Leadership, Roo Wellness and the Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center. It sounded great, but given their experience with her sister’s institution, they were skeptical. Despite her hesitation, Shoemake decided to take a leap of faith. “I chose UMKC because they offered more resources than I ever thought I would need,” Shoemake said. “It was my first week when I realized that UMKC intended on following through with their promise to care and help me succeed here.”Shoemake got involved with First Gen Roo, a program that supports students with programming designed to help them get familiar with and adjust to college. It was during a First Gen program where the realization of that support became overwhelming. She talked with the program director, Megan Elsen, who helped Shoemake get in touch with Roo Wellness and counseling services. “They made sure I was okay, which is incredibly comforting,” Shoemake said. “So after that first week and after that day, I think I was able to settle in and adjust and realize that this campus is offering everything that I'm going to need to succeed and focus on my academics.”
And she has. Shoemake said she has found support from many professors who she has found approachable, helpful and dedicated to helping her succeed. “UMKC is one of the only schools that truly delivers on its mission statement,” she said. “I’ve actually been introduced to some contacts in the history department through First Gen about some opportunities with learning more about World War I, and the potential internships, and study abroad. So there are lots of connections just based through networking and talking about my interest with history.”
Those opportunities abound. Shoemake was selected for a prestigious First Interstate Bank/Smithsonian Institute Program, which offers college students from rural communities the transformative opportunity to have a 10-week summer internship at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Interns are placed in a wide variety of fields and interests throughout the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, research centers, offices and the National Zoo.
Of the 43 Missouri students applying for ten national spots, Shoemake was selected. This experience working for a premiere national museum network will prepare her for a career in a slew of fields post-graduation.In addition to internships, Shoemake has joined Professional Career Escalators, where she’s learned career skills and networked with professionals. “They've been helping with resumé building and how to come off professional in interviews, whether it be a career fair or things like that,” Shoemake said. She has also taken part in the honors program and student organizations such as history club, where she knew she’d found her crowd from the day she attended the welcome back potluck. “It felt like for the first time I stepped into a room full of people like me,” Shoemake said. “That evening left me with a sense of home I was not expecting.” After working her first semester as a student support specialist for Peer Academic Leadership, Shoemake is now training to support other students by becoming a mentor herself.
She has no plans to slow down: she’s working on two papers she hopes to publish and has signed up for a study abroad trip to the Netherlands in the summer to learn about art, culture and history with an itinerary that includes stops at the Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt Music Museum, concentration camps and Anne Frank's house.With her first year having exceeded her expectations, Shoemake said she’s proud to be a Roo. “The people here are what set this apart,” she said. “And if there's one final thing I am proud to say, it's that I am a person at UMKC, and I will make a difference.”
Mar 31, 2026
Alumnus and business leader Nathaniel Hagedorn delivered the keynote address
The University of Missouri-Kansas City conferred more than 1,200 degrees during its mid-year commencement ceremonies at Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City.
Both ceremonies featured 2025 Alumnus of the Year Nathaniel Hagedorn (BBA ’02, MBA ’04) as the keynote speaker. In addition to being a two-time alum, Hagedorn has been an ardent supporter of student success at UMKC having served as a Trustee Scholar mentor and UMKC Foundation Board member, and in spearheading and funding the creation of the More in 4 program, which offers a pathway for business students to earn their undergraduate and master’s degrees in four years.
Hagedorn is the founder of NorthPoint Development, a Kansas City-based firm that has more than 400 employees managing a $20 billion portfolio. He reflected on his own journey from UMKC student to successful leader in national real-estate development, offering hope and perspective to his fellow alumni, even when they may be faced with hardship.
"Things that seem like really bad luck can often times lead to the very best part of your life," he said. "When luck seems down, don't give up. It could actually be good luck in disguise, you just don't know until much later."
UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal congratulated the graduates on their dedication and achievement. He recognized the hard work, determination and sacrifices that brought them to this milestone, and encouraged them to use their education to make a positive impact as they embarked on their careers and lives beyond campus.
“Ahead of you is a future full of possibility,” Agrawal said. “Some paths will be clear. Others may surprise you. There will be victories and challenges. But you are prepared and you are resilient. You leave UMKC with knowledge, yes, but you also leave with perspective, perseverance and purpose. Use them boldly.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas attended the first ceremony. Jackson County Executive and UMKC alumnus Phil LeVota (J.D. '97) attended the second ceremony.
"Being involved in this Commencement feels like coming home," LeVota said. "The memories, the friendships, the lessons I gained as a UMKC student have not only shaped my career, but the person I am today. Standing here I'm reminded of the dreams I had as a student. Dreams that, just like yours, are fueled by hope, hard work and the unwavering support of this university community."
Following the ceremonies, graduates took photos and celebrated with their loved ones.
Dec 17, 2025
Tiara Arties found a new way to channel passion for advocacy
When Tiara Arties walks across the stage at Commencement, she’ll be closing one chapter and opening another — but both are rooted in advocacy and service.
Before law school, Tiara earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in public health and worked as a nurse. In the turmoil of Covid pandemic and the nursing shortage, she realized she couldn’t focus on the part of her job she found most rewarding.
“My favorite part of nursing and healthcare has always been advocating for patients,” Arties said. “That’s what a nurse does, they advocate on behalf of a patient to medical providers and provide another voice for them. With the extreme shortage of nurses, I didn’t have the time to build those relationships with my patients.”
Arties started exploring paths to find how she could use her skills and passions in another career. In addition to being able to advocate for others, she wanted a job that would satisfy her desire for creativity and competitiveness. A career in law appealed to her, and her path to get there was clear.
“I’ve lived in Kansas City since childhood and plan on making Kansas City my long-term home, and I knew that going to UMKC would benefit me since I plan to practice here,” Arties said. “UMKC is actually the only law school I applied to. There was no doubt in my mind it was either UMKC School of Law or no law school at all.”
Law school was a “very scary beginning” for Arties because she wasn’t a traditional student and didn’t have a background in law. She felt like she was learning a new language and was behind where she thought she should be. Thanks to the community around her, those feelings didn’t last long.
“Once I started meeting people, I started to feel more at home,” Arties said. “My classmates, mentors, professors and Career Services staff all helped me feel comfortable. It can be very intimidating; I had a lot of imposter syndrome. I thought everyone else had it all figured out except me. But that wasn’t true, we were all getting through it and figuring things out together.”
Once she found her stride, Arties wanted to extend that helping hand to others. She served as a mentor in the Student Bar Association and led study groups, providing the support and community to others that she valued so much.
“I realized that I can help someone with the tools and knowledge that I have,” Arties said. “And what I know is that if you work hard, study and ask for help when you need it, you’ll be successful. Everyone here is so giving and has open arms. They’re committed to your success, whatever that looks like for you.”
Arties found that her skills as a nurse translate well to a career in law and helped her be successful in the classroom and internships.
“Being a nurse is all about working under pressure and prioritizing,” Arties said. “If I had six patients and they all need me, I have to prioritize who I’m going to see first. At the same time, I need to keep other factors in mind — medication schedules, charting, advocating for my patient’s needs. I used those skills a lot throughout my legal internships when working on a variety of projects.
Those prioritization skills have come in handy in other ways as well. Arties isn’t just a full-time law student, she’s also a full-time faculty member teaching nursing classes at Donnelly College. For her, it’s another way to serve others and pass forward the spirit of generosity she receives from others.
“I love teaching, it’s another dream I’m living,” Arties said. “I’m able to take everything that professors have done for me at UMKC and their spirit of generosity and belonging and extend it to my students. Sometimes it’s hard to balance everything, but I just do my best to keep my priorities in check. Everything I’ve accomplished comes from having the right priorities and the rest flows from there.”
Her list of accomplishments will soon grow longer. Arties will graduate with her law degree in December 2025. After passing the bar exam, she’ll work at a law firm here in Kansas City doing litigation.
Arties looks forward to using her advocacy skills in her career, and also in volunteer and pro bono work. She volunteers with Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery, a nonprofit organization that serves women involved in human trafficking or prostitution. She hopes to use her legal expertise to provide pro bono services to victims, especially those who may have a criminal background due to their circumstances.
When reflecting on her accomplishments and all she’s done while in law school, Arties wanted to make one thing clear.
“It’s never too late,” Arties said. “If an opportunity is there, take it. It doesn’t matter if takes you longer than others as long as you take advantage of a door being opened. I felt like I was slow to catch on, slow to get my grades up, slow to get involved. But I got there and that’s all that matters.”
Dec 16, 2025
Graduating students named Dean of Students Honor Recipients
Seventeen UMKC students have been named Dean of Students Honor Recipients in recognition of their accomplishments on campus and in the community.
Every semester, exceptional graduating students are honored with this designation. These students maintain excellent academic standards while actively participating in university activities and community service outside of the classroom.
The Fall 2025 honorees’ accomplishments include volunteering at the Sojourner Health Clinic and with Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery, serving in leadership for student organizations, completing a state legislative internship, founding a student organization for transfer students and more.
"Recognizing these exceptional students as Dean of Students Honor Recipients is one of the most inspiring parts of my role,” said Todd Wells, dean of students. “They exemplify what it means to be a Roo: resilient, compassionate and committed to making a difference. Their leadership and dedication enrich our campus community, and I couldn’t be prouder of the impact they’ve made at UMKC."
Students shared reflections on their time at UMKC at a celebration in their honor. A few excerpts:
Tiara Arties: “My time at UMKC School of Law has been more than an education — it’s been a home. From the beginning, professors like Professor Nancy Levit, who nominated me for this award, showed me what it means to belong. Her kindness, encouragement and belief in me reflected the very heart of this community: that everyone has a place here, and every voice matters.”
Alice Oropeza: “Growing up people used to ask me ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’ My answer was always, ‘help people.’ UMKC has enforced my beliefs that my goals are achievable. Through my time here, my experiences have helped me remember that my childhood goal of helping people is not just a dream but a lifelong mission. I am grateful for the friendships I have built, the guidance I have received and the opportunities to serve my community.”
Justin Tuschhoff: “When I started my journey at UMKC in this new city, I embraced the phrase: ‘Let life surprise you.’ And wow! What a scary, wonderful surprise my time at UMKC has been. Reflecting on the past four years, I have been continually inspired by the community here: the excitement of my docent when a student asks the right questions, the determination of a patient seeking answers and the dedication of my classmates.”
Camille Verhoeven: “I transferred to UMKC my sophomore year, and it was the best decision of my life. UMKC has inspired me to connect with more than the material in class, but also my professors and peers. I like to describe my majors as talking about big thoughts, and it’s been a gift to be able to do so with people who care as much about the humanities as I do.”
Congratulations to the Fall 2025 Dean of Students Honor Recipients!
Tiara Arties, School of Law
Audrey Brown, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Devin Davies, School of Medicine
Aisha Ibitoye, School of Science and Engineering
Angel Kimera, School of Science and Engineering
Jackson Klump, School of Medicine
Anna Krueger, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Sean McNabb, School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Mary O’Brien, School of Medicine
Alice Oropeza, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Alexa Palacio, School of Medicine
Johnathan Smith, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Justin Tuschhoff, School of Medicine
Mel Venters, School of Nursing and Health Studies
Camille Verhoeven, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Aurelia Voltairine, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Gowri Warikoo, School of Medicine
Dec 16, 2025
Milestones include a world-renowned research designation, ambitious fundraising goal and new KC Streetcar stop
UMKC leaped ahead in world-class status in 2025.
We celebrated our designation as a Carnegie Research 1 university, opened new facilities and impacted more students than ever. Our year wasn’t just celebration though; we set big visions for the future to keep the momentum rolling. From a record-breaking fundraising campaign to constructing new buildings and facilities, we’re putting our vision for the future into action.
Here are some of our top moments of the year:
Research
UMKC Joins Nation’s Top Research Universities with New Classification
UMKC was named a Carnegie Research 1 university, a prestigious designation that reflects years of dedication to research, innovation and community collaboration. With this achievement, UMKC joins an elite group of U.S. institutions reshaping the future of discovery and education.
UMKC Hosts Regional Stakeholders to Discuss Critical Materials Crossroads Project That Would Shape America’s Industrial Future
The Critical Materials Crossroads team, made up of more than 150 organizations and led by UMKC, officially advanced in September 2025 as one of 15 finalists out of nearly 300 proposals for the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines award. The project is an emerging regional movement focused on securing America’s supply of the critical materials that power modern life, from batteries and artificial intelligence systems to aerospace technology, medical devices and clean-energy infrastructure.
Mellon Foundation Awards $4 Million for Kansas City Monuments Coalition
The Mellon Foundation awarded the University of Missouri-Kansas City $4 million to create the Kansas City Monuments Coalition to help fund 16 preservation and commemorative organizations across Kansas City so visitors can enjoy historic sites for years to come.
Major Building Projects
UMKC Celebrates Grand Opening of New St. Joseph Medical School Building
UMKC and community leaders celebrated the grand opening of the new UMKC School of Medicine building in St. Joseph, Missouri, a milestone for medical education and rural health in northwest Missouri. The $14.5 million building adds classrooms, exam rooms and simulation labs designed to prepare students for a future in rural medicine.
UMKC Publicly Announces Campaign For Conservatory Expansion
UMKC unveiled a significant expansion of its campus home for music, dance and theatre. The plan includes a 35,000-square-foot addition to the Olson Performing Arts Center, adding crucial performance and rehearsal spaces in a striking glass-and-light-filled addition on the east side of building that will stretch toward Volker Boulevard.
Local Group Envisions Bringing New Life to UMKC Historic Epperson House
A local group comprised of Sunflower Development Group and hospitality veteran Jen Gulvik secured permission to proceed with a historic redevelopment project involving one of Kansas City’s most beloved assets: the Epperson House at UMKC.
Other building projects include the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building under construction and the Roo Plaza and the Victor Wilson Learning Collaborative that opened this year.
Student and Community Impact
UMKC Chancellor Unveils Bold Vision for the Future at State of the University
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal addressed the campus and community at the 2025 State of the University, celebrating UMKC’s momentum and unveiling bold new initiatives. Agrawal celebrated the university’s record-setting achievements and unveiled an ambitious plan for its next era — one marked by continued enrollment growth, national research recognition, new facilities and an unprecedented fundraising campaign.
UMKC Launches Record-Breaking Campaign to Transform the Future
UMKC launched Blue & Bold, the largest fundraising campaign in its 92-year history. With a goal to raise $700 million, Blue & Bold is focused on funding three priorities: scholarships and student support; innovation, technology and entrepreneurial education; and community engagement through services including healthcare, workforce development and other critical needs.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City Welcomes Record-Breaking Class
This fall, UMKC celebrated its largest incoming class of first-time college students in university history. First-time enrollment has increased each of the last three years at UMKC, and this year grew by 2% over the prior year.
KC Streetcar Now Open at UMKC
The KC Streetcar is now open for riders at the UMKC stop at 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard! For UMKC students, this means even easier access to job and internship opportunities. They also can use the streetcar to get to and from housing, restaurants, nightlife, museums and cultural events.
Dec 16, 2025
Care Center provides vital support for UMKC community members facing food insecurity
In 2022, the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center opened at the UMKC Student Union as a centralized support hub designed to improve student well-being and ensure that no member of the UMKC community faces the stress of food insecurity alone.
The Care Center’s mission is simple but essential: ensure that members of the UMKC community facing food insecurity can access fresh produce and pantry staples at no cost. That mission directly advances the university’s commitment to student support services and helps cultivate the culture of care UMKC is known for. Its current hours are noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, with walk-in hours beginning at 3 p.m. Current students, faculty and staff are recommended to make an appointment online prior to their shopping trip.
“Students, faculty and staff are able to shop at the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center once per week,” said Carlen Fidler, Food Assistance Coordinator of the Care Center. “When they walk in, they can grab whatever items they need. We do have limits on certain items such as produce, milk, drinks, canned meats and snacks because those things are much harder for us to get. Also, they cost more money, and we get them less frequently. But things like soup or cereal, we have so much of it that we don't have to put a limit on it. And once you are done shopping you weigh it out before bagging it up and leaving.”
By removing the barrier of food insecurity, campus community members can focus more fully on their academic and personal development.
In the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year, the Care Center distributed over 54,000 pounds of food, welcomed 4,742 total visits and supported nearly 900 individual guests. Its satellite pantry at the Health Sciences Campus expanded access even further, distributing almost 5,000 pounds of food.
Keeping the shelves stocked is a daily challenge but made possible through a network of community and campus partnerships. The center works closely with Harvesters, C&C Produce, Highland Dairy, Whole Foods, Hy-Vee and local organizations such as Our Savior Lutheran Church.
The Care Center also supports students through access partnerships beyond the pantry shelves. Through Swipe Out Hunger, students can receive donated meal swipes of up to three per semester for moments when a hot meal on campus is the most immediate need or if they do not have access to a kitchen. Last year, the center distributed 432 meal swipes.
“These partnerships are essential,” Fidler said. “It’s important for us to provide access to food beyond what students can cook at home.”
Even with strong partnerships, serving a growing student population with limited resources remains the center’s biggest challenge.
“I don’t have infinite money to buy everything students want or need,” Fidler said. “Ready-to-eat meals and snacks are our biggest request, but our partners don’t always have them, and I can’t just go out and buy them. If we had more funding for produce and canned proteins, we would.”
Still, Fidler is proud of how the center has adapted.
“We’ve rebounded from partnership losses and the campus community has really stepped up; they are invested in the Care Center and it is heartwarming to see that,” Fidler said.
Beyond food access, the Care Center has also become a place where students build relationships, develop leadership skills and find a sense of purpose.
“We’re not just a food access point,” Fidler said. “We’re also a community access point.”
Ambassadors at the Care Center take pride in the meaningful work that they do.
“When I began my freshman year, I had a hard time adjusting to UMKC, but the one place where I felt like I belonged was at the center,” said a Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center ambassador. “Being a KC native, I was involved in the community in multiple ways. However, volunteering at the Care Center allowed me to increase my knowledge about the reality of life and allowed me to make many new relationships with people in the community and make a difference in people’s lives. It has been a rewarding experience that I plan to hold onto for the rest of my life.”
The Care Center is powered by a network of professional staff, student employees and more than 80 volunteers whose services strengthens the sense of community the center strives to cultivate.
How the UMKC Community Can Help
Volunteer: The Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center is heavily ran by volunteers. Faculty, staff or students who volunteer even just a couple hours of their time can make a real difference for our campus community.
Donate food: The Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center maintains an updated list of high-need items on its website.
Contribute financially: Monetary support helps the center purchase fresh produce, dairy and items not typically donated.
Host a food drive: Various campus organizations such as UMKC Greek Life and UMKC Athletics have hosted food drives to gather donations for the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center.
The establishment of the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center was made possible through donations to the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Memorial Fund established in December 2020 and a personal donation made by Sue and Chancellor Mauli Agrawal to create an endowment. The fund recognizes and honors the life of Chancellor Agrawal’s mother, who was grateful for the opportunity to engage with the many generous friends and alumni of the university and cheer on UMKC students. To give to the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center monetarily, donate here.
Interested in Giving to UMKC?
Explore ways you can support scholarships and student success.
Dec 15, 2025
From battlefield medicine to emergency rooms, experts say Cuthbert Simpkins’ first-of-its-kind treatment could redefine survival when every second ...
Throughout his lengthy surgical career, Cuthbert Simpkins, M.D., has carried with him the memory of patients he couldn’t save. Patients who, despite his team’s best efforts, slipped away.
Even four decades later, he still remembers the elderly woman with septic shock during his residency.
“I would sleep by the bedside, because little adjustments you can make being right there make a big difference,” Simpkins recalled. “I tried with all my might to save her life. I tried everything, and I couldn’t.”
Another patient he met as the trauma director at Louisiana State University stays with him: a young woman who had suffered massive blood loss. He and his team had done everything: blood transfusions, powerful medications, plasma, endless hours of care. But her blood pressure refused to rise.
“We stayed up all night trying to save her,” Simpkins said. “And I had to tell her mother that we couldn’t.”
Those moments — and many like them during his time as a trauma surgeon — became the fuel behind a groundbreaking idea. They challenged his confidence in the treatments and planted a question he couldn’t stop asking – “What if there was a better way?”
Years later, the answer to that question — an innovative alternative infusion treatment — now sits safely inside Simpkins’ research lab right here at UMKC.
Solving a Blood Problem
Simpkins’ love for scientific research started early. His father built Simpkins’ first laboratory in his childhood home in Shreveport, Louisiana, a home that was later bombed by white supremacists. Undeterred by hate, he continued pursuing his scientific curiosity and went on to earn a chemistry degree from Amherst College and a medical degree from Harvard University.
After graduating from Harvard in 1974, Simpkins completed his surgical training in Brooklyn, New York. He then pursued research fellowships at Boston University School of Medicine and the Naval Medical Research Institute in Maryland, where he achieved the rank of Commander in the United States Navy and earned two commendations for excellence in research.
His career path led him to Washington, D.C., where he worked at D.C. General Hospital and later at R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where he designed and launched the Violence Intervention Program, which still operates today. From there, Simpkins served on faculty at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine before becoming director of the Trauma Program at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.
At LSU, Simpkins led major reforms that restored and secured national trauma certifications and reduced infection rates well below national averages. He also started his own research lab at LSU, where he continued to develop the experimental treatments for traumatic blood loss that he started in Buffalo.
Familiar with navigating setbacks, Simpkins viewed the small budgets and limited supplies during this time as creative challenges rather than roadblocks, as this allowed him to test his blood treatments under a variety of conditions and circumstances.
“The scarcity ended up being an advantage, because it made me produce a realistic situation,” Simpkins said. “I saw the advantage in the disadvantage.”
Today, Simpkins is the Sosland Missouri Endowed Chair in Trauma Services at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and the founder, president and chief innovation officer of Vivacelle Bio, a company developing a groundbreaking treatment for hypovolemia and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) in sepsis. The treatment is currently in late-stage clinical trials.
The VBI treatments are a milky-white concoction made from phospholipid nanoparticles that are hydrophobic, or oily. Used as an IV infusion, the treatment acts like regular IV fluids to increase blood volume and help raise blood pressure, as well as correct the overproduction of nitric oxide that occurs during hypovolemia. Because nitric oxide likes to stick to oily things, the VBI treatments absorb nitric oxide in places where there’s too much and redistribute it where there’s too little, helping rebalance how nitric oxide is spread around the body.
“It may save millions of lives,” Simpkins said. “It may also change the way we think about the treatment of disease. The basic principle is unprecedented — the redistribution of nitric oxide. That’s the fundamental scientific problem we solved.”
What began as a personal mission to save patients is now a medical innovation with the potential for global impact.
“Dr. Simpkins’ research could be truly transformative for healthcare,” said Sumeet Dua, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research and innovation at UMKC. “The ability to stabilize patients rapidly, without the need for immediate blood transfusions or antibiotics, could reshape emergency response protocols worldwide. Once commercialized, this innovation may potentially save countless lives and reduce the long-term costs of critical care by improving outcomes from the very first moments of intervention.”
‘Better Than Blood’
Over the years, Simpkins has refined his research and created two products, VBI-S and VBI-1, each designed to restore intravascular volume and redistribute overproduced nitric oxide — treating relative and absolute hypovolemia and reversing hypotension and organ failure in patients who are septic or have had severe blood loss.
With FDA Phase II trials showing overwhelmingly positive results, Simpkins and his team are closer than ever to potentially changing the standard of care for treatment for hypovolemia and MODS in septic shock, which currently claim approximately 11 million lives globally each year, including 3.4 million children.
“The trial came out better than we even expected,” Simpkins said. “There were benefits that we didn’t expect. We were very happy with elevation of blood pressure, but we also had improvement in multiple organs, which has never been done by any of the medications.”
Those results have led Simpkins and his team to affectionately refer to the VBI treatments as “better than blood.”
Not only will this treatment possibly improve survival rates and organ function, but it may also solve long-standing logistical and safety challenges that come with blood donations, such as the risk of disease transmission, the need to match blood types and blood supply shortages.
“It’ll be more available, not only in the United States, but also in the developing world,” Simpkins said. “You don’t need to keep it in the refrigerator, and it has a long shelf life of about one to two years at room temperature, whereas blood only has a shelf life of 42 days.”
Adding to the list of benefits, this new treatment could also provide an alternative to the current intervention options, which pose serious health risks.
“It may reduce the number of complications that we get, like losing hands and legs, arrhythmias and other problems caused by the current medications,” Simpkins said.
Continuing Innovations and Inspiration
Now at UMKC, Simpkins continues advancing the commercialization of these treatments, while also focusing on even more innovative health solutions.
“This lab is an invention machine,” Simpkins said recently from his fourth-floor laboratory in the UMKC School of Medicine.
But the lab is more than a place for developing science. Simpkins is also nurturing the next generation of medical innovators.
“He’s developing this product and growing this company, but he’s doing so in a really impactful way by including early career scientists so they can learn not just what it’s like to work in an academic lab, but to work on a product that you’re trying to develop and impact patients,” said Dennis Ridenour, president and CEO of BioNexus KC.
One of those early career scientists is Stephen Mishriky (BLA ’24/M.D. ’25), who initially joined the lab for a two month assignment, but kept coming back.
“He’s a mentor for me,” Mishriky said. “I’m going into surgery, and he’s a big reason why. On top of that, he introduced me to research. He encouraged me to think for myself and to think of ideas.”
Simpkins’ work has also made an impression on university leaders, who see Simpkins as central to UMKC’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge, impactful research that directly addresses real-world challenges.
“His presence elevates our institution — not only through his groundbreaking work in trauma care, but also through his collaborative approach that bridges academia, clinical practice and entrepreneurship,” Dua said. “Dr. Simpkins embodies the spirit of translational research: turning laboratory innovation into life-saving solutions.”
Simpkins credits UMKC with giving him the tools and environment to stay successful.
“The talent is here,” Simpkins said. “There are other professors here to collaborate with. The atmosphere is conducive to working together. It’s a great place to be. It’s a godsend.”
For this scientist, the real reward isn’t just access to a lab or leading a team of researchers — and it isn’t the accolades of his long and accomplished career. Of all Simpkins’ achievements — including graduating from Harvard Medical School, earning the rank of Commander in the Naval Medical Research Institute and even publishing a highly-acclaimed biography of jazz legend John Coltrane — it’s the work on the VBI treatments that means the most.
“It’s a blessing to make a discovery that — in your lifetime — is going to make a difference,” Simpkins said. “When you’re able to test it and see it come to fruition, that’s a real blessing, because in science, you’re usually not rewarded with that. Bringing it all together into something you see… a real, real blessing.”
Did You Know Cuthbert Simpkins is Also a Published Biographer?
An avid jazz enthusiast who frequently attends live jazz performances around Kansas City, Simpkins wrote a widely praised biography about the legendary American jazz saxophonist John Coltrane while he was a student at Harvard Medical School. The book includes numerous first-hand interviews with notable individuals, including Coltrane's first wife, Naima. “The book got great reviews,” Simpkins reflected. “The newspapers got great reviews, and different magazines and so forth. The musicians loved it. Coltrane's wife loved it. Toni Morrison loved it. Other writers loved it.”
More UMKC School of Medicine Research
“What Did You Say?”: Operating Room Miscommunication and the UMKC Research Collaboration Working to Solve It
UMKC and Saint Luke’s to Lead Nationwide Study on Pregnant People with Heart Disease to Combat Maternal Deaths and Illnesses
School of Medicine’s Peter Koulen Honored for Achievements, Advocacy in Vision Research
UMKC Researcher Awarded $3.3 Million Grant to Prevent Diabetes
Watch Research Solutions on YouTube
Dec 12, 2025
Six Conservatory students studied and performed abroad
When UMKC Conservatory students prepare for classes, they have an unusual item on their to-do list: get a passport. Thanks to faculty and community connections, some students get the opportunity to study and perform abroad at little- to no- cost.
Six students had such an opportunity just last summer. Two students, Levi Birks and Andrew Voggesser, went to Metz, France to study at the Conservatoire Gabriel Pierné. Four other students – Jonathan Novelli, Peter Grebenyuk, Tyson Leuthauser and Matt Robertson – spent a week in Bern, Switzerland performing at an international jazz festival. These once-in-a-lifetime trips led to valuable experiences and connections.
New Connections in Metz
“This experience opened my eyes to how big the world is and how amazing it can be to connect with people through music,” Voggesser said.
Voggesser is pursuing a Master of Arts in music. As a graduate student, he works closely with Marcus Lewis, assistant professor of jazz at the Conservatory, who organized the trip to Metz, France. When Lewis asked him if he wanted to go, it was an easy decision.
“I had never been out of the country,” Voggesser said. “To go to France and play music was incredible. It really impacted me. I want to make travel a priority in my life and hopefully travel as a musician. It gave me a lot of motivation to keep finding new experiences.”
Voggesser, Lewis and Birks spent 12 days in Metz, studying at the Conservatoire Gabriel Pierné and spending time with their faculty and students. The students lived with host families, immersing themselves in French culture, language and customs. For Birks and Voggesser, this was a highlight of the trip.
Levi Birks with his host family.
“Staying with a host family and being planted in their life was eye-opening,” Birks said. “I ate dinner with them every night and they had several family parties while I was there. I learned a lot about the social aspects of French culture, especially the importance of food and leisure time. It really opened my eyes up to a different perspective on living life, and I feel like I brought some of that back home with me."
“I’m still in contact with my host family,” Voggesser added. “Some of them didn’t speak much English and I don’t speak French, but we all learned a little bit from each other. I hope to go back and visit them.”
Lewis said that the trip was a musical exchange as much as a cultural one. In addition to differences in culture, they experienced differences in music education and jazz. Lewis gave master classes to their students, and Voggesser and Birks attended master classes given by French musicians and professors. The students performed at the Marly Jazz Festival and received free tickets to watch the rest of the festival – an education you can’t get in a classroom.
“Music is a universal language,” Lewis said. “Exchanges and experiences like this are important because it teaches students what we can’t in classroom. It teaches them how to navigate in the world and interact with people from other cultures. Music brings us together and helps us better understand each other.”
At the culmination of their trip, they performed with their French counterparts in a concert for Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who was in Metz to officially declare Kansas City and Metz as sister cities. Kansas City and Metz are both UNESCO-designated Creative Cities of Music, with music being a long part of their histories and strategic part of their futures. Kansas City is the only Creative City of Music in the United States.
UNESCO provided funding for Birks, Voggesser and Lewis to go to Metz, which made Birks’ and Voggesser’s first international trip nearly free. They both emphasized how unique this experience was and how grateful they were to travel abroad while still students.
“The fact that everything was paid for made it a no-brainer, especially for being my first time out of the country,” Birks said. “I’ve never even been to the east or west coast; I’ve pretty much been in the Midwest my entire life. So, to get that opportunity to go overseas, especially for basically free, was kind of crazy.”
Professional Experience in Bern
Jonathan Novelli, Peter Grebenyuk, Tyson Leuthauser and Matt Robertson also got a nearly-free trip Summer 2025. The four Conservatory jazz students spent more than a week in Bern, Switzerland, performing at the International Jazz Festival Bern. Carl Allen, William D. and Mary Grant/Missouri Endowed Professor of Jazz Studies at the Conservatory, has a long history with the festival, and organizers reached out to him to ask for performers. The festival paid for the majority of the students’ expenses, allowing them to get valuable experience at minimal cost.
Lewis, who has worked globally as a touring musician, said that this trip wasn’t just about performing.
“We want our students to experience what it’s like to perform as a professional, even while they’re still in college,” Lewis said. "Playing with a group you haven’t played with before, having limited time to rehearse, coming up with a different set every night and managing travel and time are all experiences that are valuable for working musicians to have. Money can’t buy that knowledge.”
Although Novelli, Grebenyuk, Leuthauser and Robertson all knew each other individually, they had never performed together as a quartet. Working from a list of songs they all knew, each musician brought suggestions to form their sets.
"The first day we were a little jetlagged and were still learning to play together as a group,” Grebenyuk said. “By the end of the week, we definitely felt more comfortable playing together and just knew each other so much better. We hadn't just played together for a week at that point, we'd also been hanging out and exploring the city together."
The quartet played three times a day for five days and had the opportunity to listen to other artists between their sets. With the festival in the evening, the students had the rest of the day free to explore Bern.
“It felt like a glorified vacation, just hanging out and exploring the city with my friends,” Novelli said. “We would get up and eat breakfast together then go explore town for like seven hours. We got to play music together every evening, and we might hang out after our last set and listen to the other performances. None of it felt like work. I learned a lot though. I stayed after our sets every night to watch the other performances, and I learned a lot from the professional musicians just by watching them.
In addition to exploring the city and culture of Bern, another experience left an impact on them: European music culture. Both Grebenyuk and Novelli said that the atmosphere of the festival left an impression.
“It felt like there was much more of a social scene around music here, and I've heard it's the same throughout much of Europe,” Grebenyuk said. “There's more of a culture of going out and experiencing things. Every night we played, the venue was mostly full, which was amazing."
Novelli noticed that the culture of walking and public transportation made an impact as well.
“Performances are free to attend, so some people just stumbled upon the festival when they walked by the venue,” Novelli said. “And even if they found us by accident, they would stay for hours and hang out. It was eye-opening, just the difference that the infrastructure and density of the city made.”
Whether they went to France or Switzerland, every student agreed on one thing: these trips are the opportunity of a lifetime, both personally and professionally. Performing and making international connections, all while still in school, gave them valuable experience and lessons that they’ll take into their future careers – wherever those careers take them.
Dec 12, 2025
Civil engineering is one of the most recession-proof careers
At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Roos are choosing civil engineering not just for job security, but to also make an impact in day-to-day lives. We spoke with students and alumni about their concrete dreams, how they have laid the foundation for their careers and why UMKC is the place to build a future in civil engineering.
Elijah Kline was not always sure if he would go to college. However, the career aptitude tests he took while in high school pointed him toward engineering.
“When I learned more about the field of engineering, I was drawn to the idea of designing skyscrapers and large buildings,” Kline said. “I learned civil engineers play a major role in creating those kinds of structures. Also, civil engineering offers so many different pathways within. I could’ve gone in 10 different directions with my career and enjoyed any of them.”
As to what drew him to UMKC specifically, Kline says it was affordability.
“I was in the foster-care system and am putting myself through college, so staying out of debt was really important,” Kline said. “UMKC offered me a very generous financial aid package.”
Kline says there have been major benefits in choosing to attend UMKC.
“Our professors are incredible,” Kline said. “They are brilliant, engaging and very approachable. Thanks to smaller class sizes, you really get to know your professors by the time you graduate. That kind of connection and quality is unique to UMKC.”
Another benefit of attending UMKC for civil engineering? The fact that we are in the heart of Kansas City.
“Kansas City is home to several top design firms,” Kline said. “In fact, some of the best design firms in the country have their headquarters here like Burns & McDonnell, HNTB, Black & Veatch and Garmin just to name a few. That gives UMKC students more opportunities for internships, co-ops and networking. I’ve done a co-op at HNTB and being able to work while going to school has given me a ton of hands-on experience. You graduate from UMKC with not just with a degree, but with real-world experience that sets you apart from other graduates.”
Fellow civil engineering student Emma Bjornstad agreed.
“Being in the middle of the city means we’re surrounded by a ton of great engineering firms,” Bjornstad said. “For me, and a lot of my friends, it was easy to find summer internships and even choose between offers. Many of us have been able to continue working during the school year as well.”
Bjornstad has been interning with HNTB for almost two years in their Water Resources department. She has valued being able to step into the "real world" of engineering and work on actual projects, rather than just solving idealized problems on paper.
Mauricio Bernal is another student who has been able to participate in internships while attending UMKC. Bernal has interned at Burns & McDonnell every summer since his freshman year, completing more than 875 billable hours across three summers by contributing to utility-scale solar and thermal energy projects.
Currently pursuing a double major in civil engineering and finance, Bernal’s interest in civil engineering began in third grade when a civil engineer visited his classroom through the Lead to Read program.
“The civil engineer described how they helped design bridges, roads and buildings that make up the world around us,” Bernal said. “I remember thinking how incredible it was that you could literally help build the spaces people live and work in.”
Bernal has been involved with campus organizations since his freshman year and is the vice president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers or SHPE.
“SHPE has given me a strong sense of community and a chance to give back by helping other underrepresented students in STEM,” Bernal said.
Despite a busy schedule, Bernal credits the relationships he has built along the way as the most rewarding part of Civil Engineering.
“Civil engineering is such a collaborative field, and I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside incredible classmates, professors and mentors,” Bernal said. “As a UMKC Trustees Scholar, I’ve also had the chance to connect with professionals and leaders throughout the Kansas City area. Being born and raised in Kansas City, it’s been especially meaningful to give back to the same community that helped shape who I am. That sense of local impact and connection has made my college experience even more rewarding.”
Like Kline, Bernal said experience is a huge benefit of attending UMKC for civil engineering.
“One of the biggest benefits of studying civil engineering at UMKC is the hands-on nature of the coursework,” Bernal said. “A highlight of the program is the senior design course, a year-long capstone where students are partnered with local companies to work on real-word and meaningful projects in the Kansas City area. I’ve had the opportunity to work on the redesign of Independence Avenue in collaboration with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and the City of Kansas City, Missouri, which has been an incredible experience in seeing how classroom learning directly contributes to real community improvements.”
UMKC students’ experiences with hands-on projects, internships and leadership opportunities show that UMKC civil engineering students are career-ready once they graduate. For alumni like Trent Robinett (BSCE ’95), those same experiences have continued to shape their journeys beyond graduation.
Robinett is president of TREKK Design Group. He founded the company with his wife, Kimberly Robinett (BSEE ‘95) in 2002. The company consists of around 225 people, with 11 offices across the Midwest.
TREKK has worked on major projects around the region, including the KC Streetcar Main Street extension and the Kansas City International Airport terminal.
“The opportunity to serve that many people is what gets me out of bed in the morning,” Robinett said. “UMKC provided me with the foundation to build my career on and be at a spot where I get to do what I love every day. I learned how to learn, apply logic and solve problems. Since graduating, I have made it a point to be a lifelong learner. You have to continue to push yourself to grow and learn new skills.”
Robinett has some advice for those considering a career in civil engineering.
“If you want to serve, if you want to make the world a better place and if you want to be a part of a profession that saves lives, engineering is your calling,” Robinett said. “No matter how developed technology gets, humans need a place to live, water to drink and spaces to experience life. Civil engineering will provide you with that opportunity. You will be able to see what you envisioned and designed become real right before your eyes. You will be given the opportunity to make a difference. At TREKK, we call this ‘improving lives’ and UMKC can be the start to your personal journey of improving lives.”
Alum Brian Boman (B.S. ’17), business development manager for Pullman, also shares a similar thought.
“Every aspect of building structures involves civil engineering,” Boman said. “Civil engineering provides a vast array of career paths that all have a comfortable financial outlook. In addition, there are more engineers needed every day, which makes engineering education a desirable background for large firms that are competing for new graduates. The work is rewarding and meaningful in a tangible way that is difficult to replicate in other careers.”
Boman credits UMKC for his successful career.
“UMKC is exceptional at providing the curriculum that will build critical thinking skills and provide tools that will allow graduates to be a contributor in any setting,” Boman said. “The degree of expertise of faculty is excellent and UMKC’s impressive research capabilities in a city that is a national hub for the design and construction industry is a unique set of circumstances that set UMKC apart from other schools.”
Terracon operations manager Mohamad Ibrawish (BSCE ’01) echoed Boman’s feelings, summing up why students should choose UMKC for civil engineering.
“UMKC is a great choice because of its strong academic programs, supportive faculty and connections to industry in the Kansas City area,” Ibrawish said. “These connections helped me build a network in the industry before even graduating, which made looking for work and building my career much easier. It’s a place where students can grow both personally and professionally.”
Check out the School of Science and Engineering’s civil engineering programs.
Dec 10, 2025
Angela Bennett will be remembered for lasting contributions as a UMKC Trustee and UM System Curator Emerita
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is honoring the legacy of three-time alumna Angela Bennett (B.A. ’74, B.A. ’74, J.D. ’77), whose decades of dedicated service has made lasting impacts. University of Missouri Curator Emerita Bennett began her relationship with the university as a student, earning two bachelor’s degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences, now the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and a Juris Doctorate from the School of Law. Bennett had an esteemed career at the Kansas City law firm Lathrop & Gage L.C. and served as a passionate advocate for education throughout her career, including as the director of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, Kansas City office.Throughout her four-decade career, Bennett was an ardent advocate for UMKC, serving on the UMKC Board of Trustees, as president of the Alumni Governing Board, president of the Women's Council and chair of the KCUR Advisory Committee. Bennett also served for six years on the University of Missouri Board of Curators, including as its president.“Curator Bennett was the epitome of what it means to be a Roo,” UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “A devoted advocate of educational access, Curator Bennett generously used her time and talents to ensure success for the Roos who followed her footsteps. We are grateful for her many contributions to our UMKC community.”Patricia Macdonald, longtime volunteer and member of the UMKC Foundation Board, became close friends and colleagues with Bennett through their volunteer service to UMKC.“Angela was so involved in the community because she cared deeply," Macdonald said. "She was always reaching back to bring someone else up behind her. Angela was direct, but a very kind and generous with her wisdom and guidance, and she just loved a good laugh.”Bennett’s generosity and service went beyond UMKC. Bennett was also the chief environmental attorney, assistant district counsel at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; assistant attorney general for the state of Missouri; assistant county counselor for Jackson County, Missouri; and complaint officer of human relations and citizens complaints for Jackson County, Missouri.She was a member of the American Bar Association, the Missouri Bar Association, the Jackson County Bar Association and the Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City. She also is active in a variety of civic organizations as well as the Centennial United Methodist Church.Bennett’s numerous awards include the service award from the UMKC School of Law in 1990, the UMKC Alumni Association School of Law Alumni Achievement Award in 1996 and the UMKC Alumni Association Bill French Alumni Service Award in 2007. In addition, Bennett received the Mid-Continent Council of Girl Scouts' Woman of Achievement Award.A memorial service will be held Friday, Dec. 12, at Centennial United Methodist Church, 1834 Woodland Ave. Visitation is from 9-10 a.m.; memorial service is from 10-11 a.m. with burial immediately to follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, 6901 Troost Ave.
Dec 08, 2025
Honorees at signature Bloch School event include experts in DNA science, financial planning, community-building efforts and housing
The Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Missouri-Kansas City honored local, national and global changemakers at its 39th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year awards ceremony held at H&R Block headquarters.
“I believe perseverance is a quality that any successful entrepreneur must have.” — Henry Bloch
“Each one of tonight’s honorees has demonstrated that perseverance in their own way,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. “They’ve pushed through uncertainty, navigated challenges and translated ideas into something real and meaningful.”
Meet the Honorees
Henry W. Bloch International Entrepreneur of the Year
J. Craig Venter | founder, chair and CEO of J. Craig Venter Institute
J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., is one of the most influential scientists and entrepreneurs of our time. He led the team that sequenced the first draft human genome, decoded the first free-living organism using whole-genome shotgun sequencing and created the first synthetic bacterial cell. His discoveries have advanced medicine, accelerated genetic research and opened new frontiers in synthetic biology.
“It’s hard to explain to people who weren’t around in the 90s just how large the concept of sequencing the human genome was,” said Richmond Wolf, partner at Capital Group. “For him to stand up and say, ‘I’m going to do this, and I’m going to do this in the private sector,’ was just mind blowing.”
Venter has founded multiple innovative companies, including Celera Genomics, Synthetic Genomics, SGI DNA and Human Longevity, Inc., each pushing scientific boundaries and turning breakthrough research into real-world solutions.
“In my mind, science only moves ahead with entrepreneurial thinking,” Venter said. “There’s probably not a single pharmaceutical available today that didn’t have the basis somewhere in the genome and the data that we produced.”
Venter continues his work through the J. Craig Venter Institute and now focuses on transforming women’s health through genomic screening and AI-powered diagnostics.
Kansas City Entrepreneur of the YearBloch Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Inductee
Peter Mallouk | president and CEO, Creative Planning
Peter Mallouk is a lifelong Kansas Citian and nationally recognized entrepreneur. As president and CEO of Creative Planning, one of the nation’s most respected wealth management firms, he has grown his idea from a local company into a global organization serving clients in all 50 states and abroad.
“I found myself working with other advisors, and my idea for Creative Planning was really simple,” Mallouk said. “The advisor and the product should be separate, the advisor and the commission should not be in the same place and the advice should always be unbiased.”
Mallouk uses his success to educate and uplift people in the local community. He founded KC CAN! to bring critical financial literacy programs to underserved Kansas Citians, and he helped launch Pathway Financial Education to give families and business owners access to training and tools that build long-term financial stability.
“There’s three things to know about Peter,” said Molly Rothove, wealth manager at Creative Planning. “He has a servant’s heart. He’s competitive — the competitor in him wants to be the best at everything he does — and the entrepreneur in him wants to take it to the masses.”
In addition to being this year’s Kansas City Entrepreneur of the Year, Mallouk was also inducted into the UMKC Entrepreneur Hall of Fame for his contributions to the economic growth and development of Kansas City.
Marion and John Kreamer Award for Social Entrepreneurship
Father Justin Mathews | CEO of Reconciliation Services and founder of Thelma's Kitchen
Kansas City native Father Justin Mathews is the CEO of Reconciliation Services and the founder of Thelma’s Kitchen, Kansas City’s first “pay-what-you-can” café. For 25 years, his work has been rooted in a simple but powerful belief: every person deserves dignity, connection and access to opportunity.
“The Kreamer Award recognizes leaders who use entrepreneurship as a vehicle for strengthening communities,” said Bob Regnier, chair of the UMKC Foundation Board. “Anyone who knows Father Justin knows that’s a perfect description of the type of work he does and the kind of leader he is.”
Through Reconciliation Services, Mathews has developed programs that promote healing, workforce training and economic mobility in the community. His restaurant, Thelma’s Kitchen, offers low-cost meals on Troost Avenue with a mission to transform the corridor into a gathering place for all.
“There are so many partners and neighbors who believe in the dream of tangible, social, racial and economic reconciliation in our city,” Mathews said. “There is no Reconciliation Services, there is no Thelma’s Kitchen and there is no award tonight without their heart and their sacrificial love for our neighbors most in need.”
Mathews co-founded the Social Venture Studio, an accelerator that has supported more than 21 social ventures in Kansas City, and developed the Social Leader Essentials online course to equip executives with tools for social change.
“You can see his passion, you can see his commitment and, more importantly, you can see his intentionality in everything that he does,” said DeAngela Burns-Wallace, CEO of the Kauffman Foundation.
Student Entrepreneur of the Year
Shapree' Marshall | CEO and founder of A Traveled Path Homes
Shapree’ Marshall, a master’s student in entrepreneurial real estate at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management, launched her venture, as many do, with a simple question: “Why isn’t there a better way?”
After receiving life-saving care from a traveling healthcare worker, Marshall learned how limited their access was to consistent, affordable housing. In response, she founded A Traveled Path Homes in 2022.
“I did not have capital or connections,” Marshall said. “In fact, my first business meeting took place inside the shelter where I was living with my children. What I did have was determination, clarity and the belief that my personal story could lead to something meaningful for others.”
In just a few years, Marshall has grown the company from an idea to a multi-year state lodging contract and model now expanding into national healthcare systems. She has been selected for the Pipeline entrepreneurship fellowship, joined Nashville’s Project Healthcare Accelerator and started developing a verification system to help protect traveling medical professionals.
“Entrepreneurship changed my life,” Marshall said. “It turned a moment of crisis into a mission. It allowed me to become the first in my family to pursue an advanced degree and the first to build a business.”
Marshall remains active in community work, advocating for youth and families while laying the groundwork for a future career in housing and community development law.
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Dec 04, 2025
Bailee Ehlers shares inspiring journey of growth and self-discovery
At just 16 years old, Bailee Ehlers took an unconventional leap, starting college before most of her peers had even finished high school. But when personal challenges forced her to step away from her studies, her academic journey seemed uncertain. Now, several years later, she’s returning to UMKC with resilience and purpose.
Ehlers will graduate from UMKC with a degree in psychology this December, ready to pursue a career inspired by the research that reignited her passion during her undergraduate experience.
Why did you choose UMKC initially?
I initially chose UMKC because it was close to where I grew up, and since I started college as a minor, being near my parents felt important. I wanted that support while still getting the full college experience. When I started, I was a biology major on the pre-med track because I’d always been fascinated by the medical field. I took a lot of science and health-related courses in high school, so pursuing medicine felt like the right direction at the time.What I didn’t expect was how challenging the transition to college-level coursework would be. The workload was intense, and I had to learn how to manage my time in ways I never had before. Around that same time, I started working to help support my family and balancing both work and school became overwhelming. Eventually, I decided to take a break from school to focus on work and personal responsibilities.
How did you find your passion again that led you to want to go back to school?
During my time away, I found a job that I loved and wanted to grow in, but I knew I’d need a degree to continue advancing. That’s what motivated me to return to school. My original focus in the medical field was neurology because I was fascinated by how the brain works. When I came back to school, I realized that my interests had shifted from the biological and chemical side of the brain to understanding how it functions emotionally and socially, which led me to psychology.Once I started taking psychology courses, everything just clicked. It didn’t feel like work, it felt exciting. I had endless energy to study, and that’s when I knew I’d found the right path. I love learning about how people think, feel and connect with others, and I’m motivated by the idea of helping people better understand themselves and improve their lives. That passion is what pushes me academically and continues to drive me forward every day.
Why did you choose to come back to UMKC?
Coming back to UMKC was an easy choice because of how positive my experience had been. I had already seen firsthand how supportive the faculty is and how much the university truly cares about its students.I think UMKC does an incredible job of focusing on the student experience as a whole, not just on grades or performance, but also on quality of life. You’re not just seen as the work you produce, you’re also seen as a person. The university encourages you to get involved in your community and take advantage of opportunities that go beyond the classroom. That was huge for me. Before my family moved to Kansas City, we lived in Iowa. The opportunities I’ve had in Kansas City are things I couldn’t have even imagined back home, and that’s a big part of why I wanted to return.
Who are the mentors you are most thankful for, and what has your relationship with them been like?
My closest mentor is Wesley Youngren, Ph.D.. I first met him as my professor, and later I learned about his night lab. I asked if I could shadow to get a better understanding of how research works in psychology since I had no prior experience in the field. After shadowing for a few sessions, Youngren informed me I was officially part of the lab. Since then, I’ve been working with him on different projects, and he’s been an incredible mentor.Youngren’s wife, Leah Youngren, holds a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology and works for the Urban Education Research Center. Her degree was a field that really piqued my interest, so he connected me with her to learn more about her work and the UERC team. Even though they weren’t hiring at the time, I kept reaching out to ask for an interview. My persistence eventually paid off and I was offered a paid position, which I’m so grateful for. I would have been happy to volunteer just to gain experience, but getting the opportunity to be part of the team in an official role has been amazing.Another mentor I’m very thankful for is Cindy McDonald, Ph.D. She works closely with nontraditional students in the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences and really helped me get back on track when I returned to school. She guided me through organizing my classes, managing my schedule and finding my confidence again so that I didn’t feel out of place.
Can you explain the research you are involved in?
At UERC, we focus on educational research and evaluation. Our team often serves as a third-party evaluator for educational programs that are implemented across the Kansas City metro area. My work primarily involves data analysis, data visualization and report writing, but I also get to go beyond the numbers and into the classrooms themselves.Sometimes I help with data collection through student, teacher and parent surveys, and I assist with focus groups that include teachers, students and administrators. It’s really rewarding to see how the information we gather directly contributes to improving educational programs and outcomes in the community.As for Youngren’s sleep-study research, the project explores how imagery and thoughts can influence and even control what we dream. Youngren and his research were featured in an American Psychological Association cover story about how disturbing dreams, such as nightmares, can significantly impact sleep quality and, over time, affect a person’s mental, emotional and physical health. Being part of that research has been an incredible experience.
What are you most thankful for at UMKC?
One of the things I really value about UMKC is the faculty-to-student ratio. It allows you to build genuine relationships with your professors, which often lead to meaningful connections throughout Kansas City. The faculty, mentors and staff are all genuinely interested and invested in the success of their students. Kansas City is such a large city with countless opportunities, and that can feel overwhelming at first. But having faculty who help guide you step by step, connect you with people, resources and experiences, makes a huge difference. It would be much harder to discover and take advantage of all the opportunities Kansas City has to offer without the kind of support UMKC offers.
How have your experiences at UMKC shaped what you hope to bring to your future?
My experiences at UMKC have shown me the impact mentors can have on your growth. I’ve been fortunate to have so many people invest in me, and I’m passionate about paying that forward. I want to focus on supporting individuals, sharing my experiences and helping guide them in the way others guided me. In the past, I’ve worked with high school students who weren’t sure about college. By sharing my story and offering guidance, I was able give them a small push to explore opportunities they might not have considered. Professionally, I hope to continue doing what I love at UERC, while supporting others and helping them find their path.
What is the best word to describe yourself?
Creative. I’ve always felt that my brain works a little differently from others. Even before I started studying psychology, I noticed that I naturally approach problems and situations from different perspectives. I tend to look for new ways to reframe and understand things. Along with that, I’m drawn to activities that spark creativity and bring me joy, and my creative hobbies have always been a big part of how I express that side of myself.
Ooh, what are some creative hobbies you’ve tried and are into now?
I’ve tried just about every hobby under the sun, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. During COVID-19, I got into the sourdough trend and since then I’ve spent a lot of time crocheting and doing my own nails, which I really enjoy. Whenever I start something new, I like to dive into the foundations and understand the technical side of it. I’m a very mathematical and scientifically oriented person, so I enjoy the structure and precision that come with creative hobbies. That’s one reason I’m excited to start sewing next. It combines creativity with careful planning, measurements and customization. But for now, crocheting and doing my own nails are my favorites.
What have you learned about yourself through your journey?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to expand beyond my degree path. It can be uncomfortable, but being open to new ideas and different perspectives has broadened my horizons and helped me grow. It’s how I learned doing research data analytics is the career I want instead of what I originally envisioned. I’ve also learned to give myself grace. I excelled academically early on, so I put a lot of pressure on myself. Coming to college taught me it’s not just about grades. It’s about truly understanding the material, applying it and thinking about how it shapes my future career. Taking courses outside my major has shown me the value of collaborating with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, which has been both challenging and rewarding.
Dec 01, 2025
Here's how to give during winter break
While the UMKC campus is closed during Winter Break Thursday, Dec. 25 through Thursday, Jan. 1, it's still easy to make a year-end gift by observing the following guidelines.
Gift timing is essential to ensure receipt of tax credit for the 2025 calendar year for your donation; please reference the guidelines for specific gift types below. If you need assistance with your donation, please get in touch with UMKC Foundation Gift Processing Staff at 816-780-9151.
Give now
Donation by Checks
Mailed envelopes MUST be postmarked prior to Dec. 31, 2025*. If the envelope received is postmarked after Dec. 31, it will be counted as a gift for the year 2026.
Donors should send their checks to the address below:
UMKC Foundation Office of Gift Processing202 Administrative Center5115 Oak St.Kansas City, MO 64112
Checks dated prior to Dec. 31, along with postmarked envelopes, should be received by UMKC Foundation Gift Processing staff on or before Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. Gifts received after that point will not automatically be included in processing for the annual year-end gift summary.
*Carrier Delivery (UPS, Fed Ex, personal deliveries, etc.) MUST be received by Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. UMKC campus is closed to deliveries from Dec. 25, 2025-Jan. 1, 2026.
Donations by Stock or Mutual Funds
Please get in touch with Jenny Akhtar at jakhtar@umkc.edu for the transfer form and DTC instructions. Gifts involving Transfers must be received into the account on or before Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, to be reflected in the 2025 tax period, per the IRS.
Stock gifts will require the donor's name, number of shares, security, expected date of transfer and gift intention area. Donors must send information via email to Jenny Akhtar at jakhtar@umkc.edu. Liquidation of the Stock gifts cannot be completed until confirmation of this information is received. Deadline for processing Stock gifts on the donor's end is Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Mutual funds take an additional 3-5+ business days before posting to our account. Donors, please advise brokers to initiate mutual fund transfers before Friday, Dec. 19. Regular equity stock takes 24 hours to post to our account.
Donations by Donor-Advised Funds or DAF
You can make a gift through your Donor-Advised Funds online. Donate via DAF.
Donations by Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD
For donors 70½ or older, a maximum of $108,000 per individual, or $216,00 for couples filing jointly, can be given from your IRA annually.
You can initiate a Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD through your IRA custodian.
The time it takes the IRA administrator to transfer funds varies, so please contact them as soon as possible. You can download a sample letter to your IRA administrator (pdf).
Funds must be transferred directly from your IRA by Dec. 31, 2025, to count for the 2025 tax year.
Donations by Checkbook IRA gifts
IRA gifts must be received by Wednesday, Dec. 31 to ensure deposit for 2025 credit. The time it takes the IRA administrator to transfer the funds varies. Please contact your administrator as soon as possible to ensure that your gift is completed by Dec. 31.
Donations by Credit Cards
Ways to donate using a credit card:
Our website, UMKC Foundation, where donations will be processed through midnight Dec. 31. All donor gifts processed through our website will be reflected in the donor's 2025 giving year totals.
Contact our staff in Gift Processing at 816-780-9151 during regular business hours through the end of the year, including the winter break.
By mail: debit or credit card information by mail MUST be received no later than noon Dec. 31, for processing.
We cannot guarantee mail delivery will meet the required deadline; for more reliable processing, we ask all donors to either call the number listed for UMKC Foundation Gift Processing staff or use our website to donate.
*Carrier Delivery (UPS, Fed Ex, personal deliveries, etc.) MUST be received by Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. UMKC campus is closed to deliveries from Dec. 25, 2025-Jan. 1, 2026.
Contacts and Staff Availability
The Gift Processing Staff will be available by phone at 816-780-9151 to accept credit card gifts and to answer all inquiries about year-end gifts during regular business hours through the end of the year, including during the winter break.
The UMKC Foundation Office will be closed during the winter break. Should you have any inquiries during that time, please call 816-235-5778, and someone will return your call.
For help with stock gifts or wire transfers, contact gift processing at 816-780-9151 during regular business hours through the end of the year.
Learn About UMKC Giving and Our Blue & Bold Campaign
Dec 01, 2025
Joseph Wright has brought the cosmos to Kansas City for more than 20 years.
So, how did a nearly 900-pound telescope end up on the UMKC campus?
Stan Warkoczewski, a passionate amateur astronomer, spent nearly a decade and $15,000 in the 1950s building a custom-built telescope as a gift for his wife, Helen. The 8-foot-long, 16-inch diameter, 900-pound custom-built telescope lived in their backyard until the couple donated it to UMKC in 1964. A decade later, it found a permanent home on the rooftop of Royall Hall, where it has remained for over 50 years.
Today, the Warkoczewski Observatory, known as the Warko, is one of only two major public observatories in the Kansas City region. Operated by the Astronomical Society of Kansas City, one of the largest astronomical societies in the country, the Warko is open to the public on clear Friday evenings from May to October, starting at dusk for stargazing and solar viewing.
The observatory’s instruments include:
Custom-built 16” Warkoczewski Telescope
Meade 10” and 14” LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain computerized telescopes
Coronado PST Solar Telescope
80mm refracting telescope with Daystar “Quark” Hydrogen Alpha filter
Volunteers operate the observatory, offering educational programs and guided telescope viewing of celestial wonders like the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and deep-space objects like the Andromeda Galaxy and Orion Nebula.
Joseph Wright, operations manager for the Warkoczewski Observatory, oversees the weekly free public observing. Wright organizes a team of volunteers to operate the observatory, offering educational programs and guided telescope viewings.
“Wright has been a steadfast public astronomy educator for two decades,” said Daniel McIntosh, Ph.D., professor of physics and astronomy. “His passion for sharing the wonders of the universe through telescopes is unmatched in my 18 years as a science professor and professional astronomer. He has volunteered countless hours and has created unforgettable experiences for our community, such as hosting rare celestial events like the Venus transit that drew hundreds to Warko. Joe has impacted tens of thousands of visitors to the Warko over the last 20 years and has made a remarkable legacy of his service to his community, all based solely on his love for astronomy.”
Wright was recently recognized for his services in bringing the cosmos to Kansas City for more than 20 years.
“Receiving recognition from UMKC and ASKC came as a surprise. I was being recognized for something I enjoyed doing,” Wright said. “The Warko became a magical place—a family-friendly spot to share the wonders of the universe with visitors from Kansas City and beyond.”
Over the years, Wright and his team have shared unforgettable sights with thousands of visitors. The observatory has also been the backdrop for special moments.
"We've celebrated weddings, anniversaries, several proposals and many date nights at the observatory,” Wright said. "We hosted David H. Levy, Ph.D., famed astronomer and comet discoverer. We’ve also organized observation events on the top level of the Rockhill parking garage, accompanied by live music from UMKC Conservatory students.”
Wright credits his wife and volunteers for making the observatory a success.
“I could not have achieved much of this without my wife, Rita, helping me," said Wright. "Nor could the success of the observatory happen without a remarkable group of staff astronomers volunteering on a lot of Friday nights and at special events. None of it would have been possible on my own.”
Although the Warko is closed for the 2025 season, keep an eye out on their Facebook page for special viewing events and for 2026 season dates.
Nov 25, 2025
Initiative would enhance national security and create thousands of jobs
More than 200 leaders from businesses, economic development organizations, government agencies, nonprofits and universities gathered at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City to advance a shared vision: building the nation’s next great innovation ecosystem through the Critical Materials Crossroads.
The Critical Materials Crossroads, spearheaded by the University of Missouri-Kansas City, is an emerging regional movement focused on securing America’s supply of the critical materials that power modern life — from batteries and artificial intelligence systems to aerospace technology, medical devices and clean-energy infrastructure.
While the idea began at UMKC, the initiative has grown into a coalition of more than 230 partners across Missouri and Kansas. Industry, higher education, government, workforce development and community organizations are now aligned behind a single goal: to make the heartland of the United States into a national hub for critical materials discovery, processing, advanced manufacturing and workforce training.
A Nationally Recognized Vision
UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal stands next to Anthony Caruso, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and the leader of Critical Materials Crossroads.
The proposal for the Critical Materials Crossroads has already earned national attention. In 2025, the National Science Foundation selected the initiative as one of just 15 finalists — out of 285 proposals — for its Regional Innovation Engines program. The NSF will visit Kansas City in January 2026 for an on-site evaluation, and winners will be announced later in the year. Awardees may receive up to $160 million over 10 years, which would make it the largest grant in UMKC history if Critical Materials Crossroads is selected.
For Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, the NSF recognition reflects the region’s collective strength. Agrawal urged stakeholders at the meeting to think of the Critical Materials Crossroads as “a living ecosystem.”
“When universities, industry, government and communities unite,” Agrawal said, “America can once again lead the world in innovation and manufacturing, starting right here in the heartland.”
Why Critical Materials Matter
Critical materials — including rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt and specialty metals — are essential to the technologies that drive the modern economy. Yet the United States currently relies on foreign countries for roughly 90% of its refined supply, much of it from geopolitical competitors.
This reliance creates significant economic and national security risks.
“Decades of offshoring have weakened our industrial base,” said Anthony Caruso, UMKC vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and the project’s principal investigator. “If we cannot produce or process the materials that power our technologies, we are vulnerable.”
The goal of the Critical Material Crossroads is to reduce the supply chain risk by building a resilient, domestic supply chain anchored in the Midwest. The collaborative effort is bi-partisan.
“For too long, we’ve allowed our dependence on foreign supply chains to grow into a strategic vulnerability,” said Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt, whose staff attended the conference. “It’s time to rebuild America’s industrial base and reclaim our leadership in the global minerals race. The Trump Administration and I are working hand-in-hand to lead a new golden age of American resource independence, reducing our reliance on foreign countries, particularly China, and revitalizing our critical materials ecosystem. I am proud to support key efforts like those of UMKC that will bring critical minerals processing not only to the U.S. but Missouri specifically.”
A Blueprint for Transformation
Hiroko Kawai, senior director of Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America, spoke at the Critical Materials Crossroads conference.
If fully funded and built, the Critical Materials Crossroads would establish an integrated research-to-manufacturing ecosystem across hundreds of acres in the Kansas City region. The vision includes:
State-of-the-art research laboratories
Pilot- and demonstration-scale processing and manufacturing facilities
Training centers supporting degree, certificate and apprenticeship pathways
Startup incubators and small-business development hubs
A workforce pipeline designed in partnership with regional employers
The projected economic impact is substantial. By 2036, the initiative could create more than 3,000 direct jobs and an additional 6,000 indirect jobs yielding $40 billion in gross regional output and adding $17 billion to the regional gross domestic product.
One of the speakers at the conference was Hiroko Kawai, senior director of Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America, which opened an electric vehicle battery facility earlier this year in De Soto, Kansas, in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
“The Critical Materials Crossroads gathered people and companies to highlight our attention to this region and to this issue, not in a high-level and abstract way, but in a tangible, concrete effort for Kansas and Missouri,” Kawai said. “It is real, and therefore, really meaningful.”
A Regional Movement Built on Collaboration
Maria Meyers, UMKC vice chancellor of commercialization and entrepreneurship, spoke at the Critical Materials Crossroads conference.
Throughout the stakeholder conference, speakers emphasized that the Critical Materials Crossroads has the ingredients for success because it is being built from the ground up through shared trust, community leadership and broad regional participation. The afternoon included breakout session workshops on industry and commercialization, research and development innovation and workforce innovation.
Partners include:
Research universities across Kansas and Missouri
Advanced manufacturers and technology companies from Oregon to Australia
Local and state governments
Workforce partners such as the Full Employment Council, Great Jobs KC, Enterprise KC, the Missouri Community College Association and the Missouri’s State Workforce Development Board
Investors and capital partners positioning the region for commercialization and scale
Agrawal noted each sector plays an essential role:
“Individually, every one of the stakeholder groups is essential,” he said. “Combined, they are transformative.”
Talent at the Center
Critical Materials Crossroads is equally focused on people — developing a workforce that can support the next generation of advanced manufacturing.
Pathways will include roles in:
Materials science and engineering
Industrial and chemical engineering
Automation and AI-enabled manufacturing
Supply-chain logistics
Entrepreneurial ventures supporting a new industrial cluster
Legal, finance, business strategy, history and environmental sciences
The initiative is expected to create opportunities across a wide range of skill levels, from high-school graduates to post-doctoral researchers.
The Kansas City area’s geography, infrastructure, research strength and manufacturing heritage make it uniquely positioned to lead America’s next industrial era. The region sits at the literal and symbolic crossroads of the nation where transportation networks, talent pipelines and technological innovation converge.
Critical Materials Crossroads’ leaders believe this moment is decisive.
“The Greater Kansas City area will not just participate in America’s critical materials future,” Agrawal said. “We will define it.”
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Nov 24, 2025
The record-breaking amount will help fund the Conservatory’s expansion, Bridges program and student scholarships
Crescendo, the annual gala hosted by Friends of the Conservatory, raised more than $1.35 million this year, breaking their own 2024 fundraising record by more than $200,000. Most of the funds raised from this event will support the Conservatory’s expansion and renovation project, with some earmarked for the Conservatory Bridges program and endowed student scholarships.
"Crescendo is a celebration of the incredible talent we have here at the Conservatory,” said Courtney Crappell, dean of the Conservatory. “It’s also a celebration of the important relationship between the Conservatory and the Kansas City community. We’re deeply grateful to have the full support of our community partners as we look to expand our facilities and increase the opportunities we provide."
Concept rendering, courtesy of Helix Archicture
Attendees at Crescendo had the opportunity to view a 3D model of the future facilities. The expansion and renovation project will add crucial performance and rehearsal spaces and increase opportunities for collaboration and community engagement. Announced in April 2025, the project has generated significant excitement on campus and in the Kansas City arts community. See more renderings and learn about the project.
Crescendo has been a staple of the Kansas City performing arts community for more than 25 years. For the second year, the gala portion of the event was held at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Immersive performances took place around the museum and during the gala dinner in Rozzelle Court, bringing the audience into the performance at times.
The collage performance will be May 5, 2026 in Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the venue where Crescendo has been held for more than a decade. This performance will be in the traditional and beloved Crescendo format that highlights dance, music and theatre in a continuous performance.
Crescendo is supported and guided by a group of chairs, who generously give their time and talents to the event. This year’s chairs were Merrily Jackson, John Rensenhouse and Darren Sextro. Honorary chairs were Steve and Cathy Doyal.
The internationally renowned UMKC Conservatory was founded more than a century ago, and trains professionals in music, dance and theatre. The Conservatory’s mission is to advance creativity, performance, scholarship and learning in the arts. They are a vital partner in Kansas City’s cultural environment and collaborate deeply with community institutions through performances, workshops and more. Faculty and alumni of the Conservatory have won numerous honors and awards, including Grammys, Pulitzer Prizes and Fulbright and Guggenheim fellowships.
Interested in Giving to UMKC?
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Nov 19, 2025
One of only three programs worldwide to earn the honor, UMKC School of Medicine is advancing physician well-being through mindfulness and resilienc...
The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine has achieved a top designation for leading the way in integrating mindfulness practices into medical education. UMKC has been named a “Flourishing in Medicine Center of Excellence” by the Mindful Practice in Medicine or MPIM program at the University of Rochester Medical Center — making UMKC one of only three schools internationally, and the only one in the United States, to earn the honor.
According to MPIM, mindful practice programs are “a means to enhance self-awareness, wellness and resilience” for medical professionals by addressing and improving relationships with patients and colleagues.
Mindfulness practices include meditation, focusing strategies, deep listening skills, self-awareness practices and more. For medical school students and physicians, the goal is to find joy and resilience when working with patients while addressing the potential burnout and moral distress that may occur while navigating the daily stressful and demanding situations of a healthcare setting.
UMKC earned the distinction after meeting a series of rigorous standards over the past two years, including training local faculty in mindful practice, offering ongoing workshops and launching an innovative 10-month Mindfulness in Medicine program.
The program was developed by pediatrics professor Jodi Jackson, M.D., and Christine Sullivan (B.A. ’82/M.D. ’85), associate dean for professional development.
“The big impetus for implementing this was we realized that for physicians, medical students and other healthcare workers, burnout and emotional exhaustion is epidemic,” Sullivan said. “It made good sense to us that we could provide our medical students with some of those skills to build resiliency and combat burnout.”
The group, which completed its second cohort last spring, is an extracurricular, evidence-based program that brings faculty together with fourth- and fifth-year medical school students for bi-monthly sessions focused on building wellness, awareness and strong patient relationships.
Whether it’s a guided meditation with a singing bowl or box-breathing exercises, each session begins with a centering practice so students and faculty can start the session feeling fully present. From there, the two-and-a-half-hour session continues with literature-based lessons, group work and whole-group share outs.
“We are teaching reflective listening and appreciative inquiry,” Jackson said. “We're teaching how to be present with another human being in real time and how to reflect and listen in a way that supports and holds space for others.”
The Mindfulness in Medicine program is unique in that it is open to both students and faculty.
“One of the very novel things about this program was the fact that we created an environment where students and faculty learn together,” Sullivan said. “It helped broaden everybody's perspective as to each other's roles and struggles. By doing that, it kind of grew a sense of connection to community.”
Beyond the benefits of community-building, Sullivan and Jackson have also been tracking the effect the program has had on the participants’ burnout rates. Both student and faculty participants have seen drastic decreases in “occupational exhaustion” and “depersonalization,” while also unanimously reporting increased levels of “personal accomplishment.”
“It decreases burnout, not by a magic shield that makes us burnout proof, but to notice before we burn out that things aren't going well, that things don't feel right, and then to be able to advocate for what we need in a way that's not reactive, in a way that's engaging,” Jackson said.
Daniel Terry (M.D. ’24) was in the first cohort of the group and joined when he noticed he was struggling to navigate his reaction to some of his medical school training experiences.
“You kind of shut off from a lot of emotions because you're exposed to traumatic stuff and you’re around dying people,” Terry said. “That's hard for people, and it was really hard for me. One thing I noticed was that I had sort of become detached, and I wanted to delve into something that would help me be able to access those emotions again, but in a healthier way.”
For Terry, who started his emergency medicine residency at UMKC this year, mindfulness training has been essential in helping deliver better care to all his patients, regardless of what medical conditions they face.
“It builds presence,” Terry said. “You learn how to listen deeply, and you learn how to separate everything that you have going on with your patient in room six from how you're interacting with your patient in room nine, even though room six might die and room nine has a stubbed toe. Mindfulness helps you, in a really healthy way, separate those things so you can be present for both of them at the same level.”
The School of Medicine’s commitment to weaving mindfulness into its curriculum has not only enhanced students’ ability to provide better patient care, but it has also elevated the school’s reputation globally.
“We've committed as a medical school to this teaching,” Jackson said. “We’re one of three in the world who have been given this distinction, and we're being seen as the leaders to bring it forward.”
Beyond rankings and recognition, this effort is about shaping future physicians who are not only skilled, but also self-aware, compassionate and better equipped to care for their patients — and themselves — throughout their careers.
“We are incorporating this really important part of being a human being into being a doctor,” Jackson said. “That's what's so unique, and it's the way forward of showing up as a physician.”
Nov 19, 2025
Co-chairs for annual UMKC Conservatory fundraising performance give back through time and talents
The UMKC Conservatory hosts its annual Crescendo gala each fall to celebrate their community and raise funds for student scholarships, facilities and more. The gala is hosted each year under the leadership of several chairs and honorary chairs, who generously serve with their time, talents and connections. This year’s chairs are Merrily Jackson, John Rensenhouse and Darren Sextro. Honorary chairs are Steve and Cathy Doyal.
These longtime supporters of the Conservatory, and the Kansas City arts community as a whole, provide valuable guidance and support to the Crescendo gala and Conservatory community. Many of them have been involved with the Conservatory for years, and chairing the Crescendo gala is just one more way they generously give back.
“I've served on the board of directors of the Friends of the Conservatory for four years, and that time has reinforced how critical it is to have arts education and arts training right in the middle of the city,” Sextro said. “Funding of that type of education requires philanthropic patronage, as has been the case around the world for centuries, and my volunteer time with Crescendo is one way to continue that type of philanthropic arts tradition.”
Jackson serves on the board of directors with Sextro. She finds great value and enjoyment in what the arts provide and believes strongly in the Conservatory’s contribution to the community.
“The UMKC Conservatory is Kansas City’s talent factory, in the very best sense,” Jackson said. “It sends a steady stream of music, dance and theatre professionals into the world, and we get a front-row seat to their brilliance before anyone else does.”
Rensenhouse is a producer, director, actor and current board president of the Kansas City Actors Theatre. He refers to Crescendo as a “legendary fundraiser” and appreciates the opportunity to give back to students who he often works with during theatre productions.
“As a producer with Kansas City Actors Theatre, we rely on the great talent in the theatre department for designers, actors and stage managers,” Rensenhouse said. “Almost every production we put on includes the work of a UMKC Conservatory student or graduate. The Conservatory brings young, bright minds to our city that might not otherwise come here. It is a great lifeline for the city.”
Honorary chair Steve Doyal is a current member of the UMKC Board of Trustees. He and wife Cathy are staunch supporters of the Kansas City arts community and have provided support to the Conservatory, Kansas City Ballet and Kansas City Repertory Theatre.
Jackson, Rensenhouse, Sextro and the Doyals all understand that a vibrant arts community doesn’t happen by accident. By intentionally investing their time and efforts into Crescendo and other causes, they ensure that Kansas City will remain a hub for artists and that the UMKC Conservatory will be a part of that hub.
“When artists become arts professionals, the fact that part of their origin story was at the UMKC Conservatory is a proud part of their journey,” Sextro said. “Knowing that I played some very modest role in that is meaningful. I can't normalize enough that arts patronage is the responsibility of any vibrant philanthropic community, so that's a proud part of my volunteer time and whatever knowledge I've picked up in this arena over the years.”
With the proceeds from the Crescendo gala supporting the Conservatory’s expansion, that impact becomes even more meaningful for future generations of students and arts patrons.
“I really believe in the mission to expand and update the Conservatory facilities,” Rensenhouse said. “It will make UMKC a much more desirable place to study and, in turn, enrich the Kansas City cultural community.”
“The Conservatory is vital to Kansas City’s arts community,” Jackson added. “Co-chairing Crescendo and being a part of that has been an honor and a thrill. I've gotten to know so many gifted professionals who are massively talented and who choose to share their proficiency with people coming up.”
Through the investment of their time, Jackson, Rensenhouse, Sextro and the Doyals are providing invaluable support to current and future Conservatory students. Their impact will ripple through the Kansas City arts community and beyond, as others enjoy the talents of those they have invested in.
Learn more about the Conservatory expansion and how you can make your own meaningful contribution.
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Nov 17, 2025
Your greatest gift may be the one not yet considered
The University of Missouri-Kansas City recently unveiled Blue & Bold: The Campaign for UMKC. People can support Kansas City’s top university in ways that work best for them with the Five Ts: time, treasure, talent, ties and testimony.
The Five Ts of philanthropy framework outlines meaningful ways to give back. Each "T" offers a distinct opportunity to support UMKC in ways that align with your personal values and strengths.
“There are many ways you can support the university — all of which are valued,” said UMKC Foundation President and Chief Advancement Officer Amanda Davis (MPA ’02). “We do need financial contributions, but we also need time, talent and connection.”
Time
Volunteering time is one of the most direct ways you can support the university. UMKC offers more than 60 constituent and community groups where people can serve on advisory boards, join committees or assist UMKC schools.
More ways people can support on a university-wide level:
Partner with Professional Career Escalators to mentor students and guide their career exploration from day one.
Share expertise and build connections within the UMKC community by joining Roo Network, the university’s online professional networking and mentoring platform.
Lend a hand at the Kangaroo Pantry in the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center by assisting with donation intake, welcoming and checking in pantry visitors and coordinating with donating partner organizations.
Want to give back to individual schools at UMKC? In addition to mid-year and spring commencement volunteer opportunities, each school offers unique ways to get involved.
Additional school-based opportunities:
Conservatory
Join the Conservatory Volunteer Program
School of Dentistry
Become a patient
School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Participate in psychology research
Treasure
Financial contributions help students thrive and programs flourish. People can make a secure online gift to the area that matters most to them or join Go-to Roos, the university’s recurring donor community, to provide consistent support through automatic monthly donations, complete with confirmation emails and annual tax receipts.
Before giving, donors should check whether their employer participates in the university’s employer matching gift program. Many companies will match — sometimes even triple — a donation, multiplying its impact and helping UMKC go even further together. In-kind gifts of goods or services, donated during a lifetime or through estate planning, offer another meaningful way to make a lasting impact, while faculty and staff have the option to contribute through payroll deduction.
“It’s incredibly meaningful when faculty and staff choose to give back,” Davis said. “They already dedicate long hours to the university, and then they go a step further through payroll deduction or other gifts. We want to celebrate that generosity and be careful stewards of those gifts — and all gifts we receive.”
Talent
At UMKC, professional skills and expertise are invaluable. Whether a person is a seasoned leader, creative thinker or an emerging professional, talent can make a big difference.
“We ask alumni to bring their talents back to UMKC, whether that’s serving on boards, helping with finance or governance or mentoring current students,” Davis said. “Those professional experiences make our programs stronger.”
Roo Network and Professional Career Escalators are great platforms to begin sharing talents with our community.
Ties
Personal and professional ties have the power to champion causes and amplify the university’s impact. UMKC Giving Day is an annual, 24-hour event dedicated to advancing the mission of the university while raising critical funding to provide transformational opportunities for our students.
Last year, the UMKC community raised over $1 million to support students and programs. Get involved and make a difference when Giving Day returns from noon to noon, March 3-4, 2026.
Testimony
Personal stories matter. Sharing a UMKC experience can inspire others to give and imagine their own future at UMKC. Whether online or face-to-face, individual voices amplify scholarships, programs and initiatives that will empower generations of students to come.
“When people share their stories about why they give, it inspires others to see how they can make an impact, too,” Davis said.
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Nov 14, 2025
Discover ways to give back to Veteran Support Services at UMKC, a three-time Military Friendly® Gold University
This Veterans Day, honor those who have served at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Whether through financial contributions or gifts of time and expertise, donor generosity helps student veterans thrive in the classroom and in civilian life.
Transitioning from military to civilian life comes with unique challenges, and UMKC is committed to walking that path alongside student veterans. The UMKC Office of Student Veteran Support Services is a one-stop shop for student veterans, offering scholarships, community programming, career development and outreach opportunities. With continued donor support, UMKC can expand these efforts to benefit more student veterans and their families.
Scholarships
The UMKC Office of Student Veteran Support Services provides unique, donor-funded scholarships to eligible student veterans and military-connected students.
“Receiving a scholarship has been an essential to continuing my studies and completing my degree while supporting my family,” said Jeffrey Eakins (B.A./M.A. ‘27), a retired U.S. Army veteran, husband and father of three. Eakins is also president of the UMKC Student Veterans Organization.
The Spencer C. Duncan Make It Count Award provides financial support to student veterans in honor of Duncan, who was killed in action in 2011. The funds are designated for use at the UMKC Bookstore, helping cover the cost of textbooks and supplies. The Spencer C. Duncan Make It Count Foundation has fully funded the award since 2013.
“We are grateful for their support and their impact on UMKC students over the years,” said Director of Major Giving Matt McDonough. “Because of the Spencer C. Duncan Make It Count Foundation, student veterans at UMKC have access to essential financial resources that help them achieve their academic goals."
The KAMO Adventures Veteran Scholarship supports disabled veterans with priority given to student veterans who have exhausted their educational benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).
“The KAMO Scholarship is a great honor to receive,” said U.S. Navy veteran William Fondren (BBA ‘26). “It feels like that’s an organization saying, ‘We have your back and believe in the direction you're going.’”
Valor Partners Honoring America's Promise funded by the Geraldine and RA Barrows Foundation, a UMB Trustee, provides financial support to dependents and spouses of veterans who are rated 100% disabled by the VA, were prisoners of war or were killed in action. The program is partially funded by Valor Partners, matched by UMKC and operates under a five-year memorandum of understanding set to expire at the end of the 2026-27 academic year.
The UMKC Foundation connects individuals, families and organizations with opportunities to support students through scholarships and other forms of financial aid. Contributions can be structured to reflect the donor’s goals, offer immediate assistance or build a legacy of support.
To get started, contact Director of Major Giving Matt McDonough, mmcdonough@umkcfoundation.org.
Beyond these donor-funded scholarships, UMKC Financial Aid and Scholarships offers additional scholarships and resources for student veterans.
Programming
Donor support can help student veterans thrive academically and build community with programming designed to promote togetherness, support academic success and prepare student veterans for career advancement.
The UMKC Office of Student Veteran Support Services hosts monthly lunch-and-learn sessions in the At Ease Zone, located on the third floor of the Student Union.
“For many veterans, finding others on campus who truly understand your experiences can be challenging,” Eakins said. “The At Ease Zone provided that sense of belonging for me. It’s a communal space where meaningful and lasting relationships are built.”
Off campus, an annual year-end celebration is hosted at Callsign Brewing, a veteran-owned business in North Kansas City.
Both events offer informal networking and educational opportunities, with expenses currently paid for by the UMKC Office of Student Veteran Support Services.
The UMKC Office of Student Veteran Support Services wishes to expand its programming with a peer mentoring initiative based on the nationally recognized Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) model.
“The program would require a one-time implementation fee, but would offer lasting, structured support for student veterans,” said Director for Student Veteran Support Services Eric Gormly.
To explore options that support university programming for student veterans, contact the UMKC Office of Student Veteran Support Services at umkc-vetbenefits@umkc.edu or 816-235-5599.
Career Readiness
Veterans and professionals in the Kansas City community are encouraged to volunteer their time and expertise to support student veterans preparing to enter the workforce.
The UMKC Office of Student Veteran Support Services collaborates with UMKC Career Services to provide tailored career development resources and opportunities.
“We bring in Career Services to lead resume workshops, mock interviews and elevator pitch coaching sessions for our students,” Gormly said. “Additionally, with our support, the Student Veterans Organization has welcomed outside speakers in the past, and we are always looking for more opportunities to connect students with industry professionals.”
Past guest speakers have featured VA hiring representatives who provided insights on federal employment pathways.
Outreach
Expanding outreach is a key priority for the UMKC Office of Student Veteran Support Services, and donor support makes it possible to connect with more veterans across the region.
Career and education fairs at nearby military installations, including Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth, Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood, are designed to introduce UMKC’s academic programs and support services to prospective student veterans.
“Attendance fees can total several hundred dollars per fair, and donor contributions can help cover these costs, allowing the university to build relationships with future students,” Gormly said.
The UMKC Office of Student Veteran Support Services also provides personalized items for student veterans, which are in limited supply. These include student veteran Roo shirts, notebooks embossed with the university seal and challenge coins for graduating veterans.
In the summer, UMKC hosts an orientation session for incoming student veterans to connect with campus and community resources such as the Kansas City VA Medical Center, Kansas City Vet Center and scholarship donors.
Combined, these outreach efforts strengthen the veteran community at UMKC and offer opportunities for donors to invest in students and continue these efforts.
“Leaving the military and coming back home was daunting,” Fondren said. “You start to realize some skills do not transfer over into civilian life, and education can help you find a translation for your skills. The UMKC Office of Student Veteran Support Services is the place where I can get all the information I need.”
For general inquiries, and to show your support for student veterans at UMKC, contact Director of Major Giving Matt McDonough, mmcdonough@umkcfoundation.org.
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Nov 11, 2025
Erin Carter is balancing books, babies and big dreams
When Erin Carter walks into a classroom at Henry W. Bloch School of Management, she’s not just a student. She’s a mother of four, first-generation college student and aspiring chief marketing officer.
Carter’s journey to UMKC began at Metropolitan Community College, where she earned her associate degree while pregnant with her youngest child. Motivated by a desire to secure a better future for her children and experience college in person, Carter transferred to UMKC to pursue a bachelor’s degree in marketing.“I wanted to be here,” Carter said. “I wanted to experience college in person. I wanted to be on campus and not just online.”Carter is the first in her family to attend college. That legacy weighs on her, but it also fuels her.“I want my kids to see that no matter your age or background, you can build a better life,” Carter said.
Support from UMKC has helped make that possible. Carter is a recipient of the UMKC Student Parent Success Grant, which provides financial assistance and resources to student parents balancing academics and caregiving.“The Student Parent Success Grant has been more than financial support,” Carter said. “It gave me the ability to focus on my education without constantly worrying about whether I was taking away from my kids’ needs. That support has helped me stay motivated and confident on my journey to graduation.”At UMKC, Carter quickly noticed a gap in student organizations focused on marketing. She helped revive the Marketing Leadership Association, creating opportunities for students to build real-world marketing portfolios through a partnership with Wayside Waifs, a local animal shelter.“I wanted to make sure people had something to show when they graduate,” Carter said. In addition to her own drive to succeed, Carter credits her professors for playing a key role in her progress. Adjunct professor David Patrick connected her to a one-day internship at his firm after she shared concerns about balancing internship opportunities with her responsibilities as a student parent.
“In a class of high achievers, she was a clear standout,” Patrick said. “Her peers identified her as one of the students they learned the most from, and her group ranked her highest in quality and quantity of work contribution. When I needed an intern for my company’s High Performance Marketing Boot Camp event, Erin quickly came to mind.”That experience ultimately led to a marketing internship at Tier One Solutions, a women-owned agency.
“I told him I needed help,” Carter said. “He listened. He didn’t judge me. That changed everything.”Carter’s ability to juggle school, work and parenting all at once boils down to relentless time management, which is evidenced by a wall of calendars at home. But Carter also leans on something less tangible: discipline.“I just kept showing up,” Carter said. “Even if my hair was messy or I didn’t have coffee — I showed up.”Carter’s goals are ambitious. She wants to become a chief marketing officer, work in brand strategy and eventually give back to Kansas City through mentorship and civic engagement.“I want to lead,” Carter said. “Anyone can be in a leadership position, but not everyone can be a leader. Plus, I’m doing this for my kids. I want them to see that you can do hard things.”
Carter’s story is part of the university’s broader effort to support non-traditional and first-generation students through scholarships and student support programs such as First Gen Roo, helping ignite the potential in every student. For Carter, that potential is already in motion.
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Nov 05, 2025
Journalist James B. Steele credits UMKC education for shaping investigative career
James B. Steele (B.A. '67, H.D. '04) is an American investigative journalist and author. For 40 years, he and writing collaborator Donald L. Barlett wrote for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Time and Vanity Fair and authored nine books. They were awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1975 for the series "Auditing the IRS" and again in 1989 for the series "The Great Tax Giveaway."
Steele began his career at The Kansas City Times while he attended UMKC. He recently was in Kansas City, where he delivered remarks to launch Blue & Bold: The Campaign for UMKC, and also spoke to a pre-journalism class at UMKC. Steele talked about how his career and life were shaped by his education at UMKC.
You’ve won two Pulitzer Prizes and built a legendary career in investigative journalism. How did UMKC help shape that path?
UMKC was pivotal for me. I came here in 1964 while working full-time as a young reporter at The Kansas City Times. I’d take classes in the morning, then go cover crime, politics and civic events until midnight. It wasn’t easy, but the teachers here pushed me. They challenged my thinking and demanded more of me. What I learned about research, organization and discipline at UMKC became the foundation for everything I did later as an investigative reporter.
Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Jim Steele, second from left in back, visited with students in a pre-journalism class taught by Steve Kraske. Steele is a UMKC alumnus.| Photo by Stacy Downs, UMKC
You’ve mentioned an influential experience with a professor who steered you away from Hemingway and toward Faulkner. What did that lesson mean to you?
(Laughs.) Yes, that was my senior special readings course. I wanted to write about Hemingway — I’d read everything he wrote. My adviser saw through that and said: ‘You already know Hemingway. Why not Faulkner?’ I resisted. I didn’t like Faulkner back then. But he stood his ground. So I dove in and, much to my surprise, came to admire Faulkner deeply. That experience taught me a lifelong lesson: education isn’t about doing only what you like. It’s about being nudged into uncomfortable territory and discovering something new about yourself.
You often say that UMKC taught you how to think for yourself. What do you mean by that?
My English and history professors didn’t let us take the easy way out. They taught me how to research, how to analyze and how to structure complex information. In journalism, you’re constantly sifting through records, data, interviews — trying to make sense of it all. That’s what UMKC prepared me for. Historical research and long papers sound tedious, but they trained me to ask questions and keep digging until I found the truth.
You’re known for your meticulous research with your late writing partner, Donald Barlett. What draws you to that side of journalism?
Research is the most rewarding part. It’s like working a jigsaw puzzle — one piece doesn’t mean much by itself, but as you collect the others, the full picture emerges. It’s not glamorous. One Swedish journalist once wrote that Barlett and Steele were ‘about as exciting as watching paint dry.’ (Laughs.) But the results are anything but dull. Facts can be dramatic. They tell stories of power, policy and people — how decisions made at the top affect everyday Americans. That’s what keeps me at it.
Your work in the early 1990s predicted the decline of America’s middle class, long before it became conventional wisdom. How do you see that work today?
Back then, our analysis of tax, employment and trade data showed that the American middle class was shrinking. It was controversial at the time, but it’s undeniable now. The causes are still debated, but the trend is clear. It reinforced for me that facts — cold, hard facts — are essential to understanding our society. As I like to say, facts are the road to the truth.
Legendary investigative journalist Jim Steele talks to a pre-journalism class about what he learned as a student at UMKC. | Photo by Steve Kraske, UMKC
When you think about UMKC today, what stands out to you?
The campus still feels like an intellectual haven — green, welcoming, solid. The library was my favorite place. It was where I learned to love research. Coming back reminded me how much the university gave me, not just academically but personally. I wouldn’t have been able to attend without working my way through, and that’s why I believe in scholarships and professorships — investments in human potential. Education is about helping human beings grow.
What are your thoughts on the Blue & Bold campaign?
I admire that the Blue & Bold campaign goes beyond funding bricks and mortar — it’s about investing in human beings. It strengthens lives by supporting scholarships and professorships, creating opportunities that change futures. For me, it’s also deeply personal. It connects my own journey to today’s students. I wouldn’t have been able to attend college without UMKC’s support, especially while helping to support my family — just as so many students are doing now.
What advice would you give today’s students?
First, give your teachers some slack. When they push you, they’re doing you a favor. That’s how learning happens. Be patient and open to being challenged. Second, use the library — really use it. Explore, read, experiment. And if you want to write, read everything: the good, the bad, the brilliant. You learn by seeing how others put words and ideas together. There’s nothing quite like reading a master at work.
You’ve called UMKC “the place where I got what I needed.” What did you mean by that?
It reminds me of Mick Jagger’s line: ‘You can’t always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need.’ I didn’t always realize it then, dragging myself to class after a long shift at the newspaper, but UMKC gave me exactly what I needed: teachers who cared, who made me think harder and dig deeper. They helped me build the foundation that carried me through my entire career. For that, I’ll always be grateful.
You ended your UMKC remarks with a story about French writer André Maurois. Why did it resonate with you?
Maurois taught briefly here in the 1940s and wrote that he would ‘miss this lovely spot and these mutual friendships.’ That line captures what I feel, too. Like him, I left Kansas City but carried its influence with me for decades. Returning to UMKC reminded me that what happens here — the mentoring, the curiosity, the drive to understand — stays with you for life. And that’s something worth celebrating.
Finally, what keeps you motivated after a lifetime in journalism?
The pursuit of truth. The belief that facts matter. That’s what journalism — and education — are really about. They’re both acts of faith in the idea that, given enough light, people will see clearly. And it all started for me here at UMKC.
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Nov 05, 2025
Meet Troy Nash, industry leader, Kansas City native and four-time UMKC alumnus
Troy Nash (J.D. ’97, M.A. ’05, M.A. ’11, MBA ’13) will serve as director of the Lewis White Real Estate Center. Nash brings more than two decades of leadership in public-private partnerships, economic development and community engagement.
Nash first joined the University of Missouri-Kansas City as a student in 1994 and returned in 2023 as a faculty member at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. He previously served as executive vice president and principal at Newmark Zimmer and is a U.S. Air Force veteran and a former Kansas City councilman.
Nash joins the Lewis White Real Estate Center as UMKC welcomes a bold new chapter in its history. With bold plans himself, Nash is ready to propel Bloch forward as a leader in commercial real estate education.
What is your vision for the future?
My vision is to position the Lewis White Real Estate Center as the Midwest’s leading platform for real estate entrepreneurship and innovation. We’ll honor its legacy of academic excellence while expanding into emerging areas, like AI-driven market analysis and community-based development. Students will learn to model deals, assess risk and forecast market trends using cutting-edge tools. The goal is to prepare students not just to enter the industry, but to reshape it.
What immediate steps are you taking to engage with students, faculty and the real estate community?
We’re launching Real Estate Leaders of Tomorrow, a new series designed to connect students with industry leaders, expand internship pipelines and integrate case-based learning into the classroom. I’m also meeting with faculty and civic partners to align our programming with market needs and community aspirations.
We will convene thought leaders on pressing issues: housing affordability, climate resilience, urban revitalization and ethical development. UMKC should be the voice that asks not just, ‘Can we build it?,’ but ‘Should we build it and for whom?’
How is the Lewis White Real Estate Center advancing Bloch’s vision for inclusive prosperity?
Entrepreneurship is a powerful engine for prosperity. By embedding entrepreneurial thinking into our curriculum and partnerships, we help students launch ventures and lead developments that uplift neighborhoods, expand access and create long-term value for communities. That is how we align with Bloch’s mission, by turning ideas into impact.
What personal and professional significance does this role hold for you?
This appointment is deeply personal. I grew up in Kansas City housing projects. Those early experiences shaped my understanding of the built environment, not just as a physical space, but as a determinant of opportunity, dignity and health. Professionally, this role represents the convergence of my life’s work: real estate development, public service and education. It’s a chance to empower students with the tools to lead, innovate and build communities that reflect both entrepreneurial spirit and community purpose.
Why did you choose UMKC?
UMKC believed in me when I was just a kid with ambition and no roadmap. Bloch gave me the academic rigor, mentorship and flexibility to pursue law, business and public service, all while staying rooted in Kansas City. It’s more than a school to me; it’s where my journey began and where I now help others begin theirs.
About the Lewis White Real Estate Center
The Lewis White Real Estate Center employs an interdisciplinary approach to teaching real estate through the application of cutting-edge techniques and entrepreneurial thinking processes that are essential for success in the context of today’s increasingly dynamic real estate world.
The Lewis White Real Estate Center enables UMKC students and the Kansas City community to study all aspects of commercial real estate, including real estate finance, appraisal, development and asset management. Programs include a Master of Science in entrepreneurial real estate and a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in real estate.
Oct 30, 2025
15 alumni and one family were honored April 17
The University of Missouri-Kansas City Class of 2026 Alumni Award recipients include a radiologist who was the Chiefs Fan of the Year, a viral Eras Tour dancer and a CEO of a nonprofit.
Each year, UMKC recognizes a select group of alumni for their inspirational accomplishments. The event is the university’s largest event supporting student completion grants, which help cover financial holds that could otherwise be a barrier to students graduating.
The Class of 2026 awardees were honored during a celebration on April 17 at the Student Union.
University-Wide Alumni Awardees
Alumna of the Year
Amy K. Patel (BLA ’10/M.D. ’11) is a board-certified radiologist who specializes in breast imaging. Patel is the Medical Director of The Breast Care Center at Liberty Hospital, Associate Member of The University of Kansas Cancer Center and Clinical Associate Professor at The University of Kansas School of Medicine.
Patel is a staunch advocate for patients receiving access to standard radiological care, particularly in the realm of annual mammography screening beginning at age 40. She assisted in the passage of a 2018 bill in Missouri ensuring annual screening coverage for 2D and 3D mammography beginning at age 40 for women at average risk, a 2020 bill ensuring coverage for above-average-risk women in accordance with American College of Radiology recommendations and was involved in the 2023 passage of diagnostic breast imaging legislation eliminating co-pays and deductibles.
As a result of her advocacy efforts, she was the 2021 recipient of the Kansas City Medical Society's Patient and Community Advocate Award. She was also named a 2022 Lamar Hunt Legacy Honoree and the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs Fan of the Year due to her community impact to close the gap between breast care disparities and her love for the Chiefs.
Spotlight Award
Daniel R. Wildcat (Ph.D. ’06) is a Yuchi member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma and a leading voice in Indigenous culture and environmental issues. A longtime educator at Haskell Indian Nations University, Wildcat has spent over four decades advancing Native knowledge systems through teaching, research and public engagement.
Wildcat founded the Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Working Group and co-led national climate workshops with leaders like Winona LaDuke. His work has been supported by agencies including NASA, National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency and he currently leads a $20 million NSF-funded initiative to establish the Rising Voices, Changing Coasts Research Hub at Haskell Indian Nations University.
The Bill French Alumni Service Award
Jerry (H.A.) and Patty Reece (M.A. ’71) have long been supporters and advocates for UMKC. They jointly funded a $500,000 endowed scholarship to benefit future teachers in the UMKC Institute for Urban Education program and recently served as honorary co-chairs of the 2024 Crescendo Gala in support of the Conservatory.
A UMKC Trustee since 2004, Jerry Reece became a member of the board of the UMKC Foundation in 2019 and served as Chair from 2022 to 2024. With former UMKC Chancellor Leo Morton, he served as co-chair of the Institute for Urban Education Advisory Council, supporting the creation of a high-quality teacher workforce prepared for and committed to serving urban-based schools. In May 2025, he received the prestigious Hugh J. Zimmer Award for Excellence in Urban Education.
Beyond her work with UMKC, Patty Reece has been a committed volunteer for the arts, historic preservation and conservation in both Kansas City and the Flint Hills in Kansas. She served Symphony in the Flint Hills during its formative years as chair of a broad range of committees, as well as Chair of the board. She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Kansas Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, serving on various committees and as past board chair. In 2015, the couple founded “Volland Foundation, A Place for Art and Community,” in the Flint Hills near Alma, Kansas, where she continues to serve as board president and director.
Defying the Odds Award
Tiffany S.W. Hamilton (BLA ’03, M.A. ’09) is the chief executive officer of the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester in New York, where she leads one of the region’s most influential nonprofits. Under her leadership, the organization serves thousands across Westchester County through programs in affordable housing, childcare, youth empowerment, economic advancement and wellness.
Hamilton is a first-generation college graduate who attended UMKC on a full academic scholarship in computer science while raising her four-year-old daughter. Sixteen weeks before graduation, she made a bold decision to shift her major from computer science to liberal arts, choosing purpose over predictability and setting the course for a life dedicated to education. She began her professional career at UMKC, where she served as a recruiter, assistant director of admissions and, ultimately, director of multicultural student affairs. In these roles, she helped countless first-generation and underrepresented students navigate college and find community. Her deep commitment to inclusion and student success led to her appointment as assistant dean of students for student success, where she expanded pathways for academic persistence and belonging.
Today, as a nonprofit CEO, she applies that same vision to strengthen communities and empower women and girls. A proud member and current president of the Westchester Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Tiffany also serves on the boards of Nonprofit Westchester and the Urban League of Greater Kansas City.
Legacy Family Award
For two generations, the Spartan-Haerer family has used its UMKC education to advance their careers and the region. Steve Spartan (B.A. ’70, M.A. ’75, M.A ’76) attended school and worked at UMKC from 1965-1976, receiving a bachelor’s in economics, a master’s in economics and a master’s in social psychology. He also holds a doctorate. While attending UMKC, Steve met his wife, Karen Spartan (B.A. ’70) (maiden name Haerer) who attended school and worked at UMKC from 1966-1975, receiving a bachelor’s degree in economics.
While the couple was attending UMKC, they encouraged their siblings to seek higher education as well. Steve’s sister, Joanne Zicarelli (maiden name Spartan) attended UMKC in 1972-1973. Karen’s sister, Susan Deatherage (B.A. ’79) (maiden name Haerer) attended school and worked at UMKC from 1968-1979, receiving a bachelor’s in economics. And Steve’s sister, Christina Seneff (B.A. ’80) (maiden name Spartan) attended UMKC from 1976-1980, receiving a bachelor’s in psychology.
Fast forward nearly 20 years and the next generation followed in their footsteps. William Haerer (B.A. ’95) (son of Susan Deatherage) received a bachelor’s in psychology. Vanessa Spartan (B.A. ’06) (daughter of Steve and Karen Spartan) attended and worked at UMKC from 2003-15, receiving a bachelor’s in urban planning and design. Anastasia Spartan worked and completed graduate courses at UMKC. Paige Zicarelli (Pharm.D. ’17) (daughter-in-law of Joanne Zicarelli) received a Doctor of Pharmacy.
In total, nine family members are UMKC alumni. Many gave back during their time at UMKC and the years following including working in staff positions, serving on boards and committees, as well as adjunct teaching positions. The Spartan-Haerer family exemplifies a multi-generational dedication to higher education, public service and community engagement, a testament to the power of education passed from one generation to the next and the lasting influence UMKC has on students and families alike.
School Alumni Achievement Awardees
Conservatory: Kameron N. Saunders (BFA) | Professional Dancer for artists including Taylor Swift and Choreographer
School of Dentistry: Jennifer Pieren (M.S. ’11) | Adjunct Faculty, Youngstown State University
School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences: Jennifer Collier (Ed.S. ’08, Ed.D. ’18) | Superintendent, Kansas City Public Schools
Henry W. Bloch School of Management: Kevin Lewis (MBA ’04) | CEO and President, Board of Directors, Henderson Engineers
School of Humanities and Social Sciences: Joseph W. McBride (B.A. ’86) | Senior Manager for Parking and Ground Transportation, Kansas City Aviation Department
School of Law: Puanani Norwood (J.D. ’15) | Office Managing Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
School of Medicine: Steven Miller (B.A. ’82/M.D. ’83) | Retired Executive VP and Chief Clinical Officer, Cigna Inc.
School of Nursing and Health Studies: Michele Baker (BHS ’18) | Policy Coordinator, Global Climate and Health Alliance
School of Pharmacy: Tripp Logan (Pharm.D. ’02) | Community Pharmacist, Logan & Seiler, Inc
School of Science and Engineering: Salil Talauliker (M.S. ’01) | Managing Partner, Creative Capsule
If you would like to donate to student completion grants, you can make a contribution online on the UMKC Alumni Association website.
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Oct 30, 2025
The KC Streetcar connects campus and community
The KC Streetcar is now open for riders at the University of Missouri-Kansas City stop at 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard!
Fittingly, opening day of the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension on Oct. 24 was World Kangaroo Day because UMKC Roos and the city were hopping with a string of celebrations.
The morning started with a Kansas City celebration at the university’s neighboring Country Club Plaza stop, complete with a UMKC-wrapped Roo blue and gold streetcar spotlighting students and alumni. KC Roo pushed the ceremonial switch to start the first car bound south to the southernmost stop to UMKC with Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Tom Gerend, executive director of KC Streetcar Authority inside for the inaugural ride.
"This is a historic day for not only UMKC but all of Kansas City," Agrawal told media who gathered at UMKC for the morning-to-evening festivities.
Read More About UMKC KC Streetcar
Expanded Opportunities
The expanded KC Streetcar line opens up a world of possibilities for students, faculty and the broader community. The KC Streetcar is free to ride and connects UMKC to a vibrant corridor stretching through the Country Club Plaza, Midtown, Downtown Kansas City, the Crossroads Arts District, the Power & Light District and all the way to the River Market.
For UMKC students, this means even easier access to job and internship opportunities to complement the world-class education they get at Kansas City’s only Carnegie Research 1 university. They also can use the streetcar to get to housing, restaurants, nightlife, museums and cultural events.
"The streetcar is now going through the heart of Kansas City and to the largest university in Kansas City: the University of Missouri-Kansas City," Gerend told a crowd of hundreds who gathered even in a steady drizzle to celebrate the opening. "I want to thank all of you from downtown to UMKC to everyone all over the city who believed we could make this happen."
Next Stop: UMKC
UMKC Volker Campus isn’t just for students and employees. It’s a destination for all UMKC neighbors in Kansas City to enjoy. Whether you’re looking to cheer on NCAA Division 1 athletes, get support for your business, catch a show or just take a stroll through campus, there’s something for everyone at Kansas City’s top university.
Elected leaders and city officials provided remarks and attended festivities, including UMKC alumni Sharice Davids (BBA '07), U.S. representative for Kansas; George Guastello II (BBA '82, MBA '84), president and CEO at Union Station Kansas City; and Jan Marcason (MBA '99), city councilmember of Kansas City.
"This expanded streetcar is going to connect River Market all the way down to UMKC, where I graduated from," Davids said. "I do have to say as a former UMKC student, I absolutely would have loved to jump on this thing from Broadway Café and get to class. When I was walking to class and getting where I needed to go, I can tell you this would’ve made life so much easier. Passengers get to ride for free, and it’s going to make life a bit easier for folks to get to jobs, to school and to visit local businesses."
Celebrating on Campus
UMKC students, faculty, staff and visitors celebrated the opening at Student Union, where they were given UMKC streetcar T-shirt and totes and donuts and cider while the Mob Band played. Partygoers posed for pics with streetcar cutouts.
It's A Wrap!
UMKC has a streetcar decked in Roo blue and gold inside out, designed by UMKC Strategic Marketing and Communication. The exterior shows off our UMKC students and alumni: Pharmacy student Calvin Flemons is the one in the white coat; Bryson Gosch, Men's Soccer player is kicking a ball; Laney Mabry (BBA '25) is wearing a Roos shirt; and Hannah Ruf (BBA '25) is the one in grad cap among. The UMKC logo is accompanied by the words "World Class. Right Now." and celebrates UMKC's Carnegie Research 1 designation.
A Roo with Heart
The UMKC stop includes a KC Heart sculpture designed by UMKC urban planning and design student, Ben Walters. Walters designed the streetcar-inspired heart for the 2024 Parade of Hearts. It was generously donated by his employer, Synetic Technologies, to live permanently at the KC Streetcar stop!
Learning in Action
UMKC engineering students tour KC Streetcar constuction in April 2023.
UMKC students were active participants throughout the planning and construction of the $352 million KC Streetcar Main Street extension through experiences including:
Construction site tours with the builders
Internships with Kansas City firms working on the KC Streetcar
Senior capstone classes collaborating with the KC Streetcar Authority and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
Built by Roos
UMKC urban planning student Elliot Smith was one of many students who worked on the Main Street extension via an internship.
This streetcar extension did not just arrive at UMKC, our Roos helped shape it. UMKC students and alumni played key roles in the design, engineering, urban planning, marketing and logistics that brought the Main Street Extension to life.
KC Streetcar History
Want to know more about Kansas City's streetcar history? UMKC professor David Trowbridge has a virtual audio tour of sites along the KC Streetcar route available on the Clio History App.
Oct 24, 2025
App developed by UMKC history professor now includes immersive virtual tours
Imagine if all you could discover the history behind buildings and other landmarks as you move through a city, or with the touch of a button, you could experience a guided walking tour that included first-hand accounts. Thanks to the work of over 500 museums, historical societies, universities, libraries and other organizations around the country, that’s now a possibility in the free mobile application, Clio.
“Clio picks up your location when you're in the app,” said David Trowbridge, a professor of history at UMKC and the app’s developer. “There's an arrow that will guide you and tell you how many feet you need to go. You can take a walking tour, browse nearby landmarks or even create and save your own itinerary based on a growing library of over 35,000 landmarks throughout the U.S.”
The beauty of an app like Clio is that it makes what is old feel new again. With the expansion of the KC Streetcar, continuing south to the UMKC Volker campus from downtown Kansas City, Trowbridge added a new tour about the history, both around and of the line itself, of cable car travel in Kansas City.
“Our new streetcar history trail starts at the River Market and ends at UMKC,” Trowbridge said. “We have original audio with interesting KC people along the route, so you can hear the owner of the Steamboat Arabia museum as you pass the museum or leaders of Kansas City Public Library as you approach the library. There are local historians, KCUR’s Steve Kraske, some KC leaders and even an Academy Award winner as narrators.”
Trowbridge launched the tour quietly in February of 2025, months before the streetcar extension opened. By the time the UMKC stop opened to the public, the tour already had more than 1,500 listeners.
David Trowbridge, developer of Clio
Clio began as a local history project at Marshall University, where Trowbridge was teaching at the time.
“I was just trying to figure out a way to really reach my students,” Trowbridge said. “They had a very strong sense of place, of things in their hometown, things in their county. So, I said ‘Let's start with that. Tell me the history of a place that matters to you.’”
Students embraced the challenge, and before long, draft articles that began with online research inspired students to visit libraries and archives, make phone calls, and record interviews of people in their community.
“When students found one source, it led them to another and they cared so deeply about getting the history right that they often edit their Clio entries after the semester ends,” Trowbridge said. “Can you imagine a school project you want to keep working on the project when the class is over?”
Eventually the project outgrew his technology skills, but Trowbridge and his students wanted to keep it going.
“At that time, I barely used a smart phone, but when I saw the way my students dug in to the project, I knew I had to keep building,” he said.
Trowbridge formed a non-profit so that Clio would always be free and open, and soon, what began as a class project turned into a website and app used by other historians to share the history of their communities. He named the platform Clio in honor of the ancient muse of history. Funded by donations and grants, the app grew from the entries of one class to more than 38,000 entries all across the nation, including 1,400 walking tours that allow users to experience the history around them in real time. No cell phone to download the app? No problem. Anyone with internet access can browse the entries in a web browser as well.
As museums and historical sites around the country were working to deliver their experience in a virtual world, Trowbridge worked to build a free platform that was intentionally designed for museums and sites.
“I looked at the virtual tours that were being created during the pandemic, and they were pretty good,” Trowbridge said, “but I knew we could build something a little better that could work both virtually and in-person.” The solution was a 360° immersive experience, complete with museum maps and interactive content that allowed you to see extra materials and videos from museum experts, something you do not always experience at museums when you visit in-person. Trowbridge uses a LiDAR scanner connected to a 360° camera to build an interactive map and then records and embeds text, video, photos and links related to each artifact and exhibit.
Even after this huge addition to the app, Trowbridge isn’t going to stop there. In addition to expanding into STEM and Art exhibits, next steps for Clio include geofencing, so users can get push notifications about entries when they’re out and about on vacation or in their hometown.
“One of the major points is the serendipity factor,” Trowbridge said. “You can’t search on Google for what you don’t know. It works a lot better if you just open up the app and it shows you what's nearby.”
If you are interested in exploring Clio for yourself, it is available in app stores and online at theclio.com.
Oct 23, 2025
Explore Kansas City along streetcar south expansion
The KC Streetcar now runs to UMKC. With its terminal stop at our front door at the UMKC Volker Campus, it’s now even easier for Roos to take advantage of all our hometown has to offer and for our community to visit Kansas City’s university. Plan your next adventure with these iconic spots.
UMKC at 51st & Brookside
Home to Kansas City’s top university! We may be biased, but this area is our favorite, and we can’t wait to share it with the rest of the community. Grab a coffee or slice of pizza, take a walk on the miles of trails, stock up on your weekly essentials, earn your degree or catch a UMKC Roos athletic event or performance all in one spot.
UMKC Volker Campus
Kansas City Roos Athletics
National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
Whole Foods
Pizza 51
Crow’s Coffee
Ding Dog Dogs
Harry Wiggins Trolley Track Trail
Plaza at Cleaver II & Main
The Country Club Plaza offers some of the region’s best shopping and dining, with everything from affordable to luxury and trendy to timeless. Grab a bite to eat or spend the day window-shopping in this historic district. Or take a jog or stroll around Mill Creek Park, highlighted by its beautiful and oft-photographed fountain.
Country Club Plaza
Mill Creek Park
Art Museums at 45th & Main
Spend a rainy day at two of Kansas City’s most iconic museums or meet up with a friend from the Kansas City Art Institute! On a nice day, enjoy a picnic on the lawn of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and watch out for community events you won’t want to miss.
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Arts
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Kansas City Art Institute
Southmoreland at 43rd and Main
Power up with a coffee, tea from Starbucks or QuikTrip.
Starbucks
Ragazza Food and Wine
QuikTrip
Westport at 39th and Main
Enjoy some of Kanas City’s most iconic nightlife at 39th and Main, near Westport. Shop, eat and play in this historic district, just a quick ride from the UMKC Volker Campus.
Madrid Theatre
Unicorn Theatre
Soli Deo - Coffee + BakeryCheval Hand Crafted Cocktails
Pryde’s Old Westport
Mills Record Company
Westport Nightlife
Armour at 35th and Main
Plan your next book club meetup at Bliss Wine and Books or Mother Earth Coffee, both a quick, tree-lined walk from the Armour and Main streetcar stop.
Mother Earth Coffee
Bliss Wine and Books
Mainstreet Tavern
Union Hill at 31st & Main
At 31st and Main, you’re just a quick walk from Martini Corner, one of Kansas City’s hidden gems for a cup of joe or a bite to eat.
The Russell Restaurant & Catering Company
Gates Bar-B-Q
Martini Corner
WW1 Museum & Memorial at 27th & Main
Hop off the streetcar at 27th and Main and access the world-renowned National World War I Museum and Memorial with a perfect view of downtown Kansas City. Within a ten-minute walk you can enjoy local shops and restaurants, spend some time at the Federal Reserve’s Money Museum, or take a 1.5 mile stroll to the UMKC Health Sciences District.
UMKC Health Sciences District
WWI Museum and Memorial
Federal Reserve Money Museum
Succotash
Oct 23, 2025
7 takeaways elevating Kansas City’s Carnegie Research 1 University
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal addressed the campus and community at the 2025 State of the University, celebrating UMKC’s momentum and unveiling bold new initiatives.
Agrawal celebrated the university’s record-setting achievements and unveiled an ambitious plan for its next era—one marked by continued enrollment growth, national research recognition, new facilities and an unprecedented fundraising campaign.
“We are at a historic inflection point,” Agrawal said. “Years from now, we will look back on this moment as the one that launched the next wave of transformation for UMKC, Kansas City, our state and beyond.”
1. The Blue & Bold Campaign: A $700 Million Investment in the Future
The chancellor capped off his address by launching Blue & Bold: The Campaign for UMKC, the largest fundraising effort in university history, with a goal of $700 million.
The campaign will add $100 million to student endowments to expand scholarships; invest in new and renovated facilities; increase endowed faculty positions; and support innovation, research and community programs.
“Blue & Bold is more than a campaign,” Agrawal said. “It’s a commitment to possibility—a belief that UMKC’s best days are still ahead.”
2. Powering the Region Through Research Innovation: An Institute for Advanced Materials and Applications
Earlier this year, UMKC joined the ranks of the nation’s top research universities, achieving the coveted Carnegie Research 1 classification and placing it among the top 6% of four-year institutions nationwide. Research expenditures have surged 216% since 2015, from $27 million to a projected $79 million in 2025.
“When we achieved Carnegie Research 1 status, it marked a historic milestone, but not a finish line,” Agrawal said. “It’s a new standard we now have to meet and surpass every single day.”
Agrawal announced a new Institute for Advanced Materials and Applications, and also spotlighted Critical Materials Crossroads, which recently was selected by the National Science Foundation Regional Engines Innovation program as one of 15 finalists out of 285 universities competing for a 10-year, $160 million grant. The next step is a National Science Foundation site visit in January.
Critical materials include minerals like nickel and lithium that are essential to modern life, used in products such as computer chips, batteries, medical equipment and turbines for planes. Yet the United States must import most of these minerals from places like China and Korea. It is a national-security risk, and the UMKC-led project could help alleviate that situation.
The proposed Critical Materials Crossroads project could generate $17 billion in economic impact and create more than 10,000 jobs in the Kansas City region by establishing a U.S.-based refining and research hub for essential materials like nickel and cobalt.
“This is the time to be ambitious,” Agrawal said. “We must aim high. We must be bold.”
3. New Degree Programs, Including AI
Innovative new degree programs are another way UMKC aims to attract new students. This year, the UMKC freshman class size increased again, meaning that three years in a row that UMKC has broken the record for the largest incoming class of first-time college students in the university’s history. Total first-time-to college enrollment has grown 28% in the past decade, during a time when many universities are seeing declining enrollment and even closure in the face of a shrinking population of high school graduates nationwide.
In the past year, in response to workforce needs, UMKC has added a Bachelor of Architecture, an Online Master of Legal Studies and a Master of Business Administration in Business Analytics. These new programs are exceeding enrollment expectations. This coming year, UMKC will seek approval to add bachelor’s and master’s degrees in AI.
Another innovation on the drawing boards is a three-year bachelor’s degree. Select disciplines, pending approval, would develop reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees that will help lower costs and debt for students.
4. A New Merit Scholarship
UMKC continues to strengthen its Culture of Care, expanding financial and academic supports designed to help students persist and succeed.
The university introduced the Blue and Gold Distinguished Award, a new scholarship that will provide $7,500 annually to high-achieving students from Missouri and Kansas, helping families reduce college costs and ensuring access to a world-class UMKC education.
5. Transformative Campus Projects on the Horizon
KC Streetcar will arrive at UMKC’s front door with its new stop opening on Oct. 24. In addition, three major capital projects will reshape the university’s physical footprint and student experience:
Olson Performing Arts Center Expansion—$35 million, breaking ground in 2026
Atterbury Student Success Center Renovation—to be complete in 2026
Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building—$145 million, the largest capital project in UMKC history, opening in 2027
These projects will provide new state-of-the-art facilities for the arts, healthcare education and student success.
6. Introducing Roo Ventures
UMKC is launching Roo Ventures, a new commercialization and entrepreneurship hub that connects researchers, students and industry to bring innovations from campus to the marketplace.
“Roo Ventures will help our faculty and students form startups, license technologies, find investments and forge partnerships that turn UMKC discoveries into Missouri jobs, economic growth and national competitiveness,” Agrawal said.
7. A New Notable-Speaker Lecture Series
Starting next year, UMKC will launch a new tradition that brings some of the world’s most accomplished thinkers—Nobel laureates, Pulitzer winners and innovators—to our campus. The series will renew and reinforce UMKC’s role as a gathering place for ideas and meaningful dialogue, a place of light.
“Here is a teaser: we will start next year with a Nobel laureate in physics who has advised several famous Hollywood productions on black holes and time travel,” Agrawal said.
Agrawal closed his address with optimism and gratitude, urging the UMKC community to continue pushing forward together.
“This is our time. This is our moment. Our movement. Together, we will write it—and we will live it.”
Interested in Giving to UMKC?
Explore ways you can support scholarships and student success.
Oct 17, 2025
Blue & Bold aims to empower students, advance research and elevate communities
The University of Missouri-Kansas City has launched the largest fundraising campaign in its 92-year history, a transformational initiative to improve lives through education, research, economic development and community engagement.
UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal joined students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and partners to kick off the campaign today at the State of the University with a celebration on campus.
“While our goal is ambitious, it will help us keep growing and thriving at a time when we’re already riding an incredible wave,” Agrawal said. “I’m inviting you to help turn today’s momentum into tomorrow’s breakthroughs to strengthen not just our university, but also our community and our world.”
With a goal to raise $700 million, the comprehensive campaign, Blue & Bold, is focused on funding three priorities to elevate UMKC’s mission in service to the region and globe: scholarships and student support; innovation, technology and entrepreneurial education as a national top-tier Carnegie Research 1 institution; and community engagement through services including healthcare, workforce development and other critical needs. The campaign has raised $335,869,017.02, nearly halfway towards its goal.
“UMKC is extraordinary. It's a place where care and generosity are woven into the culture, and where service and scholarship extend beyond the campus,” said Amanda Davis (MPA ’07), UMKC chief advancement officer and president of the UMKC Foundation. “Blue & Bold demonstrates what is possible when philanthropy combines with a deep commitment to vision and hard work.”
Learn more about Blue & Bold: The Campaign for UMKC at go.umkc.edu/bold
Blue & Bold will invest a minimum of $250 million in the infrastructure of UMKC campuses, building and renovating to ensure the university’s talented students and faculty have access to facilities that spark brilliance and change. Examples include the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building on the Health Sciences Campus, which is set to be completed in 2026. This funding also will go to the expansion of the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center and a newly renovated Atterbury Welcome Center, both in the heart of the Volker Campus.
The campaign will also ensure the future by adding a further $100 million to UMKC’s endowments, providing an average of $50 million in annual support to students, faculty and programs in all areas across the university.
Blue & Bold is supported by a volunteer campaign committee co-chaired by Nelson Sabates (B.A. ’83/M.D. ’86), who has served as professor and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology for more than 20 years at UMKC and University Health, and his wife, Rachael Sabates.
The couple and their children are also UMKC donors. In 2024, the family pledged a multimillion-dollar contribution, the largest alumni donation the UMKC School of Medicine has received, to the university’s largest capital project to date: the five-story, 160,000-square-foot Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building in the UMKC Health Sciences District.
“The Blue & Bold Campaign is about believing in what’s possible—for our students, our community and our future,” Nelson Sabates said. “Together, we’re building a university that will continue to change lives for generations.”
Bob Regnier, chair of the UMKC Foundation Board, co-chaired the last UMKC fundraising campaign more than a decade ago.
“UMKC supporters have always stepped forward with remarkable generosity and vision,” Regnier said. “Their belief in our Carnegie Research 1 university has created tremendous momentum—and we’re just getting started.”
To learn more about Blue & Bold, visit go.umkc.edu/bold
Oct 17, 2025
Faculty for two-day event includes global business leaders, World Cup KC2026 CEO
The University of Missouri-Kansas City Henry W. Bloch School of Management opened its doors to some of the region’s most respected executives at the CEO Academy.
The program, founded by former chief executive officers Bill Zollars of YRC Worldwide, Greg Graves of Burns & McDonnell and Dan Hesse of Sprint, is designed to mentor and prepare Kansas City’s next generation of business leaders, and builds on the Bloch School’s longstanding commitment to leadership development and executive education.
“Bill, Greg and Dan created this academy with support from the Bloch School to pay forward the kind of support they once received from Kansas City’s business community,” said Brian Klaas, dean of the Bloch School. “The program is an extension of our mission to develop leaders who not only succeed in business but also invest in their communities.”
This year’s faculty featured returning founders alongside new voices:
Maggie Wilderotter, a veteran executive and board leader who served as CEO of Frontier Communications and on more than 35 public company boards, explored how executives can strengthen their boards to better serve their companies.
Paget Alves, chairman and CEO of Sorenson Communications and longtime Sprint executive, spoke on lessons learned from the boardroom to the C-suite.
Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026, offered a behind-the-scenes look at how Kansas City secured FIFA World Cup matches and what it takes to prepare for the world’s largest sporting event.
“This is about understanding what the World Cup is going to do for the region, and the opportunity we have to really transform Kansas City,” Kramer said. “Let's use sports to show them everything we love about living here, working here, investing here and starting a business here.”
Each session gave participants practical tools and candid advice from leaders who have navigated the highest levels of corporate leadership. Attendees praised the accessibility of the program.
“I chose CEO Academy because the day-and-a-half format fit my schedule, the speakers have outstanding reputations across diverse industries and the local setting made it even more relevant,” said Jack Beal, senior vice president of Cancer Center and system chief administrative officer of The University of Kansas Health System. “But what sealed it was the cultural fit — excellence is a core value at my company, and it’s a central theme throughout the program.”
Attendees also benefited from the deep engagement of the faculty.
“I thought they’d give a talk and head out, but they stayed involved,” said Kyle Van Slyke, chief operating officer at Musselman & Hall Contractors. “It was inspiring to see Kansas City’s top leaders so committed to mentoring and sharing their time.”
The CEO Academy continues to balance individual leadership development with community impact. Faculty members donate their time, and proceeds support scholarships and programs at the Bloch School.
Joining founders Bill Zollars, Greg Graves and Dan Hesse, this year's returning faculty members include:
Mark Donovan, president of the Kansas City Chiefs
Beryl Raff, retired CEO of Helzberg Diamonds
Dave Dillon, retired CEO of Kroger
“We are so grateful for our amazing CEO Academy faculty," Klaas said. "They all taught on a pro-bono basis, meaning that the CEO Academy generated funds for scholarships designed to make college more accessible. This program reflects Kansas City’s culture of leaders coming together to help this community.”
Oct 15, 2025
UMKC celebrates School of Medicine faculty member
The University Missouri-Kansas City honors the impact of a dedicated researcher and longtime School of Medicine faculty member, Agostino Molteni, M.D, Ph.D. (1933-2025).
Molteni was a distinguished professor in the departments of Pathology and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. Known for his dedication to research and education, he leaves behind a legacy of discovery, collaboration and mentorship that continues to shape the School of Medicine community.
Molteni joined UMKC in 1996 after devoting two decades at Northwestern University’s School of Medicine. At UMKC, his research into the pathological and molecular basis of pulmonary disease and hypertension led to groundbreaking collaborations with faculty across disciplines. His work was supported by more than $16.9 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Veterans Administration, the American Heart Association and other organizations.
Over the course of his career, Molteni authored 176 scientific publications, 21 book chapters and more than 400 abstracts. His pioneering work on hypertension contributed to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program, which received the prestigious Albert E. Lasker Award in 1980.
Beyond his research, Molteni was deeply committed to mentorship. As a member of the School of Medicine’s Student Research Committee, he helped connect hundreds of students with research mentors, guiding them in projects that shaped their medical and academic paths. In 2016, he received the School of Medicine’s highest honor for mentorship—the Betty M. Drees, M.D., Lifetime Achievement in Mentoring Award.
“Dr. Molteni was cherished by one and all,” said School of Medicine Dean Alexander Norbash (B.A. ‘85/M.D. ’86). “His dedication to science and his enthusiasm for educating our medical students was unparalleled. Dr. Molteni believed in the power of mentorship and helped create numerous careers benefiting society and science. He was an example and inspiration. He will be sorely and visibly missed.”
Molteni’s passion for research and mentorship positively impacted his fellow faculty members as well.
“What I’ve learned from Dr. Molteni in my years working with him is to have a lifelong passion for research and a lifelong passion for mentoring students,” said Paula Monaghan-Nichols, Ph.D., professor and associate dean at the School of Medicine.
We remember Molteni with this video produced a few years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiEP3maMt0s
Oct 09, 2025
Fall 2025 marks the third consecutive year of record-breaking enrollment
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is celebrating its largest incoming class of first-time college students in university history. First-time enrollment has increased each of the last three years at UMKC, and this year grew by 2% over the prior year.
“This momentum is a testament to the energy and excellence of UMKC,” said Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. “Students know UMKC offers nationally recognized programs, powerful community connections and opportunities that reach far beyond the classroom. We are proud to welcome our largest class yet.”UMKC is the university of choice for top-achieving students in Kansas City and beyond. As the city’s only Carnegie Research 1 institution, UMKC ranks among the nation’s top-tier research universities while remaining Kansas City’s largest fully accredited, comprehensive university.Students benefit from programs that make students career-ready across nine of the top 10 U.S. News & World Report jobs. In addition, UMKC has gained national recognition in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse Best Colleges in the U.S. For the second consecutive year, UMKC earned No. 1 in Student Experience, No. 1 in Social Mobility and No. 2 in Best Value among public universities in Missouri and Kansas.
Photo by Brandon Parigo | UMKC
Located in the heart of Kansas City, UMKC provides unmatched access to professional opportunities and cultural life. This fall, a new KC Streetcar stop at UMKC will connect students to internships, jobs and entertainment throughout the city.The Fall 2025 class also reflects UMKC’s strength in opening doors for new generations. More than half (59%) of first-time college students are the first in their families to attend college. Transfer enrollment grew 5%, while new graduate domestic enrollment surged almost 9%. Overall, total UMKC enrollment grew 1 percent, to 14,904 students.“At UMKC, we’ve embraced a student-centered approach,” said Kristi Holsinger, senior vice provost for student success. “Our strong enrollment growth reflects the innovative steps we’ve taken to reach and support students through creative marketing and recruitment strategies, deep partnerships with community organizations and high school districts, expanded scholarship opportunities and applied learning experiences that take full advantage of our great city. Combined with the strength of our academic programs and our newly achieved R1 research status, placing us among the top research universities in the nation, these efforts demonstrate our commitment to ensuring students not only choose UMKC, but also thrive here.”To further support outstanding students, UMKC has added the new Blue and Gold Distinguished Scholarship Award, for students enrolling for Fall 2026 and beyond. This $7,500 annual award recognizes Missouri and Kansas students with exceptional academic records, expanding the university’s already robust merit-based scholarship portfolio.With record-breaking enrollment and growing investment in student success, UMKC is building extraordinary momentum.
Schedule a Visit. Apply Now.
Experience Kansas City’s only Carnegie Research 1 university for yourself. Schedule a campus visit and one-on-one program consultation today.High school seniors should apply early for admission. Competitive scholarship applications are due March 1, and FAFSA submissions should be completed by the Feb. 1 priority deadline.
Oct 06, 2025
HerCafe is Kansas City’s first mobile matcha cart
If matcha is your go-to drink, chances are you’ve heard of HerCafe. The first mobile matcha cart in Kansas City, HerCafe is known for its fun seasonal matcha flavors and for bringing community together one cup at a time.
Lines often form before their pop-ups even begin, a testament to the buzz they’ve built. Founded by University of Missouri-Kansas City student Yasmen Hassen and her friend Lujyn Elsayed, HerCafe continues to grow in popularity across the Kansas City community. Most recently, they popped up at the Roos Mobb event alongside other UMKC alumni-owned businesses. We got the tea from Hassen on how she whisked HerCafe into reality.
1. What made you decide to start HerCafe?
My business partner, Lujyn Elsayed, and I were previously baristas at coffee shops and have a love for creating and curating drinks. We both were headed to a retreat in summer 2024 and were tasked to make drinks for everyone. The response was incredible. Everyone loved them and kept saying, ‘These are so good, you should start something!’ At first, we didn’t take it too seriously, but eventually we thought, why not give it a try and see what happens? Our first opportunity came when our local mosque was hosting a bazaar and needed a vendor. We decided to give it a shot, and the rest is history!
2. With so many beverage options on the market, why matcha?
We both really love matcha. When we started HerCafe, matcha was just starting to get popular. Some people knew what it was, and you could find it at most coffee shops, but it was still kind of underrated and an acquired taste for most.
We wanted to create something that felt intentional and community-driven and knew we could do that with a matcha cart. With the setup, we hand whisk every order so that it’s not just about the drink but the experience you have while waiting in line. Cultivating the feeling of community with everyone in the same space. That whole ethos goes hand in hand with the traditional way matcha is made intentionally and how it brings people together, so we went with matcha instead of the typical coffee-cart route.
3. HerCafe just turned one, congratulations! What has been the biggest challenge of starting a business while still being a student?
It was definitely a lot. I was a junior when I started HerCafe, while also serving as Student Government Association president and working at Lockton (where I still work). I was wearing so many hats, and it took some adjusting. But for me, I always like to pour into things I am super passionate about, and all those things were aligned with my purpose.
Even though my schedule was packed every single day, I genuinely enjoyed everything I was doing. Whether it was Lockton, HerCafe or student government, all of it centered around community. Knowing that I am serving a purpose and serving my community is what keeps me going and makes it all worth it.
4. What advice do you have for a student who is thinking of starting their own business?
Just do it! It’s so scary and intimidating, but you never know until you try. See what happens. There is so much opportunity and talent in the world, don’t let your fears hold you back from exploring and trying new things that you are passionate about. If you love what you’re doing, it won’t feel like work, and success will be that much sweeter knowing you believe in yourself. Also, take it one step at a time. Be sure that you are not only dedicating time to your work, but are also making time for yourself.
5. How has your experience at UMKC impacted the success of HerCafe?
I’m a business major at the Bloch School with an emphasis in marketing, but I’ve also taken a lot of entrepreneurship classes. Through those courses, I’ve been able to connect with so many amazing people. The Kansas City business community is small, everyone knows everyone, and being at UMKC really opened those doors for me.
Just the other day, a friend texted me about an opportunity for HerCafe, and I was like, this never would have happened if I wasn’t part of this community at UMKC and the Bloch School. I definitely wouldn’t have had those same opportunities elsewhere.
UMKC has given me access to resources and people I can lean on whenever I’m unsure of the next step. I know I can reach out to a mentor at the Regnier Institute, talk to a professor or reach out to someone in Bloch Launchpad to help guide me on operating a business. The Alumni Association has also been a huge support, thanks to my involvement in student government. I was glad I was able to build those relationships, as I would not have had the opportunity to pop up at Roos Mobb without them.
UMKC has played such a big role in HerCafe’s journey, and I know it will continue to be part of my story even after I graduate. That’s something I’m really excited about!
6. If UMKC were to have its own HerCafe drink, what would it be made of?
Definitely a blueberry lemon bar matcha with blueberry puree and honey lemon cold foam! The blue and yellow UMKC colors would look beautiful together. It would be a complex and layered drink, which reflects the different pathways UMKC has to offer. The drink also has something for everyone to enjoy whether it's the tartness of the lemon or the sweetness of the blueberry. I’d top it off with a mini lemon bar from a local Kansas City bakery to highlight the connection between UMKC and the Kansas City community.
7. What were you most excited about popping up at the Roos Mobb event?
I was really excited to meet all the different alumni-owned businesses. Being in a space with so many people who’ve had a similar college experience or career path was amazing. It was super inspiring for me to be around people I look up to and admire. I was also excited to continue to cultivate that sense of community by popping up alongside them at the event.
Follow HerCafe on Instagram to keep up with their pop-up schedule.
Oct 06, 2025
Whitney Terrell, MFA, illuminates Kansas City’s history with empathy and humor
Why is a 20-year-old book still making notable rounds in book clubs? It could be because it’s an engaging story told through the lens of Kansas City history. It’s most certainly because Whitney Terrell’s writing draws in readers even when the subject is difficult.
A native of the greater Kansas City metro area, Terrell wrote “The King of Kings County” as a fictionalized retelling of the development of racial covenants, clauses in deeds to prevent people who were not white from buying property, that still affect the demographic make-up of Kansas City today.
If “The King of Kings County” is your next book club pick, here are questions answered by Terrell himself you can bring to the discussion:
What inspired “The King of Kings County,” and how closely is it tied to Kansas City’s real history?
The book is set in Kansas City, though I fictionalized certain areas; like renaming Johnson County as Kings County. I’ve written multiple novels about the city, and I wanted to explore how housing policies shaped its racial and economic landscape. The J.C. Nichols Company’s use of racial covenants played a huge role in segregating neighborhoods, and that history is central to the story.
On racial covenants and suburban development, why was it important to be direct about these issues?
That’s the point of writing fiction: to say what people don’t say out loud, especially in the Midwest. We’re taught to be polite, but novels are where you confront the uncomfortable. I tell my students: politeness is great in life, but it’s terrible for a narrator. This book was one of the first mass-market works to openly discuss Kansas City’s racial housing policies.
How does the book resonate today?
The themes are still relevant. Since the book’s release, Kansas City has seen shifts: Black leadership in key roles, urban redevelopment in areas like the Crossroads. But there’s tension between that progress and the pull of old power structures. The debate over the downtown stadium is a perfect example.
For readers outside Kansas City, will the book still resonate?
Absolutely. Racial covenanting and suburban segregation aren’t unique to Kansas City; they’re national issues. Readers from Milwaukee to Houston will find parallels in their own cities. The book was reviewed widely. Gillian Flynn, who is a friend (and fellow Kansas Citian), wrote a really nice review in Entertainment Weekly and it’s accessible even if you’re new to Kansas City’s history.
What should book clubs keep in mind when reading “The King of Kings County”?
It’s a serious book, but it’s also funny. The main character is a morally questionable developer, but he’s engaging. Fiction isn’t black-and-white like online debates. It’s messy, human and complex. I hope readers set aside political biases and dive into the story and its characters.
Oct 01, 2025
Kansas City’s Carnegie R1 university receives continued recognition for its degree programs
The University of Missouri-Kansas City rose in the rankings for a second year in a row in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best National Universities report released today.
UMKC leaders ascribe the improvement in the rankings to a focus on student success while being recognized for the university’s growing reputation, including the recent Carnegie Research 1 designation and KC Streetcar stop locating at its front door.
“Rising rankings reflect the excellence of our university and its work on providing the support students need to succeed,” Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said.
Nationally, UMKC ranked 129th among public universities, up six spots from last year. Overall, among all public and private universities in the national ranking, UMKC jumped 12 spots to 232.
In addition, the UMKC Bachelor of Science in Nursing program ranked No. 59 nationally, putting it in the top 10 percent of more than 650 nursing programs ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
Not only did UMKC achieve a high national ranking, but its undergraduate nursing program now is the top-ranked nursing program in the state of Missouri and ranked above all nursing schools in the two-state area except for the University of Kansas, which ranked 40th.
Dean Joy Roberts of the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies said they were pleased with the program’s place in the U.S. News & World Report ranking of the top nursing schools in the country.
“We are most proud of the performance of our students and faculty, which allowed us to achieve this ranking,” Roberts said. “It is a testament to how our future nurses are more fully prepared for professional practice.”
According to Roberts, UMKC nursing students start their nursing courses during their sophomore year, allowing them to have many more hours of clinical experience, better preparing them for the rigors of healthcare. The students’ extensive clinical immersion during their final semester provides them experience in the nursing specialty that they are interested in beginning their career in.
Beyond the undergraduate program, the UMKC graduate nursing programs have consistently achieved top national rankings, as well. Earlier this year, the UMKC Doctor of Nursing Practice program ranked No. 19 in the nation, and No. 33 for online graduate nursing programs; it has ranked in the Top 50 in that category for 13 consecutive years.
UMKC has a number of nationally acclaimed academic programs. Recently, the UMKC School of Medicine ranked No. 35 in the nation in “Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas” and No. 89 in “Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas” in the U.S. News and World Report 2025 Best Graduate Schools for Medicine. Also, this year, the UMKC School of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy program ranked No. 31 in the country and the UMKC School of Law ranked in the nation's Top 50 in two sub-specialty categories: legal writing (34) and trial advocacy (41).
Sep 23, 2025
Critical Materials Crossroads advances as finalist for National Science Foundation award of up to $160 million over a decade
The Critical Materials Crossroads team, led by the University of Missouri-Kansas City, officially advanced in September 2025 as one of 15 finalists for the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines award.
Critical materials includes minerals that are essential to modern life, forming the backbone of products such as medical equipment, cars, industrial machinery and consumer electronics. Yet U.S. manufacturing has declined significantly since the early 1990s, leaving the nation heavily dependent on imported supplies—a vulnerability that poses risks to both economic growth and national security. The Critical Materials Crossroads seeks to reverse this trend by onshoring manufacturing jobs and creating a sustainable pathway to produce these vital critical materials domestically, reducing reliance on foreign entities of concern while strengthening both national and economic security.
"Kansas City’s bold thinking and collaborative action are driving innovation,” said Lisa Krigsten, Chair, Civic Council of Greater Kansas City. "The Critical Materials Crossroads is a collaborative, visionary effort that builds on the region's research strengths and demonstrates our commitment to workforce development and national security.”
For the final stage, the NSF will conduct an on-site assessment of the finalist teams to gain further understanding of their regional coalitions, the alignment of their proposed leadership teams and core partners and their visions for research and development. The NSF will announce the NSF Engines awardees in early 2026. If selected, the Critical Materials Crossroads could receive up to $160 million over the next 10 years to drive workforce development, spur regional economic growth, launch new businesses and educate the next generation of leaders in critical materials.
This announcement follows a significant achievement in July 2025, when the Critical Materials Crossroads team officially advanced as one of 29 semifinalists for the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines award.
The groundwork for these achievements began in May 2023, when UMKC received a $1 million, 24-month federal cooperative agreement to lead the development of a critical materials ecosystem in Kansas City. Since that award, the Critical Materials Crossroads has been building momentum to create a vertically integrated hub for critical materials processing, technology development, applied research, and workforce training in the heart of the nation. The overarching goal of the project is to ensure the United States can produce, refine and deploy critical materials domestically while strengthening economic security, national resilience and global competitiveness.
The Critical Materials Crossroads ecosystem has leveraged partnerships with universities, businesses, industry, nonprofits and state, local and federal government institutions in Kansas and Missouri to drive significant economic growth. To accomplish such growth, the regional partnership coalition is working together to develop a domestic critical materials supply chain and fostering advanced domestic manufacturing capabilities while promoting broad access to employment and entrepreneurship.
Key outcomes for the regional innovation ecosystem over the next 10 years include:
Coordinate, facilitate and mentor the creation of 70 small businesses in Missouri and Kansas.
Add $17 billion to the Kansas City Metropolitan Statistical Area and create more than 10,000 jobs.
Secure a sustainable and competitive U.S.-based supply chain for critical materials processing and manufacturing.
Create, maintain and professionally develop a pipeline of targeted degree/certificate holders to meet workforce needs.
Be the catalyst and trusted partner for U.S. critical material processing and manufacturing that drives innovation.
Develop a technology maturation network that rapidly scales new technologies from lab-scale to full-scale by providing centralized business support services and funding for startups and new innovations.
“UMKC is proud to take the lead on behalf of the University of Missouri System and its four universities on this exciting effort to create a new industrial base in our region focused on critical materials,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. “The potential for business formation and job creation is extraordinary, and we’ll be working with partners throughout Missouri, Kansas and the region to make that happen.”
Anthony Caruso, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and Curators' Distinguished Professor of Physics and Electrical Engineering, is the principal investigator for the grant.
“Being selected as an NSF Engines finalist is an extraordinary honor for the Critical Materials Crossroads and for the Kansas City region,” Caruso said. “The NSF recognition underscores the strength of our partnerships—across universities, industry and community organizations — that have made this achievement possible. Together, we are positioning Kansas City as a national leader in critical materials innovation, workforce development and regional economic growth.”
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Sep 18, 2025
Major step forward in the university’s largest capital project
The University of Missouri-Kansas City celebrated a major milestone in its largest construction project to date with a signing and placement of the final beam for the new Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building.
University leadership, elected officials, students, faculty and staff gathered at the construction site to take part in the ceremonial signing of the final steel beam—a moment that highlighted the strong community and legislative support behind the project. Among those who signed the beam were Missouri Reps. Brenda Shields, Emily Weber, Aaron Crossley, Donna Barnes, Michael Johnson and former Missouri Sen. Dan Hegeman. After signatures were added, a crane hoisted the beam into the air and carefully guided it into place atop the structure. Applause broke out as the beam was secured, marking the official “topping out” of the building and a symbolic step toward the project's completion.
“Just one year and one week ago, a big crowd of campus and community members stood together on this site, breaking ground on an idea – a shared vision – that was becoming a reality,” UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “Now, just 12 months later, you can see that early vision rising from the ground – a structure that’s already reshaping our skyline and signaling progress. This building will be more than just bricks and beams. It will be a hub for innovation, where future physicians, dentists and other healthcare professionals train side by side. It will strengthen research and collaboration, generating discoveries that improve healthcare for Kansas City and beyond. And it will continue UMKC’s legacy of community service, expanding the free and affordable care we already provide.”
UMKC Trustee Dick Flanigan and second-year dental student and former Trustees’ Scholar Mary Gipson also spoke during the event. They shared their excitement and reflected on the impact the building will have on student learning and community care.
School of Dentistry Dean Luepke and second year dental student Mary Gipson
Once completed, the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building will house interdisciplinary programs focused on education, research and clinical services. The facility will expand the university’s role as a regional leader in healthcare workforce development and innovation.
Sep 17, 2025
Jannette Berkley-Patton, Timothy Cox and Gerald Wyckoff receive the highest academic rank awarded by the UM System Curators
Three University of Missouri-Kansas City professors from the health sciences have received the University of Missouri System’s most prestigious faculty honor: Curators’ Distinguished Professor.
The recognition was awarded to Jannette Berkley-Patton, Ph.D., professor of biomedical and health informatics in the School of Medicine; Timothy Cox, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences and endowed professor in dental and musculoskeletal tissue research in the School of Dentistry; and Gerald J. Wyckoff, Ph.D., chair of the Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences and director of Research and Graduate Studies in the School of Pharmacy. Wyckoff was named a Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor, a designation that highlights exceptional contributions in the classroom.
This distinction is awarded to a select few outstanding scholars and teachers with established reputations. Each honoree becomes a resource for the university and is expected to contribute by giving lectures on other campuses and engaging in teaching and research across divisional lines.
For Cox, who has spent three decades pursuing research, this recognition feels especially rewarding and inspiring.
“The journey has required perseverance, family sacrifices and the unwavering support of staff, trainees and loved ones,” Cox said. “It is both a milestone and a reminder of the trust placed in me to advance the University’s mission and contribute to the broader scientific community.”
Cox’s research focuses on the genetic and maternal dietary factors that influence craniofacial development and conditions such as cleft lip/palate and craniofacial microsomia. His lab also employs genomic sequencing tools with local, national and international collaborators to gain insight into the genetic basis of these conditions.
He credited UMKC for supporting his work.
“UMKC has been pivotal in allowing my work to flourish,” Cox said. “Its stability, resources and collegial environment have enabled me to pursue ambitious projects with sustained focus. More than a workplace, it has provided an academic home – a community where curiosity is fostered, collaboration is valued and mentoring can leave a lasting impact.”
Wyckoff said the honor is especially meaningful because of his commitment to teaching.
“Interacting with students is what sets my career apart from other professional avenues I could have pursued, and it makes me incredibly proud to be recognized in part for my commitment to teaching as a Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor,” Wyckoff said.
Wyckoff hopes to use this appointment to help increase the visibility of the UM System, UMKC and the School of Pharmacy.
“Advocating for the kind of educational opportunities that we can offer that can transform the lives of our students as well as the patients and constituents that they will serve is a passion for me,” he said.
Berkley-Patton, director of the UMKC Health Equity Institute, is known for her extensive research in health inequities, education, prevention and screening in underserved communities.
UMKC School of Medicine Dean Alexander Norbash wrote in his nomination letter: “Taken together, Dr. Berkley-Patton’s accomplishments have had a lasting impact on the scientific community, but most importantly on the lives that have been changed because of her expansive work. She has created a model of community-engaged research that is being adapted for other community-based studies around the world, and continues expand the research opportunities for our students, faculty, researchers at other institutions and for the Kansas City community and beyond.”
Sep 16, 2025
Vari Patel thrived on campus with accelerated degrees, mentorship and leadership opportunities
Vari Patel (BBA '25), made the most of her time at UMKC balancing academic excellence, leadership and a deep connection to her Kansas City roots. Behind her remarkable achievements stands a network of donors whose vision and generosity helped make it all possible.
UMKC Trustees and philanthropic partners created the Trustees’ Scholars Program through a shared commitment to education and leadership to attract the best and the brightest students and to help guide future leaders. Their support reaches beyond tuition, offering students mentorship, professional development and a lifelong network of changemakers. Trustees and community leaders are paired with scholars from day one, offering guidance throughout their UMKC journey and for a full year beyond graduation.
“Watching Vari grow into such a confident, capable leader has been one of the true joys of our Trustees’ Scholars Program,” said Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, chair of Trustees’ Scholars Committee. “Her drive, her heart for service and her commitment to excellence are exactly why we invest in students like her. Vari didn’t just take advantage of the opportunities at UMKC—she elevated them, and in doing so, she’s inspired all of us.”
Vari, second from right, and the other Class of 2026 Trustees' Scholars at a welcome reception in 2022.
Patel recently completed her undergraduate education, earning her Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in finance and Bachelor of Arts in political science. Patel’s UMKC journey has prepared her for a career that blends corporate law and public service, and she did it all in just three years.
Patel completed two undergraduate degrees in such a short time thanks to the dual-credit courses she took in high school through UMKC, allowing her to complete most general education requirements and start directly with major-specific coursework when she arrived on campus.
A Lee's Summit native and graduate of Blue Springs South High School, Patel first became interested in UMKC during a college planning course offered by CommunityAmerica Credit Union. That connection led her to the prestigious merit-based Trustees’ Scholarship program the deciding factor in choosing UMKC.
"I chose UMKC because I was awarded the Trustees’ Scholarship, and I think that was the biggest factor," she said. "In addition to paying for tuition, the scholarship offers a lot of valuable opportunities, like networking, professional enrichment sessions and building connections. That’s especially important to me because I know I want to be a lawyer and a politician when I’m older."
As a Trustees’ Scholar, Patel was paired with mentor Suzanne Shank, a former lawyer and executive who has played a pivotal role in guiding her career path.
"Suzanne has been an amazing role model and mentor since day one," Patel said. "She connected me with Langdon & Emison, where I interned as a legal assistant. That opportunity came directly through my involvement with the trustees."
Mentorship and support were central to Patel's experience at UMKC. She credits staff and faculty at the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management to help her manage her rigorous academic and extracurricular schedule.
In addition to her academics, Patel served as president and founder of UMKC FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and president of the Bloch School Student Association. She was also a dancer on the Kansas City Chakras team, a Launchpad Scholar and a former member of the First Year Council for student government.
"You can make what you want out of your college experience," she said. "I knew I wanted to accomplish a lot in undergrad but also have fun and experience what college is like. UMKC offers so many opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom."
Patel’s professional ambitions are clear: she wants to become a corporate lawyer focusing on mergers and acquisitions, with hopes of transitioning into politics.
"My dream job would be a senator for the state of Missouri," she said. "I’d also love to be an ambassador, working in international relations and helping bring political and economic stability to developing countries."
With an impressive resume, clear vision and strong support system, Patel exemplifies the drive and dedication UMKC students bring to their education and their communities. She currently works as a legal writer, with plans to attend law school and work in Washington, D.C.
Sep 04, 2025
Handpicked students join university’s most prestigious scholarship program for transformative success
The University of Missouri- Kansas City’s Trustees’ Scholars Program is one of the university’s most prestigious opportunities for first-time college students, offering not only a full scholarship, but also a powerful network of support. Backed by a partnership between the university and the UMKC Trustees, the program connects high-achieving students with influential mentors, professional guidance and unique leadership opportunities.
Trustees’ Scholars stand out not just for their academic excellence, but also for their initiative and impact on campus, often founding student organizations, leading peers and shaping the university community. With a strong foundation and access to invaluable resources, such as a study abroad fund, access to the Trustees’ connections, structured community service and housing stipends, these scholars are well-prepared to thrive in their fields and make lasting contributions beyond graduation. “Throughout the years, students always say the Trustees are the best part of the program,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal at the reception. “You will now have access to people the average person has no access to, even I have trouble reaching out to them, but you get to say they are your mentors.”This year’s scholars are seven outstanding students who were selected from more than 150 applicants.
Isabel Ball
Ball is from Kansas City and is studying music education. Ball wants to be a middle school band director or an elementary school teacher. Her Trustee mentor is Pat Macdonald (BLA), director of strategic ventures and operations at the Healthcare Institute for Innovations in Quality.
Alexis Hiebert
Hiebert is from Kansas City and is studying nursing and health sciences with a minor in Spanish. Hiebert hopes to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist and to study abroad during college. Her Trustee mentor is Jennie Clarke (J.D. ’88), retired executive at American Century Investments.
Aiden Levendofsky
Levendofsky is from Manhattan, Kansas, and is studying music composition and piano performance. Levendofsky started playing at age 4 and is pursuing music because it is how he expresses himself. Levendofsky is interested in the intersection of class, culture and political science and hopes to compose music that encourages empathy. His Trustee mentor is Marylou Turner (M.A. ’65, Ed.S. ’79) of the Women’s Committee of the Conservatory.
Kennedy Lucas
Lucas is from Columbia, Missouri. She is majoring in health sciences and is extremely excited to be a part of her cohort. Lucas never thought she would be financially supported throughout college along with the other perks of the program. She believes her greatest asset is her determination. Lucas’ Trustee mentor is Suzanne Shank (J.D./MPA ’82), retired executive at General Electric.
Gavin Paruch
Paruch is from St. Louis, Missouri and is studying biology and hopes to go to medical school. He has lived in four different states, and is looking forward to his college career at UMKC. His Trustee mentor is Sean Doran (B.A. ’09), D.O.
Anika Patton
Patton is from Tulsa, Oklahoma and is majoring in biomedical engineering with the hope of going to dental school to become an orthodontist or oral surgeon. Patton is a soccer player and will continue to play on the UMKC women’s soccer team during college. She is grateful to have the opportunity to continue playing soccer while being a part of the Trustees’ Scholars Program. Her Trustee mentor is Reachel Beichley, former general counsel at MRI Global.
Adam Wang
Wang is from Overland Park and is studying chemistry. He wants to pursue dentistry after college. Wang has deep ties to the university. His mother is a UMKC alumna, graduating from the previous six-year dental program, and his grandfather was a physics researcher at UMKC. His Trustee mentor is Joseph Spalitto (B.S. ’68, DDS ’72), D.D.S.
Aug 29, 2025
Mural by Luis Quintanilla captures an enduring, pre-World War II point of view and gets new life through the Kansas City Monuments Coalition
Every year, hundreds of students, faculty, staff and visitors pass the vibrant murals of Luis Quintanilla, the Spanish expatriate who spent part of his exile from Spain creating the work for the University of Kansas City, which would become the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
After more than five years of searching for funding, the world’s premiere fresco restoration artists have given these murals new life, thanks to the KC Monuments Coalition and the Mellon Foundation.
UMKC celebrated the restoration, performed by the premiere fresco restoration artists flown in from Spain, with a lecture from renowned Hispanic Society historian Patrick Lenaghan, Ph.D., about Don Quixote as the story appears in art by Quintanilla and other modernist Spanish artists.
“I’m so happy to see these murals are getting a new life, both physically and the renewed public interest,” Lenaghan said. “They’re works of art that are just a part of a building until you stop to look at them.”
After the lecture, visitors we treated to a more casual conversation between Lenaghan and Christine Kierig, a Ph.D. candidate specializing in exiled Spanish modernists who was present during the restoration.
The murals, and Kierig’s research about them, are one of more than a dozen projects preserving history throughout Kansas City as part of the funding from the KC Monuments Coalition.
“We’re so happy this process started, because it's been a few years since it was even proposed that these murals needed restoration,” said Viviana Grieco, Ph.D., a professor of history at UMKC and one of the principal investigators on the restoration. “It’s nice to finally have boots on the ground, as it were.”
The other principal investigators include Alberto Villamandos, Ph.D., who is a world languages and cultures professor at UMKC, and Christopher Wolff, UMKC campus historian.
When the UMKC team came to select restoration artists, they knew Iñaki Gárate Llombart and Beatriz del Ordi, both Spanish fresco restoration specialists, were the artists for the job. The pair, who are from Spain, were selected in part for their experience working on the only other known Quintanilla murals on public display.
“You have to be careful, respectful, always with feeling,” Llombart said. “It doesn't matter if it's made 40 years ago or thousands. You treat it as unique piece of art.”
It’s an intense process to restore a fresco mural. It starts with extensive photography, lighting and even tapping the mural surface to reveal all the spots that need to be retouched. There are in-depth notes for the photos that go back to Spain for the last member of the team, Guadalupe Carramiñana, to do the required documentation. Then, the murals are cleaned with water and a special Japanese paper to remove dirt and grime from the years of exposure to elements. Finally, the filling and the painting can begin, but only in the spots that are damaged. The photos help not only with documentation, but with meticulous color matching to the original work.
“It's tricky because you have to do that according to criteria,” Llombart said. “The reintegration, just light straight lines, very close together. From a distance, your eye cannot tell the difference in our work and the original. If you look closer: ‘There are the lines, so it has to be a restoration.’”
That is, they want to remain honest about what is original and what has been touched up, to respect Luis Quintanilla’s work.
The murals are open to the public on the second floor of Haag Hall. The rest of the funding from the Kansas City Monuments Coalition will go to streamlining the current ADA-access to the murals and a touch screen of historical facts, interviews and stories, which were previously unavailable to the curious passerby.
A Local Connection
Julián Zugazagoitia, director of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, has a compelling connection to the murals — one he only discovered when he saw them firsthand.
Zugazagoitia had lived in Kansas City for five years before he climbed the marble steps to the second floor of Haag Hall to investigate the legacy between his family and Kansas City. Quintanilla and Zugazagoitia’s grandfather, also named Julián Zugazagoitia, were friends and soldiers in the Spanish Civil War, fighting the fascist regime of General Francisco Franco.
Quintanilla and Zugazagoitia had been in prison together in Spain in 1934, where the artist sketched his friend and compatriot.
“I’d seen an exhibit in New York that included the drawing of my grandfather,” Zugazagoitia said. “Not long after, Quintanilla’s grandson sent me an email to tell me about the murals. It was in the back of my mind, but I had not made it over to see.”
A Presidential Request
Quintanilla came to UKC in 1940 to serve as its first artist-in-residence at the invitation of UKC President Clarence Decker. At 34 years old, Decker was the youngest-serving president of the country’s youngest university. He suggested Quintanilla paint a mural in Haag Hall using the theme, “Don Quixote in the Modern World.”
It was a bold move for the college president, considering Quintanilla’s political past.
“The national mood in 1938 was certainly one of unease,” says John Herron, now a former UMKC dean and history professor. “The effects of the Great Depression were still apparent, and the growing militarism and unrest in Europe did little to calm fears. Americans, for the most part, wanted nothing to do with a second world conflict and were eager to stay out of European politics.”
Decker, a vocal proponent of the arts and culture, used his role at the university to cultivate relationships with many politically informed artists.
“Decker offered visiting appointments to a number of artists, poets and writers, and worked actively to make Kansas City a kind of avant-garde center in the American Midwest,” Herron said. “Decker understood the hostility many artists and scholars, especially Jews, faced abroad. He remained a proponent of bringing these artists to Kansas City whenever possible.”
Quintanilla's Vision
At the time of Decker’s invitation, Quintanilla was living in New York as part of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Committee for Displaced Scholars and Artists program that brought oppressed and imprisoned artists from Europe to the United States. His art had recently been shown at the 1938 World’s Fair in New York.
Quintanilla envisioned four panels using Don Quixote’s story as an allegory of the horrors and oppression of fascism in Europe. The artist used members of the university faculty and staff as models. His own family appears in one panel.
Zugazagoitia, who was aware that Quintanilla used family and friends as models in his work, expected to find his grandfather’s face looking back at him from the walls. This was not the case, but what he discovered was even more powerful.
“When I saw he had dedicated the mural to my grandfather I was stunned. To see his name — my name — in the corner … It took a while for me to process, but it fulfilled a notion of destiny for me. Finding his name confirmed that Kansas City is where I should be.”
Modern-day Revelations
Beyond his personal connection, Zugazagoitia was reminded how significant it is to be an immigrant. He sees the murals as a reminder of what it takes to make your way in a foreign place.
“It underscored for me how important it is to reinvent yourself in a new country,” he said. “It seems the perfect time to be talking about this.”
Zugazagoitia emphasizes how important it is to preserve these murals. Besides recognizing the work for its artistic and historical merit — it is one of only two Quintanilla murals that were not destroyed during the Spanish Civil War — he believes living with art changes those who are exposed to it.
“Our experience is better because it exists. We are privileged to live in an environment that nourishes us, even if we don’t notice,” he said. “It makes these stories meaningful and present in our lives.”
This article originally appeared in the 2018 issue of Perspectives, the UMKC alumni magazine.
The work of the Luis Quintanilla’s Murals Restoration Project is done in partnership with the Kansas City Monuments Coalition. KCMC is a collaborative initiative that supports preservation and commemorative organizations across the city and is funded by a generous grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Aug 21, 2025
Facility is designed to train the next generation of rural healthcare providers
A seven-foot-ceremonial scalpel — not scissors — sliced through a ribbon as University of Missouri-Kansas City and community leaders celebrated the grand opening of the new UMKC School of Medicine building in St. Joseph, Missouri, a milestone for medical education and rural health in northwest Missouri.
The $14.5 million building adds classrooms, exam rooms and simulation labs designed to prepare students for a future in rural medicine. With plastinate models, a cardiopulmonary patient simulator, and a 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tool, the learning spaces are equipped with cutting-edge medical training materials.
Leaders say the project signifies a critical investment in training doctors who will practice in rural communities, where the need for physicians continues to grow.
“This 22,000-square-foot facility represents more than bricks and mortar,” UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “It’s a symbol of what’s possible when higher education, healthcare, government and community come together around a common goal: improving access to care for the people of this region.”
The St. Joseph campus first welcomed students in 2021 through a partnership with Mosaic Life Care, allowing students to train directly in the health system while serving patients in northwest Missouri. Now, with a dedicated education building in place, UMKC School of Medicine students have extended opportunities to learn outside of the hospital.
“This new facility was thoughtfully designed to reflect the realities of modern rural practice,” said School of Medicine Dean Alexander Norbash. “It supports the team-based approach that defines excellence in medical care today.”
UM System President Mun Choi called the campus a model for how higher education can partner with government, healthcare and local communities to create meaningful, long-term impacts while creating innovative solutions to pressing challenges and crucial needs.
“By focusing on rural medical education, we’re strengthening the state’s capacity to address physician shortages and improve access to care for all Missourians,” Choi said.
Which is why the location of the building is just as important as the state-of-the-art facilities inside.
“Research shows that students who complete rural training are much more likely to return to those communities to practice or be willing to go out to those rural communities and provide specialty care, helping address chronic physician shortages,” said Mosiac Life Care Chief Administrative Officer Davin Turner.
The project was funded through a mix of federal, state and local support, including $1.5 million from the state of Missouri. Missouri State Rep. Brenda Shields said the bipartisan backing was a recognition of the urgent need to expand rural healthcare access.
“By investing in educational infrastructure, Missouri is not only addressing today’s challenges, but laying the groundwork for healthier, more prosperous communities in the future,” Shields said. “The St. Joseph campus stands as a point of pride for the state, showcasing Missouri’s leadership in rural healthcare innovation and workforce development.”
Missouri, like many other states nationwide, is experiencing significant challenges with rural healthcare, including physician shortages and lack of facilities. Within Missouri, over 78% of health professional shortage areas are in rural areas.
“This campus represents just one of the many ways UMKC is responding,” Agrawal said. “Increasing the number of doctors is incredibly important. But just as important is preparing doctors who are committed to rural practice and who understand the communities they’ll serve.
For students, the new facility also makes medical school more accessible. Mikalah Brock, who grew up in and lives in Maysville, Missouri, just 30 miles east of St. Joseph, said studying close to home allows her to pursue her degree while continuing to live and raise her family in her hometown. But more importantly, it provides her an opportunity to attend medical school at a university that invests in communities like the one she is from and wants to serve.
“We learn about the unique challenges our patients face in rural medicine from physicians who have spent their careers dedicated to rural health,” Brock said. “It’s why this program isn’t just about earning a degree. It’s about joining a movement to improve healthcare across Missouri.”
The St. Joseph education building adds to the list of other rural healthcare initiatives, including a Rural Pathway Program, rural residencies, School of Pharmacy satellite campuses in Columbia and Springfield and the School of Dentistry’s recent announcement of St. Joseph extension plans as well.
After speeches and a ceremonial ribbon cutting, Wednesday’s grand opening event for the new St. Joseph Medical School building continued inside the building with student-led tours and demonstrations, showcasing the new facilities.
“This building represents hope, not just for students and faculty, but for the patients, families and entire communities who will benefit from better access to care,” Turner said.
Aug 20, 2025
UMKC School of Science and Engineering alums leverage their computer science degrees in numerous ways
Computer science degrees open doors to some of the fastest-growing and in-demand fields today. At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Roos are turning their education into real-world impact across a variety of fields. Here are just a few examples of the diverse career paths they’re pursuing with their degrees.
User Experience Designer
Molly Gilstrap (B.A. ’20) wanted a degree that balanced technical skills with creativity. She chose UMKC because it offers a Bachelor of Arts in computer science, which she preferred over the Bachelor of Science degree. This option allowed her to include more graphic design and art electives alongside her computer science courses.
“I love design and creativity and wanted to take those classes alongside the sciences,” Gilstrap said. “The role I’m in now combines design and technology, so getting this degree at UMKC really prepared me for the post-graduate world.”
Gilstrap accepted a job with Commerce Bank six months before graduation thanks to a job fair at UMKC.
“I started at Commerce Bank in their Developer Acceleration Program as a software developer and rotated through different IT departments for my first year and a half until I found the role that was the right fit for me,” Gilstrap said. “I loved my user experience rotation because I felt like I finally found a position that let me use both the left and right sides of my brain.”
In her role as a user experience designer, Gilstrap designs enjoyable, user-friendly digital experiences for Commerce Bank customers by collaborating with other designers and developers to implement prototypes.
“My computer science degree has been a huge benefit because I can effectively communicate with the developers I work with and understand their point of view and questions,” Gilstrap said. “The critical thinking skills I gained have helped me solve complex design problems. While my current role doesn’t require coding, the skills I learned related to coding help me break down problems, diagram solutions and collaborate with developers.”
Director of Wireless Solutions
Mitch Rappard (B.S. ’98) chose computer science because he enjoys learning and knew the field would always offer something new.
“From the evolution of networks to virtual machines, to cloud computing and now to machine learning, there is never a dull moment!” Rappard said. “Computer science is the foundation of some of the most exciting technological advances happening today.”
UMKC equipped Rappard with a broad set of skills that prepared him well for the workforce.
“UMKC provided me with a toolbelt of skills including software development, working with large data sets, collaborating across large teams and networking protocols,” he said.
Rappard is currently Director of Wireless Solutions at Palo Alto Networks.
“My degree in computer science gave me a strong technical foundation which I’ve been able to use as a springboard into other areas of interest, such as mobile networks and AI,” Rappard said.
Rappard has advice for prospective students thinking about a computer science degree.
“Like many industries, AI is having a major impact in computer science,” he said. “Because things are changing so fast, it’s important to look beyond today and focus on what the field might look like in five to 10 years. Do some research and find areas you think you will enjoy and understand how AI might affect those areas. For example, if you love coding, make sure you try or at least understand tools like Cursor and Claude Code. Computer science will continue to be a key foundation for technology, but the landscape will look very different in the years ahead.”
Analyst and Technical Advisor
Though now retired, Jim Hummer (B.S. ’84, M.S. ’89) continues to apply the skills he learned from his computer science degree at the Kansas City Regional Crime Lab. Twice a week, he volunteers in the digital evidence section as an analyst and technical advisor, working with computer-aided design and AI tools. His role includes network administration, database development, video and audio analysis and laser-scanned crime scene reconstruction, building on the knowledge he gained at UMKC more than 40 years ago.
“When I chose to major in computer science, it was still a relatively new discipline,” Hummer said. It seemed to hold a lot of promises for the future and aligned with my general interest in science and mathematics.”
Drawn by the university’s flexible course schedule, Hummer chose to complete both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science at UMKC.
“UMKC was a great option for me as a nontraditional student balancing a full-time job and family responsibilities,” Hummer said. “The university offered courses that fit with my work schedule and family life.”
Hummer emphasizes that computer science is more than just software and hardware.
“Computer science is also about learning to think critically and how to see and understand complexity both in systems and in the world around you,” Hummer said. “Beyond technical knowledge, my education taught me to think systematically about problems and solutions. That mindset served me well whether I was writing code or managing projects.”
Equipped with his degrees in the field, Hummer said, many employment doors opened for him. He was able to work on material science software, aviation and air traffic control systems, enterprise management systems and educational technology projects both domestically and internationally throughout his career.
Software Engineer
Deborah Kirchner’s (B.S. ’20) path to computer science began with a degree in chemistry. After realizing she didn’t enjoy working in chemistry, she decided to pursue a degree in computer science as she remembered loving the introductory computer science course she took during her first degree.
“With the high demand for software engineers at the time, switching to computer science seemed like the obvious choice,” Kirchner said.
Kirchner considered attending a coding boot camp but chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamentals.
“That decision paid off, as having a solid foundation in computer science has helped me a lot in my career,” she said.
Kirchner currently works as a software engineer at Boeing. She credits her degree with giving her flexibility and wide range of skillsets to transition from web development in her previous job to real-time software engineering in C++ in her current role.
“The fundamentals and my experience with C++ at UMKC made the transition much easier,” she said. “While I program daily, I’ve been surprised by how relevant other classes like networking, operating systems, data structures and even computer architecture have been for my career.”
From user-experience design to digital forensics, UMKC computer science alumni are making the most of their careers in unique ways. They are a testament to how a computer science degree from UMKC provides a strong foundation, not just with coursework but also soft skills like problem solving, that opens doors to various opportunities. Explore our program offerings if you are curious about where a computer science degree can take you.
Aug 20, 2025
Meet Paul G. Luepke
Paul G. Luepke, DDS, M.S., FACD, joined the UMKC School of Dentistry as dean in June.
Luepke has held leadership and faculty positions at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, most recently as associate dean of faculty affairs, interim associate dean for clinical and extramural affairs and chair of periodontology in the College of Dentistry.
Luepke joins the School of Dentistry with significant forward momentum. He will help guide the school’s transition to the new Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building when it is complete in 2026. The new building will enhance the school’s dental clinics, which provide 70,000 patient visits and $500,000 in uncompensated care per year.
What inspired your career in dentistry?
I enjoyed going to the dentist, especially getting braces. I was really intrigued when they took out my teeth at oral surgery. Both my parents were in the medical field, so I knew I wanted to be in healthcare. I’m also good with my hands, and creative. So that added up to dentistry for me.
The beauty of dentistry is it has some art to it, in addition to the science, in creating a great smile for someone. Doing something that can transform somebody, as far as their smile goes, can change the dynamics for that person in getting a job and maybe even where they fit in society. So if you can be part of that transformation, even in a little way, I think it is very fulfilling that you’ve made a difference in somebody’s life.
What attracted you to the UMKC School of Dentistry initially?
I had a career in the military, and we were always receiving dentists from different dental schools. Everybody we got from UMKC, we never had to worry about the core principles of their training. We could go right to getting them involved in delivering healthcare to the troops. I can't say that about every school. Sometimes we had to spend a little extra time. Then in my other academic positions, we would interview dental students from all the different universities, and I was always very impressed by the UMKC students.
In addition, my wife is from Missouri. She was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and she still has family in the Kansas City area. I had never been to Kansas City, but we’ve been saying we wanted to come here. It took an interview to get here and actually enjoy the city.
What are you most looking forward to in your first year as dean?
Getting to know the people and trying to develop a very cohesive culture. That's what I really would like to establish, where we can all work together on the same team. So that’s been my goal, meeting people and learning what direction they want to go while making sure I can help steer them in that way, not only in a year, but five and 10 years from now. If we get everybody going in the same direction for the future of dentistry, we have a better chance of serving our students in 2030 and beyond.
Why is research important in the field of dentistry?
We want to provide evidence that what we're teaching is backed by research. From a clinical perspective, I want our students to know why they’re doing something and what evidence stands behind it. That gives our students and patients more confidence that what we’re doing will result in the best outcome.
We have quite the research enterprise here, especially in bone biology and craniofacial growth. I think the School of Dentistry is one of the most research-intensive institutions that I have been involved with. Now that the university has the R1 designation, we feel proud that we're a piece of that new acknowledgement as well.
What is something about you that may surprise people?
I love barbecue. I have a ceramic kamado smoker at home, and I’m always trying to perfect my barbecue. I’m always seeking the best way to make my ribs. I haven’t done burnt ends to the level of what we have in Kansas City, but I’ll be perfecting my barbecuing skills.
I’ve already started eating my way through Kansas City’s barbecue restaurants, five so far. When I came here, that was my first question to everybody, what's your favorite barbecue? Now I’ve established a list of places to try. I’m trying to do burnt ends and turkey at each place to make a complete comparison. Those two are my barometer of satisfaction.
Aug 12, 2025
UMKC celebrates nursing faculty member
The University Missouri-Kansas City honors the impact of a tireless healthcare provider and longtime School of Nursing and Health Studies faculty member, Loretta Joan Gedward-North (1963-2025).
North is a member of the North/Cheadle family, which received the Legacy Family Award in 2022 from the UMKC Alumni Association. North worked more than 40 years as a nurse, dedicating her life to patient care. Her time as a faculty member in the School of Nursing and Health Studies leaves an indelible impact on the healthcare field through the countless future nurses she mentored and inspired.
Outside of her work as a nurse practitioner, she dedicated much of her time to the Young Survival Coalition, an organization that supports young women diagnosed with breast cancer. As part of the organization, she was committed to connecting the medical community of Kansas City to the organization’s resources.
“Loretta Gedward-North first taught in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and then moved to the Master of Science in Nursing program to share her knowledge of advanced practice nursing,” Dean Joy Roberts said. “Soft-spoken, calm and supportive, Loretta was a favorite professor of many UMKC students. Although she left UMKC a few years ago, Loretta kept in touch with her student and faculty friends, who will miss her smiling face and soothing voice.”
Aug 08, 2025
Tatiana Dokoudovska shaped Kansas City ballet for generations
In the world of dance, few have had the profound impact that Tatiana Dokoudovska did on both the art and the community she nurtured. From the early 1950s to the late 1980s, Miss Tania, as she was lovingly known by her students, shaped the future of ballet in Kansas City — first as a gifted and seasoned artist, then as a teacher, mentor and visionary who helped build the foundation of a strong, enduring ballet program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory and the Kansas City Ballet Company.
Dokoudovska's artistic achievements were nothing short of extraordinary. She began her professional career at the age of 12, performing in operettas and motion pictures, before dancing with some of the world’s most prestigious ballet companies, including the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and American Ballet Theatre. Throughout her international career, she performed in iconic venues across Europe and the United States, leaving a lasting impression as a soloist and a choreographer.However, it was in Kansas City, where Dokoudovska truly cemented her legacy. In 1954, she became the head of the ballet department at the UMKC Conservatory. A role she held until her retirement in 1989. During her tenure, she not only founded the Kansas City Ballet Company and choreographed for the Kansas City Philharmonic but also played a pivotal role in the development of the Conservatory’s bachelor’s degree program in dance, one of the first in the nation.Dokoudovska’s contributions extended far beyond choreography and instruction. She was a fierce advocate for the arts, dedicating her time, energy and resources to developing Kansas City’s ballet community. Her students went on to dance with some of the most respected companies in the world, including the New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey and the Joffrey Ballet, all an enduring testament to her impact as a teacher.In honor of Dokoudovska’s remarkable influence and impact, William T. Laaser, a Kansas City Ballet alumnus, has made a transformative gift to the UMKC Conservatory through his estate plans. His gift will establish the Tatiana Dokoudovska Endowed Professorship in Ballet, ensuring that future generations of dancers will continue to receive the world-class training and mentorship that Dokoudovska provided for him and all her students.“Besides giving her students wonderful experiences and opportunities, Miss Tania taught us skills and values that extended far beyond the ballet studio,” Laaser said. “She left her mark on this world and her legacy will continue through us and our children.”
Photo from a scrapbook provided by Laaser of Dokoudovska teaching his class
The Tatiana Dokoudovska Endowed Professorship in Ballet is not just a tribute to an extraordinary teacher, but a vital investment in the future of the UMKC Conservatory’s ballet program. This generous endowed professorship allows the UMKC Conservatory’s ballet program to remain at the forefront of excellence, attracting and retaining top-tier faculty members who can carry forward Dokoudovska’s mission of artistic excellence. It also celebrates the life and legacy of a woman who dedicated her entire career to elevating ballet in Kansas City and beyond. Through this endowment, Dokoudovska’s commitment to the next generation of dancers will continue, and her transformative impact will be felt for years to come.
Interested in Giving to UMKC?
Discover ways you can support students and the community.
Aug 04, 2025
School of Law professor honored for commitment to students and community
Allen Rostron, J.D., William R. Jacques Constitutional Law Scholar, Professor of Law and Associate Dean of the UMKC School of Law, was recently appointed the Edward A. Smith/Missouri Chair in Law, the Constitution and Society.
The Smith Chair recognizes a faculty member for their scholarly accomplishments and involvement in the law school and community. It helps attract and retain accomplished faculty members, allowing students to learn about constitutional law from renowned experts.
“Associate Dean Rostron richly deserves to hold the Smith Chair,” said Lumen Mulligan, dean of the School of Law. “He is an expert in the Second Amendment and is in the top 2.5 percent of most downloaded legal authors in the country. His acumen as a scholar is matched only by his skill in the classroom and commitment to our school.”
Rostron has been a professor at UMKC School of Law for more than 20 years, following a decade as an attorney in private practice and at a nonprofit organization. Originally hired to teach civil procedure and tort law, a colleague’s retirement opened the door for Rostron to teach constitutional law, and he’s never looked back.
“I enjoy all the subjects I teach, but I enjoy constitutional law in particular,” Rostron said. “There’s a certain storytelling aspect to it. Constitutional law involves so much history, and every constitutional law case has a story and people behind it. These cases are relevant to the current day, and we see their impact playing out every day. It’s important to everyone to understand.”
Rostron’s passion for constitutional law doesn’t stop at the classroom doors. For the last four years, he has taught a summer course at the SPARK Flossie Pack Center for Lifelong Learning. Earlier this year, he was a fact checker for American Public Square at a live presentation about freedom of speech. Rostron is also involved in planning a series of events at the law school focused on current legal issues.
“I like being an ambassador of UMKC to the larger community and helping people understand what’s going on,” Rostron said. “I like that the Smith Chair will give me more opportunities to do that and to have a bigger role in the law school and the community.”
Jul 22, 2025
From accelerated degree programs to life-changing community fellowships, our generous supporters create opportunity and lasting impact
At the University of Missouri–Kansas City, success isn’t just measured in diplomas, it's measured in impact.
For thousands of students, a UMKC education is more than a degree. It's a pathway to opportunity and improving their community. But behind every student success story is another powerful force: a donor who believed in their potential.Philanthropy at UMKC is not just appreciated, it’s essential. Strategic gifts from generous donors are helping UMKC meet its boldest goals, including improving graduation rates, supporting first-generation students and creating career-ready graduates.
A Legacy of Access: The Victor Wilson Learning Collaborative
This fall, thousands of UMKC students will visit the Victor Wilson Learning Collaborative for the first time. Officially opened in May 2025, the collaborative is a testament to the university’s unwavering commitment to supporting all students’ success.Housed on the fourth floor of Miller Nichols Library, the Victor Wilson Learning Collaborative brings together all the tools students need to thrive including academic coaching, Supplemental Instruction, Peer Academic Leaders, First-Gen Roo Scholars and more. This vision was made possible through the generosity of many, including a $2 million match from the Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation, support from the Bloch Family Foundation and a $250,000 gift from longtime faculty member Elizabeth Noble. But the heart of the story begins decades earlier, with a man named Victor Wilson.Wilson was a quiet Kansas City businessman who left his fortune to UMKC upon his death in 1948. For the past 75 years, his forward-thinking trust and investment in Kansas City’s top university has supported thousands of student scholarships, and now the learning collaborative that bears his name will empower thousands more each year to reach their highest potential.
Fast Tracks and Big Dreams: More in 4 at Bloch
For many students, the biggest barriers to earning a degree are time and cost. The More in 4 program at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management was designed to solve both.Launched in early 2024, More in 4 allows high-achieving students to complete a bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting and a Master of Business Administration in just four years, cutting tuition, accelerating career entry and maximizing the return on their investment. These students also receive up to $25,000 in scholarships, intensive advising and access to internships and mentors.The driving force behind this innovation is donor support from UMKC alumnus and trustee Nathaniel Hagedorn, who provided funding for scholarships and, inspired by his own accelerated college experience, a strategic vision to lessen the burden of time to degree for students.“I had professors who challenged me to think differently, who cared about my future,” Hagedorn said. “UMKC was my launchpad. Now, I want to be that launchpad for someone else.”
Strengthening Communities: The Community Impact Fellowship
UMKC understands our students’ success extends past the boundaries of our campuses. Their success enables them to be change-makers for the betterment of their neighborhoods, businesses, nonprofits and communities in Kansas City and beyond. That’s why the UMKC Foundation established the Community Impact Fellowship, which empowers students to partner with local organizations and deliver real-world transformation.Through the Community Impact Fellowship, and generous support from the Hall Family Foundation, the UMKC Center for Neighborhoods in Architecture, Urban Planning + Design in the School of Science and Engineering has three fellows from Kansas City working on initiatives that have potentially citywide impact.The fellowship serves as a driving force to develop community experts who can contribute to the continuation and development of resilient neighborhoods and stabilized communities.
Learn More or Get Involved
To explore how you can support UMKC’s student success programs, visit the UMKC Foundation website. Your gift is more than a donation. It’s a legacy of impact.
Jul 10, 2025
Community and research brought Matthew Robinson to Kansas City
At UMKC, students write their own stories, form their own definitions of success and chart innovative career paths. With Kansas City as their classroom, they turn dreams into reality every day.
Matthew Robinson Anticipated graduation year: 2025 UMKC degree program: Ph.D., Economics Hometown: Fresno, California
The interim director of the Center for Economic Information is a familiar face at UMKC. Matthew Robinson had a simple answer for why he chose this school all the way from Fresno, California.
“It was the people,” Robinson said. “I was doing a master's program at another school and met a graduate student from UMKC at a conference in New York. I was so excited about the work that they were doing. I think I bugged them about it for just hours afterwards. Then I met more students, more faculty and I decided that whatever career plans I have, or other job prospects, I'm going there and doing what these folks are doing.”
As for what got him into economics as a field of study, Robinson had a less simple answer: 2008.
“I was kind of kicking around during undergrad,” he said. “I haven't found anything I really like. I am taking an economics course during this time, and the world is, in a sense, falling apart. I'm volunteering, too, in a community full of very hardworking, very talented people. The unemployment rate is shooting up through the roof, and it's not like we got worse at our jobs. It's something else that was happening, and it didn't match up with what was in the textbook. I get to the job site, and I get requests: ‘College kid, explain it.’ I gave the answer that was in the textbook. This is just what they're saying. And after a while, they said that's enough, because it was insulting. It was the standard thing, the bootstrap thing; just work for less money.”
That was a major inspiration for Robinson as he started studying economics.
“When I left Fresno, I made a promise to myself: if I can't talk about what I am doing to my buddies who did not graduate high school, I'm wrong. If I can't talk at an academic conference with a bunch of economists and my people who didn't graduate high school, it's not for me. I'm in the wrong place.”
Turns out, the right place was UMKC.
“I started politely asking my professors why what we were seeing in theory is not what was actually happening. My professors pointed me to some writings, some from UMKC, and I was like, ‘This is it. I need to learn this,’ It took me a long time, but I did end up where things made sense.”
Robinson loves the work so much, he often struggles to focus on just his projects.
“There's just so much interesting work going on in the department,” he said. “I'm focused on my research agenda and moving things forward, but then I’ll hear a colleague talk about their work, or I’ll walk down the hallway and stumble into a presentation on something completely different, usually on currency markets, securities, neighborhood health or housing. All of a sudden, it's like ‘Oh, my gosh! That's the most interesting thing in the world,’ and I have to know everything about it. It's a good problem and probably the most difficult part of the program.”
The program at UMKC approaches economics in a way that helps that research relate to the here and now.
“We have a what's called a pluralist tradition,” Robinson said. “It's very focused on taking a look at the economy from different perspectives. We are encouraged to do it, or required to do it, because no one person or one school of thought or perspective is correct. You are expected to understand all of them.”
Robinson also found that support in the other schools at UMKC.
“I got to take three law school courses,” he said. " If you need to learn about space, and how to understand neighborhoods and boundaries, go over to geosciences, which was my code discipline. We're expected to be members of the community rather than just stuffy academics behind the computer screen.”
That’s also why Robinson continues to spend his summers doing volunteer work around Kansas City. He’s also involved with his local neighborhood association.
“It’s another reminder that not everything is in the textbook,” Robinson said. “You need to talk to community members who actually live in the economy. That’s what’s expected. And sure, it can be difficult, but that’s what makes this a great part of our department.”
It’s easy to tell how much Robinson loves Kansas City, UMKC and his community.
“I’m just so lucky to be here,” he said. “Just all the little things that could have gone one way or another. I met my wife here. I have neighbors that have turned into family. I guess it didn't take me too long, because this is the perfect time.”
Jul 09, 2025
Drawing on lessons from farm life and passion for mentorship, Stephanie Graff reflects on journey that led to school’s highest alumni accolade
Returning to her alma mater, Stephanie Graff (BLA ‘03/M.D. ’04) stood behind the lectern at the UMKC School of Medicine and reflected on a career shaped by hard work, mentorship and a belief in the power of community.
In her 2025 Take Wing Lecture in May, titled “Farm to Tablet,” Graff revealed how growing up on a farm in rural Missouri cultivated the foundational skills that still guide her as a leader in breast oncology. Framing her journey through a farm-to-table dining metaphor, she spoke of sowing seeds, weathering storms and working alongside a team to bring quality care and research to the table.
“The skills that I developed early in my life living in rural Missouri, helping support my family are fundamental,” Graff said. “Whether that's being able to relate to anyone, excellent communication, work ethic, stick-to-it-ness or grit. I think that that translates well into a career in science. There are certainly disappointments and setbacks in a career in medicine, just as there are in farming.”
One of Graff’s first career setbacks was in her second year of her thoracic oncology fellowship. Her mentor ended up changing institutions, so Graff quickly had to find a new oncologist to pair with to complete her fellowship training program. The new mentor that “adopted” her was a breast oncologist.
“The breast oncologist said, ‘You know, if you start working with me, you're going to have to see breast cancer, right?’” Graff said. “I absolutely ended up loving it. And so, here I am, all these years later, doing breast oncology. It ended up being fantastic that I had the opportunity to pivot.”
Graff knew early on in medical school that oncology was the right field.
“The science of oncology was just really captivating,” Graff said. “Then when I got to the clinical rotations, the sort of connections that we are able to develop in cancer care with our patients just felt like home to me.”
Now, more than 20 years after choosing this path, Graff has now been named the latest E. Grey Dimond, M.D. Take Wing Award winner. The award is the School of Medicine’s annual honor given to a graduate who has demonstrated excellence in his or her chosen field and exceeded the expectations of peers in the practice of medicine, academic medicine or research.
Currently, Graff is the director of Breast Oncology at Brown University Health where she serves as co-lead of the Breast Cancer Translational Research Disease Working Group at Legoretta Cancer Center and is an associate professor of medicine at the Warren-Alpert School of Medicine. Prior to joining the team at Brown in 2021, she has held several leadership positions with Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute.
During her lecture, Graff shared that the docent team model she experienced at UMKC has inspired her to create team-based care models and mentorship programs at every stage of her career, including a national Facebook group connecting oncologists to share insights and support.
“I'm at a place in my career where there's a lovely inflection point where I can start using my role to create opportunities for others,” Graff said. “My mentors have meant so much to me, and it means a lot to me to be able to create opportunities for others.”
Now that Graff is providing mentorship to young physicians and researchers, what is her biggest piece of advice? The path is messy, but worthwhile if you can learn from it.
“Pull out the golden thread from that failure,” Graff said. “Ask, ‘What can I learn from here? How can I pivot, learn, adjust from this moment to be stronger next time?’ Those are the things that distinguish us and set us apart and are often actually better than the successes at the end of the day for reflection and personal growth.”
As Graff reflects on the years of planting, nurturing and harvesting that brought her to this moment, she’s savoring the fruits of her labor.
“I remember the Take Wing lectures,” Graff said. “I never would have imagined that I would be giving one. To think about the caliber of prior recipients and the impact of their careers, it's a great honor to be among them.”
Jul 08, 2025
More than 1,900 students recognized
The University of Missouri-Kansas City encourages and honors the effort required to achieve excellence. Every semester demands commitment, dedication and tenacity. In the Spring 2025 semester, 1,949 undergraduate and professional students earned a spot on the UMKC Dean’s List.
This is an outstanding academic honor. Students must complete a minimum full-time program of 12 graded hours and meet their individual unit’s GPA threshold to qualify for the Dean’s List. These students showed what it meant to take pride in their academic success. If you know someone who made the Spring 2025 list, be sure to congratulate them for their achievement!
Below are the Dean’s Lists for the Spring 2025 semester.
Conservatory
Donovan AndesCaroline BlackKatrina BlumbergIsabella BrownGage BrownAurora ConroyNathan CoveyLana DauwRobin DeimerlyYulin DongVictoria DriverAnnie ElmoreFrancesca FarinaKayla ForbesJacob GehrEthan GodfreySam GranadeCameron GurssCaden HelmerKaitlyn HessLillian HimmelbergEthan HopperWesley HudginsHadley JarvisEthan KauffmanRaef LandesKennedy LaughlinMatt LeePatricia LovingAbigail MartinMackenzi MasonAbby MauldinZoe MeinsLilly MeyerNicole NormanAbigail OhmsQuin O'LaughlinDavid OosseNoah PhillipsDillon PottsEduardo SandovalSam SchislerEric SchmidtEmily SchutzelCrew ShaferCaleb ShepardAnahi SilvaMolly SloanJaxon St.ClairNeave SullivanLily TetenAaron TsengDmitrii TulupovOwen UnreinAidan Van LeerKloe WagnerElizabeth WatzkeMaddie WilliamsIsabel YearianJohn Zhu
Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Zuhur AbdiSasha AhmadSumaya AhmedMariam AlvaradoJake AmesJames AndersonCollin AndrewsRobby AppleberryHannah ArchdekinCamden BakerElisha BaldwinKaia BarkmanBridget BartholomausIsabelle BearceDarren BemissBrady BlankenshipMateus Borsanelli Tofetti MouraRachel BowermasterSydnee BrandtJulianne BromagenAdamari CarrilloBrianna CarterBri CastleberryDaniela Castro-CarreraIvy ChelugetYuhan ChenOlga CherniavskaChris ChiDavis ChildsGrace ClarkA'Mya CliftonAbigail CloughMadi CochranCaroline CooperPatrick CottonBrie CoxAllie CrawfordAbby CrooksPayton Crump-McHughEmely CruzAdriana Diaz LeguilluRose DoanMonse DominguezHaley DowlerGreta EbersoleRoselyn ElizaldeGrant ElsasAliya EmberyMaylin Fernandez-MenaChloe FitzgeraldSebastian FloresCaroline FoellerOsvald FontchaVal FryStephanie Gaspar CancholaAva GatesAmal GatiNadiira GhazaliKiera GodseyIvan GonzalezTriston GoodBryson GoschJohn GosseJordan GreenAustin HaggardSaid HajiElly HarrisLily HayHaley HeidbrederGrace HensleyGriffin HerClaire HicksTruc HoMissy HuntebrinkerKimber HusteadJessica HuynhJanice Jituboh AluyiTala JoudehSarah KannenbergKaleb KingAshley KochEmma KratzAnna KruegerBrooklyn LammersAndy LauJordan LaubNhi LeLillian LePhuong LeLuke LeonettiYijun LiuXiaohan LiuCyrus LoarNoah LockeEmily LongBrandon LopezAnabel Lopez JuradoJay LoweryCassandra LudwigArsh MaheyJuan MarronDestiny Martinez-LopezCarlos MataMia Matthews-BeavenLeah McIntyreSam MeyersHunter MiesnerBenji MitchellAbisai Montes-TorresDaniella MoralesAnna MortonDan NastarowiczPerla Navarro-OrtizChance NelsonAlex NguyenVivian NguyenJack NguyenAnh NguyenQuan NguyenKhanh NguyenLily NguyenLong NguyenAn NguyenKenly Nicolas-EstradaErika NunezWyatt OhnemusFernando OlivaresJavier Olivares BurgosAlice OropezaAlex OvertonDeesha PatelElyse PayneMicaela RichardsJazmin RomoAnnabella SaittaAmy SalazarPacey SalzmanKevin SarmientoLiddy ScuratoSkylar ShepardMaddie SibbingAxel Silva - AguirreMaggie SilvyGabrielle SimmsAlyssa SimoninKinsley SmithConnor SmithLexy SmithKirsten SpildePaige StaufferJoel SteppMiriya StilesBraylin TaylorWhitney TaylorSivkan ThindDrew ThompsonEthan TolbertMandy TranAlex UnsethNayeli VargasEli VogtSteven VuJake WalterYue WangEthan WelkerTristin WhittonLance WillyardEthan Yang
School of Dentistry
Hayley AdairMichael AllisonCamden ChastainLexi CliftDrew CubaMegan DartHannah DavieDrake DuganGiovanni FerraroJason FirthShelbi FlahautCasey GeddesMichael Gimotty IIIMary GipsonJackson GlynnSeth HofheinsKatie JenningsChristopher JohnsonTia KahwajiKatie KannenbergPeyton KusgenTommy MatayaGabby MertzAbby MonroeEthan NettlerKylie NicholsJiani OsbornMichelle PalmerK-Leigh PappasRiley PerelesLisa RaymondQuinten ReasonerSage ReichenbergerMatthew RodriguesMarilise RogersAdam SattlerHadley SchreinerEthan SmithJustin SurberJaiden TaggartNoah TallyJuliana TomitaClaire WaughEdward WunLauren BaileyChloe GerkenNaima IbrahimCarrington KudrnaKaytlyn KunkelHaley MayesDaniela Ruiz LazoHailey SchlupMackenzie SimpsonLauren SlavensHannah SloanJenna Wright
School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Jenni AbadMary AguirreShams AlarthyNuhamin AliAshley AlvaConnor AthearnMadison AtkinsWesley Atkinson-SmithKayley BellAmna BilalTJ BlancarteDesiray BlueJasmine BookKylee BrazealVicki BrownJaylie BuiPeyton BurchLeilani BustamanteAlexander CarterEileen ChangAva ChinnockSamantha ComfortNeya CosbyEmily DamianDarci DaughertyMariah DavoltAnna DeckerMartha DelatorrePaige DinkelGrace DorrisAddi DouglasKierstin DowMadalyn DresselBailee EhlersAngelica EscobarKimberly EscobedoJordan FitchKim FloresAllie FloresLai'Ayla FlowersCorinne FogartyMichelle FormanPeter FuentesAndrea Gamboa RizoEmma GarciaNaomi GontermanAbby GrowneyAsma HajiMae'Kenya HallMyles HardyRobert HartmanLilli HaskinsCatherine HawkinsHanan HayyehEstrella Hernandez GarayAlex HerndonAngelina HerrMayerli HerreraNicole HoganMary IangChinecherem IhenachoJordan JacksonAmanda JamesAndria JersettKatelyn JohnsonMya JonesNyree JonesBerna KarisikGrace KiewietKendra KincaidKyra KingMikaylah KingKennedy KingAlyssa LaShurePayne LewisPeixuan LiuAbby LogsdonPaige LyfordErin MagelAqeel MalikTalisa MansouriAudrey MartensMattie MartinMorgan MashburnCate MaxeyIsaac McBurneyJason McCallopJamie McCleadJossie McClellandBrianne McGovernMichael McGroskyMikenna MeadowsBelen Mendoza SotoBri MillerMaya MillerLogan MillerBrenna MorganJules MortonConfi MuhozaAlex NelsonCiCi NguyenEmma NiepmannAdia NobleMichelle OgazMac OppermannJacob PaineNatalie PeaceAinsley PickeringKenya PollestadAna Puentes RezaStar RaspberryAngela RaymerElizabeth ReamsArriana RichardsonJacqueline RiveraAlanie RiveraSarah RobinsonKristina Robles-MunozKiko RodriguezKarleigh Rodriguez AcostaAlec RoeMckenna RowlandTy RusticiAllison RyalsNajma SaidIsabella SalinasPaige SanfordCandy SarresJulian SchollNatalie SeguraDaiysha ShanksMary Kelly ShevlinMariana Simental GrijalvaAdriana SpanglerTarah TavisBlair TaylorLisa ThomasAlyssa TimmonsNayla Torres-RodriguezKayla TottressValeria Trejo-SandovalDhwani TripathiOlivia TurnerLiliana van EijndtWyatt VandusenVianney VazquezBrooke WalterLydia WeaverDallas WelchKevin WentworthMieke WestraLyric Williams-McGuireAdrienne WilsonMarissa WoodruffEmilie YoungHarper YoungAbigail Zuniga
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Rebecca AbebeYoussef AbouelelaIqra AdenNatalie AdermannShikha AgarwalGrace AllenElizabeth AllenBrooke AmosNatalie AndersonMiriam AndersonAshley AppleberryCarolyn AppletonMeha AsirLaila AtkinsAbanoub AttallahMacy AtteberyAlex BachtellIsabella BakerMonisha BalajiHana BangaKelby BannermanJay BanuelosEden BarnesGrace BatdorfMathias BaucherKaitlyn BerryPatrick Bever-ChrittonUpala BhowmikKayla BiggsMaisy BlantonHaya BodaJosephine BoosmanJohn BorumMichael BosticElyse BredfeldtCourtney BreedloveZoe BrokawMary BrooksSydney BrownKate BrummundChristina CacoulidisBrinlea CalaisLauren CarberyJames CarterSy CartwrightJayden ChismEllie ChoiBen ChoiOlivia ChristensenSarah CochranNeb CockrellMorgan ColeAurelia ColletteMichael CollingsSonja CombsAbby ConnorSalome ConteronAnnabelle CrappellDaze Creamer-EllecampLainey CreasonAshley CrockettMeagan CrockettLilah Crum BarnhillAdelina CurielAidan DavisLilith DavisWendy DiazDarrelyn DollarAlex DufourmantellePaul DurlandVictoria DyeJeffrey EakinsVia EasterKimberly EscobarEva EvansTochi EzeanolueMikayla FarageGrace Fausnett-BondJacqueline Fernandez-PatlanKatie FitzgeraldCassandra FloresMia ForneyMcKaylie ForrestGracyn FrecksGabriele GalluccioJasmine GamelIxchel GarciaAngelika GarcianoCarlie GeiseDevan GirishIshita GorjalaZachary GraggRebekah GrantSydney GravattCallum GraysonSimone GriggsMaddie GrimesEmani GuerinArjelia Guillen MaciasBrennah GuinnZach GunterAlizah HaaseTaiylor Hackett-KempYasmeen HanonSara HanonBrianna Hardesty-BiondoKaleb HardingZachary HarrellHaylee HarrellAlexandra HarringtonIsabel HarrymanThor HarterMarcus HarveySafio HassanGrace HeathClara HeikenRayney HeldLogan HendersonMarc HermanAlejandro HernandezYency Hernandez-SanchezEve HerrMelissa HerreraMila HerreraKate HigginsIan HilderbrandKatarina HillSeth HillLauri HoedlTrent HoglandSienna HoopingarnerMadhav HotaAnnie HoustonEvan HuangMara HuckSarah IllimoottilAhmed IqbalFatima IqbalCara JacobNabeeha JalaliFahad JamalFaduma JarikRayne JasoniValentina Jimenez-ValenciaChance JohnsonDaniel JonesMadisyn JonesAidan JoyceTalen Joyner-KeeneAbby KargesGrant KellerZahra KhanKhadija KhanNatalie KiesGrace KimJoseph KnowlesSamanyu KoduriPrithvi KoneruSri KoyaDiksha KrishnaswamySindhuja KudapaJarissa LaraBenjamin LewisVance LiGianna LickelAnnie LileKyle LilleyJacob LobdellTaylor LopezHennessey LopezSam LuAnwitha MadamanchiLauren MageeGyan MalaniKrish ManekMayzie MangosLilah ManningGabby Marin CastanedaKylie MarshallZoey MarshallBrianna MartinTanner MartinSofia MartinezElizabeth MartinezNysa MaruthyAdele MaupinSabrina McCannEmma McdonaldDade McDonaldAubrionna MeadJuan MedranoRachel MengKendrah MesidorMaddie MeyerAnnamarie MilanoWren MillerYasmina MokhtarCatherine MonaghanJay MooreSkylar MorrisLanya MuhamadConstantin MusteataSaichaitanya NallajennugariRoman NapieralaMichael NavatoJillian NeeleyJessie NguyenEthan NguyenErick NicolasSavy NistalaJocelyn OhAlexa OmorodionBrenna OxleyMin PaingRiya ParikhRyan PasleyPrisha PatelMeirah PaulJordan PaxtonAngelina PearsonAthena PecautNatalie PeersonCharlotte PeetzAriana PerchesMason PercyLana PeregrinaMaya PerezSamantha PettusBlake PfannesCaitlin PickertSantosha PochirajuJailyn PolkElizabeth PorrittJack PowerArthur QualmanHomyra RahimiArushi RaiTheo RaitzerArchi RajSophia RamosSurya RangarajHamza RaufSarah ReedAdam ReedRyen ReedySamyra RegaladoNayab RehmanWilla ReustIsabella ReyesMadelyn RiffeeZoya RizviTamara RobinsonRemi RochaMarco RodriguezCourtnie RossChloe RothoveOlivia RubioThessa RyanJoy RyanHarryson SalcedoJouhel SalinasSamantha Santibanez-RuedaNatalie SarrattAshley SavageKaitlyn SchebaumWilliam SchniedersIsabelle SchroederHonesty SeaseVictor SewankamboArya ShahBelah ShanksDelaney ShieldsKowthar ShireAlexis ShirleyJordyn ShivelyEmily ShoemakeEvan ShoryRob ShresthaAmritasha SinghMolly SloanJonathan SmithNia SmithBrian SparksBen SpringerAshu SrirangamAydan StiglerAlexandre StoutJazlyn SummersTristan SupernawNatalie SwampillaiTennessee TaffnerDa'Mya ThomasNikole ThomasRyan ThomasEmma ThomasKaelyn ThompsonEmily TownsDhairya TrivediHannie TruongAllBright TunKellen TurnerDana Valenzuela PortilloMeaghan VandeheyNivriti VaranasiDanusri VaratharajSarai VasquezCamille VerhoevenMaddie vonFischbachAnshal VyasWalley WalleyBradley WaltonLily WatersKeegan WatkinsLuke WatkissZane Watt HovenVince WeinbauerLyric WestleyChristina WholeyKyra WilburnConstantin WilliamsVictor WilliamsAurora WilsonGavin WithamAlexandria WoerthThistle WolfMarley WoodfordHannah WoodsGrace WorkmanJames WorthamSarah YacoubSarah YimBeck ZaitzZhenos ZakiKarla ZelayaSophie Zinman
School of Law
Kit AdderholtMohammad AlkhatibCallison AmesDominic AmmatelliAllee ArmitageTiara ArtiesRebekah ArwoodKelsy AustwickLevi BanesMichelle BarrineauAshley BartonMelanie BattsJoseph BazataRaef BellBrianna BellamyOlivia BenoitBekah BerardiAlyse BergerCameron BerryEmma BeuerleinCharles Beulens Jenniece BooneQuintin BossertAlexandra BowerBrent BoydShayna BrazealHarrison BurchfieldEthan BureshCade BurghartPadraich BurkeKarima BurnsJason CantrellMarin CareyJosie CareyKenzie CarsonJohn CastelloAmanda CastillejaLindsey CavittTrevor CernechMatthew Champagne Molly ChasteenPiper ChristensonBrian ChristianJesse ClaypoolTyler ClevengerThomas CluckPhilip ColeFrancesco Consalvo Makenna CopelandCade CortezBobbie Crew Stephanie CrockerKristen CroucherIsabella CrutchfieldTaylor CullenIan CuthbertPadriac DaBruzziAdam DanielBrooke DaughertyTedeja DeanJames DeisterTrinity DelaneyAlex DeLucaMichael DerusseauEmily DesbienKendall DillonAudrey DoeringMichael DolanSofia DominguezAnna DonaldsonMackenzie DouglasIvana EasleyLilythe EighmyBijan EsfandiaryNoah FahnestockNoah FanslerAngelina FerraraKatie FiferCarson FinkMatthew FischbachCaroline FishTaylor FlemonsKersten FrostJoey GambleDanny GamezVictoria GardnerErica GarrettKirby GarrettDoug GraceEthan GraySophie GreenErika GreerHarper HaganMcCalister HallBethany HalsteadJennifer HalversonJoseph HardyChristine HarpeBret HartMary Paige HawkinsAddison HaynesGrant HeimanJay HellebuschAlex HerringLiam HeuselTorri HicksBen HobstetterCalvin HolleJordan HopperGrant HouskeKirsten HoutzJulia HowellLukas HudsonAlison HuffAaron HungClayton HutchinsMatthew HyattOlivia JabaleyRyan JacobsenKaylee JacobsonElizabeth JanneyTara JanowskiLogan JeffersCristina JimenezNoah JohnsonLatorrie JohnsonCat JohnsonNathan JohnsonGabe JohnsonJared JohnstoneClaire JoskiKatherine KarnatzMaria KenneyEmma King MurphyCole KingsleyWilliam KirkpatrickAlec KirwanWieu KuotSalenna LaffoonNick LangsdaleRies LasterLauren LawsonJacob Leamon Suhong LeeJilliane LewisLauren LipariMadeline MannRachel MartinRob MasseyBrad MatteuzziElizabeth McCarthyKenny McDermedLauren McFailAli McKeeBruce Mena-SierraKaleb MillerErin MillerAlexander MillerLogan Mitchell Brett MordecaiMeredith MorrisonCorey MyersMatthew NeswickTimothy NicholsJacob NiemeyerKendal NilgesEthan OliverJohn Olomon-HowellAsh OnstottPyper OttBrogan PattonSara PauleySamuel PetersonWhitney PetersonEmma PiazzaMegan PilegeTaylor PinonKirsten PintoAmanda PoeKaylee PopejoyCaleigh QuinnAnthony QuinnJosie RahderNicholas ReckerJoshua RepplingerErin RichardsJessica RigbyAddison RockersChristopher RogersCarrigan RohachAnna RomoMichael RoseTaylor RoseAnthony RossTaylor RumseyKelee RussAndrew SacharinYara SalamedLouise SarverClaire SchallenbergKloe’ SchnellJoseph ScholtenMadison SelfMargaret SelfEmersyn ShaltonTanner SheltonBrent ShinkleTaylor ShoemakerA Z M Umar Faruque Siddiki Diego SilvaTeresa SingletonJoseph SkojacDaniel SlaybaughHelene SlinkerKyle SmithKathryn SopcichWill SpeidelAndrew StaffordKatherine StanziolaRiley SteenstraJoseph SteinbacherMacy SteinlageKaylee StillieTressa StovernCorrine SurrattAnna Syptak-WelchMaxson TechauJohn ThompsonGabrielle ThurnReece TreasureAlexander TrueSumeya TummalaDerek van ThullenarAnna VanBuskirkWilliam VanceAbby VandiverJaquelin Veloz-CisnerosJohn ViewAlex VillalobosIsabella VillegasSydney VogelgesangAlexander von KeudellE Josef VothDanielle WagnerRobert WaldMatt WalkerSeth WalkerStephanie WaxmanLandon WebbSamantha WhiteBrennan WhittJake WillenbringRiley WilliamsAndrew WiseKevin WiseIan WisemanRegan WoodHuiting XuJoshua YanceyChristopher YardleyHeather YatesWilliam YoungsJesse ZeckCamron ZerrPeyton ZigrangGrant Zykan
School of Nursing and Health Studies
Halawe AbdiYaretzy Aguirre CamachoRashawn AionoIbtihal AliNour AlterjalliHiba AlterjalliIsabelle AndersonHajra AsifTami AyegboElla BaileyBeatriz BandaAmoni BastonMia BatistaJudy BattsDaniela BautistaMary BedaSajeda BeeMaqdas BhattiCaroline BrandtAmelia BreuerKatie BuehlerElizabeth BurgenerJasmine CageKarime CalderonAlivia CalvertErin CarberyAlex CarreonDylan CarterTacee CatlettSihaam CaydaruusMia ClasbyKayla CoatesShema ColleyAnnabel ColonRylee CourterWesley CribbBrenna CroninElaina CroninMalath DaffaallahLillian DangKelsey DavisThomas DrososAnnita DubeAnne EbberweinSam EllerbeckJessica Eskew-NoshirwaniLyric EwingKylie FergusonTia FieldsFatima Fierros-EspinozaIsabelle FishKatelyn GendronAbby GoschKinzie GuySu HanBrenden HansenZowie HayesHalle HeerenClaire HeigeleKathryn HeminghausBritney HernandezCecelia HinesGlenne HinkleAnna HoffmanMcKenna HoltzclawHawa IbrahimZainab IqbalAbby IslandJonn JacksonAshley JacobsonAislinn JorgeJalen JuanSimone JudonLillian KamlerKenzie KennicuttMeik KernsJulianna KuyMolly LaFolletteAngelica LamPiper LangmannChrystina Le-ChhengGrace LendtRami LeRoyHannah LindNatalia Lopez-RodriguezDanielle MakaraEiqra ManyiMillie McGheeMakayla MeadRafia MehmoodSarah MelvinDaniela MendezMaria MergenHannah MiddaughAshley MillerFatma MohamedFaiza MohamedEdgar MontoyaKarson MorrisBrooke MuehlingAndrea MulfordNatalie NguyenKristina NguyenNgoc NguyenKatie NobleCrystal OdugwePeyton OsborneMumtaza OsmanBrittany ParkerJasmine PattersonKassandra PerezSarah PerreaJorden PhillipsBryanna PlankerOlivia PlattLaci PowellLexi PribylIsabelle ProudfitOlivia QuinnJulia Rivera-BotkinElle RobinsonGray RobisonLawrence RoccaroJeffrey RodriguezSydney RogersAirly Romo QuezadaRachel RonquilloShannon RoseKathryn RossSam Ruiz-BehrendsEmina SarajlicRuth SchinstockPayton SchnoorIsaac ScottWah Moo SheeSarah Jane ShidelerGavan ShingerKortney SmallTyesha SmithLaChe' SmithMakenna SmockMaia SolQuinn SpearKarsyn StehlikElijah StroutAddi SuttonWaad TahaAmina TahirovicBrooke TannerAn'Jolise TaylorElizabeth ThangShawn TidwellJenny TranMakayla TraylorLauren TrickeyKayla Urness-ReardonBethany VandenburgPajah VangBridgette VelasquezMel VentersDaisy WanaswaMackenzie WebbLinda WhitsellPiper WilkinsDeion WilsonMartha WlehBriona WoodsAisha YacubCarson YantziValencia YzaguirreJazmin ZepedaBethany Ziebarth
School of Pharmacy
Ali AkersHaley AndersonSafa AnsariBrooke AtchisonAlexis BallEthan BillupsKeith BodenhamerKayla BondBryce BortkaRebekah BostonWeston BoswellKamden BoydIan CoffmanKatherine ComerMadison CrawfordCassy DoeblerScott DuensingMaddie EppleMakenzie FletcherNatalie FrankMarian FrizzellJackson GibbsNate GiboneyJay GoldenJake GriebelSeth HammackDarra HarperDrew HedrickJoshua HendersonLauren HendrixKayla HolmgrenNav KaurElla KemmAlison KeverBen KissnerMaya KivistoCourtney KneseClaire KollarsSophia KovalenkoAvery LakeMary LePiqueJomar LopezKalista MamieBrandi MarkhamKamryn MartinKyndall MillsCarson MohrPaige MuellerPayton NeubauerTam NguyenAlannah NowakHailey OeschCole ParkerIsabella PetryMalaina PitschLexi RiggsAli RyalsJoseph SalazarKesley SarbaughAlan ScalziSavannah SchludeJeremy SchmidtKatie SeeChris SimkinsGisele SimonPeyton StearmanMegan StewartJohn StriblingRachel SturdevantVictoria TaggartMegan TandyTevin TaylorTraeten ThorellPeter TranTommy TranCorrina TrimbleStephen UnkDominick VittoneMatney WatersKatie WeberWill WhiteClara WiedemanAllison WinklerAddison WuebkerLauren YoungbloodJefferson ZhongKiara CarpenterSydney FalterTanyaa GurushankarKevin HoJudah JerlsMichael LuAli TehraniEmra TmusicBrett TurnerLogan West
School of Science and Engineering
Mahrukh AamirHashim AbdullaMohsen AbdulrahmanZaid Abu-SalahJaret AdamsMichelle AguileraHafsa AhmedHaya AhmedArshiya AhsanCameron AkhtarSaleh AlameeriMadison AlbaughAmmar AlbeloushiHanna AlemuKarrar AljabaraYaseen AllanHamad AlmaianAlex AlonsoJasem AlostathYousef AlqallafAli AlsaffarNadeen AlsalmanAli AlsulaimanAnas AlthalathiniAnum AmanullahErica AmelunkeViraj AminMeerub AmirLany AndersonNnenna AnikweAbrahim AnsariNicolas AponteHalena Aquino-DunkinEmily ArmstrongJeremiah ArthurBillie AsraltIbrahim AssafFisher AtkinsKeeli AustinWuraola AwopetuAnthony AyalaCatherine BahadursinghAmir BahmandarPaige BaldwinDylan BallRabeea BariHarper BarlowJeff BarnhillGavin BartonAbdalrahman BashirMason BassHanva BassembatTanu BassiJadyn BauerSophia BaugherLucy BeckenbachAaron BeckmanKatelyn BellAdriana BenassiAmgad BenkhadraSarah BensahriSalma BensahriMauricio BernalLogan BeshearsEthan BessetteElle BetzSiya BhaduGrady BiceJacob BiddingerEmma BjornstadMercedez BoatengMaggie BoleyCharlie BonadonnaKate BoosmanJulia BourquinRyann BowmanWyatt BoydCaelan Bradfield WoodheadNico BradshawXavier BrandhorstMary BreauJoshua BrinerShafter BriscoeDylan BrollSharli BrownRand BrownChamberlain BrownsbergerGarrett BryerZaina BsataAbigail BuckLindsey BuehlerBk BurkaJack BurnosMarcus ButlerKyle ButlerCooper BuzbeeBrenda CalderonEsteban CalderonJeff CampLupe Campos-SotoOlivia CarlsonKeyra Castillo AvilaJosh CastroGavin CatchingJudi CavenderNoah ChapmanVictor ChavezXingyu ChenYumiko ChenJohn ChirpichCatherine ChrobakBrody ChurchmanCameron CiancioloTori ClarkJenna ClarkDominic ColbertRiley ConnorsTanisha ConyersJuan Corral-Galindo.Liv CourtneyChristina CuttsMuzan DaffaallahMohammed DaghmoushMichael D'AgostinoJohnny DaoAbdulaziz DarweeshWillow DavisCaitlyn DavisSafae DbaibiNicholas de RaadRJ DedertJenifer DelgadoKopelyn DeLongMiguel DeltoroNoah DevlinOpjeet DhanoaJohnny DiepKyla DinhKatreena DinhLydie DjibaKhoa DoLogan DudleyAbhigna DugaputiZane DunstonBrian DuongTyler EavesJoel EbenezerSarah EbenezerMaryam El-DemerdashMohamed ElgasimNouran ElhiweejTyler EllingtonDoug ElyAnthony EppelheimerKatelyn ErceTina ErfanianEuropa EstabrookEdward Estepan AlcantaraMichael FamurewaArsala FatimaTasneem FatimahSienna FickenArfa FirozIlse Flores HernandezAdamaris Flores ValadezChristina ForbesEthan FordKylan FosterSymone FranksDylan FrazierCamden FreemanConner FreeoufPeyton FryRemica FunderburkJohn GachKrishna GandhamWill GannanCynthia GarciaChad GardnerSai Charan GarrepallyJosh GehrElaina GenovaAdrina GeorgeKyle Darius GepayoNora GharaviAlex GhasemiRyan GibbonsSirat GillCody GlassbrennerKathleen GodornesJackson GoldMJ GonzalezMirka GonzalezJohn GoodenKyle GoodmanBrandon GouvionJackson GrantMichael GreenAnnabelle GriffinAaron GulatiAutumn GuptaKayden GurungLina GuzmanSophia HaiCaden HallCarter HallZach HardeeCierra HarrisAela HartnettMahmood HassanTaiba HayadMuskaan HayerDominic HeaterBen HelusElbert HenriquezTroy HermannSelena HerreraCassie HerringKatarina HertellAlex HiebertBrooke HigginsCassidy HillLauren HinesTrenton HoeflickerBruno HoeltgebaumLuke HoeltingIzzy HogelinTobias HoldenCydnee HollinshedMcKenna HoodClement HorlanderAdam HoskinsMaung HtooCameron HuddlestonKona HudsonAidan HughesAndy HumphreyBawaan HussainKhaled Harun HusseinDaniel HuynhChristine HwangAisha IbitoyeWesley IdahosaMohid IdreesSaid IsakovOh May IsharHiba IssawiSarah JacksonJailyn JacksonLillie JacobsKamron JafariAlexia JaimeAkerth JainSteven JalinskyAlpha JallohMohammad JarradSai Bindhu JavvajiSai Sindhu JavvajiAJ JayasekarAshli JohnsonMark JohnsonSolomon Johnson-Parker-HillGrayson JohnstonKate JohnstonKevin JonesOliver JonesJessica JosephJoan JoshyGisselle JuradoSam JusticeTyler KaiserTyler KaminskiAkshay KannanAnshika KapoorAlan KarnesSimarpreet KaurDavid KeltnerSydney KennedyMatt KentJack KeysRahhaf KhalilShree KhambekarSean KhanHannah KhanZawni KhineWei Shen KhooIan KimTerica KimbleJeff KimbrowDaniel KingSydney KingBraeden KingsolverAubry KleinsorgeMary KleneElijah KlineKat KnightMarshall KnisalZach KnuthKai KowalczewskiMaddie KramerGabriel KribbsAlisa Krolevich BertrandMaddie KunzJacob KuppermanJack KurtzLizzy LaffoldBrandon LaingThao LamJade LambertzCalvin LarisonAlicia LeLoc LeAusten LeckbeeEmanuel LefeboDeming LeiMick LeinbachCooper LennardCat LewinBrett LewisJack LewisAlex LiSunny LinDavid LinAngela LiuKomlan LoccoMelanie Loma-JassoJoseph LongJoey LopezJuan LopezTiffany LorAlyssa LoveAsh LovettAbdullahi MaalimDuncan MacDonald MacdonaldLisa MachKeagon MadisonGrace MahacekLuke MalcomLeher MalhotraSarina MalisosAtlas MallamsMaddie MaloneAdrian ManhnieoSavanah ManionNathan ManningWilson MaoSidney MartinAlexia Martinez ArambulaKassandra Martinez-RiveraAva MastersonJulian MatrasJosh McAnerneyMaura McCaigMichael McCormackAndrew McDanielClayton McGinnisNicholas MckenzieKoby MckindryHayden McnallanPatrick McPartlandTanner MeansJaime MedinaKylee MedlinFinn MeggittLeah MengVanessa MenzAbreham MesfinNick MilesMadyson MinkerChase MinnickSalman MirzaMadison MitchellJaxen MitchellNihal ModuguDarko MohammedSumaiya MohamudJackson MontaigneEli MontgomeryKyle MoorKatelyn MoorePeter MorganRaine MorriganKegan MorrowDenny MosbyXander MosleyMaria Eduarda MottaNina MruckovskiUmer MuhammudKaze MuregoBree MurphyPhoebe MurphyCody MurrowKaydence MusgroveAlla MustafaTrevon MyersShrihari NagarajanKyle NaluanEmily NatanovaSokhna NdiayeJack NeerMitul NeerubaiBen NelsonTaylor NevezMinh NgoBritney NguyenDanny NguyenCadao NguyenVincent NguyenNhat NguyenEthan NguyenJason NguyenBrandon NguyenMason NguyenChristine NguyenBean NguyenKevin NguyenThuan NguyenCecilia NguyenScott NguyenJoey NguyenNoah NicholsSpencer NormanEthan NorrisTrevor NortonMicah NovakArtemis NowrouziChikasi NwachukwuAndrew O'DellDemilade OgunleyeDiamond OgunsijiFaith OlaoyeSemire Olatunde-SalawuVictor OlatunjiMary OldhamCaden OllarVictoria OlusanyaIan O'NealEsteban OrdazDylan OrpinIsa Ortiz-AcostaAmna OsmanAhmed OuazzaniGunner PaceSara PaceVaishali PadarthyVaishali PadarthyBrayton PalmaJasmine ParmarJazmin ParraWill ParrishAna PastoraJai PatelYagna PatelAarohi PatelPearl PatelJayda PaulRasagyna PeddapalliGiacomo PennellaVanesa Perez-JaramilloHallee PhamHanson PhanHuynh PhanAlisha PhelpsRaegan PiersonSpencer PingelCarter PittsAudrey PlunkettChina PolferAnjie PopoolaNicholas PortingSai Praneeth PothuriOliver PowellAdam PowersEdgar Prado ZavalaJordan PrierOlyvia PughBreckynn PughWylie PutnamHafsa RahmanNachiket RajinikanthDiana RamirezMarco RamirezPrisha ReddyAlexis ReedHolly ReesThomas ReillyAna Ribeiro TostaDonald RieadZadok RiggsAlyssa RobersonLanden RobyCarson RocheClarice RodriguezDavid RodriguezChris RodriguezClarice RodriguezNick RoederEvelin Romo-MaciasTimothy RonoAlex RoseAly RubleAndrew RuffinAnthony RuizEmery RuliffsonSam SaflyShirin SahaAustin SalinskyAhmed SalousDori SandritterPreston SantoFatoumatta SanyangSafal SapkotaSofia SarrisSamantha SaunsaucieSophy SaykallyLogan SchmoeJake SchneiderAvri SchultzSam ScottJosephine SebunyenziWayne SellersAllison ShaferAyush ShahMahnoor ShahidToufiq UmarParanjay SharmaBailey SharpAlend ShkurCalvin ShuckWilliam SikorskiMatthew SimmonsLogan SimpsonAtlas SizemoreSloan SkarzynskiClayton SlonikerChauncey SmallKendal SmithJadan SmithKatie SmithKaleb SmithArsalan SohailNdeye SonkoJose SosaJames SparksHaley SpringerThomas StasaPeter SternCory SteverJaydine StilesAlex StinsonJordan StrausbaughMahlon StrongSebastian Strong-HuffTuhin SudhakarEd Szczuka JrSthuthi TadipartiHannah TaiAlex TangJunior Tanyi BateEmelin TapiaAida TesfayJeremiah TesfayeRobert TeutschA Chao ThaoMya ThomasAiden ThompsonSam ThompsonMax ThompsonVignesh TiruvannamalaiJen TownesMichelle TranVincent TranAnh Thu TranBen TranaLuis TribaldoSteven TurnerEmily TurnerMya TurnerLevi TurnerRebecca TurnerMadison TwiteShruthika UduthuriLauren UkenaSebashton UnderhillAaron UptonJordy Urbina-GuardadoAmber VaidUrmila Suman VaidyaNathan ValencicGibron VangNathan VanzeylAkshaj VariathJanani Venkat RamananRohan VenkateshLarry VeulemanChris ViermannJonin VillacampaJulio VillarrealNhu VoPhuc VoKevin VoBrian VoHalley VogtsGracie WagnerHay WahReece WalkerLucas WallaceDaniel WalquistGriffin WalshLily WarnerNoah WatkinsAshton WeeksJacob WeidleJohan WestergaardKimora WhetstoneMeghan WhiteLevi WilhelmHajar WilkesIsaac WilliamsTomie WilliamsAlyssa WoodJozey WoodTodd WoodruffIsaac WoodwardGabriel WorcesterRobert WrenGracie WrightAniston WulffZhen XiaoJordan XiongJada YanceyVincent YangEmily YuTaylor YuhasTaylor YuhasAlice ZhaoPresley Ziegenbein
University College
Christian CastrejonJoy CruickshankTristan FeenerTanya Hladky-BlyIan IdeMaria OjedaAxel SanchezMakayla SchulzElise Segers
If a student’s name does not appear on the list, please direct questions to the appropriate school or college.
Jul 07, 2025
UMKC alumna redefining beauty standards with skincare brand that embraces acne without shame
Kaity Smith (BBA ’24) has spent years sharing her acne journey online, building a following with nearly 300,000 followers and 25 million likes on TikTok and more than 90,000 followers on Instagram. Throughout her skincare journey, she realized that most skincare products were not designed with acne-prone skin in mind. Now, with the launch of her brand Acne Girly, the UMKC alumna aims to empower people by normalizing acne and redefining skincare. We talked to Smith about her entrepreneurial journey and the vision behind Acne Girly.
What made you decide to start Acne Girly?
I was so tired of acne being marketed through shame. Why is every product ad zooming in on someone’s breakout or talking about ‘fixing’ your face? I wanted to create something that didn’t make people feel like they had to hide behind their acne. Acne Girly is for people who’ve felt overlooked by the beauty industry and just want products that meet them where they are.
What did you study at UMKC and how has that helped you with creating Acne Girly?
I studied business administration with an emphasis in marketing and entrepreneurship and minored in chemistry. I was also part of the E-Scholars program, which helped me build confidence when it came to representing my brand and staying true to it. My business background gave me the structure to bring Acne Girly to life, and the chemistry background helped me understand how formulations work, especially when it came to acne-prone skin.
What products can be purchased from Acne Girly? How did you decide on these products?
We’ve launched one product so far. Dottie is a hydrocolloid pimple patch that comes in a refillable case. I’ve personally tried almost every patch on the market, and my community already trusts my thoughts on what works. Patches have been a part of my routine forever as they’re effective, satisfying and low-effort. Dottie is my take on them— patches made for breakouts packaged in a way that feels intentional and elevated.
How did you get started as an influencer in the acne and skincare industry?
I started by posting college vlogs on YouTube, but when I moved to TikTok, that’s when things took off. Honestly, a lot of the early comments were negative. People would point out my acne, ask what treatments I’d tried and comment what I was doing ‘wrong.’ It could’ve made me stop posting, but instead I chose to show up anyway. I started answering questions, sharing what I’d been through and representing the acne girls who didn’t see themselves in skincare ads. From there, my platform grew naturally. I was consistent, like posting 10 times a day consistently, and made it a point to respond to almost every comment with a video. I’m mainly on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
What was the process of starting your own business like? Was it similar to building your brand as an influencer?
Honestly, it was a whole different beast. With influencer content, it’s mostly you and your camera. But launching a product means working with labs, designers, manufacturers and legal teams—it involves constant communication and decision-making. As an influencer, I built a brand based on me. With Acne Girly, I had to think bigger: how does this serve others? What does this brand stand for without my face on it? The stakes are higher, the to-do list is longer and you’re responsible for way more than just engagement. But at the end of the day, both are about building trust and showing up consistently.
What do you hope people experience after using Acne Girly products?
I want people to use our products and feel like they’re not alone in this—that their acne doesn’t make them less clean, less confident or less deserving of good skincare. I also want the experience to feel a little luxurious and feminine. The packaging, the textures and the tone of our brand are all intentional to make people feel like using our products is an experience in itself. People deserve skincare that supports their skin and looks beautiful while doing it.
What are your future goals and aspirations with Acne Girly?
I’d love to expand into makeup with products that don’t just cover acne but also actually respect it. I want Acne Girly to be a one-stop, reliable place any acne girly can go to and know the products were made with them in mind. Skincare, makeup and maybe even community spaces. My dream is to change the way people with acne experience beauty.
Jul 02, 2025
UM System Award honors students for exceptional leadership, peer mentorship and campus community impact
Michelle Wu, a fifth-year medical student in UMKC’s B.A./M.D. program, has been named a 2025 recipient of the Remington R. Williams Award, one of the University of Missouri System’s highest non-academic honors.
Named in memory of Remington R. Williams (J.D. ’22), a former UMKC student representative to the UM Board of Curators known for his compassion, leadership and dedication to student success, the award recognizes exceptional student leaders who make a lasting impact both inside and outside the classroom through outstanding character and a collaborative spirit.
Wu is one of just seven students across the entire UM System and the only UMKC student to receive the honor this year.
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Wu chose UMKC for its accelerated medical school program. But it was her unique circumstances of her first year that sparked her passion for building community.
“My first year at UMKC began in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it difficult to meet people or feel connected to campus life,” Wu said. “Coming from Texas, I did not know anyone in the program, and with everything held virtually, it was hard to build community. That experience motivated me to get more involved starting my second year, both to form connections and to help others feel more at home.”
She joined the Union Programing Board, eventually became president and city outreach coordinator, and also co-founded the UMKC chapter of Global Medical Brigades. Through her involvement in these organizations, Wu has helped foster a welcoming campus culture while also guiding fellow medical students through the challenges of their education.
In his nomination letter, UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal wrote: “Michelle consistently promotes an inclusive and supportive environment that inspires students and faculty around her. Her work on the Union Programming Board is a prime example of her dedication to creating a vibrant campus where students can build connections.”
In her five years with the Union Programming Board, Wu has helped bring students together through campus events that promote well-being and connection.
“She played a key role in organizing engaging events that brought both graduate and undergraduate students together,” said UMKC Associate Professor Xiang-Ping Chu, M.D., Ph.D. in his nomination letter. “Through her efforts, Michelle fostered a stronger sense of community by facilitating fun, inclusive events that not only contributed to student enjoyment but also promoted a well-rounded, healthy school life. Her work in this capacity was instrumental in helping create a vibrant, supportive environment where students could connect and unwind, ultimately cultivating a better school experience for all at UMKC.”
But her impact extends far beyond the campus events. She’s known among her peers and mentors as a trusted leader – someone students turn to for both academic support and personal encouragement.
“I wanted to support others who might feel just as overwhelmed or out of place as I once did,” Wu said.
At Saint Luke’s Hospital, where she worked under the mentorship of Richard W. Lustig, D.O., Wu became a go-to resource for younger students navigating clinical training.
“Michelle is always willing to offer advice and guidance, whether related to clinical challenges or academic inquiries,” Lustig said in his nomination letter. “She has taken many students under her wing, patiently helping them navigate the complexities of medical training while fostering an environment of respect, empathy, and mutual support. Her mentorship goes beyond simply answering questions; Michelle actively inspires and guides younger students to become better clinicians and leaders.”
That commitment to excellence was on full display during a neurology rotation when Wu noticed signs of a second stroke in a patient whose initial symptoms had been attributed to a single event.
“Trusting her clinical instincts, she advocated for further imaging, which led to the discovery of the new stroke,” Lustig said. “This timely intervention prevented the patient from suffering additional neurological damage and demonstrated Michelle’s unwavering commitment to patient care and her capacity to lead others by example. Her ability to advocate for the patient and her peers, even in the face of initial skepticism, is a testament to her character and determination.
Her contributions don’t stop at patients’ bedsides. Wu has already conducted impressive research in anesthesiology and authored clinical case studies. She hopes to continue that work in the future with a career in anesthesiology.
“I intend to remain actively involved in clinical research, contributing to advancements in anesthetic techniques and pain management therapies that can improve patient outcomes,” Wu said.
Through her leadership, mentorship, research and patient advocacy, Wu exemplifies the values celebrated by the Remington R. Williams Award.
To recognize the prestige honor of this award, each winner will receive a leadership medallion to wear at graduation, a $1,000 award and an invitation to attend a board meeting hosted at their institution to be recognized.
Jul 02, 2025
Claire Hutton leverages team partnership to get her degree while playing professionally
At UMKC, students write their own stories, form their own definitions of success and chart innovative career paths. With Kansas City as their classroom, they turn dreams into reality every day.
After the publishing of this article, Hutton went on to score her first international goal on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. Read the full coverage on ESPN and US News and World Report.
Claire HuttonUMKC degree program: Business Administration - Entrepreneurship and InnovationHometown: Bethlehem, NY
Claire Hutton takes success into her own hands on and off the field. Being a defensive midfielder on Kansas City’s National Women’s Soccer League team, KC Current, as well at the U.S. National Women’s Soccer team, Hutton is using a benefit of the team’s partnership with UMKC, which provides scholarships for KC Current players. She has funding and flexibility to get her business degree while playing professional soccer.
“This is just something that I've always been interested in,” Hutton said. “I'm definitely more of a math and science girl. I'm going to most likely have another career after soccer, and thought it would be cool to have business, which is a wide field, under my belt once I'm done playing.”
In addition to being a UMKC student, Hutton started 19 of 22 matches for the Current in her rookie season in 2024 and was named a finalist for both 2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year and 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year.
What does the partnership between UMKC and KC Current mean for you?
The relationship between KC Current and UMKC is incredible. If I didn't have this opportunity, I would be going home at 3 p.m. and twiddling my thumbs, so being able to have this opportunity through the KC Current that provided me with the resources to get connected to UMKC helped me.
Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?
I've learned that I can do a lot. I can handle a lot of things, and I can focus on many different things at once. I've learned that I'm interested in different things, whether it be learning about Excel or even just taking a new History of Rock’n’roll class. I'm someone who loves to learn, so having this opportunity and different options for classes has been so fun.
What do you hope to take from your experiences at UMKC into your professional career?
I think one of the biggest things is I don't know what I'm going to do after I'm done playing. That's why this experience is providing me a good platform to go on and do anything I want. It's providing me a lot of background information and knowledge, and it’s helping me connect with different people who I wouldn't be connecting with if I wasn't going to school at UMKC.
What do you admire most about UMKC?
I just admire the resources. I took a class in the fall, and in that class, we learned so much about all the different resources and who was available on campus if we needed help and where we could go. I think it just shows how willing people are at UMKC to help students and get them more involved in the community.
What is one word that best describes you and why?
I think “ambitious.” I'm always searching for the next step and how to be better.
Jul 01, 2025
Six fresh alumni share their post-graduation plans
The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Trustees’ Scholars Program is a signature program of the university that provides prestigious scholarships and access to the UMKC Trustees’ knowledge, connections and mentorship for first-time students. Trustees’ Scholars not only excel academically, they are also leaders. Many start new student organizations and serve on executive councils of student groups. They are model representatives of the university and go on to have successful careers in a variety of fields.
Meet the six students from the Class of 2025 UMKC Trustees’ Scholars cohort, including one who graduated in the winter. They shared their plans after graduation and what being a Trustees’ Scholar means to them.
Z Kemp
Bachelor of Science, civil engineeringMinor in communication studiesMentor: Trustee Scott Smith, retired executive at HNTB
Kemp will join Kiewit Corporation, a national construction and engineering firm, as a civil engineer.“The Trustees’ Scholars Program was instrumental to my college experience and success,” Kemp said. “Through the program, I’ve been mentored by dedicated business leaders in the Kansas City area, granting me opportunities that I will carry with me as I depart from UMKC.”
Vari Patel
Bachelor of Business Administration, emphasis in financeBachelor of Arts, political scienceUniversity HonorsMentor: Trustee Suzanne Shank, retired executive at General Electric
Patel plans to attend law school as her next step.
“Being a Trustees’ Scholar has meant more than just financial support,” Patel said. “It’s been an investment in me as a person, leader and future public servant. The program has helped me grow beyond the classroom, shaping my character and commitment to service. I’ve learned the value of giving back and look forward to returning that investment by supporting the UMKC community in the years to come.”
Ethan Kauffman
Bachelor of Music Education, instrumentalCum LaudeMentor: Marylou Turner, Women’s Committee of the Conservatory
Kauffman is excited to begin his career as a music educator and director of bands at Black Hawk Middle School in Warrenton, Missouri.
“My experience as a Trustees’ Scholar has been enriched by incredible experiences interacting with the most impactful people in the Kansas City area,” Kauffman said.” Whether it’s attending professional enrichment, a civic gala or chatting with Trustees over lunch, this program has no shortage of excitement! I am incredibly thankful for the support of the program, donors and leadership, as well as their part in making my experience at UMKC fantastic!”
Emma Schilling (graduated in December 2024)
Bachelor of Business Administration, emphasis in marketingCum LaudeMentor: Trustee Steve Bernstein, CEO and president of Bernstein Rein Advertising, Inc.
Following graduation, Schilling plans to continue doing freelance graphic design work and grow Studio Em, a graphic design business she started in 2020.
“I had a wonderful experience being a UMKC Trustees’ Scholar,” Schilling said. “It has been one of my biggest blessings, and I have loved learning and growing alongside my fellow scholars. The individuals I met during the past four years and my experiences have greatly impacted my life. My favorite part was the mentorship program and the connections I made at Bernstein-Rein Advertising.”
Jaeden Johnson
Bachelor of Fine Arts, danceMentor: Trustee Debby Ballard, President & Founder of The Ballard Connection
Johnson plans to stay in Kansas City to teach dance to children and work as a freelance artist. She plans to travel and audition for dance companies after a full recovery from an injury.
“I am forever grateful to have been a part of the Trustees’ Scholars Program because I learned how to be a better human,” Johnson said. “It gave me the support I needed through my college journey. I’m thankful for the opportunities and the connections I made, which I will carry throughout my life.”
Maddie Kunz
Bachelor of Science, biologyMinor in chemistrySumma Cum Laude and University HonorsMentor: Dr. Joseph Spalitto, D.D.S.
After graduation, Kunz will attend the UMKC School of Dentistry to pursue a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.
“Being a Trustees’ Scholar has been a life-changing experience,” Kunz said. “This scholarship program gave me endless support and opportunities; I always felt like I had someone in my corner. I would not be here today without it!”
Jun 27, 2025
A surprising number of twins have enrolled at UMKC School of Dentistry
To paraphrase an old idiom, two brains are better than one. At the UMKC School of Dentistry, that saying holds true, especially when two brains have been connected since birth. The school has welcomed an unusually large number of twins as students over the years.
Whether identical or fraternal, these pairs have an uncanny ability to divine their siblings’ thoughts, share their burdens and enjoy working in tandem, giving them a unique experience both in their clinical and class work and also as they build their practices after graduation.
Richie Bigham, assistant dean for student programs, estimates the school has an incoming class with a set of twins every three to four years.
“We’ve had a lot of siblings,” Bigham said, “but having them in the same class is unique to twins. One benefit is they get double the friends.”
What gives? Are genetics responsible for the twin phenomenon? The environment? Nature or nurture?
The twins say it’s not that complicated.
Third-year students Abagayle and Annabella Moody saw dentistry as a healthcare career that would give the sisters the opportunity to work together after graduation. Their classmate, Jade Bauer, also a twin, put it more succinctly – twins do everything together.
“It’s just a twin thing,” Bauer said.
Identical in every way
The Moody sisters are a quintessential pair of identical twins. Not only do they finish each other’s thoughts, but they sometimes say entire sentences in unison. The sisters, originally from Frontenac, Kansas, now live together, commute to school together and work out together. They also share a dog named George.
The Moodys have had two goals since they were young: work in healthcare and work together. Dentistry seemed like the profession that would give them the best chance at achieving their vision. After they earn their dental degrees, both want to complete pediatric residencies and work separately for a while. But their ultimate goal is to buy a practice and work together for the rest of their lives, according to Annabella.
In dental school, both sisters feel double the fun and double the pressure.
“Sometimes during a test, I would look at Annabella and try to read how she’s doing,” Abagayle said. “And then I would be like, ‘Oh my gosh, I need to focus on what’s in front of me.’”
In clinic, the two team up on difficult cases. If one is doing a complicated crown prep, for example, the other makes sure she is there to assist. Whoever is done with her patients first will help clean up the other’s operatory.
“It’s like a built-in third hand,” Annabella said.
As identical twins, bringing patients to the clinic from the waiting room leads to some unique interactions.
“We’re on different teams, so our patients don’t see us together,” said Annabella. “But we’ll be walking with our patients and pass each other. Our patients are like, ‘What is going on?’”
Always there for each other
Students Sydney and Jade Bauer have wanted to be dentists since middle school. But neither recalls who had the idea first.
During their first two years of dental school, the pair lived together and thought it was helpful to always have a study partner nearby, especially when it came to sharing flash cards. Although they live separately now, they live in the same apartment complex and help keep each other motivated.
“Nobody else really understands what we’re going through in dental school,” Jade said, “so it’s nice being able to vent to someone who understands.”
Now that the two are in clinic, their bond gives them an advantage.
“I wouldn’t say we have a telepathic connection, but I understand when Sydney is stressed or frustrated,” Jade said. “I can tell her to slow down and take a couple breaths, and that’s something her friends wouldn’t be able to recognize.”
Along with their twin intuition, Jade and Sydney share similar values when it comes to caring for their patients. Both of them believe it’s important to form strong relationships, and they think having a twin helps break the ice.
“We’ll tell them about being a twin and introduce them to the other,” Jade said. “It’s also fun when we pass by Sydney and I can say, ‘Oh by the way, that’s my twin.’”
As fraternal twins, Sydney is surprised by how many people get the two mixed up.
“I don’t think we look anything alike,” Sydney said. “But some people think we’re identical.”
Another topic up for debate? Whether or not they share a talent for singing. Following Sydney’s impressive vocal performance at the school’s annual talent show, many asked Jade if she sings too.
“Jade said, ‘I try, but she tells me not to,’” said Sydney.
Originally from St. Louis, the Bauers’ hope is to own a practice together at some point, either in the Kansas City area or in Austin, Texas. For now, they both just hope they can practice in the same city.
“If I ever buy a practice, it will be with Sydney,” Jade said. “We understand each other so well. There’s never been a fight that we haven’t been able to overcome.”
Double the success and the stress
Alumni Adam (DDS ’10, PERIO ’12) and Peter McClellan (DDS ’10) never know what to say when they are inevitably asked about their experience as fraternal twins.
“People always ask what it’s like,” Adam said. “It’s hard to answer that, because you don’t know any different.”
Like the Moody sisters, when the McClellans were students, they experienced everything twice – the success and the stress. Adam internalized Peter’s struggles as much as his own.
During an endodontic competency test, the two sat across from each other working on typodonts. Adam could hear Peter getting frustrated, unable to find the pulp in a specific tooth. It was distracting Adam. He knew his brother was drilling on the wrong tooth, trying to find pulp that wasn’t there.
“Eventually, he figured it out and passed the practical,” Adam said. “But I was so stressed out worrying about him that I failed the practical. It’s something we laugh about to this day.”
Their connection as twins gave the brothers a unique perspective on the benefit of collaboration and mentorship. These values are now built into their everyday at each of their practices. They began separate practices in Prairie Village, Kansas, and over the years each has expanded his individual practice to offices around the Kansas City metropolitan area.
“Part of being a twin is seeing firsthand that things are easier when you do them together,” Peter said. “We both saw collaboration was the future of dentistry. Collaborating instead of being solo practitioners.”
Looking back on their time in dental school, Adam is grateful he always had a partner in Peter.
“I’m glad we had each other to lean on,” said Adam. “I often wonder how I would have done if it was just me. Same for Peter.”
Bigham sees it as an advantage as well.
“You think about their journey and how twins share so much in life,” Bigham said. "When we make acceptance calls with twins, we always like to try to call them at the same time. We notify them together so that they find out at the same moment.”
A Family Affair
Identical twins Daniel (B.S. ’79, DDS ’83) and David Stamos (B.S. ’79, DDS ’83) were raised in Independence, Missouri, by a single mother who instilled in them the desire to live a more comfortable life. They believed education was the key to achieving their goal – and they knew they had to do it together.
“In high school, we would split the assignments,” David said. “‘You do the even numbers, and I’ll do the odd numbers,’ and the ones we couldn’t figure out, we would work together on them,” David said.
That collaboration never stopped. After high school, they both attended Metropolitan Community College-Longview in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, on tennis scholarships. They finished their undergrad at UMKC with degrees in biology. Next came dental school (and part-time jobs at the same grocery store). After earning their dental degrees, Daniel headed to Marquette University in Milwaukee for an endodontic residency. David headed to Wisconsin a year later for the same residency.
Now the brothers have started a family of endodontists who are all proud UMKC alumni. David’s son, Alexander Stamos (DDS ’14) practices with his father in Independence, Missouri. Daniel’s daughter, Kate Edwards (DDS ’17), also joined her dad’s practice, with two locations in Kansas City, North. His son, Patrick Stamos (DDS ’15), owns an endodontic office in Columbia, Missouri. The two fathers couldn’t be prouder.
“The kids are following in our footsteps because they saw what the profession could lead to and they liked it,” Daniel said. “I asked my son why he wanted to be an endodontist. He said, ‘All those meetings you used to drag us to, everybody was always just so nice and looked like they were having a good time.’’
Although the Stamos twins practice separately, the two live 10 minutes from each other, and they talk every day on their way to the office.
“Every morning on the way to work, Dave will call me, and we spend five or six minutes rehashing everything,” Daniel said. “And at night as well.”
Through the ups and downs of dental school and beyond, each one of the twins has leaned on that special relationship and second brain to share in their passion and devotion to the field of dentistry. While their paths look a little different from each other, there is no denying their common bond: they cherish their time at the School of Dentistry and deeply value their chosen profession.
“We’ve had a lot of blessings in our life,” Daniel said. “We’re old, but we haven’t forgotten what dentistry has given us.”
Jun 23, 2025
Composer Ian Yeonchan Chung to study music composition
Recent UMKC Conservatory graduate Ian Yeonchan Chung (DMA ‘25) was awarded a Fulbright grant to study in Austria during the 2025-26 school year. Chung is a music composer and will complete a post-graduate degree and compose a new album of music.
The Fulbright grant is a prestigious national program that promotes international educational and cultural exchange. It provides funding for U.S. students to pursue graduate study, conduct research or teach English in one of more than 140 countries worldwide.
When Chung received news he earned the Fulbright grant, he was preparing his children’s micro-opera for debut. In Austria, he’ll be focused on European jazz, which is stylistically different from American jazz. Chung is interested in all types of music; he hopes his time in Austria will expose him to new varieties and experiences.
“I'm trying to build my unique voice as a composer combining different elements from classical music, jazz and traditional Korean music,” Chung said. “I think combining these different elements will help create that voice. I hope to get a lot of new ideas while I’m in Austria.”
In addition to studying and taking in performances, Chung plans to compose and record at least three pieces of jazz music for big bands; when he returns, he’ll work with musicians to perform them live.
“Ian’s achievement is a proud moment for the Conservatory and a testament to his talent, discipline and artistic vision,” said Courtney Crappell, dean of the Conservatory. “We are thrilled to see his work recognized on the global stage. This milestone also reflects the dedication and mentorship of our composition faculty, who guide and inspire our students every step of the way.”
Chung came to UMKC to study under the music composition faculty, particularly Chen Yi. Chen and other faculty members, including Yotam Haber, Paul Rudy and Zhou Long, are known internationally for their works. Their support and connections provided Chung with unforgettable experiences, including serving as the president of the UMKC Composer’s Guild and the opportunity to see his music performed at the Folly Theatre by the Conservatory Orchestra.
“I am forever in the debt of all of the composition faculty. They’ve supported me in so many different ways,” Chung said. “My time here has been so rewarding, and it’s possible because of my professors and their help.”
Jun 13, 2025
Kent and Judy Whittaker’s $3.5 million estate gift will support student scholarships, law school building and areas of greatest need
The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law received the largest philanthropic gift in its history, an endowed estate gift of $3.5 million. The Whittaker family, including an alumnus who became a U.S. Supreme Court justice, has been part of the UMKC School of Law’s story for more than 100 years. Their gift will impact the school for generations to come.
The gift from Kent Whittaker, a Kansas City lawyer for 45 years, will support student scholarships, law school building maintenance and areas of greatest need. Impressed by recent UMKC School of Law accolades including the school being named among U.S. News & World Report’s top 100 law schools and accomplishments such as students placing high in competitions, he wants to see the school continue to elevate its reputation as a national law school and hopes to inspire others to make their own estate gifts.
Learn more about estate gifts and other ways to support the law school.
“Kent and Judy Whittaker truly set the standard for excellence as lawyers and leaders in the greater Kansas City community,” said Lumen Mulligan, dean of the UMKC School of Law. “It is exceptionally fitting, then, that their gift sets the standard for philanthropy here at UMKC Law. Their generosity will empower UMKC Law’s success in perpetuity.”
Law school and his career as an attorney shaped Whittaker’s life. He felt he owed a debt to the profession that made him who he is today.
“I was not motivated in college. I was kind of floating through it and having fun,” Whittaker said. “When you graduate from law school and all of a sudden have someone sitting across the table who hires you to help them with a problem, it made a world of difference to me. I was responsible for something. I was serious about it, and it made my life. I was not a workaholic, but it made my life.”
Whittaker is not an alumnus of UMKC School of Law himself, but his family ties are strong. His father, Charles Whittaker, graduated from the Kansas City School of Law – now the UMKC School of Law – in 1924. Charles Whittaker was a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and served on the Court from 1957 – 1962. He was nominated by President Eisenhower after serving at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. After his time on the Supreme Court, he returned to the casework he loved and became a counselor and corporate arbitrator for General Motors Corporation. Kent Whittaker’s late wife, Judy Whittaker (J.D. ‘63), is an alumna and was valedictorian of her class. Kate Whittaker (J.D. ‘95), Kent and Judy’s daughter, is also an alumna of the school.
Growing up with a lawyer, and then judge, for a father made going into law an easy choice for Kent. He remembers talking through cases with his father often, as Charles loved his work and “was consumed by cases.”
“I always knew I was going to be a lawyer; I just didn’t even consider anything else,” Kent said. “I had a lot of fun practicing law.”
Charles was appointed to the Supreme Court the same month Kent graduated from law school at the University of Michigan. It was there that Kent met his future wife, Judy, as a third-year law student helping with first-year orientation. After Kent graduated law school, he and Judy moved to his hometown of Kansas City. Kent began a long career in private practice in Kansas City, including more than 40 years with Hillix Brewer and its successors.
Judy finished law school at UMKC School of Law. During law school, Judy had two children and still graduated as valedictorian. She spent several years at a small firm, Sheffrey, Ryder & Skeer, before being asked to join the growing legal team at Hallmark. Judy spent 30 years at Hallmark, where she worked on many projects that led the company to what it is today, including leasing within the newly built Crown Center, the acquisition of Crayola, purchase of the Spanish International Network (now Univision) television station, numerous patents and more.
“Judy loved her career at Hallmark; I can’t remember a time she was unhappy there,” Kent said. “We were both fantastically lucky in our jobs and loved our time working.”
Their successful careers led to an early decision to pay it forward.
“We decided halfway through our working years that if we were able, we wanted to dedicate part of our estate to making a difference in the community,” Kent said. “We want to help reduce human suffering and support education, and that’s what we’re doing with this gift.”
Jun 13, 2025
UMKC students have achieved an impressive 50% success rate in applying for Gilman Scholarships, twice the national average of 25%.
Seven University of Missouri–Kansas City students have been selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a competitive national award from the U.S. Department of State that supports students receiving federal Pell Grants in studying or interning abroad.
UMKC stands out nationally for its strong support of students applying for the Gilman Scholarship. UMKC students have achieved an impressive 50% success rate in applying for Gilman Scholarships, twice the national average of 25%.
"It is not uncommon for students to assume study abroad isn’t meant for them, especially when the cost feels like a barrier,” said Ryan Ourada, associate director of Study Abroad and Global Engagement at UMKC. “At UMKC, we’ve worked to remove those barriers through a combination of proactive advising and access to a wide range of scholarships and funding sources. We walk students through their options, help them find funding, and stay with them until they return home."
With nearly 40% of degree-seeking undergraduates receiving Pell grants in the 2024 academic year, UMKC is committed to ensuring students can access scholarships that can help them reach all their academic goals, including studying abroad.
In addition to Gilman advising workshops with the Study Abroad and Global Engagement office, UMKC Career Services offers dedicated, comprehensive support for students in finding and applying for nationally competitive awards through personalized advising.
Through awards like the Gilman Scholarship, students gain critical global experience that enhances their academic, professional and personal growth.
"Studying abroad forces students to think differently,” Ourada said. “They learn to navigate unfamiliar systems, challenge their own assumptions and engage with perspectives that do not mirror their own. It sharpens critical thinking and stretches their social awareness. When they come back, they are not just better students, they become more adaptable, more innovative and equipped for the kind of complex, real-world problem solving that employers and communities expect from college graduates."
This year’s UMKC Gilman recipients will travel to six different countries on four continents:
Sydney Kennedy will study at the University of Queensland in Australia.
Wyatt Boyd will study at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia.
Laila Stevenson will attend Yonsei University in South Korea.
Sofia Martinez is participating in a faculty-led program in Málaga, Spain.
Gabrielle Porter will take part in a program in Denmark.
Tracey Bradford will study at Korea University in South Korea.
Mary Brooks will travel to China to attend a program in Shanghai.
Jun 11, 2025
Changes impact students, faculty, staff and visitors
Beginning August 1, the days of dangling parking permits from your rearview mirror are officially over. The University of Missouri-Kansas City is rolling out virtual parking permits across campus. The shift promises more convenience, fewer headaches and a meaningful step toward sustainability.
Instead of a plastic hangtag, license plates will now serve as parking permits. That means no more lost tags, no need to print temporary permits and no waiting for anything to arrive in the mail. Students, faculty and staff at both the Health Sciences and Volker campuses will register their vehicles online and be ready to park. Visitors, too, can register for virtual parking passes online; parking for UMKC School of Dentistry clinic patients will not be affected. An important note: the parking change does not increase parking rates for the upcoming academic year.
“We’re always looking for ways to make the experience better for our campus community,” said Ken Bledsoe, UMKC parking operations manager. “Virtual permits eliminate a lot of the common frustrations we hear about, like dealing with lost tags, and they help reduce waste at the same time.”
The new system uses license-plate recognition technology to scan and validate vehicles in real time. Students, faculty and staff are allowed to register for multiple vehicles on one pass–and easily update when new vehicles are purchased or rented–but only one vehicle can be on campus at a time.
But if people attempt parking-permit sharing and the system detects multiple vehicles associated with the same permit on the same day, the extras will be flagged for ticketing.
Bledsoe says that while this change will help streamline operations and reduce costs for the university, the focus is squarely on improving the parking experience for the UMKC community.
The images with gold stars show the correct way to park using the new UMKC license-plate detecting system: pulled forward with the rear license plate showing or backed in with a front license plate showing. The other two images depict incorrect parking methods with the new system: backed in without a license plate showing or pulled in with a bicycle obstructing the rear license plate.
Key details:
Your license plate will now serve as your parking permit. Hangtag permits will no longer be issued. If you have a hangtag permit, you must register by July 31. Your existing permit will not be canceled, but it will not be recognized if your current license plate is not connected to your permit in our system.
To prepare your existing permit for the new virtual system, visit parking.umkc.edu, log in with your UMKC credentials, then click on “Permits.” Next, click on “View” beside your current active permit, then you will have options to “Add a new vehicle,” make a temporary or permanent replacement of a vehicle or remove a vehicle from your permit.
To purchase a new permit, visit parking.umkc.edu, log in with your UMKC credentials and select “Order Permits” in the gold section, select your desired permit type then follow the prompts. New permit orders will automatically be set up in the new virtual permit system.
A hybrid enforcement period will occur from July 15 to July 31, where both displayed hangtags and virtual permits will be permitted.
Beginning August 1, hangtag permits will no longer be recognized. Tickets start at $35 and range to more, depending on the situation.
You may register multiple vehicles to your permit; however, only one registered vehicle may be parked on campus at a time.
License plates must be clearly visible and face the driving lane. Do not back into parking spaces unless your vehicle has a front plate. Note: Kansas only issues one plate so those vehicles should not back in.
Visitors can purchase virtual permits by going to parking.umkc.edu; click “order permits,” agree to Terms of Service. Note: Visitor single-day permit is the only available option when not logged in with a UMKC account.
New options in the new system:
The new virtual permitting system allows us to offer more flexibility for part-time employees, and part-time parkers in general, that the old hangtag system allowed. We are pleased to offer the following new options for both employees and students:
16-permit flex pack, priced at $90.
32-permit flex pack, priced at $128.
48-permit flex pack, priced at $180.
These flex-pack options are equivalent to 1, 2 or 3 days of parking per week, respectively, for a 16 week-semester. These packs, however, do not expire at the end of a semester, and are not limited to being used on certain days of the week. Unused portions of these packs will not be refundable. These permit packs will be available for purchase by employees beginning on July 15, and will be available for students when fall semester permit sales begin, on July 28.
For complete instructions and FAQs, visit parking.umkc.edu or with additional questions, contact Parking Operations at 816-235-5256 or parking@umkc.edu.
Jun 11, 2025
An out-of-the-park opportunity available through Royals partnership
Some students just stand out in a crowd. Their smiles are infectious, their drive and passion present in everything they do. Maisy Blanton is one such student. A Trustees’ Scholar, Honors Program student and Roo News contributor, Blanton is often surrounded by similarly hard-working friends with a common goal. One of her goals was to make a commercial spot with Pine Tar Collective for one of Kansas City’s largest screens: Crown Vision at Kauffman Stadium.
Maisy BlantonAnticipated graduation year: 2027UMKC degree program: Communications, dual emphasis in digital journalism and media and professional communicationHometown: Wichita, Kansas
Why did you choose UMKC?
I knew I didn't want to move away from home, but also moneywise, I couldn’t afford to go super far. Then I applied for the Trustees’ Scholars program here. I was planning on going to another university, but then I found out I got a full ride and UMKC was somewhere not too close and not too far from home.
Why did you choose your field of study?
I always knew that I loved to write; I am an English and reading person, not a math and science person. I slowly figured out that I’m interested in public relations. I’m a big people person, and I like to write, so the communications program was it.
What are the benefits of the program?
I got to make a commercial for Crown Vision for the Royals! If you talk to people on campus, make friends and network, then those opportunities will come to you. I got it because of talking to my professor, Joshua Jackson, who I had taken two classes from at that point. We were chatting about internship opportunities, because he had set up some things with a new broadcast class. I was asking if there any PR or marketing things within that, and he said, “I think you'd be good for this.” These partnerships are so interesting because I’ll have this project in my portfolio. I'll get to add it on LinkedIn. The professional development, the networking and getting to talk to these people that work for the Royals has been so great.
I also really love Roo News. I love being involved in the newspaper. Everyone on the staff is a friend and very fun. It's like a nice little pocket community. I feel like it's really easy to get involved. If you're enthusiastic and you're kind, there are so many opportunities here.
How has your college program inspired you?
It's inspired me to think outside the box about what I actually want to do. There's a wide range of things that people are into here at UMKC, especially in the comms department. It encourages me to try everything and figure out what I want to do. I don't have to figure it all out right now.
Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?
That I'm not a morning person. But seriously, growing up doing theater, I always had the mentality of everything is an audition. That's been reinforced in college. Even just talking with my professors after class, that is a career-networking opportunity. I've learned to be super mindful, because in a college setting like this. Yeah, they could just be a professor or a classmate. They could also be a future boss or future coworker.
Tell us about your scholarships. What do they mean to you?
I found out that I got the Trustees’ scholarship around March of my senior year of high school. It’s a full-ride program. We stay in the residence halls for two years, and that gets us integrated into the campus culture here. It’s unique and fun because of the community that is here. You know more people than you would at a bigger school. There are seven people in each class, so you already have six friends on campus. We also have mentors, which is super helpful to just have someone who's near your field guide you or just talk through things. It's just a nice community. I didn't have to worry about not knowing anyone. It’s a fresh start with a built-in support group.
I also get to study abroad next semester. I got a scholarship from Study Abroad Global Engagement, and one from Alex and Josephine B. Coleman. I think that they covered the rest of my study-abroad costs. So, I’m excited for that opportunity that is only available to me through scholarships.
What do you hope to take from your experiences at UMKC into your professional career?
I obviously hope to take a lot of the relationships I make here. I'm sure I'll cross paths with these people in my career journey. I also have a love for Kansas City. I’m not originally from here. I didn’t get to explore before moving here, but there are so many places to love in Kansas City. Also, learning to talk to people who I disagree with or I made assumptions about before talking to them. That's been super big, because I feel like there are just so many different perspectives at UMKC, and this is a very divisive time in our country. Being here is being in an incubator of so many different ideas. I've been learning how to leave my assumptions out the door.
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Jun 03, 2025
Community leaders came together to celebrate impact research milestone will have for region
Federal, state, county, city, business and university leaders gathered at Union Station to celebrate the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s designation as a Carnegie Research 1 university. They spoke about the economic impact of this national designation for the Kansas City community, Missouri and beyond. State Representative Melissa Douglas recognized the university's milestone with a state resolution, and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas recognized it with a city proclamation.
UMKC achieved Carnegie Research 1, or R1, designation earlier this year. The designation reflects university-wide dedication to research, innovation and community collaboration. Of all four-year institutions in the United States, only 6% are R1 and UMKC is the only one in Kansas City. The R1 designation elevates the academic prestige of UMKC, providing more opportunities for faculty and students through recruitment and research grants. UMKC researchers demonstrated research at Union Station including drones, nursing simulations and more.
This designation isn’t just a milestone for the university; the benefits will echo through the community and beyond. Prestigious faculty and research grants will bring new jobs and opportunities into the region. The research happening at UMKC makes an impact of more than $300 million to the greater Kansas City area each year. Additionally, the university’s research activity annually brings an estimated 2,000 jobs to the area.
Leaders expressed excitement about what this means for our region:
Charlie Shields, chair of Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, president and CEO of University Health and UMKC Trustee: “UMKC research advances our safety as a society and our health and wellbeing – impacts I see every day at University Health. UMKC is leading the way in key areas of research, including electromagnetic radiation and energy, advanced and critical materials, unmanned platforms, cybersecurity and digital humanities.”
U.S. Representative Mark Alford: “What UMKC is doing in the defense and security space has already led to the creation of private businesses and jobs and has massive potential for continued growth. This milestone only further helps expand on what could have a massive economic impact on the Midwest, creating business and jobs in the region that help our country receive the materials it needs from areas in Kansas and Missouri.”
State Representative Melissa Douglas: “I see UMKC serving in healthcare throughout the state of Missouri, not only at its Health Sciences Campus in Kansas City, but through its satellite campuses to serve rural Missourians. As UMKC continues to expand its healthcare outreach throughout the state of Missouri, I know we’ll see more needed research to improve the lives of all Missourians. Together, we have built a hub of intellectual vitality that will have benefits for years to come.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas: “I’m quite familiar with the good works at UMKC, and grew up with it, as my mother worked there. I’ve seen the city and the university grow together to become world class, and this important R1 designation is a testament to that.”
Jackson County Executive Frank White: “I’ve seen up close how UMKC research can help communities. Our Healthy Jackson County truly made a difference to so many people’s lives. And UMKC’s community-participatory research truly makes a difference to so many people’s lives.”
UMKC Student Government Association President Justice Horn: “This isn’t just a title. It’s a transformation. For students, it means expanded opportunities, greater visibility and stronger preparation for our futures. It’s a game changer—and a sign that UMKC is investing in discovery, innovation and real-world impact right here in the Kansas City community.”
UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal: “This moment reflects the work of an entire community that believes in the power of education, research and partnership to shape a better future for all of us. And it reflects a university that has long been deeply embedded in the life of this city – from healthcare and entrepreneurship to science, the arts and urban development.”
Tim Cowden, President and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council: “This R1 status helps elevate our brand to the world. Kansas City's status is rising. The R1 designation is a welcome mat to talent not just in the Kansas City area, but around the world.”
Celebrations continued as buildings around the city lit up in recognition of the university's Carnegie Research 1 status. Union Station, Children's Mercy, Saint Luke's Hospital, Country Club Plaza, City Hall, KC Wheel and Power and Light Building were illuminated UMKC blue and gold.
Regional Recognition
Kansas City Proclamation
Whereas, the Carnegie R1 designation recognizes those universities that have "very high research activity," an achievement only about 6% of four-year institutions of higher education in the U.S. have attained; andWhereas, UMKC is Kansas City's first Carnegie R1 institution, a prestigious designation that reflects years of dedicated research, innovation, and community collaboration; andWhereas UMKC's key research areas are advancing healthcare, defense and more with specialties in electromagnetic radiation and energy; advanced and critical materials' unmanned platforms; artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science and digital humanities; andWhereas, this elite status represents a transformative era for UMKC, Kansas City, and the broader region, andNow, Therefore, as Mayor of the City of Kansas City, I Quinton D. Lucas, on behalf of the residents of this great city, do hereby recognize UMKC on its achievement as an R1 institution.
Missouri State Senate Resolution
Whereas, the members of the Missouri Senate believe it is altogether fitting and proper to recognize exemplary Missouri universities which have been distinguished as prestigious educational and research facilities; andWhereas, the members now pause to recognize the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in Kansas City, Missouri, which received the honor of being designated as a Carnegie R1 institution, andWhereas, beginning in 1970, the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education began developing a classification of colleges and universities to support its program of research and policy establishment, which UMKC exceeded by spending $55 million and awarding 134 doctorate degrees, andWhereas, in order to be named a Carnegie R1 university, an institution must spend at least $50 million on research and development and award an average of at least seventy research doctorates in a single year, andWhereas, UMKC is Kansas City's first Carnegie R1 institution, reflecting years of dedication and persistence to research, innovation, and community collaboration; andWhereas, out of more than 2,800 four-year institutions, only 187 universities are designated as Carnegie R1, three of which now include UMKC, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and St. Louis University; andWhereas, achieving the Carnegie R1 designation comes five years ahead of the 2030 goal set in the university's strategic plan and represents a truly transformative era for UMKC, Kansas City, and the community; andWhereas, UMKC's key research areas include advancing health care, defense, and specialties in electromagnetic radiation and energy; advanced and critical materials; unmanned platforms; artificial intelligence; cybersecurity, data science; and digital humanities; andWhereas, UMKC promotes learning through the discovery, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge of public value across a broad spectrum of disciplines and fields of study and celebrates the individual by providing opportunities for all by intertwining these goals with innovation to enable transformational impact aimed at bringing cultural, social, health, and economic prosperity to the metropolitan, regional, and global communities;Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that we, the members of the Missouri Senate, One Hundred Third General Assembly, join to congratulate the University of Missouri-Kansas City for being designated as a prestigious Carnegie R1 institution and share our best wishes for continued success; andBe It Further Resolved that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for presentation to the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
May 28, 2025
Space will centralize and enhance university academic support services
The University of Missouri-Kansas City celebrated the opening of the Victor Wilson Learning Collaborative.
This transformative space on the fourth floor of the Miller Nichols Library is designed to centralize and enhance the university’s academic support services, offering students a modern, collaborative environment to thrive. It features open study areas, meeting rooms, laptop stations and dedicated spaces for programs like UMKC-created Supplemental Instruction, Peer Academic Leadership and First Gen Roo Scholars.
Kristi Holsinger, senior vice provost for student success, was a key leader in the development of the learning collaborative.
"This center is more than just a physical space; it's a commitment to our students' success,” said Kristi Holsinger, senior vice provost for student success. “By bringing essential resources together in one location, we're removing barriers and creating opportunities for every student to excel."
The Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation issued a $2 million match challenge for the space, which was met by generous gifts from the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation and the Victor Wilson Trust. The space is named in honor of Victor Wilson, a Kansas City native whose multi-million legacy gift has funded thousands of student scholarships and supported campus improvements for 75 years.
"Victor Wilson's vision was to invest in the future of Kansas City through education,” said Amanda Davis, chief advancement officer and president of the UMKC Foundation. “His generosity has not only provided scholarships, but has also laid the foundation for a space where students can connect, learn and succeed. This center is a testament to the lasting power of thoughtful giving."The project was also supported through a $250,000 gift from Professor Emeritus Elizabeth Noble, Ph.D. of the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences. The Victor Wilson Learning Collaborative will open to students June 2.
May 19, 2025
University confers more than 2,600 degrees
The stories of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Class of 2025 reflect the ambition, growth and tenacity of our graduates.
These future doctors, lawyers, engineers and artists represent what it means to be a Roo. In honor of the May 17 Commencement ceremonies, we asked them to share their best memories, greatest lessons, proudest accomplishments and advice for future generations.
Taylor Rumsey, Juris Doctor Summa Cum Laude“The best part about the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law is the people. I have had the opportunity to learn from great professors, professionals and my classmates. I have always felt supported by the faculty, staff and career services team, and I am grateful for this support that I have received throughout my time at UMKC.“
Joel Campos, Bachelor of Business Administration “My experience at UMKC has taught me to be adaptable in new situations so I can manage tough challenges.”
Jessica Jacobs, Master of Arts in Counseling “A word of advice to incoming freshmen: Do not be afraid to make mistakes. You won't have it all figured out by now, but half the fun is exploring what makes you happy. Take risks!”
Nizar Khamis, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering“UMKC gave me the resources I need to get my foot out of the door for my career. Whether that was job interviews, serving on an executive board, resume review or developing my leadership skills.”
Nik Weske, Doctor of Dental SurgeryCum Laude“The dental school has so many fun traditions! The second years always host a float trip for the incoming students before orientation, and then at orientation there is a pancake breakfast where you have to catch the pancakes on your plate. Shortly after is the crawfish boil, then Royals game, luau, pictures with Santa, cookie crunch, multicultural luncheon, talent show, senior skip day, senior video and Mandiball. There is always something to look forward to, and it's made the past four years fly by!”
Edward Estepan, Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry “What I like about UMKC is being around people I respect, who share a similar drive for success.”
Anna Nguyen, Doctor of Pharmacy“If I could offer one piece of advice to incoming freshmen or anyone beginning a new chapter in life, it would be this: stay focused and keep your goals close to heart. Your academic journey is more than just a path to a degree. It’s a time of deep personal growth and self-discovery. You won't just evolve as a student but as a person! Embrace the challenges, stay intentional and trust that these years will shape you in ways that reach far beyond the classroom.”
Christopher Rizo, Bachelor of Business Administration “I’ve learned the value of connections. It all comes down to who you know. Also, I’ve learned the importance of professionalism.”
Ashley Segnibo, Juris Doctor “UMKC Law is unlike any other law school. Relocating from Brooklyn, New York to Kansas City, Missouri to attend a school I had never visited speaks volumes. This law community is built on academic support, emotional encouragement and a commitment to legal excellence. It’s here that I found true belonging, lifelong friends and invaluable professional connections. I am most proud of the work I did at the Family and Child Services Clinic working with indigent clients on divorces, guardianships and paternity cases, as well as representing parents at protective custody hearings. I also graduate UMKC Law as a published author in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Journal.”
Devin Dinh, Bachelor of Business Administration “UMKC is underrated. I think there’s a good balance. If you want to get involved, there’s lots of student organizations, but if you want to just focus on your studies, you can do that too.”
Sarai Vasquez, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science“I am most proud of taking advantage of the internship opportunities introduced to me at UMKC. My current internship opportunity has allowed me to obtain a career after graduation.”
Aframe Redi, Bachelor of Business Administration “My favorite memory at UMKC is winning first place at the eScholars Demo Day for my company, NextGen. It wasn’t just about me celebrating the victory of my business; I was celebrating the power of my community and everyone supporting me at UMKC and beyond.”
Hunter Miesner, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Communication "When it comes to professional development, no one does it better than UMKC. In just four years, I gained as much insight into my career path and interests as most people hope to achieve in the years after graduation. Thanks to UMKC, I'm not just prepared for the future. I'm a step ahead, equipped with the skills, connections and experiences necessary to thrive."
Amanuel Bekele, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science “I like the campus when it’s full. I usually walk a lot because I park far away. I like the trees in the fall when they’re orange. I think it helps that the campus is small. It feels cozy and more like a community.”
Brooke McCanles, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science University Honors“I’m incredibly proud and grateful for the diverse range of opportunities I’ve experienced throughout my college journey. From internships in Washington, D.C., to studying abroad in Prague, and engaging in student groups and organizations, I’ve learned the value of saying, “Yes,” as new doors opened for me. The lessons I’ve learned and the memories I’ve made over the past few years will stay with me as I move forward in my career and life, and I’m deeply thankful for every moment.”
Josephine Sebunyenzi, Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry"The greatest lesson I've learned at UMKC is the value of communsity. During my first few weeks, I strongly considered transferring and moving back home. But everything changed when I got involved on campus: applying for leadership roles, getting a job and connecting with others. I eventually found my community through the Multicultural Student Affairs Office. If it weren’t for the MSA and the incredible people I met there, I don’t think I would have stayed at UMKC. Thanks to that supportive community, I was able to grow, build connections and find a true home away from home."
Gabriel Calderon, Doctor of Medicine“I have found my forever home with internal medicine.”
Ethan Kauffman, Bachelor of Music Education“My favorite part of being a student at UMKC was making a found family who I was able to share my time with. I immediately hit it off with my roommates, who swiftly introduced me to other incredible people. It was hard to find a stranger who wouldn't quickly become a friend, and I am thankful for the friendships I have made. From the dorm room, to the Conservatory, to the dining hall, I've loved meeting and having fun with so many fantastic human beings!”
Suman Manek, Doctor of Medicine“The past six years have been filled with unforgettable memories! Some of my favorites include crossing off new restaurants with my friends to celebrate surviving exams, cheering on the Chiefs to a Super Bowl win at Power and Light and sharing laughs with my unit on Friday clinic and DoRo. Each of these made the journey that much more special!”
Gloria Pelico, Bachelor of Health Sciences“There are several things that make UMKC standout such as the professors, the resources, the diversity and location. UMKC is close to the Country Club Plaza, which has several spots to hang out with friends after classes. I also had the opportunity to meet some of the best professors who showed their passion for teaching and students' success.”
Amina Shaw, Bachelor of Arts in Communications“My favorite part about being a student at UMKC is the number of opportunities that I was able to take advantage of. UMKC has great partnerships in Kansas City and around the world. I feel blessed to have been able to take advantage of those relationships. My favorite UMKC memory was traveling to South America with several other UMKC students and staff I had never met and creating memories in another country.”
Gavan Shinger, Bachelor of Science in Nursing“My favorite memory is completing my last clinical rotation. Everything I had worked so hard for was coming together, and I truly felt like a nurse.”
Kyra Afolabi, Bachelor of Art in Communication “If I could pass any lesson to incoming freshmen at UMKC, it would be to embrace the discomfort that you may feel starting a new chapter in life. There are a lot of communities within UMKC that are ready and eager to connect and pour into you! Showing up in the space is the first step to building the life you want!”
Mark Allred, Doctor of Pharmacy “My favorite thing during my time at UMKC was the opportunity to make lasting relationships with my classmates. I’ve developed great friendships as a student at UMKC and will miss seeing them on a daily basis.”
Mackenzie Kortz, Doctor of Dental Surgery“My favorite thing about being a student at UMKC is having the opportunity to meet some of the most incredible people. The group of friends I have made through this four-year dental program has seen each other through major life events like getting married, having babies and everything in between. I’m so thankful to UMKC for bringing us all together!”
May 17, 2025
22 are recognized for their outstanding academics, leadership and service
More than 20 UMKC students have been named Dean of Students Honor Recipients in recognition of their accomplishments on campus and in the community.
Every semester, exceptional graduating students are honored with this designation. These students maintain excellent academic standards while actively participating in university activities and community service outside of the classroom.
The 22 Spring 2025 honorees’ accomplishments include mentoring other students, volunteering on petitions for the wrongfully incarcerated, volunteering at homeless healthcare clinics, completing intensive research projects, advocating for students, founding a student organization chapter, winning Student Entrepreneur of the Year and more.
"Recognizing these exceptional students as Dean of Students Honor Recipients is one of the most inspiring parts of my role,” said Todd Wells, dean of students. “They exemplify what it means to be a Roo: resilient, compassionate and committed to making a difference. Their leadership and dedication enrich our campus community, and I couldn’t be prouder of the impact they’ve made at UMKC."
Students shared reflections on their time at UMKC at a celebration in their honor. A few excerpts:
Kyra Afolabi: “UMKC has been nothing short of unexpected experiences in the best way possible. Being part of a high-achieving student population has motivated and humbled me. UMKC has inspired me to not just go through the motions for the satisfaction of receiving a degree, but that there is a lot more to me and that comes from me than I believed.”
Joel Campos: “My time at UMKC has been truly transformative. As a first-generation college student, I came here unsure of what to expect. I found not just a campus but a community. From the Henry W. Bloch School of Management to my role as a student success coach with the Men of Character Academy, I’ve grown as a leader, a learner and a man. UMKC has inspired me to step into spaces I once thought weren’t meant for me and to help open those doors wider for others.”
Dalton Hermanson: “UMKC has provided me with so many experiences, including the opportunity to volunteer at homeless healthcare clinics across the metro. Combining my passions for medicine and community service provided me with unique insights into the patients that I serve. The instructors and physician leaders here are a constant reminder of what I want to work towards as a future physician. Though my time at UMKC was short, it taught me more than I can put into words.”
Iyanna Moss: “This university has given me more than just an education. It has given me a community that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The relationships I’ve built here and the support I’ve received have been invaluable. UMKC inspired me to pursue my passion for psychology and I accomplished something I once felt was a distant dream: completing my degree.”
Lesly Romo: “While some entrepreneurs make headlines for dropping out of college, I’m proud to say that UMKC was one of the best investments I ever made. It gave me the foundation not just to start businesses but to start them with purpose. It taught me that leadership isn’t just about building companies, it’s about building relationships. As a young Latina entrepreneur, I hope to inspire others to turn their largest imaginations into actions to create realities, no matter the magnitude or barriers placed upon them.”
Congratulations to the Spring 2025 Dean of Students Honor Recipients!
Kyra Afolabi, School of Humanities and Social Science
Joel Campos, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Ashley Cerrentano, School of Law
Claire Covert, School of Nursing and Health Studies
Francisco Flores, School of Dentistry
Dalton Hermanson, School of Medicine
Nonso Isoh, School of Science and Engineering
Bianca Ituarte, School of Medicine
Z Kemp, School of Science and Engineering
Kaitlyn Korah, School of Pharmacy
Celeste Michael, School of Humanities and Social Science
Divya Minnaganti, School of Medicine
Sahrish Mirjat, School of Medicine
David Morcos, School of Medicine
Iyanna Moss, School of Humanities and Social Science
Lesly Romo, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Hannah Suffian, School of Medicine
Amber Sun, School of Medicine
Emily Trapani, Conservatory
Landrea Van Mol, School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Michael Vierra, School of Medicine
Felix Yang, School of Medicine
May 15, 2025
The award recognizes champions for urban education who have made significant contributions to further education in the greater Kansas City Area
The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Institute for Urban Education, also known as IUE, had its fourth annual Forever IUE celebration. This yearly tradition honors and recognizes IUE graduates, alumni, school partners and donors and commemorates the success of the program’s impact on urban education in Kansas City.
This year’s celebration kicked off with Sara Helfrich, Ph.D., the dean of the university’s School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences, welcoming everyone. “The Institute of Urban Education holds a unique and vital place within our school,” Helfrich said. “It represents our unwavering commitment to preparing educators who are not only highly skilled but deeply educated and committed to the success of every student in the Kansas City area.” Jennifer Waddell, Ph.D., director of the IUE, shared the history of the institute. She said the program is the first of its kind in the entire nation and that later this year will be the 20th anniversary of the IUE.
“I recently read a report that most teachers do not feel valued as educators,” Waddell said. “I wish they could be here tonight to see this crowd, showing that it is clear Kansas City does value education and our educators.”
Hugh Zimmer was a tireless advocate for UMKC and was a champion for educators. He devoted his time and talents to the growth of the IUE, served as the chair of the chancellor’s national advisory board and continues to impact UMKC and the IUE to this day. The Hugh J. Zimmer Award for Excellence in Urban Education honors his legacy as an award that is only presented when an individual has made a significant impact and contribution to the IUE. This year, there was an individual who stood out to the IUE and was honored at the event.Jerry Reece was named a legend of Kansas City by Ingram’s magazine because of his philanthropic efforts and impact in the community. He is heavily involved with UMKC, being a longtime member of the UMKC Foundation board and the UMKC Trustees. Reece has been a part of the IUE and the program’s mission for more than a decade. His involvement helped the IUE grow tremendously in scope and impacted the urban schools they partner with. Reece also has an established endowment scholarship with his wife, Patty Reece, for IUE students. Zimmer’s grandchildren were present at the celebration and were excited to honor Reece with this award. “Hugh was a wonderful mentor and the reason I joined the IUE in the first place,” Reece said. “I remember he came into my office one day and talked about the program, then told me I should consider being a part of it. If you knew Hugh, you’d know he always had this commanding presence with him, so I wasn’t sure if I even had a choice. I was glad I did. I’m extremely grateful to receive this award that honors him.” Along with his achievements in real estate, Reece has earned many community awards and honors, including an honorary alumnus title at UMKC. He also chaired the UMKC Conservatory’s Crescendo gala alongside his wife last year and broke the event’s fundraising record. The rest of the event included recognizing UMKC IUE students who are graduating this year and are certified to teach, sharing where each new educator will work. Those schools were present to celebrate with their new incoming teachers. One of those new teachers is Addison Douglas, who recently received the Missouri Teacher Leader of Tomorrow Award by the Missouri Milken Educators. She was one of 15 students in the entire state who received this honor.
Addison Douglas at Forever IUE
“Being an IUE scholar means that I already have more experience, knowledge and support than a lot of my colleagues,” Douglas said. “I’m very honored to receive this award. I would not have been able to achieve this without all the support I get from the program. I’m extremely grateful to everyone who helped me get here and I’m excited to start my journey as an educator in Kansas City.”IUE students are committed to teaching at Kansas City area schools for four years after graduation. Douglas will be teaching at Center Elementary School upon graduation.
May 15, 2025
Logan Mitchell found his community at UMKC Law after a personal tragedy
At UMKC, students write their own stories, form their own definitions of success and chart innovative career paths. With Kansas City as their classroom, they turn dreams into reality every day.
Logan Mitchell
Anticipated graduation year: May 2025
UMKC degree program: Juris Doctor
Hometown: Wichita, KS
When Logan Mitchell was looking at law schools, UMKC School of Law was one of his top choices. After touring it and several other law schools, the community and support he saw at UMKC sold him. Mitchell suffered a personal tragedy just months into law school, and the support he received made such an impact he’s spent much of his time on campus paying it forward.
Why did you choose UMKC?
I've always loved Kansas City. I’m from Wichita, but my aunt and uncle live in Kansas City. We would visit them when I was growing up. So, I already had a feel for the city. It’s a small school in the heart of a big city, which I love. There are a lot of opportunities within the community. A lot of alumni stay in Kansas City, and there’s a really strong UMKC Law alumni network. They want to help students out and connect them to the legal community.
When I was looking at law schools, I toured a few schools. While everyone was nice, UMKC was just different. It felt like the people really knew and cared about each other. The law emissary student who gave me my tour at UMKC was actually a friend of a friend. When we walked down the halls, he introduced me to his friends and to professors. Everyone was so kind; I just loved the community feel.
Why did you choose your field of study?
My undergraduate degree is in journalism with a sports management minor. I loved those programs, but wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do. My uncle is an attorney here in Kansas City and asked if I had ever considered law school. I worked at his firm for a year after I graduated college and loved it. I felt like I could make a difference in the world.
I also think that it’s a career that allows you to pivot and try different areas and interests. When I came to law school, I was interested in personal injury law. I’ve had the opportunity to clerk at a few firms and be immersed in personal injury law. I found it really rewarding. I’ve also learned about other areas of law that have been interesting, like sports law and family law. Right now, I have an internship with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and I’m loving it. I’ve had the opportunity to explore different interests, which is so valuable.
What are the challenges of the program?
Law school and legal careers are really demanding. People who enter this building are passionate and care so much so it can be easy to define yourself as just a lawyer. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you have to remember to take care of yourself and make time for yourself outside of the law. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Law school is difficult, but it’s really rewarding. I think we can set an example for the next classes and generations of lawyers and show them that taking care of ourselves and each other is important. Having a supportive community around you makes a difference.
What are the benefits of the program?
During law school, I’ve had four different internships and clerkships, including at the NAIA, Dollar Burns Becker & Hershewe, Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, and Votava Nantz & Johnson. I’ve seen so many different offices and areas of the law and learned a lot about how different lawyers operate. I’ve had a lot of opportunities that I wouldn’t have if I had gone elsewhere.
It’s very easy to get involved at UMKC Law, and people want you to be part of the community. I’m a law emissary and give tours to prospective students; I love sharing my experiences with them. I’ve also been a member of the Student Bar Association for two years and get to be a voice for my fellow students.
How has your college program inspired you?
I’ve been really inspired by the UMKC Law community as a whole. Faculty, staff and fellow students really care about each other inside and out of the classroom. Two months into law school, my mom and only parent passed away. I came back to school and classes two days later. Everyone, my friends, faculty, staff, were so supportive. They promised they would help me get to the finish line.
I wasn’t always an A+ student, but my mom encouraged me to work hard and believed in me. I wanted to finish school for her. It would have easy to decide it was too much and quit, but all the support I had made the difference. I hope I can be that support for other students, especially those who go through a crisis. I needed someone to believe in me, and I had that. Now I want to be that for other people.
Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?
I can do hard things. There’s a quote by Theodore Roosevelt about “the man in the arena,” which basically says that people may criticize those who fail, but those who may fail at least had the courage to try and put up a fight. Maybe I could have done more or been a better student, but I’ve fought and done my best. That’s all I can ask for.
Who do you admire most at UMKC?
There are a lot of people. I have to shout out my fiancée, Julia. We met here at UMKC Law in our first semester. We had just started dating when my mom passed away. She walked alongside me through that whole experience, even though it was hard and was one of my biggest supporters. I am so lucky that UMKC introduced me to her, and I can’t wait to marry her next year.
Professor Yvette Lindgren teaches family law, and I’ve taken a few of her classes. She’s knowledgeable in a way that piques people’s interest in that area of law, even those who walked in with no knowledge or interest. I just think she’s an incredible person and professor. I am disappointed I just met her my last year of law school.
Ashley Swanson-Hoye is the director of law student services, and she’s been an amazing source of support. She’s always had an open door for me, especially after my mom passed. Sometimes I just needed someone to talk to, and I could go to her at any time and just be real with her about how I was feeling.
Finally, Professor Ryan Copus, who I have had for several classes and who supervised my research and writing requirement, has also been a consistent source of support during my time at law school. While his classes were difficult, he has always been so approachable and always makes himself available to talk about school, life or sports, which has been so invaluable to me.
UMKC has been my rock through the hardest time in my life. Losing my mom changed my entire world, but this building and the people here uplifted me when I needed it most. I will always be eternally grateful for this campus and these people. It’s more than just a law school or a university. I’ve built lifelong, invaluable relationships.
You’re a student emissary for the law school and part of Student Bar Association. Tell me more about your involvement.
I love being an emissary and talking to potential students, telling them about the school and its history and the supportive environment and people. Law school is a whole different atmosphere. There’s a lot to learn and figure out. I take a lot of pride in being able to help incoming students and make their lives a little easier. I know how stressful it can be to start law school and not know anyone or how it all works.
I am also a Student Bar Association class representative. We plan social events and address student concerns. I try my best to be tapped into what people are interested in or concerned about. Sometimes students might tell another student something, but they don’t want to take it higher than that. I appreciate being able to be an advocate for my classmates and share their interests with administration.
What do you hope to take from your experiences at UMKC into your professional career?
Always have an open mind and be willing to learn something new. A quote that comes to mind is “the more you know, the more you know that you don’t know.” I’ve been in law school for three years and learned so much, but I could be here for another 1,000 years and still not know everything. I want to be someone who is always open to learning more, seeing things from a different perspective and thinking outside the box.
May 09, 2025
University of Missouri System high honor has become a family legacy
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law Curators’ Professor Nancy Levit, J.D., is the 2025 Thomas Jefferson Award recipient. The award, given by the University of Missouri System, honors a member of the University of Missouri community who "through personal influence and performance of duty in teaching, writing and scholarship, character and influence, devotion and loyalty to the University best exemplifies the principles and ideals of Thomas Jefferson."
“The Thomas Jefferson Award is so meaningful because it represents commitment to the ideals of reason, free expression and the dissemination of knowledge,” Levit said. “The real honor goes to my wonderful colleagues of 36 years who have made UMKC such an exciting intellectual home.”
Levit is the second person in her family to receive the Thomas Jefferson Award. Her father, Marty Levit, received the award in 1984 during his time as a philosophy and education professor at UMKC. Marty was drawn to UMKC in part for its emphasis on interdisciplinary education, a sentiment that was passed on to Nancy. Marty and Nancy Levit also share a love for teaching and building relationships with their students and colleagues.
“The last line of my father’s obituary was appreciation for the thousands of students who enriched his life, and that’s a sentiment I feel every day,” Levit said. “The students are the best part of the job. Watching them find their niche and the things that excite them is so energizing.”
Levit joined the UMKC School of Law as a faculty member in 1988, the same year that her father retired. Her areas of specialty are torts, employment law and jurisprudence. In addition to the law courses she teaches, Levit is the long-time faculty advisor to the UMKC Law Review. She has authored or co-authored 11 books, more than 50 law review articles and more than 10 book chapters. She has earned numerous recognitions, including the Missouri Lawyers Media Women’s Justice Legal Scholar Award (2011), UMKC School of Law Professor of the Year Award six times, university-wide Elmer P. Pierson Teaching Award three times, UMKC School of Law Tierra M. Farrow Teaching Award (2010), university-wide Chancellor’s Award for Teaching (2011), Missouri Governor’s Teaching Award (2004, 2012), Daniel Brenner Publishing Award three times and the university-wide N.T. Veatch Award for Distinguished Research (2000).
“I can think of few more deserving of receiving the Thomas Jefferson Award than Professor Levit,” said Lumen Mulligan, dean of the UMKC School of Law. “She is a leading voice today on fairness in the workplace. She has enriched the lives of generations of UMKC law students as a gifted teacher, and her service to the university and the profession have no equal. That she now joins her father as a recipient of this award is, quite simply, moving.”
Levit’s relationship with the university began through her father, but it has been sustained in large part due to the strong faculty and student relationships that are prominent within the law school.
“One of the hallmarks of the UMKC School of Law is that it is a truly collegial and happy place,” Levit said. “When students first arrive, we tell them to look around because these people will become their best friends and colleagues for years to come. My fellow faculty are terrific at having meaningful conversations with students about their interests and goals and then helping them make connections in the community. Something that UMKC law students learn is to be other-directed, to give back. Alumni come and give back. We have a whole city of lawyers willing to share their expertise with our students.”
One of those alumni is Judge Stephen R. Bough (J.D. ‘97), U. S. District Court, Western District of Missouri. Bough has organized several symposia for the UMKC Law Review on innovative criminal sentences, multidistrict litigation and Missouri specialty courts and regularly provides his expertise to students.
“Professor Levit taught my first-year torts class, and for 30 years she has continued to teach me about the law, humanity and how to be a better person,” Bough said. “She is always available to give great advice and refers the best law clerks. Nancy could teach at any law school in the country; we are blessed that she has chosen UMKC Law School.”
May 01, 2025
Ben Walters showcases his artistic talents on and off-campus.
A transfer student from Johnson County Community College, Ben Walters knew he wanted to pursue a field of study that allowed him to explore his fascination with the built environment and how people interact with the world. He chose the Urban Planning and Design program at UMKC as he wanted to go to school in Kansas City.
Ben WaltersAnticipated graduation year: 2026UMKC degree program: Urban Planning and DesignHometown: Des Moines, Iowa
We asked Walters to share more about his time as an urban planning and design student at the UMKC School of Science and Engineering.
What is one word that best describes you?
Creative. I’m a photographer, painter, illustrator, designer and printmaker. I love creating and I’m always finding different ways to improve or expand my ability to express myself.
How has the program inspired you creatively?
Being in the urban planning and design program has definitely inspired me to pick up tools I either have never used before or haven’t used in a long time. I’ve gotten back into using drafting tools and various art supplies. I even started working with ink again after not using it for a while. It's been exciting to reconnect with those creative processes.
I have also learned how to gather and interpret information about my surroundings. In one of my classes, we explored how to identify and map out landmarks in a city. I focused on all the fountains in Kansas City, and it was amazing to see them all visualized on a map with data points showing exactly where each one is. Working on projects like this inspire me, and I want to be able to use those data points for a future project.
What are the benefits of the urban planning and design program?
Being able to access studio space in Katz Hall 24/7, since it allows me to work on class projects and extracurricular projects uninterrupted. Having a space to explore and express my creativity has also inspired me to pursue art projects that allow me to use what I’ve learned in a creative capacity.
What are some projects you’ve worked on?
My “American Dream Machines” exhibit was on display at the first floor of the Miller Nichols Library. The exhibit was a collection of my photography taken on 35mm film. It was nice getting to see my work being displayed on campus just a semester after I started to attend UMKC. I also received the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Kansas City Award for Photography after submitting some of the photographs I had taken on the same film camera in late 2024 for the awards.
I also had my artwork displayed at the Vulpes Bastille art gallery in the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City as part of "Convos Around the Dinner Table", an undergraduate art exhibition. It was great to see so many people interacting with "Vacancy", my painting on display which also had an accompanying reference photograph. It was my first experience displaying a physical piece of my art in an established gallery space!
Another project I worked on that was such a special experience for me was the 2024 Parade of Hearts. My heart sculpture was displayed for months at Tiki Taco on Troost Avenue, which made it feel even more personal since it was so close to campus. It was exciting that my heart design was also shared on UMKC social media platforms! When all the hearts got auctioned, the CEO of the company I work for actually bought my heart sculpture. I worked on the heart at my company’s warehouse as it was much bigger than my studio space, and the final product is now displayed at work where I painted it. Definitely a full circle moment for me.
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Artists tend to pull inspiration from all things Kansas City as they work on the design of their hearts. What inspired your heart design?
For my heart, I chose to paint the KC Streetcar. I frequently ride my bike along the Harry Wiggins Trolley Trail, which follows the path of the old trolley trail all the way to Waldo.
Riding my bike along that trail all the time and getting to see the progress of the KC Streetcar Main Street extension really got me thinking about the old trolley trail and the new KC Streetcar extension.
What really inspired me was the contrast: the old rail sitting parallel to the trail that used to have the rails, the new rails in piles ready to be installed before the concrete and roadwork were finished. That imagery between the past and future transits was the main inspiration behind my design.
What do you hope to take from your experiences at UMKC into your professional career?
I hope to gain technical skills and build professional connections in my field of study, which will hopefully assist me in finding a career. I’d like to also carry forward the real-world perspective I’ve gained from professors like Jacob Wagner, whose pragmatic teaching style highlights what makes the learning material applicable in the real world.
What’s the most exciting thing happening at UMKC?
KC Streetcar Main Street Extension! I’m excited for more public transportation to be around the area, especially since I often ride my bike to class.
Where’s your favorite spot to hang out in Kansas City?
Crossroads Arts District during First Fridays. I love browsing the various art galleries and support other artists while also seeking inspiration.
Apr 28, 2025
Unique opportunity for undergraduate students at UMKC celebrates milestone with a bang
For 25 years, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship at UMKC has prepared students for careers in research and beyond.
“I like to think of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship as the university's best self,” said Jane Greer, Ph. D., director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship. “It's where we are both expanding the horizons of knowledge and doing the important work that transforms our community and the world. We’re also bringing the next generation of students into that work and allowing them to have opportunities to shape the world they'll be living in.”
Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship supports student learning across campus. The hands-on work promotes critical thinking and problem solving, which are skills required in any career path. It also opens paths to mentorship opportunities, grad school or a post-graduation profession.
In honor of 25 years, we’re celebrating major milestones that have benefited students for more than two decades:
2000
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship officially becomes a part of UMKC, serving all undergraduate students at the university.
“The program was one of the special projects that came out of a number of brainstorming sessions back in 2000,” said James B. Murowchick, Ph.D., a former director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship. “It wasn't just in the sciences. We made efforts to talk to people in the music and humanities departments. That was unusual for the time.”
Creative Scholarship remains a major part of the office.
“We've had students doing dance performances and making oral presentations,” Greer said. “We have students sharing artwork that they've created. It provides them with authentic assessment so that they can see how people are reacting to their work, which is so important for their learning and development.”
2001
The first Undergraduate Research Symposium took place in the spring semester. Students got to present their own research to faculty, stakeholders and the community at large, a huge opportunity to practice time management, interpersonal communication and self-confidence.
2004
The Department of Research and Economic Development is formed at University of Missouri System. This department goes on to host Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol for all four UM System schools, providing another opportunity for students to present their research.
2010
The Students Engaged in Arts and Research (SEARCH) program, supported by a number of UMKC faculty, was awarded strategic investment funding from the UM System to build a more robust undergraduate research program. More opportunities for students to conduct research came as a result. It also allowed students to use federal work-study dollars to work as research associates with faculty. Students no longer had to choose between a research project and employment.
2015
SEARCH grants funded undergraduate research and creative scholarship during the academic year. Starting in 2015, Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunities (SUROP) grants become available. If a student’s classload was too much to dedicate time to a research project during the school year, they could work on a project over the lighter summer months.
2019
UMKC sends 12 students to its first Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol. This exciting event gives students the opportunity to present to government representatives and the general public who normally don’t have easy access to campus.
2025
UMKC is awarded the Carnegie Research 1 status, creating wider research opportunities for UMKC students and more funding options to pursue those ends.
The university looks forward to celebrating this unique, enriching opportunity for UMKC students for decades to come.
Apr 24, 2025
The School of Science and Engineering Professor is knowledgeable about regional planning and analysis methods, housing, land use and urban redevelo...
Michael Frisch, Ph.D., associate professor of urban planning + design, recently contributed his expertise in urban planning and policy development to This Old House, the company behind a leading multi-platform home enthusiast brand that serves over 20 million consumers each month with trusted home improvement information and expert advice.
He provided his insights to the ‘How To Increase the Home Value of Your Old Home’ and ‘Should You Buy a Fixer-Upper or Move-In Ready Home?’ stories.
Frisch is a member of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners and has served on several advisory planning committees and commissions.
Apr 17, 2025
The new campus spot will serve as a hangout space for students
The University of Missouri-Kansas City officially unveiled its pedestrian-only area that was years in the making.
UMKC celebrated the grand opening of Roo Plaza, a vibrant, new campus and community hangout space on 51st Street between Rockhill and Cherry streets.
Celebrations included food trucks, music, games, giveaways and fun at the new campus gathering spot.
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal delivered remarks at the celebratory event.
“Roo Plaza isn’t just a beautification project,” Agrawal said. “It’s about reimagining how we use our campus – prioritizing people over traffic, connection over congestion. This is a space designed for students to meet up, eat, relax, study and spend time together all right in the heart of UMKC.”
Eric Dorfman, CEO and president of Linda Hall Library, also spoke at the event.
“Thank you UMKC and Chancellor Mauli Agrawal for not just the infrastructure change, but also the spirit of collaboration behind it,” Dorfman said. “We’re proud to be your neighbor and we look forward to where the shared space leads us next.”
Current Student Government Association president Yasmen Hassen talked about how Roo Plaza was created intentionally to reflect the evolving needs of the campus.
“Roo Plaza was built with purpose – it offers not only a place to walk safely between classes, but also a space to pause, connect and recharge,” Hassen said. “Whether you’re grabbing lunch, studying outdoors or just enjoying the energy of campus life, this space was designed to meet you there.”
Current Roo Plaza fixtures include chairs, tables, benches and stoops in classic UMKC blue and gold colors as well as other vibrant hues. Street paint graphics also decorate 51st Street between Rockhill and Cherry streets.
Apr 15, 2025
2025 event at Linda Hall Library recognizes research and scholarship, teaching and mentorship, engagement, service and leadership
The University of Missouri-Kansas City recognized 19 faculty members across the university in the 2025 Faculty Awards Celebration. Awards were given for research and scholarship, teaching and mentorship, engagement, service and leadership.
The event began with a reception on the terrace outside UMKC neighbor Linda Hall Library followed by a ceremony indoors.
"While we know you don’t do this work for applause, today is a moment to say – sincerely and clearly – that we see what you do, and we are grateful," Provost Jennifer Lundgren said. "You are the foundation of this university. And today, we celebrate not just individual achievements, but the shared spirit that defines our campus community."
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal also delivered remarks at the ceremony.
"Because of your dedication, UMKC is thriving," Agrawal said. "Our students are graduating prepared to lead, our research is pushing boundaries and our impact in Kansas City and our region continues to grow. You are the driving force behind our success."
They recognized the 2025 awardees:
Research Awards
N.T. Veatch Award for Distinguished Research and Creativity
Zhu Li, School of Science and Engineering
Trustees’ Faculty Fellow Award
Hadara Bar-Nadav, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Teaching Awards
Elmer F. Pierson Good Teaching Awards
Sara Gardner, School of MedicineJulie Kline, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching: Early Career Faculty
Michael Ternes, School of Education, Social Work and Psychological SciencesTimothy Wezeman, School of Dentistry
Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching: Mid-Career/Senior Faculty
Xiangping Chu, School of MedicineL. Michaelle Tobin, School of Law
Provost’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring
Stephane Dissel, School of Science and Engineering
Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Researchers, Scholars and Artists
Kelsey Gardiner, School of Nursing and Health StudiesHillary McGraw, School of Science and Engineering
Engagement, Service and Leadership Awards
Chancellor’s Award for Inclusive Opportunity and Excellence
Baek-Young Choi, School of Science and Engineering
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
Carla Noack, Conservatory
Leadership and Career Contributions Awards
Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Leadership
Andrew Granade, Conservatory
Chancellor’s Award for Career Contributions to the University
Kati Toivanen, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
New Curators' Distinguished Professors
Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor
Yugyung Lee, School of Science and EngineeringSean O'Brien, School of Law
Apr 09, 2025
UMKC recognized for its excellence in law, nursing, education, public administration and medicine
U.S. News & World Report released new graduate school rankings, featuring numerous University of Missouri-Kansas City schools among the best in the nation.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program secured an impressive No. 47 spot in the nation and maintaining its position in the top 50 for the second consecutive year. But that’s not the only recognition the outlet has given UMKC. Earlier this year, the UMKC online master's in nursing program was ranked No. 33, marking the 13th year in a row it has placed in the top 50. Additionally, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program shared the No. 96 spot nationally with the University of Missouri in Columbia."I’m proud, but not surprised, by the high rankings of UMKC nursing programs," said Joy Roberts, dean of the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies. "These rankings reflect a much deeper truth: Our programs are built to empower both students and patients. It’s the dedication of our faculty, staff and students that sets the gold standard for nursing education and patient care."The UMKC School of Law also made its mark, landing at No. 99 in the nation’s best law schools. It’s not just a top-tier law school—UMKC legal programs earned spots in the top 100 across multiple specialties: Best Legal Writing (No. 34), Best Trial Advocacy (No. 41), Best Dispute Resolution Program (No. 67), Best Intellectual Property Law (No. 89), Best Healthcare Law (No. 91) and Best Business/Corporate Law (No. 96).“I love that this top 100 ranking reflects a group success,” said Lou Mulligan, dean of the UMKC School of Law. “We have bright students, committed faculty, hard-working staff and engaged alumni working together to reach this achievement. As we celebrate this benchmark, I cannot wait to see what this committed team can achieve next.”The UMKC School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences was ranked No. 65 in Overall Best Education School.“This ranking reflects the commitment of our faculty, staff and students to advancing the field of education,” said Sara Helfrich, dean of the UMKC School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences. “As we shape the next generation of leaders, we remain focused on providing a transformative educational experience."
The Henry W. Bloch School of Management Master of Public Administration also ranked in the top 100, earning spot No. 96 in the Best Public Affairs program. The program is accredited by both the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, the strength of our curriculum and the meaningful impact our graduates are making in communities across the Kansas City region and the country,” said Brian Klaas, dean of the Bloch school. “It’s a testament to our commitment to preparing the next generation of public service leaders.”
The UMKC School of Medicine ranked No. 35 for Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas and No. 89 for Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas. Earlier this year, UMKC celebrated its first class of students from its St. Joseph campus, many of whom will do their residencies in rural areas. “This recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of Missouri’s rural communities,” said Alexander Norbash, dean of the UMKC School of Medicine. “Our St. Joseph campus plays a pivotal role in this mission, equipping students with the skills and experiences necessary to serve in areas where healthcare providers are most needed.”UMKC is expanding its commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for all of Missouri. The university recently proposed a St. Joseph School of Dentistry campus, as part of a partnership with Missouri Western State University. UMKC also offers its School of Pharmacy programs in Columbia and Springfield.
Apr 08, 2025
Mei Fu is teaming up with faculty and students on her groundbreaking lymphedema research
When nursing researcher Mei Fu, Ph.D., uses the Human Motion Lab at the UMKC School of Science and Engineering, the small room can get pretty tight with the impressive research team she has put together. As the associate dean for research and an endowed professor in the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies, Fu leads a group of six faculty and students from the School of Science and Engineering in her groundbreaking research into cancer pain, also known as lymphedema.
On a typical day for Fu in the motion lab, she performs a series of exercises so a research participant can mimic her movement while two students from the School of Science and Engineering use a cell phone to record the participant. Behind the scenes, Greg King, associate professor in mechanical engineering, makes sure the motion capture system gets all the data Fu is looking for. The research participants wear a special jacket with reflective markers placed on different body landmarks. The lab uses technology often seen in behind-the-scenes footage of movie or video game production, where actors are moving in front of green screens.According to King, the lab analyzes the movement of the exercises as well as the corresponding electromyography, known as EMG, data, which measures muscle function. The collaboration with Fu is fulfilling for King.“It’s always fun for me to work with researchers from other disciplines,” King said. “It broadens my horizons and is the most rewarding part of my work.”
Fu has spent the past two decades studying lymphedema and trying to find answers for hundreds of millions of people worldwide suffering from lymphedema and lymphatic diseases, painful swelling caused by a buildup of fluid in the body.Her passion for this research began when she was an oncology nurse in 1998 at the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in Columbia, Missouri. She would celebrate with her patients when they received the good news that they were cancer-free. But when it came to breast cancer patients suffering from lymphedema doctors had little advice to offer.“The oncologist would say to these women, ‘Remember, you survived cancer, you should be grateful,’” Fu said. “After the doctor would leave, my patient would say, ‘Mei, I wish there was something that could help with the pain I’m in.’”Lymphedema can occur anywhere in the body, but it most commonly affects arms and legs. The lymph fluid that causes swelling is part of the lymph system, which helps the body’s ability to fight infection and disease. Cancer or cancer treatment can disrupt the flow of lymph fluid and cause lymphedema, which in addition to pain, can cause chest tightness, impaired range of motion and long-term complications such as discoloration and hardening of the skin.In addition to King, Fu is also working Science and Engineering faculty Bowen Liu and Yugyung Lee, Ph.D. Liu as well as doctoral student Ahmed Alanazi and master’s student Abhinav Kochar. It’s an interdisciplinary collaboration that involves researchers from nursing science, computer science, engineering and statistics.“It’s a huge team of people,” King said. “Now that we’ve got it running pretty smoothly, it’s fun.”
Fu came to UMKC from Rutgers University in 2023, where she was a professor and the senior associate dean of research in its nursing school. It’s that wealth of knowledge and experience that excites UMKC Nursing and Health Studies Dean Joy Roberts, J.D., RN, FNP-BC. Roberts said the school has seen an uptick in research activity since Fu joined the faculty at UMKC.
“Since Dr. Fu’s arrival, our faculty research and grant writing has increased dramatically,” Roberts said. “She encourages and inspires all nurses to delve into research for the betterment of science and our profession. We are very lucky to have her at UMKC.”
According to Fu, her time at UMKC has enabled her to establish a strong team that is helping her extend and enhance her research. Fu is now focusing that research on building a multi-modal, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted training tool that enables patients to learn the exercises that are part of the intervention. Fu’s research is narrowing in on a standard of care that optimizes symptom management. Through her research, she’s developed an innovative intervention called The Optimal Lymph Flow, which focuses on activating the lymphatic system to promote lymph flow. The program emphasizes three components: deep breathing, exercises that provide muscle contraction and eating a healthy diet in combination with quality sleep.The optimal blood flow exercises came from her Ph.D. dissertation study in 2003 at the University of Missouri, where she interviewed patients to find out what interventions helped provide them with some relief from the condition. Since then, she’s performed six clinical trials that have shown the efficacy of The Optimal Lymph Flow intervention.
Being a participant in Mei’s research has been incredibly meaningful for Jeannine Midgett, a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). In 2013, she had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction in 2014. Throughout that time, Midgett dealt with a lot of healing and a lot of pain. Now 10 years cancer free, she is still dealing with the pain from lymphedema. That is why being a participant in Fu’s research is so important to her.“Being involved with this study means that I bring value,” Midgett said. “When you’re in pain, you have absolutely no control and you’re very reactive. It’s so important to be able to participate and have my voice heard, that there is someone like Mei trying to understand my pain while also offering some kind of change.”For computer scientist Lee, who is helping with the AI aspects of the training tool, the collaboration has broadened her research abilities. “Collaborating with Mei has allowed us to push the boundaries of research and create technologies that have the potential to transform patient care,” Lee said. “It is exciting to see how these efforts bring together multiple disciplines to develop intelligent, impactful and accessible solutions.”The AI assistant will walk patients through the recommended exercises. To gather data for the AI functionality, Fu recruits participants, both individuals with lymphedema as well as healthy adults, and guides them through the exercises while they wear sensors that provide data for her team to utilize in creating the training tool.Liu is providing his expertise in statistical analysis to help analyze the data coming out of the motion lab. He will lead the statistical analysis of participant data. Once the app is in a prototype stage, he will also lead the feasibility and usability of it, under Fu’s guidance. Beyond that, he will oversee the clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of the system.“Working with a renowned healthcare researcher like Mei has been an incredible experience,” Liu said. “This project is deeply meaningful to me, especially as I think about my grandfather’s struggle with cancer. I am truly grateful for the chance to contribute to research that aims to develop interventions that not only alleviate pain and discomfort for cancer patients but also extend their lives.”
Watch Research Solutions on YouTube
Apr 08, 2025
UMKC building on its strong commitment to research amid national top-tier designation
The University of Missouri-Kansas City earned a Carnegie Research 1 designation in February. This elite designation, held by only 6% of U.S. institutions, serves as a powerful catalyst for increased research investments, driving growth and innovation at UMKC and within the Kansas City community.
“With R1 status, we are positioned to expand our research capacity and build new partnerships that will drive discoveries,” said Sumeet Dua, vice chancellor of research and innovation. “These investments are just the beginning of what will be a thriving, collaborative research ecosystem at UMKC.”The transformative milestone unlocks a wealth of opportunities, enhancing the university’s ability to attract funding, foster collaboration and elevate academic excellence. To build on this momentum, UMKC is making five key investments in research.
1. Rebranding the Division
The division is now “Research and Innovation” to better reflect the university's commitment to advancing cutting-edge research, fostering innovation and driving real-world impact through commercialization and interdisciplinary collaboration.
2. Launching C-IGNITE
UMKC is launching a new Collaboratory for Integrating Growth, Innovation and Research Excellence (C-IGNITE). This new initiative will connect faculty across disciplines with industry and community partners, while offering dedicated support for grantsmanship, large collaborative proposals and targeted funding opportunities. The UMKC Research Collaboration Conference on May 3 is organized to identify and highlight key areas of collaborative research strength at UMKC.
3. Introducing the BUILD Fund
The university has established a new BUILD Fund with an initial $1 million investment. The fund will help advance research capabilities through upgrades to facilities, acquisition of advanced equipment for core facilities and development of innovation labs. As an initial component of BUILD-supported resources, the Request for Proposals site is live.
4. Expanding Research Administration
Three new positions will be added to the research and innovation team, enhancing the ability to improve grants services and provide better support for faculty and researchers.
5. Launching Research and Innovation Excellence Awards
The Office of Research and Innovation is establishing a suite of new awards to honor outstanding achievements and cultivate a culture of high-impact research.
The Pioneer Grant Award will be awarded to first-time federal principal investigators.
The Million Dollar Milestone will be granted to investigators who have received $1 million or above in cumulative research funding at UMKC.
The Rainmaker Award will be awarded for significant and international impact in the recipient’s fields.
The awards will be celebrated through various communication initiatives such as an annual research conference, a campus research newsletter and a magazine.
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal introduced the new research initiatives in March at the State of the University.“The future of research at UMKC has never looked brighter,” Agrawal said. “These new investments in research are a testament to our unwavering commitment to advancing innovation and academic excellence. With each step, we are not only enhancing UMKC’s reputation as a leading research institution, but also driving real-world impact that will benefit our faculty, students and the Kansas City community for years to come.”
Apr 07, 2025
Company oversees a $20 billion portfolio, thanks to Nathaniel Hagedorn’s 22 years of experience in commercial real estate.
Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association recognizes the achievements of outstanding alumni with an awards celebration. The University and the Association are honoring Nathaniel Hagedorn (BBA ’02, MBA ’04) with the 2025 Alumnus of the Year Award.
In 2012, Hagedorn founded NorthPoint Development, a Kansas City-based commercial real estate development company focused on industrial, multifamily and data-center projects. As the CEO of the firm, Hagedorn is responsible for strategically ensuring NorthPoint remains an innovator in data science and technology.
NorthPoint has grown to a team of 400 team members with nine offices across the country and has become the largest industrial developer in the United States, serving most Fortune 500 companies. The company has also invested in more than 8,000 apartment units and is developing several multi-billion-dollar hyperscale data-center campuses. NorthPoint has been recognized by the Kansas City Business Journal as a Best Place to Work in Kansas City for 11 years running.
Hagedorn also serves on the NorthPoint Foundation board, which focuses on charitable efforts to support children in need across Kansas City and in the other communities NorthPoint serves across the country. He also served as a UMKC Trustees' Scholars mentor from 2020-2022. Hagedorn became a UMKC Foundation Board member in early 2024 and still serves on the board today.
What inspired you to start NorthPoint, and how did your experiences prior to founding the company shape your vision for its growth and success?
The seeds for my entrepreneurial journey were planted in high school after I started a small lawn-care company. As the company grew, I caught the "business bug" and knew I wanted to own my own company one day, though I wasn’t sure what that would be.
I stumbled into the real-estate industry because of the Fast Track program I went through at UMKC. After graduation, I knew I wanted to work for a small business instead of a large company as I wanted to make a real impact and gain a broad range of business skills.
Being in real estate, you start to build industry relationships, expertise and experience that tend to have you stay in the industry. I was fortunate to have drifted into real estate as it is a wonderful business that led me to start NorthPoint.
How have your personal values influenced the company’s culture, and are there any key moments or lessons in your career that shaped your belief in the importance of culture within a company?
Some of my core values are appreciation and gratitude, which have strongly influenced our culture at NorthPoint. At the heart of our culture is the simple acknowledgment that each one of us wants to know we are appreciated and valued. and that the work we do matters. Saying "thank you" is one of the most powerful ways to reinforce that innate desire we all have.
Another wonderful aspect of saying "thank you" and acknowledging people's contributions is it not only makes them feel great, but also makes you feel better. Most activities in life are energy-draining. You mow the grass, sit in a long meeting, or go for a run, and afterward, you often feel tired and drained. However, when you take time to say, "thank you" and build someone else up, you’ll find that it gives you energy.
Focusing on culture and building a world-class environment when leading a business provides a tremendous competitive advantage, and I am confident that it has propelled NorthPoint to great levels of success. Plus, it makes work much more enjoyable. The fact that we've won Best Place to Work in Kansas City for 11 consecutive years is a testament to our strong and enduring work culture.
How do you personally stay connected to the charitable side of your work while leading a highly successful business?
As an entrepreneur, I tend to look around and see opportunities everywhere. I felt that corporate philanthropy did not personally align with me, which is why we started the NorthPoint Foundation with a focus on engaging and challenging our employees to help make an impact on someone else's life. If each of our 400 associates helped just one person each year in a meaningful, personal way, the impact on both our community and employees would be profound.
The NorthPoint Foundation primarily focuses on helping children in need in the communities where we live and work. One of our partnerships is with the Kansas City International Academy, a school for refugee children. It’s an incredible school with passionate teachers. Through our partnership, we help provide shoes for the children, vans to transport them to soccer games, uniforms and track equipment.
In addition to the financial support, many of our employees also mentor these children. My assistant, Heather Pfender, is one of those mentors. She has made a profound impact on her mentee. She calls her every day and makes sure she is off to school, helps her with her homework and takes her shopping. Heather has made a major impact in this young woman’s life, but this young woman has made an equal impact on Heather. This is the vision behind our charitable efforts: It’s not just about writing a check, but showing up with our hearts, and hopefully helping to bend the arc of a young person’s life in a positive direction.
What advice would you give to today’s students who are starting out in a rapidly changing world?
First, commit to curiosity and being a lifelong learner. Some of the brightest minds and best thinkers have shared their wisdom in books. It’s incredible how much you can learn by simply putting your phone down and reading. You’ll find out that most of life’s important lessons have already been figured out and written down.
Also, run toward your problems. Many people try to avoid their problems, but I believe they’re where the opportunities lie. Solving problems, especially alongside company leaders, often leads to an asymmetric outcome. You gain more access to senior leadership, and if you solve the problem, your reputation is elevated. Even if you don’t have the solution, your efforts and contributions are still respected.
How did UMKC contribute to your success?
I received a great education at UMKC. I think one of the best things about UMKC is that it’s in a dynamic city like Kansas City. This created opportunities for me to do internships and co-ops throughout my college experience with companies and businesses. I was able to learn and apply the lessons I received in the classroom with these opportunities, making my coursework much more relevant. Additionally, UMKC brought me to Kansas City from St. Louis, and being here has had a profound impact on my life. It's where I met my business partners and grew NorthPoint into the company that it is today.
Apr 03, 2025
Join UMKC student performers on April 29 for one of the most anticipated events of the Kansas City arts season
Following the fall 2024 Crescendo gala at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which raised more than $1 million in support of student scholarships, the Conservatory will return to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on April 29. The event will include an exciting update about the future of the Conservatory.
The spring performance of Crescendo in Concert features music, dance and theatre students in the beloved collage-style format. The “no pause, no applause” style is a continuous show where one ensemble performance flows into the next in uninterrupted succession around the concert hall.
“We can’t wait to bring our talented performers back to Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts,” said Courtney Crappell, dean of the UMKC Conservatory. “The Kansas City arts community will not want to miss this spectacular performance!”
Tickets start at $23, and proceeds support Conservatory student scholarships. Tickets are on sale now, purchase them through the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: https://tickets.kauffmancenter.org/24015/
“Crescendo highlights our amazing student performers in an iconic Kansas City location, and it is one of my favorite events of the year,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. “The support our students receive from the community is wonderful to see.”
Apr 02, 2025
The new traffic measure will improve safety at the intersection
The City of Kansas City is installing traffic lights at 51st Street and Troost Avenue near the University of Missouri-Kansas City Volker Campus.
The change comes after a collaboration among UMKC, city council members, the leaders of surrounding neighborhoods and Rockhurst University to address the threats to pedestrian safety at the intersection.
“This shows what can be done when neighbors and civic leaders work together toward a shared vision of a safe community for all,” UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “I want to thank City Council members and city officials for responding to our request for improvements and Rockhurst for partnering with us in advocating for this critical change. I appreciate everyone’s thoughtfulness and determination on this safety measure for our community.”
The light is expected to be installed by the end of May.
Apr 01, 2025
James Mitchell is this year’s Spotlight Alumni Award recipient for his contributions to sustainability
Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association recognizes outstanding alumni achievements with an awards celebration. James Mitchell (B.M./B.A. ’13) is the Class of 2025 Spotlight Award recipient.
Mitchell is a graduate of the Conservatory, where he studied cello performance, and the School of Science and Engineering, where he studied environmental studies. Although these degrees might seem like an unusual combination, he has merged his love for music and the environment in his career.
Mitchell is a leading expert in climate finance, a director at the Center for Climate-Aligned Finance and a principal at RMI (formerly the Rocky Mountain Institute). He led the development of the Poseidon Principles, a global coalition of banks aimed to reduce carbon emissions in the maritime shipping industry. It is the first agreement of its kind in any industry.
In addition to his work in climate finance, Mitchell is a member of “The Infamous Flapjack Affair,” an indie folk quartet. The quartet provided an opportunity for Mitchell to blend his love for cello and the environment. They created a documentary called “Confluence,” which tells the story of the Colorado River through music.
What inspired you to pursue such an interdisciplinary path and how have those diverse experiences shaped your approach to climate action?
When I arrived at UMKC, there was one question I felt I needed to answer to give myself direction in life: what matters to me? Trying to answer this question led me to pursue a dual degree program that combined music and environmental studies. I discovered the issue that I care most about while at UMKC – climate change.
This unusual path has been broadly fulfilling and has given me an appreciation for the many ways you can go about shifting how things work. Some issues need to be exposed with hard-hitting research, others need to be addressed through careful technical deliberation and coalition building and others are best explored through a different approach altogether, like playing cello on the rim of the Grand Canyon and making a documentary about it.
Can you walk us through the challenges you faced in bringing together a global coalition of banks to adopt this climate standard, and how has it influenced broader market behavior since its launch?
The Poseidon Principles are a first-of-a-kind climate finance standard for the maritime shipping industry. Developing them took about 18 months and involved shuttling between London, Singapore, Hong Kong and New York City to create a “coalition of the willing” while also running a technical working group to write the standard itself. There were many challenges to overcome in the process and it was a very intense period in my career. Since the launch of the Poseidon Principles in 2019, they have become the most successful voluntary climate finance standard to date by market share, with banks representing 80% of the market complying with the standard.
There are tens of thousands of ocean-going ships, which together emit 2% to 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually. Today, when one of these ships is financed by a bank, its climate change impacts are considered because of the Poseidon Principles. They have also led to many billions of dollars in sustainability-linked financing for the shipping sector.
What do you believe is the core skill or mindset that has enabled you to be so successful across such a wide range of endeavors, and how do you approach each new venture or challenge?
I have had successes, but I’ve also had failures. Through each experience, I’ve learned something that I’ve applied to the next venture. I was tremendously fortunate to find an issue that I cared deeply about early on. This has been a major source of drive for me. Drive is one ingredient in success, but I’ve found that it must be complemented with a mindset that brings self-awareness and nuance: be humble and continue learning, bring the right people with you and create an environment where risks can be taken at the right scale.
Which project or initiative from your career stands out to you as the most rewarding, and why?
I owe a debt of gratitude to Molly (Caroline) Davies, my undergraduate advisor at UMKC, who recommended that I pursue a master’s degree at the University of Oxford School of Geography and the Environment. It was in the preparatory readings for my master’s program there that I discovered the field of climate finance and my interest in it.
Is there a particular moment that helped solidify your commitment to combining finance and sustainability?
There are a couple of moments that stand out as most rewarding. One is when my first publication as a researcher at the University of Oxford was picked up by the Guardian. The other is playing cello on the rim of the Grand Canyon while filming Confluence. Both were important moments when worlds came together for me: climate change and finance, music and climate change.
What advice would you give to today’s students who are starting out in a rapidly changing world?
Start figuring out what you’re interested in and what matters to you. Use this to guide your studies at UMKC. Whatever you study, learn how to communicate clearly and learn effectively because these are the most important skills in the workforce. Finally, be pragmatic. Don’t stress too much about figuring everything out now or landing your dream job right away. Just find a direction that works for you. Careers are long, the world changes and you can make changes as well.
What’s one piece of wisdom you’ve learned along the way that you wish someone had told you at the beginning of your career?
“Go with friends.” A friend once shared this advice with me, which she received from her mentor as she was embarking on a challenging career in global health. It’s a skill one must learn in mission-oriented careers spent trying to change systems of any kind.
Mar 25, 2025
UMKC Alumni Association honors the Mahaffey Family with the 2025 Legacy Award
Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association recognizes outstanding alumni achievements with an awards celebration. UMKC is honoring the Mahaffey family with the 2025 Legacy Award.
Three generations of the Mahaffey family began their dental careers at the UMKC School of Dentistry. Charles Mahaffey (DDS ’72) opened the family dental practice in 1975. Charles’s son, Darren Mahaffey (DDS ’05), and Darren’s wife, Sarah Mahaffey (DDS ’05), joined the practice in 2005 followed by Samantha (DDS ’22), who is the granddaughter of Charles and niece to Darren and Sarah. All of them share a dedication to the community of Springfield, MO as well as the overall oral health of Missouri.
How does the School of Dentistry continue to play a role in your family’s legacy?
We were all blessed to have begun our careers at UMKC. It is a gift, obligation and privilege to give back to the institution that gave us so many opportunities in life. UMKC served generations of our family, so we are privileged to give back by serving generations of patients in our community. UMKC gave us more than a diploma. It provided a deep and meaningful life experience that changed our paths forever.
Staying connected to the institution that shaped us into the professionals we are today is vital to continue the legacy that we are honored to be building. UMKC offers a strong alumni base full of like-minded colleagues that serve as mentors and friends. We have all been blessed with many friendships with classmates and faculty that have lasted years beyond our time at UMKC.
What motivates you to dedicate so much time to advocacy and mentoring in the field of dentistry?
We all view participation in both local and state-level dental organizations as an important way to give back to a profession that means so much to us. Our motivation to dedicate so much time to mentorship and advocacy comes from our commitment to our patients and bettering the future of dentistry for them. There is a lasting impact of investing in the future of our profession. What will the standard of care look like for our 4-year-old patients when they are 70? We have the privilege of serving a multi-generational practice, which gives us the unique motivation to invest in the future of what dental care will look like.
We have been given the gift of changing people's lives, by getting them back to school, work and social events, or simply getting them out of pain and back to smiling. It is our duty to pay it back and do our part to better the future of dentistry.
What advice would you give to today’s students who are starting out in a rapidly changing world?
Students that are just entering the profession should always remember to be authentic and genuine in their care for people. If your motivation is to better your patient’s health every day, you will always continue to find joy in your daily practice. Darren and Sarah remember Charles’s advice of, “Focus on taking care of people and they will take care of you.”
Your patients are your “why” – why you went through rigorous schooling, why you continue to better yourself at every chance and why you show up every day. True joy in life does not come in the form of financial packages. It comes from the investment in people and in your community.
Looking back on your careers, what is a moment that stand out to you as defining your journeys in the profession?
All four of us have found joy in serving others who may not have readily available access to care. Serving the needs of others will always fill our cups and stand out along the timeline of our careers. Darren and Sarah served in Venezuela during their dental school years through the UMKC School of Dentistry. There, they saw the impact that care can make on underserved communities. Samantha was blessed to serve in Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Ghana through Global Brigades.
In 2011, Darren and Sarah also founded the Missouri Mission of Mercy (MOMOM), a large-scale dental clinic that provides free oral health care to patients of all ages who cannot otherwise afford or access care. Part of a nationwide effort, Missouri Mission of Mercy has provided more than $7.98 million in free care to 12,311 patients since its inception. An especially fulfilling element was how many of our dental colleagues, as well as supply companies and other facets of the dental community, came together for the greater good of others. The camaraderie we experienced was fulfilling for our profession and community in ways we didn’t anticipate.
Mar 24, 2025
An exciting milestone for UMKC’s rural-focused medical program as students discover their residency placements
Surrounded by her family, Jess Halla (M.D. ’24) held the white envelope in her hands, her future sealed inside. Gathered inside the Mosiac Life Care Medical Center of St. Joseph, the first cohort of the UMKC School of Medicine St. Joseph Campus, along with their family and friends began the countdown – five, four, three, two, one – to precisely 11 a.m., when graduating medical students across the country simultaneously opened their Match Day letters.
When the moment finally arrived, Halla tore open her envelope, her eyes scanning the words inside. A smile broke across her face, and she erupted into joyous jumps, turning to her family with tears of excitement. She had matched with her first choice, a family medicine program at the University of Kansas - Wichita.
A Program Built for Rural Care
For the members of this inaugural class at the UMKC St. Joseph Campus, the moment is especially significant – it marks the first Match Day for this location. As the first cohort of graduates for the campus, which opened in 2021, these 15 chartered new paths, embracing hands-on healthcare learning in smaller communities.
The UMKC School of Medicine St. Joseph Campus was designed with a clear purpose: to train the next generation of rural physicians. The program offers students a unique opportunity to learn in smaller hospitals and clinics, gaining hands-on experience in settings where they are needed most.
Jess Halla: Following Her Passion for Rural Medicine
“I really found my passion while being here at the St. Joseph campus,” Halla said. “Through UMKC, they do a docent program, so you get paired with a physician for your four years of medical school. I was paired with a family med physician who really opened my eyes to not only family medicine and how it could play a role in a smaller community, but rural medicine too, and the barriers that they face, and how we can face those things as physicians.”
Hoping to eventually serve a rural community like her mentor, Halla was looking for a residency program that would expose her to a variety of medical practices so she would be prepared for the various needs of a rural doctor. And her match will provide her just that.
“I am feeling so excited, so overwhelmed, so thankful and blessed,” Halla said. “I know this is exactly where I'm meant to be, and I'm looking forward to this journey.”
Ashley Ayers: Serving Underserved Communities
For some, like Halla, their passion for rural medicine emerged through their experiences and connections over the past four years. Others, like Ashley Ayers (M.D. ’24), knew from the start that St. Joseph’s small setting was the perfect fit.
“I come from a small town of 250, so I was not so keen on living in Kansas City,” Ayers said. “So St. Joseph was the perfect alternative to Kansas City, but still getting a good education from the UMKC curriculum.”
Ayers also believed St. Joseph was the right choice for her because of the focus on rural medicine.
Growing up within a family of part-time missionaries to Haiti, Ayers discovered her passion for healthcare when joining the missions starting at 16 years old. In medical school, she continued pursuing service-based medicine, completing elective rotations with Native American communities in White Cloud, Kansas, and in rural Ghana.
“I did an elective rotation in Ghana, and that really helped kind of cultivate that passion and give me a better picture for what it looks like to serve underserved communities internationally,” Ayers said. “It was a rural town, so that was kind of cool to get both the local and international perspective of rural health and what that looks like.”
Ayers matched with a family medicine residency with her top choice, CoxHealth in Springfield, Missouri. There, she will be able to foster her passion for providing care to underserved and marginalized populations with rotations in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
“Programs that offered experience in those kinds of clinics really drew me in because those are the exact populations that I'm hoping to help,” Ayers said. ”That’s kind of where my heart was.”
St. Joseph’s Success
Between the Kansas City and St. Joseph Campuses, 135 medical school students and recent graduates matched at a nearly 100% match rate, higher than the national average. More than 50% matched into primary care, and a third matched in Missouri or Kansas City metro area.
St. Joseph students had a wide range of specialties, including five matching into family medicine, and others matching internal medicine, psychiatry, radiation oncology, otolaryngology, OBGYN, orthopedic surgery and interventional radiology.
“If we scripted what we hoped and prayed would be the success of this program, we could not have scripted it better,” St. Joseph Campus Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Kristen Kleffner, Ph.D., said. “The whole mission of this program was to provide healthcare for those in rural communities, particularly in northwest Missouri, where there are some counties that have but one physician.”
Will Obert: Preparing for Rural Orthopedic Surgery
For some students, like Halla and Ayers, their match means staying close to home, training in rural communities similar to the ones they hope to serve. For others, their match is an opportunity to train in a larger setting before eventually returning to a small-town practice.
Will Obert (M.D. ’24), a Palmyra, Missouri, native, hopes to eventually return to a rural setting after completing his residency. However, because of his desire to specialize in orthopedic surgery, he prioritized programs that offer the most comprehensive training.
“I think more so ending up in a rural area when I’m working is more important than where I’m training,” Obert said. “The more rural area that you do training in, you don't see as many complex things sometimes, so I’ll train wherever I think I can get the best training, then end up in a rural area after.”
Obert developed his interest in orthopedic surgery in college after receiving surgery on his knee from a football injury. He later solidified that interest after spending time with Timothy Monohan, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at a rural hospital during a clerkship in his third year.
“Just how he treated his patients and worked with the staff in the OR in the clinic, that taught me that there's nothing else that I'd rather do with my life than be an orthopedic surgeon,” Obert said.
Obert matched with his first choice, an orthopedic surgery residency program in Danville, Pennsylvania, at Geisinger Health System, the same place his mentor, Monohan, completed his residency.
Looking to the Future
While the St. Joseph Campus medical students prepare to go their separate ways as they begin their residencies next year, many reflected on their time on this new campus and how it prepared them for their future goals.
“I wouldn't have changed it for anything,” Obert said. “The camaraderie that we built with a small group was second to none. It really let me get close with the docs. I have dinner once or twice a year with my docent because we are so close. All in all, I wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere else than St. Joe.”
Halla agreed that attending the St. Joseph Campus gave her a better learning experience than other settings.
“It honestly kind of fell into place, but it turned out to be the best experience I could have ever asked for in medical school, especially having those more small class sizes,” Halla said. “I was one-on-one with attending doctors, so I feel like my patient care experience has been astronomical compared to some of my other friends in different medical schools. We get to see every single patient we want. We can be as hands on as we want, and that really helped me feel more comfortable and confident in my patient care skills.”
Equipped with the personalized attention, immersive patient care experience offered at the UMKC School of Medicine St. Joseph Campus, the inaugural class of graduates is now prepared to embark onto the next phase of their medical journeys through their residencies.
“The decision what you do in this next phase of your journey is what will define you for the rest of your life,” Dean Emeritus Mary Anne Jackson (B.A. ‘77/M.D. ‘78) told the physicians matching at the St. Joseph Campus celebration. “As you scatter across the country, I know you will continue to make us proud by demonstrating the knowledge, kindness, empathy, compassion and professionalism that you've learned here.”
UMKC Match Day 2025 Results
Mar 21, 2025
2025 Staff Awards celebrate achievements and service milestones
The University of Missouri-Kansas City recognized staff across all academic units and various programs and departments at the 2025 Staff Awards ceremony.
More than 200 employees were honored for their accomplishments as well as their contributions to the growth and success of UMKC.
“You are the heartbeat of UMKC – the people who keep things running smoothly, support our students and help drive our university forward,” said Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, whose remarks led the ceremony. “Whether you’re helping a student navigate their first semester, keeping our campus beautiful or contributing to our research and community initiatives, your work makes a real difference. And let me tell you, your impact is undeniable. Just look at what we've achieved this past year.”
UMKC received Carnegie Research 1 status, climbed 25 spots in U.S. News & World Report rankings and recognized by Wall Street Journal as one of the best investments in higher education as No. 1 in student experience and social mobility and No. 2 in best value and starting salaries among all Missouri and Kansas public universities. For the second year in a row, UMKC set records in first-time college enrollment and is on track to break records again this fall with applications and admissions rising across all categories.
“These milestones are no accident,” Agrawal said. “They’re the result of your talent, dedication and hard work. So whether or not your name is called today, please know that our university leadership and faculty see you, and so do our students. We all appreciate everything you do to make UMKC a place of excellence, opportunity and impact.”
University Staff Awards
Excellence in Student Success Staff Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to the academic, social emotional and/or overall wellness of students Carrie Schmalz, coordinator for leadership and student organization development, Student Affairs
Excellence in Research and Creative Works Staff Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to the university’s research creativity and innovation efforts Lora Owens, research services business services manager, Research and Innovation
Excellence in Engagement and Outreach Staff Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to the university’s engagement and outreach efforts Casey Davison, senior coordinator of recreational sports, Student Affairs
Inclusive Opportunity and Excellence Staff Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to the university by fostering an environment of inclusive opportunity and excellence
Zachary Parker, assistant director of LGBTQIA programs and services, Student Affairs
Excellence in Planning, Operations and Stewardship Staff Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to solve long-standing problems and found new ways to collaborate across departments, develop revenue and increase enrollment Andry Joswara, finance and budget consultant, Finance and Administration
Rising Star Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who, in their first five years of continuous service, has made significant contributions to their area of the university community Lauren Orozco, admissions counselor, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Never Choose the Norm Staff Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who dares to be innovative and push boundaries to help the university achieve even greater success in its mission of serving students and our community Mike Duah, lead design strategist, Strategic Marketing and Communications
Chancellor’s Staff Award for Extraordinary Contributions
Recognizes a high-performing UMKC staff member who demonstrates an exceptional ability to foster collaboration, communication and cooperation among colleagues and university constituents and relates their work to the mission and values of the university Davlon Miller, director, UMKC Career Services
Living the Values Awards
Recognizes staff members who best exemplify excellence in demonstrating the university’s key values
Conservatory
Sarah Bigge, manager of admissions and outreach
Curriculum and Assessment
Annie Carr, career development specialist
Finance and Administration
Sara Hampton, manager of business administration
Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Mark Culver, director of program operations
Human Resources
Tom Bachmann, senior HR manager
Information Services
Aaron Fajen, expert network engineer
Institute for Human Development
Leisha Manning, senior office support assistant
Intercollegiate Athletics
Trish Baldwin, manager of business administration
KCUR
Clarate Heckler, manager of live events
Office of Research and Innovation
Chi Johnson, senior business support specialist
Office of Strategic Initiatives
Kara Farren, senior business support specialist
School of Dentistry
Danita Johnson, senior student services coordinator
School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
J. Michael Pragman, director of Regional Professional Development Center
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
James Utech, finance and budget consultant
School of Law
Breana Boger, law admissions director
School of Medicine
Kimberlee Kalaiwaa, senior office support assistant
School of Nursing and Health Studies
Stephanie Spitz, senior project manager
School of Pharmacy
Casey Ramsey, senior business support specialist
School of Science and Engineering
Tanya Henderson, senior business support specialist
Strategic Marketing and Communications
Sarah Dresslaer, creative services operations manager
Student Affairs
Carrie Schmatz, coordinator for leadership and student organization development
Student Success and Academic Assurance
Carrie Paulette, senior executive assistant
UMKC Innovation Center
Jennifer Starcev, senior communications and project coordinator
University Libraries
Kevin McCarrison, office support assistant
Staff Council Dedication Award
Recognizes a staff member who has made significant contributions to the Staff Council and its initiatives by enhancing communication, volunteering service to the university and community and providing opportunities to develop staff professionally and personally
Sarah Amos, senior student services coordinator, Student Success and Academic Assurance
Administrative Leadership Development Program Graduates
Recognizes staff members who have successfully completed the Dr. Elson S. Floyd Administrative Leadership Development Program, a UM System course where emerging and current leaders expand and refine their leadership skills
Ken BledsoeRebecca Diemer Shelly DoucetStacy DownsSara HamptonLeigh Kerwin Joanna Pohl Janey Stephens
Supervisor Development Series Graduates
Recognizes staff members who have successfully completed the UM Supervisor Development Series, a foundational management and leadership course with university-focused content
Pamala Asher Sadie Billings Katelyn Chapin Gabriel Cohen Shay Duncan Clarate Heckler Chi Johnson Jamie Locke Timothy Maybell Rosa Nataraj Lauren Nelson Emily Newton Amanda Sanders Chayanne Sandoval-Williams Luke Scheil Kristina Shultz Paul Trana
Series on Leadership Essentials Graduates
Recognizes staff members who have successfully completed the Series on Leadership Essentials Program, a UM System course where employees can develop their skills in the areas of communication, engagement, giving and receiving feedback and navigating change
Katelyn Chapin Casey Davison Corynne Nixon
UMKC Graduates
Recognizes staff members who have graduated with a UMKC degree in Spring 2024, Summer 2024 or Fall 2024
Albara Al Saed Leslie Hisman Liz Hoffman-Shrout Dakota Juhan Petra Kralickova Alyssa Lally Adam Larson Tyler Murphy Kathryn Nicolaus Brianna Portmann Janelle Sjue
Service Milestones
Recognizes staff members who have given five or more years of service to UMKC and are celebrating a milestone in fiscal year 2025
5 Years
Michael Abel Nate Addington Roy AllenSarah BeachJordan CallisonElizabeth CaseJames CurrieDestiny Delgado PetersonAlyssa DickShay DuncanRobert DurhamJennifer FergersonJill FolsomAllen George Eric GormlyErin HassettCynthia Hedrick Jon HoltRachel HughesRebecca IrelandKimberley IvanyNathan JacobsCathy KeaslerMaryann Khan Jeina KummerMeghan LamarchePatrick Lenoir Adam Loftin Michele Logue Mackenzie Martin Rafael Martinez Rodriguez Michael McCleanChristen MelvinGraceann MilanoTamara Moore-CallahanKathryn NicolausPaul NyakaturaJesse OsmanSarah PatoraKyle PateEloberto Perdomo EspinosaRyan PierceRyan PoreMorgan RamseyChistiana RangelStephen ReeseCarissa RufClaire RuhlmanGabi Sa TelesWilliam SandersMark SheldonCharity SimmonsJessica SmithRobert SwanJoseph TesoroLinda ThornburghMolly TugushiMatthew WalkerSharon WardJosh WareSherrie WatkinsLeland WhiteMargaret WightDanielle WilsonRachel WitmerTheresa Wright Kristen Zucht
10 Years
Katheryn Acklin Cynthia BeardChristina BergShaun Bernardon Jennifer BurrusJamison CochranConnor FenderPola FirestoneDavid FulkNatalie GilkisonMolly GiulianoLatonia GordonApril GrahamVenita GreenbaumRebecca HigginsJim JarrettEmily KoestererLauren NewcomerJessica PearsonChristopher ShortLaura SkluzacekJames UtechTenishia WebbWade WilliamsonJericho WoodSam Zeff
15 Years
Cheryl AdamPetra BrickerAngela CottrellAlicen LundbergJanelle MalikMary McConnellBrianna PortmannBarbette RoachCrystal SimonisCarol StillJacob VollertsenAshley WannCaleb Zenitsky
20 Years
Arnold AbelsMaria AltmanRandy BanisterKatie BastMichael BrownSharon ColbertJeff CooperJennifer CoulthardOnekia De Leon FranklinMatthew EpleeNathan FishbackMichael FredericksenSara HamptonDavid HannaKaren HutchinsonLing LiJoseph RucinskiMichael ShannonKristina ShultzMercedes TilmanJonathan Young
25 Years
Curt CrespinoMark CulverKaren EnglishMatthew GardnerD’Ramises GatapiaAlexander HolsingerKristi HolsingerWalter JacksonJames LangTroy LilleboScott MiddletonMichelle ReynoldsRichard ThomasDarnell WilliamsSteven Wilson
30 Years
Donald LittletonJustin MalynCoretta MuhammadRonald RamphalJames SchonemannDonald Simmons
35 Years
Jennifer EigstiSharon GriffithGregory Holloway
40 Years
Mary BunyardDaphne Hunter
45 Years
Kevin McCarrison
Mar 19, 2025
Troy Bruun will play key role in campus fiscal responsibility and operations
Troy Bruun will join the University of Missouri-Kansas City as vice chancellor for finance and administration on March 31. With more than 30 years of leadership experience in higher education and government finance, Bruun brings a proven track record of strategic financial management, operational excellence and transformational budgeting to UMKC.
Bruun most recently served as associate vice president for finance, administration and operations at Wichita State University, where he led the university’s financial strategy, budget management and capital development. He also played a crucial role in the financing of Wichita State’s Innovation Campus, which transformed a 120-acre site into a thriving research hub with more than 50 industry partners. Due in part to that project, that campus experienced a 262% increase in research expenditures from 2019 to 2024.
“Troy’s extensive experience in financial leadership, strategic planning, and operational management will be invaluable as UMKC continues to strengthen its fiscal stewardship and institutional growth,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, Ph.D. “His ability to lead large-scale financial operations and drive innovative budgeting solutions will help position UMKC for long-term success.”
In addition to his role at Wichita State, Bruun held leadership roles with the city of Wichita, Sedgwick County and the city of Ankeny, where he drove cost-saving initiatives, improved financial processes and led multimillion-dollar capital projects.
As vice chancellor for finance and administration at UMKC, Bruun will oversee key financial and administrative functions including budgeting, financial planning, procurement, facilities operations, campus safety and more. His leadership will be critical in ensuring that UMKC continues to operate with fiscal responsibility while advancing its academic mission and strategic initiatives.
“I am honored to join UMKC and contribute to its ongoing success," Bruun said "I look forward to collaborating with the university's leadership, faculty and staff to enhance financial strategies, operational efficiencies and the quality and timing of management information needed by all decision makers in support of UMKC's growth and excellence.”
Bruun holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Wichita State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Iowa State University. He is a certified public accountant and a chartered global management accountant, and he remains an active member of professional finance and higher education associations.
Mar 14, 2025
More than $2.5 million has been distributed to support 2,700 women in graduate programs at UMKC
The University of Missouri-Kansas City Women’s Council celebrated 54 years of supporting women in different fields with its annual Graduate Assistance Fund reception.
This year, 67 women received more than $98,000 from the Women’s Council Graduate Assistance Fund.
Established in 1967, the Women’s Council includes four committees that help execute the mission to support women who will change the world while they pursue their goals as graduate students at UMKC. Sue Agrawal, M.S., the programs committee chair of the UMKC Women’s Council, welcomed everyone and briefly shared the history of the Women’s Council and the Graduate Assistance Fund, also known as GAF. “One of the ways we unite the campus and community members to encourage and support our women graduate students is by providing financial awards to allow these promising women to complete their studies,” Agrawal said. “As we celebrate the 2025 GAF recipients, I want to thank our donors who are here tonight. Your generosity helps these women complete their graduate degrees without financial pressures or shortfalls.”
Sarah Hughes, J.D., the GAF selections chair and incoming Women’s Council board president, shared how impactful the Women’s Council’s Graduate Assistance Fund has been. “The selections committee spends countless hours each year reviewing applicants,” Hughes said. “In addition to the award recipients, we have funded more than $20,000 in immediate aid to students this academic year as well. This means we’ve distributed more than $120,000 in total to our graduate students this year.”
Students who received GAF funding have participated in extensive research projects, traveled the world for historical studies and presented their work at professional conferences. Students representing different UMKC academic units were highlighted at the reception. Elham Basunduwah, a Ph.D. student in computer science, was one of the highlighted recipients. Her research is centered on developing an artificial-intelligence-based approach to predict crowd movement in dynamic environments. “The GAF funding I received is a huge support in advancing my research and academic career,” Basunduwah said. “It will allow me to attend international conferences, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers/Computer Vision Foundation Winter Conference on Applications of Computer Vision, and Conference on Image and Vision Computing New Zealand. These opportunities are essential for me to present my work, gain valuable feedback and network with experts in my field.”
Basunduwah’s research is crucial for public safety and event management as it helps prevent overcrowding and improves emergency response strategies.“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Women’s Council and the generous donors for making this possible,” Basunduwah said. “Your support empowers students like me to pursue meaningful research and contribute to our fields in impactful ways.”Emily Meyer (B.S. ‘07, M.A. ’24) is currently the STEM education program manager at Union Station and president of the science fair directors’ institute. Meyer received two degrees at UMKC and was a GAF recipient in 2014. “I’m so grateful to celebrate with all the recipients from this year today,” Meyer said. “The funds you receive may seem like a small little thing to help push you to the end of your academic career here, but it’s going to make a lasting impact. I know I’m still riding those waves almost 10 years later.”
This year, a new award, The Jan Armstrong Award in STEM studies, was announced at the reception. Armstrong is trained in microbiology, where she noticed a small number of women in her classes. She hopes this award encourages and offers opportunities to young women in the STEM fields. A named award is a $10,000 investment in the Graduate Assistance Fund endowment. Named awards are timeless gifts given in perpetuity because the fund’s principle will always remain intact.
Mar 13, 2025
Nonso Isoh’s involvement on campus has molded him into a leader
At UMKC, students write their own stories, form their own definitions of success and chart innovative career paths. With Kansas City as their classroom, they turn dreams into reality every day.
Nonso Chris IsohAnticipated graduation: 2025UMKC degree program: Master of Science in Mechanical EngineeringHometown: Asaba, Nigeria
Nonso Isoh’s involvement on campus, from being a resident assistant at UMKC Residential Life to a tutor at Academic Support and Mentoring, has molded him into a leader ready to positively implement change in his future career.
Why did you choose UMKC?
My elder brother earned his Master of Business Administration at UMKC and encouraged me to pursue my master’s degree here as well. At the same time, I’ve always wanted to study abroad and experience college life in America, just like I used to see in the movies!
Why did you choose your field of study?
I completed my undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, so pursuing it for my master’s was a natural choice. I’ve loved mathematics and physics since elementary school and knew I wanted a career that combined both. Mechanical engineering brings both subjects together beautifully.
What are the benefits of the program?
The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program at UMKC lays down an incredible foundation for a future career. If you stay focused and put in the effort, you’ll be well-prepared for the challenges of the engineering world. It also sharpens your critical thinking skills. After a while, you start seeing everything from an engineer’s perspective, always searching for solutions.
Additionally, UMKC offers great opportunities to network through career fairs, workshops and conferences, where you can meet engineers eager to mentor and guide students.
How has your college program inspired you?
It has taught me never to settle for mediocrity and to always to be willing to learn. It has also made me more confident as a person and an engineer. Tackling various projects has boosted my belief that I can achieve anything I set my mind to if I do the necessary work.
Additionally, seeing students just beginning their engineering journey has made me more empathetic—I love sharing my knowledge and helping others in any way I can.
Do you have any scholarships?
I received the Dean’s International Students Award (DISA), which provides $4,000 per semester.
That support is a huge relief. To donors: Your contributions truly make a difference. You may not know the students you’re helping personally, but trust me, your generosity has a significant impact on our lives.
How are you involved at UMKC?
I work as a resident assistant at UMKC Residential Life. I think this is my favorite job on campus, not just because of the covered housing costs and meal plans, but also because of the experience. I’ve enjoyed meeting new residents who end up becoming friends, organizing both social and educational events every month with organizations on campus and engaging in training programs.
I also work as a tutor in Academic Support and Mentoring and assist students with engineering and science courses like calculus, statistics and physics. It’s fulfilling to help students understand difficult concepts.
Additionally, I work as a student manager at the Student Union, where I help organize events and maintain the space. I’m also a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), which has been valuable for networking in the engineering field.
And for fun? I play soccer in UMKC’s intramural league with a team of friends!
How has UMKC prepared you for your future career?
UMKC has helped me become more confident in my abilities as a person and an engineer. I’ve learned that being book-smart is just one part of the equation— character and commitment are just as important.
My experiences in leadership roles have also taught me the value of service and patience. Nothing good comes easily and you must put in the work to achieve your goals.
Have you conducted any research?
My independent study is on tensile testing of aluminum. This project involves modeling the material behavior of aluminum using finite element analysis tools to understand stress-strain relationships, material properties and failure mechanisms.
What do you love about UMKC?
UMKC has given me so much. It has shaped me into a better person and a more confident engineer. I’ve made lifelong friends, gained valuable experiences and had countless opportunities to grow.
What is one word that best describes you?
Impact. I believe serving is a privilege, and I always strive to leave a lasting impact wherever I go. Whether in my studies, work or personal relationships. This comes from me putting my all into whatever I do.
What’s your favorite spot to eat in Kansas City?
I am Nigerian so I would have to go with a Nigerian cuisine spot and say Fannie’s, but I also love Joe’s BBQ and Cinzetti’s.
What is some of the most fun you’ve had at UMKC?
I’ve had some of the best memories at UMKC. I was involved in the last UMKC commercial, which was filmed at Union Station. We got to ride the KC streetcar, and it was a new experience acting in a commercial shoot.
I’ve also loved sharing my culture on campus. I got to take part in Culture Fest last year, where I did a fashion walk in Nigerian attire. I got to also perform a traditional Nigerian performance that represented my culture last year during the annual fake African wedding held by the African Students’ Association. I felt so proud to represent my country!
Mar 11, 2025
UMKC offers degree pathways to nine of the 10 best jobs in 2025
Selecting the right degree is essential for landing a top career, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City offers programs that align with many of the best jobs of 2025. With programs spanning healthcare, technology, business and data science, UMKC’s wide range of academic offerings help students turn their ambitions into successful careers.
Each year, U.S. News & World Report ranks the top jobs based on salary potential, opportunities for growth, work-life balance and job security. UMKC provides degree pathways for nine of the top 10 careers on this prestigious list, equipping students with the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience needed to thrive in high-demand fields.
Nurse PractitionerMedian Salary: $126,260Projected Jobs: 135,500Unemployment Rate: 0.6%Education Needed: Master’sUMKC Degree: Post-MSN Nurse Practitioner Certificate, School of Nursing and Health Studies
The School of Nursing and Health Studies offers numerous undergraduate and graduate programs, including post-MSN Nurse Practitioner Certificates. The School of Nursing and Health Studies consistently receives national recognition, including the DNP program ranked in the top 5% across the country, the BSN ranked in the top 15%, and the online graduate program ranked No. 33 in the nation.
Information Technology ManagerMedian Salary: $169,510Projected Jobs: 106,900Unemployment Rate: 1.4%Education Needed: Bachelor’sUMKC Degree: Bachelor of Information Technology, School of Science and Engineering
IT managers help companies meet their technology needs, overseeing the installation and maintenance of computer information systems. These skills can be gained with a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from the School of Science and Engineering. Additionally, students can further develop their management skills by pursuing an MBA from the Henry W. Bloch School of Management.
Physician AssistantMedian Salary: $130,020Projected Jobs: 43,700Unemployment Rate: 1.6%Education Needed: Master’sUMKC Degree: Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant, School of Medicine
Physician assistants apply their medical expertise to examine, diagnose and treat patients, collaborating with other health care professionals to deliver comprehensive patient care. The Physician Assistant program at UMKC prepares students to practice medicine in as little as 29 months. Offered through the UMKC School of Medicine, the program fosters interdisciplinary learning, allowing future physicians and physician assistants to train together.
Financial ManagerMedian Salary: $156,100Projected Jobs: 138,300Unemployment Rate: 1.4%Education Needed: Bachelor'sUMKC Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration – Finance, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Financial managers play a key role in guiding organizations' financial health, overseeing budgeting, investment strategies and long-term financial planning. At UMKC, students can develop these critical skills through the Bachelor of Business Administration with a Finance Emphasis. Students seeking graduate opportunities may also pursue the BBA-MSF Business Administration-Finance accelerated program to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time. Graduates are well-equipped for careers in corporate finance, investment banking and financial consulting.
Software DeveloperMedian Salary: $132,270Projected Jobs: 303,700Unemployment Rate: 2.4%Education Needed: Bachelor'sUMKC Degree: Bachelor of Computer Science, School of Science and Engineering
Software developers design, test and optimize applications and systems that drive today’s technology-driven world. UMKC’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program, offered through the School of Science and Engineering, prepares students with expertise in programming, software engineering and problem-solving. Students interested in accelerating their education can opt for the BS-MS in Computer Science, an integrated program that allows them to complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees in a streamlined pathway.
Information Security AnalystMedian Salary: $120,360Projected Jobs: 59,100Unemployment Rate: 0.5%Education Needed: Bachelor'sUMKC Degree: Bachelor of Information Technology – Cybersecurity Emphasis or Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Cybersecurity Emphasis, School of Science and Engineering
As cybersecurity threats continue to rise, UMKC’s Bachelor of Information Technology – Cybersecurity Emphasis and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Cybersecurity Emphasis degree offerings provide the skills needed to excel as an Information Security Analyst. These programs equip students with expertise in network security, encryption and risk assessment, preparing them to protect organizations from cyber threats.
Medical and Health Services ManagerMedian Salary: $110,680Projected Jobs: 160,600Unemployment Rate: 1.5%Education Needed: Bachelor'sUMKC Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration: Health Administration Emphasis, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
UMKC’s Bachelor of Business Administration – Health Administration Emphasis and Graduate Certificate in Health Leadership equip students with the skills needed to excel as medical and health services managers. With coursework in healthcare management, policy and leadership, students develop the analytical, problem-solving and technical expertise essential for overseeing healthcare facilities.
Data ScientistMedian Salary: $108,020Projected Jobs: 73,100Unemployment Rate: N/AEducation Needed: Bachelor'sUMKC Degree: BS-MS in Data Science, School of Science and Engineering | MBA in Business Analytics, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Data scientists analyze complex data using statistics, programming and machine learning to uncover insights. At UMKC, students can prepare for this in-demand career through the Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics or fast-track their education with the BS-MS in Data Science, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. Students could also pursue a Master of Business Administration in Business Analytics at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. Graduates are prepared for roles in data analytics, artificial intelligence and business intelligence.
ActuaryMedian Salary: $120,000Projected Jobs: 6,600Unemployment Rate: N/AEducation Needed: Bachelor'sUMKC Degree: Bachelor of Arts or Science in Mathematics and Statistics + Actuarial Science Minor, School of Science and Engineering.
Actuaries use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to assess and manage risk, making them essential in industries like insurance, finance and beyond. At UMKC, students can build a strong foundation for this career through the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics or accelerate their education with the dual-degree program in Mathematics and Statistics (BS) and Statistics (MS). Additionally, the Actuarial Science minor provides specialized coursework to help students prepare for actuarial exams and develop the analytical skills needed for success in this high-demand field.
Mar 11, 2025
Satellite campus would help address rural health-provider shortage
Missouri has a shortage of dentists, especially in the northwest region of the state where most counties have less than one provider for every 2,100 residents. The University of Missouri-Kansas City has a proposal to change that.
At his annual State of the University address today, Chancellor Mauli Agrawal announced an expansion proposal for the UMKC School of Dentistry to create a satellite program at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, using a model similar to other satellite healthcare programs run by UMKC. The UMKC School of Medicine created a rural physician program in partnership with Mosaic Life Care, also in St. Joseph, to address physician shortages, and the UMKC School of Pharmacy has campuses at University of Missouri in Columbia and Missouri State University in Springfield to address pharmacist shortages in Missouri.
“UMKC has a longstanding and successful infrastructure in place for educating and training providers to address rural healthcare gaps,” Agrawal said.
The proposed UMKC School of Dentistry satellite program expansion would positively impact the dentist and dental hygiene practitioner shortages in rural Missouri communities, while also delivering high-quality oral healthcare to underserved rural communities through its training clinic.
Currently, the UMKC School of Dentistry is Missouri’s only public dental school and provides half of the state’s dentists.
The Doctor of Dental Surgery, or DDS, is a four-year graduate program that currently admits about 109 students each year in Kansas City. The program would train 10 fourth-year dental students. The first three years of instruction would be at the Kansas City campus and clinical training in the fourth year would be at the St. Joseph satellite, all following the curriculum of the existing Kansas City program. The program would also train two advanced education in general dentistry residents.
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene is a four-year program with students applying after completing about two years of undergraduate coursework.The satellite campus will train 10 senior dental hygiene students and 20 expanded dental assistants.
The goal is to establish a major site in St. Joseph, with minor sites branching out from there, comprising of rotation sites. Currently, Kansas City is the only major site for the school, with over 30 rotation sites. The main difference between the two sites is competency evaluation vs. supervision only. At a major site like what the school envisions for St. Joseph, supervising dentists would be testing for competency of specific skills, whereas at minor sites the student dentists are merely supervised at an on-site dentist.
Having a major site in northwest Missouri enables the school to branch out even further with rotation sites. The St. Joseph site would serve as the central hub, connecting all the rotation sites through symbolic spokes. This will allow the school to reach other dental deserts in Missouri.
UMKC will be requesting $10 million from the state and will be seeking additional funding at the federal level and through philanthropy to secure the total project costs to start the program on the Missouri Western campus in St. Joseph. A start date for the program will be set when necessary approvals and funding are acquired.
The proposed programs were introduced to the University of Missouri Board of Curators in February 2025. This article was updated March 16, 2026.
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Mar 10, 2025
Chancellor announces School of Dentistry expansion plans
University of Missouri-Kansas City Chancellor Mauli Agrawal delivered his annual State of the University address, celebrating significant achievements and urging Kansas City’s only Carnegie Research 1 university to reach even higher in the coming year.
Agrawal acknowledged that the road ahead will bring uncertainties but he counseled the campus to stay focused on transformative plans to expand its excellence and community impact in research, rural healthcare and student success and retention. “We are living in extraordinary times -- times of both tremendous achievement but also tremendous challenge,” Agrawal said. “We must continue to make bold choices and be prepared to find innovative ways to achieve our vision. In a world that brings change every day, we must stay focused on our vision to be Kansas City’s world-class university. But I know you are up to it – it’s in our DNA.”
1. Fueling Research Progress Following Prestigious Carnegie R1 Designation
UMKC announced new research investments to build on its major Carnegie Research 1 status, also known as R1, an honor achieved by only 6% of four-year universities in the nation. This transformative milestone positions UMKC alongside the nation’s most elite research universities.
“R1 signals our constant commitment to innovation, discovery and impact,” Agrawal said. “Across all disciplines, our faculty and research partners are pushing the boundaries of knowledge. They are shaping the future of technology, healthcare and the humanities while solving complex challenges that affect lives in Kansas City and – I’m not exaggerating here – around the world.”A rebranded division of Research and Innovation will find new ways to recognize faculty excellence in innovation and grantsmanship as well as investments in the research enterprise. As funds are available, UMKC plans to: • Launch C-IGNITE: a Collaboratory for Integrating Growth, Innovation and Research Excellence. C-IGNITE will connect faculty with industry and community partners and provide dedicated support for large grant proposals and strategic funding. • Start a new BUILD fund: An initial $1 million investment will advance research capabilities through facility upgrades, acquisition of advanced equipment for core facilities and innovation labs. • Add three new positions in research administration to improve grants services and support.“Achieving R1 does not mean it’s time to rest on our laurels,” Agrawal said. “This accomplishment is more than an external validation of our current excellence – it is a call to action.”
2. Expanding School of Dentistry to St. Joseph to Fill Critical Rural Healthcare Needs
Missouri, particularly its northwest region, faces a severe shortage of dentists, with some counties having less than one provider for every 2,100 residents. UMKC has proposed an expanded dental program in St. Joseph to address the shortage. UMKC is seeking $12 million in funding from state, federal and philanthropic sources to launch the program in space on Missouri Western State University’s campus, aiming for a start date in fiscal year 2027, pending necessary approvals.“UMKC has a longstanding and successful infrastructure in place for educating and training providers to address rural healthcare gaps,” Agrawal said.The new campus would add 10 dental students per year, 40 total when fully operational, increasing UMKC dental graduate output by 10%. The dental hygiene program would add five students per year, increasing UMKC dental hygiene graduates by 15%.Dental students would spend their first two years in Kansas City and complete clinical training in St. Joseph. Dental hygiene students would also split their studies between Kansas City and St. Joseph.
3. Elevating Academic and Support Services for Current Students
UMKC is dramatically expanding its academic success and support services for students. Over the summer, the Victor Wilson Learning Collaborative will open on the fourth floor of Miller Nichols Library. This project creates new spaces for key academic support programs, including Bloch Scholars, First Gen Roo, KC Scholars, Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring, Peer Academic Leadership programs and the Writing Studio.
In May 2025, renovations will begin at Atterbury Student Success Center, which houses a variety of services aimed at prospective and current students.The renovated space will be home to Admissions, Advising, the Center for Transfer Students and Adult Learners, Roo Advising, Career Services, Professional Career Escalators, University College and International Student Affairs. It will also include an inviting Welcome Center with a two-story atrium to host prospective students and their families. UMKC’s robust Career Services programming will expand to add a Professional Wardrobe Studio, giving students a place to browse and try on professional clothing options as well as take headshots for interviews.UMKC Central, a one-stop shop for students, and the Financial Wellness Center, are both moving from their current location at the Administrative Center to the newly renovated space as well.
4. Grand Opening of Roo Plaza Community Gathering Space in April
Roo Plaza, an enclosed pedestrian plaza on 51st Street between Cherry Street and Rockhill Road, is opening in April in the heart of the UMKC Volker Campus. After spring break, the campus will host a street-party celebration for the grand opening.The space, now closed to cars, will be transformed with art, furnishings, planters and string lights.Agrawal said the new space will benefit everyone in the campus and community as a place to meet and hang out between classes and events. “We have so much in the works right now,” Agrawal said. “Each project ties to specific needs for our students, faculty and the broader Kansas City community.”
5. Celebrating UMKC Excellence in the Community
Agrawal said the dedication and heart of UMKC faculty and staff members bring the university’s mission and vision to life. At UMKC, Roo Spirit is embodied by the extraordinary people behind the scenes, faculty, staff and students who go above and beyond every day to make an impact.“Their contributions extend far beyond our campus,” Agrawal said. “From lending their time and talents to support vulnerable families to rallying coworkers to serve the greater Kansas City community, UMKC staff reflect what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves. Their spirit of giving reminds us that our university’s strength lies not just in what we achieve, but in how we come together to uplift others.”Agrawal said that the coming year may bring uncertainty and challenges, which makes connections to the community and finding philanthropic support more important than ever. He applauded the success of UMKC Giving Day, a 24-hour campaign that raised a record-breaking amount this year: more than $1.2 million.“As we look ahead, let’s take pride in all we have accomplished and keep our sights on building a future where UMKC leads in research, innovation and community impact,” Agrawal said. “Together, we can – and will – shape what’s next.”
Mar 10, 2025
Extension, including stop at UMKC, officially opened in October 2025
The Kansas City Streetcar Authority recently completed its first test run of a streetcar on its new route to UMKC.
In the five years since the project was approved, UMKC students and alumni have played key roles in paving the way for the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension to be ready to ride later this year.
Kansas City Streetcar Authority
Urban Planning and Economics student Elliott Smith was a planning and operations intern at the Kansas City Streetcar Authority in 2024. His internship covered a lot of ground, including analyses on ridership and reports on the impacts of special events like KC Current games.
Smith also mapped land use and opportunity zones along the Main Street Corridor to create a development tracking and conditions analysis report. The project was shared with the Urban Land Institute of Kansas City and major corridor developers to help identify issues regarding large-scale development around the Main Street extension area.
“I loved learning about transit operations and project development, especially in the buildup to the Main Street Extension to UMKC,” Smith said. “The internship was a great experience and really lined up with my degree programs. I'm so excited to be able to ride the streetcar from downtown to UMKC!”
Fresco Marketing
Marketing students Diana Chavez and Emely Cruz were interns at Fresco Marketing and worked on the production of the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension opening date announcement with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.
"My role included assisting with behind-the-scenes tasks, such as helping with equipment, recording footage and supporting the creative team throughout the directing and filming process," Chavez said. "It was an incredible experience to be part of such a high-profile project."
Chavez finds the KC Streetcar Main Street extension meaningful for multiple reasons.
"This project is very significant to me, not just as a UMKC student, but also as someone who lives in the residence halls right next to the streetcar line," Chavez said. "Knowing that the extension will directly connect UMKC to key areas like downtown and the Plaza is exciting. It’s a game-changer for accessibility, student life and the broader Kansas City community. I feel proud to have contributed to something that will positively impact so many people."
HDR
Iain Blair (B.S.C.E. '23) works at engineering firm HDR as a transportation planner while also attending classes at UMKC to earn his graduate degree in civil engineering.
Blair worked on the Envision documentation, a sustainability certification similar to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), specifically with the "Ecology and Quality of Life" and the "Resource Allocation and Leadership" sections.
“As a Kansas Citian, I'm proud to see us make such important investments in the public transportation system,” Blair said. “The Main Street extension is going to be transformative for the future of the city. Empty lots will be developed. New buildings, services and housing opportunities are going to begin to appear along the corridor, just because of the investments that we made in our transportation system.”
Blair credits his undergraduate experience at UMKC, where he pursued a civil engineering degree with a minor in environmental sustainability, to his success at HDR.
“Being a public research university means that, in my opinion, UMKC (like our streetcar system) punches above its weight in terms of quality of education for the price,” Blair said. “When someone at HDR has questions about sustainable concrete and asphalt, I am one of a handful of people whose name gets thrown around to answer their questions. I was just given the right knowledge by the right professors at UMKC and HDR has given me the opportunity to take that extensive technical and theoretical knowledge and apply it.”
Kissick Construction
Led by alum Pete Browne (attended), Kissick Construction was responsible for the underground utility construction on the Main Street extension. This includes relocating and installing new water mains and service lines, fire hydrants, sanitary sewer mains, storm sewer mains and catch basins along the route.
Kissick Construction was also hired on as subcontractor and provided additional utility and concrete work on the track phase of the project.
“I’m passionate about the growth of Kansas City,” Browne said. “Projects like the KC Streetcar Main Street extension are important for the continued economic development of the city.”
Browne is also personally excited about UMKC getting a streetcar stop.
“The streetcar, like UMKC, is moving Kansas City forward,” Browne said. “My father was the first director of the engineering program at UMKC, and I have been impressed with the university’s growth over the last two decades. Having a strong university is critical to the growth of our region, as it impacts the workforce and various businesses. I’m very proud to be a cheerleader for UMKC.”
Parson + Associates
Taylor Rippe (B.B.A. ’19) has worked on KC Streetcar projects for the past six years.
When Rippe was a student at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management, she was selected for the Edward A. Smith Leadership program and was placed at KCATA for a summer internship. She interned for Dick Jarrold, who was a project manager for the Main Street Extension design.
“At the time, I helped take notes in meetings,” Rippe said. “But when I left KCATA in December 2018, I became an intern at Parson + Associates, the firm that handled public engagement and communications during the project design. After graduating, I started working full-time at Parson + Associates and worked with community and key stakeholders as they finalized the design of the project. My team led the communications during the upgrades on main work, which is when KC Water and utilities relocated and upgraded infrastructure in preparation for the streetcar construction.”
Rippe is grateful for UMKC, Professor Doranne Hudson and the Edward A. Smith Leadership Program for providing her with this valuable opportunity.
“I had never considered working in the public realm, but ended up doing so many wonderful things at KCATA, like helping secure a federal grant, that I decided to stay beyond the program,” Rippe said. When I was nearing the end of my second internship with them, KCATA actually connected me with Parson + Associates, allowing me to continue working on projects like KC Streetcar and make real change within my community.”
Rippe is still at Parson + Associates and now works as a subcontractor for Herzog/Stacy Witbeck on the communications team. She helps with business engagement, construction storytelling, resident and business notifications and taking drone photos.
“I’m so excited for UMKC to have a KC Streetcar stop, I just wish it was there when I was a student,” Rippe said. “Students are going to have such an incredible opportunity to explore Kansas City in a totally new way!”
Herzog Transit Services
Mike Goodman (B.A. '09) is the operations manager at Herzog Transit Services, the company responsible for the daily operations and maintenance of the KC Streetcar. As part of the Main Street extension project, Goodman was involved in hiring and training new operators to ensure a smooth and successful expansion.
“I made Kansas City my home in 2005 and have enjoyed watching it grow and evolve,” Goodman said. “Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to contribute to some unique transit projects that have shaped our city. The KC Streetcar is more than just a way to get around—it’s a catalyst for economic growth that has transformed downtown. Instantly recognizable, it stands out for its commitment to safety, quality service and creative community programs, from vibrant streetcar wraps to onboard events. It’s become a true KC staple, right up there with barbecue and a trip to The K.”
Goodman is excited for students to have the opportunity to explore more of Kansas City with the Main Street extension.
“When I was a student at UMKC, the intersection of 51st and Brookside was where I grabbed lunch with friends over Chinese food or pizza and picked up a hot coffee before class,” Goodman said. “It was a place full of energy and connection. With a UMKC streetcar stop, students will be able to explore even more of Kansas City. They’ll have easy access to everything that makes this city special, creating memories and experiences that will make them fall in love with Kansas City just like I did. And hopefully, like me, they’ll choose to make it home upon graduation.”
Burns & McDonnell
Maggie Green (B.S. ’12, MPA ’17) had the privilege of being involved with the KC Streetcar Main Street extension in multiple roles. Green was an employee of the City of Kansas City, Missouri and advised on the communications and media engagement strategy team before moving to Burns & McDonnell, part of the KC Streetcar Constructors team, in 2022.
Green currently oversees execution of all project communications and stakeholder engagement strategy and efforts, including the KC Streetcar Main Street extension.
Her work has allowed her to appreciate various impacts the KC Streetcar Main Street extension will have on the city.
“There is obviously the transportation impact – extending the spine of our transit network with free, reliable service,” Green said. “Not to mention the other infrastructure improvements the project brought like utility upgrades, safety enhancement at intersections and landscaping throughout the corridor. There is also the development impact that brought renewed investment and redevelopment to Main Street. But the community connectivity piece is most impactful to me. I can’t wait for students, faculty and visitors to hop on the streetcar and explore Kansas City!”
Green attributes a lot of her career success to her experiences at UMKC.
“Getting an MPA from the Bloch School of Management was the right choice at the right time,” Green said. “I developed key relationships and learned so many valuable things about how local governments and agencies, the private business community and non-profit/community organizations can work together collaboratively to better our community.”
Parade of Hearts
When urban planning and design student Ben Walters designed his heart for the Parade of Hearts 2024, he had no idea it would return to the very place inspiration struck.
"My Parade of Hearts design was inspired by the Trolley Track Trail right next to UMKC," Walters said. "Early 2024, the Streetcar extension project began staging the new rails right next to the Trolley Trail, where the historic streetcar once ran. I had a eureka moment while on a bike ride thinking about ideas for the Parade of Hearts design: a looking glass back at the historic streetcar, and forward to the future streetcar."
Walters worked on the heart for about three months, before it was displayed at Tiki Taco on Troost during summer 2024. The heart eventually went to auction, and Synetic Technologies (where Walters currently works) ended up purchasing it. Before the KC Streetcar Main Street extension opening, it was suggested that the heart be moved somewhere where it could be displayed more prominently for the public to view and Walters suggested donating it to the KC Streetcar organization.
"The KC Streetcar organization accepted the donation and agreed to place it in the spot that originally inspired the past/future looking glass-inspired design," Walters said.
Walters' Parade of Hearts 2024 design will now live at the UMKC streetcar stop as a tribute to the history of the streetcar in Kansas City.
TREKK Design Group
TREKK Design Group, cofounded by alumni Kimberly (B.S.E.E. ’95) and Trent (B.S.C.E. ’95) Robinett, was responsible for the design survey data collection and performed construction staking on the contractor's behalf for the Main Street KC Streetcar Extension.
The Robinetts are excited about the significance the project will have on the community.
“This project allows us to live out our purpose of improving lives in the heart of our hometown, Kansas City,” Trent said. “Being able to help deliver a project that our friends, family and neighbors will get to use is an amazing feeling.”
The Robinetts also believe this project will be a great opportunity for UMKC.
“The streetcar is going to connect campus to the community,” Kimberly said. “It will improve the university's ability to recruit students by providing more housing opportunities, transportation options and access to new areas. We view UMKC as Kansas City's university and now future students will be better connected to Kansas City.”
This is not the first major Kansas City project the UMKC alumni firm has worked on. TREKK also designed critical systems for the new Kansas City International airport terminal.
Mar 07, 2025
Brandon Allen found opportunity and community in the creative writing program
Brandon Allen is a living example that your dream career can start at any time. Going back to get his bachelor's degree at age 40, Allen decided to further invest in his future with the myriad opportunities available at UMKC and in the Kansas City community.
Brandon Allen Anticipated graduation year: May 2026 UMKC degree program: MFA Hometown: Springfield, Missouri
While a younger Brandon Allen chose a different career path than writing, it was not too far off from what he loved to do.
“I've always written since I was eight years old,” Allen said. “I took a detour for several years as a graphic designer to be an animator. I even moved to Los Angeles for six months to try to do the movie thing. Found out it’s not for me, but I realized everything that I did revolved around story, and so I thought it's a lot easier and quicker to write a story than to make it a short film. I then decided I’d rather put my effort into writing.”
Hopping from job to job throughout Missouri and Oklahoma, even getting married along the way, Allen found the path to his dream career at UMKC and within the Kansas City community.
“It's been a good place to learn a lot more about the history of literature and to workshop and improve my craft, which were two of my biggest goals for a master's-level program,” Allen said. “I'd say a huge second benefit is the literary community here. It's easy to meet people who are serious about writing in the program. We have monthly hangouts where we just talk about books that we're reading, movies that we're watching, stuff like that. That's been so helpful, since we’re all actually writing. I think you need that professional and social support, at least that's kind of the way that I pitch it. You'll be around other people, even though a lot of what you do as a writer is in isolation.”
Allen has already found success in his field despite only being in the second year of his program.
“I have several short stories out to national literary journals right now,” he said. “I've been getting some tiered rejection, which is a good thing. They’ll say, ‘We can't use this, but we'd like to see more of your work.’ I'm working on a novel right now, too, and I've drafted another.”
And what gives students in the creative writing program at UMKC that edge? Allen says it’s the people.
“The faculty are all published authors, so I feel like their feedback on my work goes a long way,” he said. “If they are impressed with it, that means it's a little bit closer to being ready to send out. I've been part of writers’ groups for years, but not many people have been seriously published. Having that level of experience here is huge.”
In addition to teaching free-to-the-community writing courses at the Kansas City Public Library as a part of Writers for Readers, Allen had another opportunity to partake in a paid internship creating content for Clio, a website and app created by history professor David Trowbridge that sends vetted historical information to your phone, just by walking around.
“I've always been a history buff and enjoyed that,” he said.
Allen got to create entries for walking trails about Walt Disney’s time in Kansas City, the history of locally brewed beer and audio guides for the art in the new airport terminal.
“I think history gives you a better blueprint for the future,” Allen said. “There's been hundreds and hundreds of years that have happened here in KC, and I want to do right by it, understand it.”
In these tumultuous times, Allen gets a lot of hope from his work, the work of his colleagues and the work of his students.
“I think at the end of the day, it's mostly about empathy,” he said. “I don't mean sympathy. You don't have to understand or justify what people are doing. Stories, even stories that are tragic, allow you to live another person's experience and then you understand why they're doing what they're doing. You may not agree with it, but it just helps you connect in that way. I think we could use a lot more of that these days.”
Mar 07, 2025
$1.9 Million Grant Funds Research to Study the Effects of Sound in the Operating Room
In University Health operating rooms, sound is under the microscope, thanks to two UMKC professors and their research team. This project, backed by a $1.9 million, five-year research grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, seeks to improve patient outcomes from surgery, all by changing the sound environment in the operating room.
Identifying the Problem
The grant is the result of a collaboration between School of Medicine Associate Dean of Women’s Health and professor Gary Sutkin, M.D., and Conservatory professor Paul Rudy, DMA.
The main goal?
“Make it easier for people to work in the operating room,” Sutkin said.
The main challenge? Noise.
“You really have to be very careful about how you communicate in the operating room,” Sutkin said. “One of the causes of miscommunication is just that the operating room is super loud. I mean it literally. There are loud machines that are at the noise level of dishwashers, garbage disposals or power mowers. We have to talk over those machines and there may be three or four conversations going on at the same time.”
All this noise contributes to the sound environment, which is where Rudy’s expertise lies. He’s been studying sound for more than 20 years.
“We live in a really noisy world, and I want everyone to be aware of the sound environment and how they contribute to it,” Rudy said. “Sound is a cognitive drain because our brains are always processing it, even while we’re asleep.”
Rudy likes to compare a surgical team to an orchestra performance. Both settings require discipline and focus, but within different areas. It’s second nature for musicians to operate in ways that don’t add any extra noise to their environments. That level of awareness is what makes Rudy instrumental to this research project.
“Until Gary brought me into this project, I’d never imagined using my sound research and composer skills in this kind of way,” Rudy said. “It’s a unique experience for me, and it’s really pushed me to think differently and get curious about things that I may not have before.”
One of the first steps to improving communication in the operating room is changing that sound environment. Noisy machines may stand between a surgeon and the nurse or anesthesiologist, making it harder to hear each other. Line of sight, or lack thereof, can also hinder communication.
“We can’t see each other between all the machines,” Sutkin said. “If you do have a line of sight, you can look at each other and acknowledge each other even though you’re wearing a mask. You can’t lip read, but you can still tell by body language if someone’s listening.”
Sutkin, Rudy and their team have identified these challenges by observing and measuring dozens of surgeries and documenting each time there is a communication breakdown.
“We need to collect all those miscommunication events so we can better understand why they happen,” Sutkin said. “Miscommunication is very much like speeding when you drive. It happens all the time, and patients do just fine. We speed all the time, and we don’t get into accidents. And yet, we know from large-scale studies that speeding is the number one cause of driving accidents. Similarly, miscommunication is fine for the patient until it isn't, until there’s a crash.”
By recording all these observations, they can better understand what happens when there’s a ‘crash’ or when a patient has a poor outcome because of a miscommunication.
“Many of the sounds in the operating room are necessary, such as machines beeping and conversations between the surgical team,” Rudy said. “So, I observe these surgeries through the lens of minimizing unnecessary sounds. Something such as crumpling up a piece of plastic and throwing it in the trash at the wrong time can interrupt an important conversation and prevent anything else from being heard.”
Creating Solutions
With five years of funding secured, this team has the breadth to experiment with dozens of different ideas on how to “solve” these miscommunications.
“We have about 30 possible solutions,” one student said.
Some of these solutions are as simple as turning off extraneous machines or creating new check-in protocols amongst a surgical team. In the long-term, Rudy envisions new standards for the manufacture of hospital equipment that both eliminate noise and create a more harmonious atmosphere through an improved sound environment.
While the work is centered around trying these solutions at University Health right now, there are plans to implement the most promising ones in Children’s Mercy’s operating rooms to compare the results.
“If it works at two hospitals, then we’ve got the basis for successful intervention styles.” Sutkin said.
Scaling a project like this for operating rooms across the country requires flexibility. Not all operating rooms are the same size, run the same equipment or have personnel with the same needs and preferences.
“We could show them what worked for us sure, but they must consider things that will work specifically for their institution,” Sutkin said. “Take what works and leave what doesn’t.”
This research has the potential to revolutionize the way operating rooms are run, and is yet another display of the strong collaboration between the UMKC School of Medicine and University Health.
“This is all about patient safety at University Health, and we couldn’t do it without all the incredible people there,” Sutkin said. “I’m hoping that we will reward their enthusiasm and investment with improving patient safety.”
Mar 06, 2025
Introducing the MBA in Business Analytics
The UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management is launching its newest graduate offering: a Master of Business Administration in Business Analytics, designed to equip professionals with the critical skills needed in today’s data-driven economy. The UMKC MBA in Business Analytics program will launch in Fall 2025, providing students with cutting-edge analytical and leadership expertise.
With businesses increasingly relying on data to drive strategic decisions, demand for analytics professionals continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data-science jobs are projected to increase 36% from 2021 to 2031, far outpacing average job growth. The MBA in Business Analytics is tailored to prepare students for high-demand careers in fields including finance, healthcare, e-commerce, marketing and supply-chain management.
“As Kansas City's business school, we are committed to providing programs that align with market needs,” said Brian Klaas, dean of the Bloch School. “The Business Analytics MBA will give our students a competitive advantage by combining advanced business strategy with in-depth data analysis skills.”
While many courses will be available in an online synchronous format, the program will require some in-person coursework to facilitate work on hands-on projects and networking with peers and industry professionals.
“The hybrid structure ensures students gain hands-on experience while maintaining flexibility, allowing working professionals to continue their education,” Klaas said.
A key distinction of the MBA in Business Analytics is its STEM designation, which makes it particularly attractive to international students. This designation allows international graduates to avail potentially up to 36 months of post-degree completion Optional Practical Training.
“Our global partnerships, combined with the STEM designation, position this program as a premier choice for international students seeking a top-tier business analytics education,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal.
The program will provide students with access to UMKC’s vast business network, engaging with top employers in Kansas City and beyond.
“I wish that this program was available when I was doing my MBA at UMKC,” said Joseph Rasmussen (MBA ’18). Rasmussen, currently senior director of business intelligence at Spring Venture Group, serves on the Business Analytics Advisory Council for the program. “Getting an MBA in Business Analytics blends data with core business knowledge like strategy, marketing, finance, operations and accounting. Having this knowledge will allow graduates to bridge the gap between data and decision-making”
Applications are open now for the Fall 2025 semester. Learn more about the program and apply here.
Feb 26, 2025
Kansas City honors amazing women inducted in 10th anniversary celebration
The University of Missouri-Kansas City inducted seven women at this year’s Starr Women’s Hall of Fame event at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
The bi-annual celebration kicked off with event chair Michelle Wimes (B.A. ’88), senior vice president and chief equity and inclusion officer at Children’s Mercy, discussing the history and significance of the UMKC Starr Women’s Hall of Fame and why it is important to preserve and tell their stories.
“It is hard to believe, but this academic year represents a milestone anniversary for the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame, which we launched in 2014 and inducted our first class of celebrated leaders in 2015,” Wimes said. “To date, 45 women have been inducted, and their stories permanently enshrined in the Starr archives. It is this combination of recognition that sets the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame apart from other entities that recognize and celebrate the achievements of women leaders.”
UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal introduced the first four inductees and shared his excitement for the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame and the future of the program.
“At UMKC, we are proud to partner with so many of you to steward this incredible institution, ensuring the stories of the women we honor continue to inspire future generations,” Agrawal said.
Curt Crespino, vice chancellor of External Relations and Constituent Engagement, shared how amazing and how far this program has come along.
“As originally envisioned, the Starr Women's Hall of Fame also includes its archive, which is located in the UMKC Miller Nichols Library,” Crespino said. “The addition of the archive affords the hall of fame the opportunity to become a living, breathing testimony to the life’s work of our amazing inductees.”
A Class of 2023 inductee, Karen Daniel (M.S. ’81), was honorary chair this year. As the first independent African American woman to be a Major League Baseball owner since her addition to the Kansas City Royals ownership group in 2020, she shared what these women meant to the Kansas City area.
“Not only are Starr Women's Hall of Fame inductees serving as role models for these young women, I am heartened they are eagerly accepting that the torch will pass to them to not only sustain the archives, but to live their lives in such a way as to be future inductees.” Daniel said.
All seven inductees were awarded medals on stage; those who were inducted posthumously were represented by family or friends.
Wimes closed out the ceremony and shared this year's event raised more than $334,000 for the Starr Women's Hall of Fame archive.
“Karen and I are both proud alumnae of UMKC and I have been a volunteer leader at the university for many years, almost too many to count,” Wimes shared. “Whenever asked about volunteering at UMKC, I always say do it! My heartfelt thanks to the UMKC team for all you do to make memorable events like today’s possible for our community. Through your efforts and work, you bring the university and the community together in ways that are truly meaningful and impactful.”
2025 Starr Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees
The Starr Women's Hall of Fame, held every two years at UMKC, honors remarkable women from Kansas City and preserves the legacy of their achievements. These honorees include social reformers, volunteers, philanthropists, civic leaders and educators. All these individuals’ dedication and efforts have positively impacted the Kansas City community. This year’s inductees are:
Eliza Burton Conley Jr.
Muriel Irene McBrien Kauffman
Roshann Parris
Clara Reyes
Annabeth Surbaugh
Marian E. Washington
Marjorie A. Williams
Feb 21, 2025
Carl Allen won award for being an outstanding educator who represents highest standards of teaching
Carl Allen, William D. and Mary Grant/Missouri Endowed Professor of Jazz Studies, was named the 2025 Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Educator of the Year by the Jazz Education Network, a professional organization dedicated to building the jazz arts community through education and performance.
The Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Educator of the Year Award recognizes “an outstanding college or university educator in the field of jazz, who represents the highest standards of teaching and whose results have brought distinction to their institution and their students.”
“Professor Allen’s unwavering passion for jazz and his commitment to his students’ success perfectly embody the spirit of this award,” said Courtney Crappell, dean of the UMKC Conservatory. “His dedication and artistry continue to elevate our program and inspires the next generation of musicians to pursue innovation and excellence in everything they do.”
Allen has been at UMKC since 2021; prior to that, he was the artistic director of jazz studies at the Juilliard School. Along with his career in academics, Allen has played on Grammy-winning albums and with jazz legends, including Ron Carter and Kansas City native Bobby Watson. Part of what drew Allen to UMKC and Kansas City is its jazz history and the opportunities that could bring for his students.
“We don’t grow in isolation. We grow in community,” Allen said. “Relationships are important. They’re cyclical. Students need access to the jazz community and the people working in it to succeed and fulfill their dreams.”
Allen often brings guest artists into his classroom. His connections in the jazz world have brought his past students and fellow musicians to work with UMKC students, including Ron Carter, Cyrus Chestnut, Terence Blanchard and Christian McBride.
“When our students have the chance to be in the room and interact with these jazz greats, it makes them human,” Allen said. “These kinds of opportunities shape these students, and I always want to provide more of them.”
The work in the classroom is important, but for Allen, what happens outside of the classroom is just as important. Along with helping his students grow in their music abilities, he helps them grow as people. His work is to help them grow as people, not just musicians.
“I want them to be great,” Allen said. “You can be great as a musician, as a parent, as a computer technician. Whatever you aspire to be, I want you to be great because you’ve set a high standard for yourself in every aspect of your life. We have the power to affect other peoples’ lives through the gifts we’ve been given, and we should be the best version of ourselves.”
Feb 19, 2025
Diana Kander is this year’s Defying the Odds Alumni Award winner
Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association recognizes outstanding alumni achievements with an awards celebration. Diana Kander (B.A. ’02) is the Class of 2025 Defying the Odds Award recipient.
“Try Hard, Never Quit, Have Fun.”
This family motto has seen Diana Kander throughout her life: fleeing the Soviet Union as an 8 year old, to a debate-scholarship student who graduated from UMKC in two and a half years, to a Georgetown-educated attorney, university professor, the founder of 10 companies, consultant to Fortune 500 companies and government leadership teams, and on top of all that, a New York Times bestselling author.
“I came from a country that encouraged conformity and memorization while harshly discouraging individuality or academic curiosity,” Kander said. “UMKC embraced my inner entrepreneur and opened my eyes to what was truly possible in America.”
What has been the common thread in your approach to entrepreneurship, and how do you identify opportunities that others might overlook?
As a little girl who had just learned English and was wearing second-hand clothes to school, it took me a long time to find my place socially. But, that made me curious. I didn’t accept anything as it was, because in order to find my way, I had to question everything and find another way to achieve it. Today, that curiosity, that inner 8 year old, is still there, and she helps me to question the way things have been done so far. So, for me, that common thread is curiosity.
What advice would you give to today’s young entrepreneurs or students who are starting out in a rapidly changing world?
It’s not necessary to quit your day job and pour all your savings into your idea right out of the gate. There are tons of ways to de-risk your ideas, to iterate on them, to test them, so that once you’re ready to make that leap, your chances of success are much higher.
What is your favorite UMKC memory?
My favorite memory was when my husband, Jason Kander, who was attending a different university, spent his “semester abroad” at UMKC, and we got to attend classes together for a semester. Also, being on the debate team gave me confidence and a camaraderie to start college well.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment is the business I’ve built as an author, consultant and speaker, because it’s given me the opportunity to do things I love, but also something my parents unfortunately didn’t have: the freedom to spend substantial time with my family. My parents were able to give my sister and me a chance at success by working non-stop. I’m proud that I’ve been able to take the opportunity they gave me and really make something of it.
Feb 18, 2025
More than 1,900 students recognized
The University of Missouri-Kansas City honors the dedication and effort required to achieve excellence. Every semester demands commitment, integrity and perseverance. In the Fall 2024 semester, 1,909 undergraduate and professional students earned a spot on the UMKC Dean’s List.
This is an incredible academic accomplishment. Students must complete a minimum full-time program of 12 graded hours and meet their individual unit’s GPA threshold to qualify for the Dean’s List. These students showed what it meant to take pride in their academic success. If you know someone who made the Fall 2024 list, make sure you congratulate their achievement.
Below are the Dean’s Lists for the Fall 2024 semester.
Conservatory
Donovan AndesCaroline BlackKatrina BlumbergIsabella BrownGage BrownSophia CareyLana DauwVictoria DriverKayla ForbesJacob GehrEthan GodfreyBrooklynn GormanSam GranadeCameron GurssSara HanfordCaden HelmerMadalyn HesterleeKatie HurdJaden JarmanHadley JarvisIan JohnsonJaeden JohnsonEthan KauffmanGalen KroegerMatt LeePatricia LovingAbby MauldinZoe MeinsLilly MeyerMichael NavatoAbigail OhmsLaci OlberdingDavid OosseRiley PembletonDillon PottsEverett QuiettRozlynn RichertMicah Ruiz EsparzaEduardo SandovalSam SchislerEmily SchutzelCrew ShaferSierra ShotkoskiRui SimaMolly SloanJaxon St.ClairNeave SullivanAaron TsengDmitrii TulupovAidan Van LeerSol VeenstraKloe WagnerElizabeth WatzkeMichael WebberIsabel WeberMaddie WilliamsIsabel Yearian
Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Rick AbbasZuhur AbdiYassin AliNicholas AlvaradoKeilyn Alvarado-OrtegaJake AmesCollin AndrewsHannah ArchdekinCamden BakerElisha BaldwinBridget BartholomausLessly BerriosLauren BlakelyBrady BlankenshipCarson BlehmAudrey BrownCain ButcherJack ButtsCarlos CamachoJaqueline Cardenas TostadoBrianna CarterBri CastleberryDaniela Castro-CarreraJiaqi ChangXuyuzhi ChengOlga CherniavskaChris ChiGrace Clark Satori ClosserAbigail CloughZach CoonCaroline CooperPatrick CottonSheily CovarrubiasAllie CrawfordAbby CrooksPayton Crump-McHughMary CunninghamAnna CurtisKareem DadkhahDevynn DayKannon DillaboughHuy DinhHaley DowlerGreta EbersoleAbbi EllermanConnor EngelSydney EstellSydney EvensonLuke FacinelliAriel FanningMiguel Fernandez NovasSebastian FloresCaroline FoellerAmelia FunstonAva GatesAki GebreKiera GodseyBryson GoschJohn GosseVictoria GuerraDaniel GutgesellAustin HaggardNicolas HartungJensen Hassani-SadiHaley HeidbrederGrace HensleyGriffin HerErica HesterClaire HicksSam HulseyMissy HuntebrinkerKimber HusteadBrandon JamesJanice Jituboh AluyiLayla JohnsonParker JohnsonCayla JohnsonJayden JohnsonLiam JoyceSarah KannenbergAlexander KaroutzosGrace KertzKaleb KingNatalie KingAvery KrahenbillEmma KratzAnna KruegerAndrew LairJordan LaubNhi LeJason LeeLily LefferdMark LewisJenny LiSunny LinYijun LiuCyrus LoarHope LockeEric LopezAdriana Lopez-JuradoCassandra LudwigArsh MaheyJuan MarronMariana MartinezDestiny Martinez-LopezCarlos MataMia Matthews-BeavenMyles MeadHunter MiesnerKhadija MohamedDaniella MoralesDavid MorminoAnna MortonDonovan MurnieksShayla MurphyDan NastarowiczPerla Navarro-OrtizChance NelsonKim NguyenVivian NguyenJustin NguyenKhanh NguyenErika NunezWyatt OhnemusFernando OlivaresJavier Olivares BurgosAlex OvertonJohn PaccioneJeimy Pascual AguilarDeesha PatelElyse PayneSavannah PeisertMarlon Perez-MoralesAlyssa RankinsMicaela RichardsDalton RipleyTrey RobinsonJazmin RomoDevon RoweHannah RufPacey SalzmanKyle SchleicherLiddy ScuratoGabrielle SimmsEve SkilesAnna SlipychConnor SmithAshley Solis-JimenezMiriya StilesJade StoneJeffrey SuEmmyLou SwanKristen SwartsWhitney TaylorSivkan ThindEthan TolbertAsh TorresJosh TranMandy TranNicole TruongAlex UnsethNayeli VargasJayden VazzanoEli VogtEthan WelkerTristin WhittonEmma WoodEthan YangYingdan Zhang
School of Dentistry
Hayley AdairMichael AllisonNeil BoesKayla BurdetteCamden ChastainRiley ClarkeLexi CliftKadyn CobbDrew CubaMegan DartHannah DavieDrake DuganGiovanni FerraroJason FirthShelbi FlahautCasey GeddesMichael GimottyJackson GlynnSeth HofheinsKatie JenningsChristopher JohnsonTia KahwajiKatie KannenbergPeyton KusgenTommy MatayaGabby MertzEthan NettlerKylie NicholsJiani OsbornMichelle PalmerK-Leigh PappasRiley PerelesLisa RaymondQuinten ReasonerSage ReichenbergerMatthew RodriguesAdam SattlerHadley SchreinerEthan SmithJustin SurberJaiden TaggartNoah TallyJuliana TomitaClaire WaughEdward Wun
School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Jenni AbadShams AlarthyRayan Al-HamdiReena AlshalabiAlea AshfordConnor AthearnIsabella BamnolkerKayauna BarnesAdelin BaynumDaylan BeckerBetsy BenavidesAmna BilalMariah BlackmoreElaina BlodgettJaylin BriscoeJaylie BuiPeyton BurchDrake BurkeLucy Cardenas VargasMargaret CarsonAlexander CarterAva ChinnockLindana Clavijo FajardoKelsee CorbinEmily DamianDarci DaughertyMartha DelatorreMaleah DowntonCarter Dye-MasonBailee EhlersAngelica EscobarKimberly EscobedoJordan FitchLai'Ayla FlowersCorinne FogartyMichelle FormanPeter FuentesEmma GarciaMacy GoetzGrace Gomez-PalacioNaomi GontermanRorie GormanAbby GuzmanJoshua HannszRobert HartmanLilli HaskinsJared HatfieldCatherine HawkinsHanan HayyehAngelina HerrMayerli HerreraCelina HoNicole HoganLily HollisMary IangChinecherem IhenachoAndria JersettKatelyn JohnsonNyree JonesLyba KhawarKendra KincaidMikaylah KingKennedy KingMason KummAlyssa LaShureAbby LogsdonKelvin LuPaige LyfordErin MagelGracie MalicoatTalisa MansouriMorgan MashburnCate MaxeyIsaac McBurneyJossie McClellandBrianne McGovernKate McKownBelen Mendoza SotoMaya MillerJules MortonConfi MuhozaAlex NelsonBrooke NewtonMatahreni NureiniMac OppermannHazel PageAinsley PickeringKenya PollestadAna Puentes RezaAngela RaymerElizabeth ReamsArriana RichardsonAlanie RiveraSarah RobinsonKiko RodriguezNatalia RosalesLaine RossMckenna RowlandNajma SaidIsabella SalinasPaige SanfordCandy SarresSamara SayidJulian SchollMikayla SchumacherBelah ShanksVictoria SicolaMariana Simental GrijalvaAdriana SpanglerGriffin SurberTarah TavisSophie TaylorBlair TaylorMadison ThimmeschJulia ThomsonAbby TiemannAlyssa TimmonsNayla Torres-RodriguezKayla TottressElla TrucanoLydia WeaverDallas WelchSean WesselEllee WheelockGrace WilsonEmilie Young
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Alia AbdelgawadRebecca AbebeYoussef AbouelelaSammy Abu-NamousNatalie AdermannShikha AgarwalMaanvi AggarwalNasteho AhmedGrace AllenBrooke AmosMiriam AndersonMary AngottiBrittny AntillancaAshley AppleberryDaniela Arzabala LopezMeha AsirSulei AtiehLaila AtkinsAbanoub AttallahKaylee BaggerlyJada BaileyIsabella BakerHana BangaKelby BannermanGrace BatdorfKaya BeitzAlissa BerrieKaitlyn BerryGrace BeshoreUpala BhowmikKayla BiggsMaisy BlantonAditi BobbaHaya BodaSari BoehmJo BoosmanTracey BradfordBrady BrechtCourtney BreedloveCaroline BrimmJulius BriscoeBridger BrockmanMary BrooksSydney BrownJamar BrownMichelle BrownKate BrummundKate BruntzNicholas CacyBrinlea CalaisLauren CarberyGrace CarrEthan ChaOlivia ChristensenSavannah ChristopherJocelyn ClarkChristina CloughGrace CoganMorgan ColeAurelia ColletteMichael CollingsAnna CollinsSonja CombsAbby ConnorTaylor CovertKylee CoxLuke CozadAnnabelle CrappellDaze Creamer-EllecampAshley CrockettMeagan CrockettLilah Crum BarnhillAaliyah DanielsLilith DavisAbigail DeanTaegan DenmonDarrelyn DollarChristian DossJeffrey EakinsVia EasterJenna EikelKadie ElmoreFreyja EmeryRachel EricksonAlexandrea ErismanJosefina EsparzaEva EvansTochi EzeanolueBen FauserGrace Fausnett-BondDaisy FergusonJacqueline Fernandez-PatlanChloe FischerKim FloresCassandra FloresMia ForneyMcKaylie ForrestRowan FrazierSamantha FrockChris FullerJasmine GamelAngelika GarcianoAlison GardnerKatie GarrettOlivia GebhardtCarlie GeiseTayler GilbertDevan GirishLandon GonzalezTakariah GonzalezIshita GorjalaAndrew GottmanRebekah GrantSydney GravattNatalya GruzdEmani GuerinBrennah GuinnDakota GunnAlizah HaaseYasmeen HanonSara HanonBrianna Hardesty-BiondoZachary HarrellHaylee HarrellIsabel HarrymanRebecca HayesGrace HeathClara HeikenRayney HeldLogan HendersonMarc HermanYency Hernandez-SanchezMackenzie HerndonMelissa HerreraMila HerreraIan HilderbrandKatarina HillSeth HillLauren HirningSamuel HitchcockSienna HoopingarnerAva HrabanEvan HuangSarah IllimoottilAhmed IqbalFatima IqbalCara JacobNabeeha JalaliFahad JamalJustin JangFaduma JarikChristian JespersenChloe JiovenaleEmily JohnsonCerylean JonesDaniel JonesMarkus JonesMadisyn JonesAidan JoyceHugo Juarez-AvalosReid KalkmanKeely KeckZahra KhanKhadija KhanNatalie KiesAmanuel KifleMackenzie KlausJoseph KnowlesSamanyu KoduriPrithvi KoneruSri KoyaDiksha KrishnaswamySindhuja KudapaAllyson KukowskiVictor Lane-HayesJarissa LaraBenjamin LewisVance LiNoah LibowitzAnnie LileKyle LilleyJacob LobdellJacob LoeschTaylor LopezGracie LoreySam LuTaylor MacknightLauren MageeGyan MalaniKrish ManekMayzie MangosLilah ManningGabby Marin CastanedaKylie MarshallChase MarshallAudrey MartensBrianna MartinTanner MartinAspen MartindaleElizabeth MartinezNysa MaruthyNekail McafeeBrooke McCanlesEmma McdonaldAubrionna MeadJuan MedranoGeorge MendezRachel MengGovind MenonCohen MerrickCharlie MeyerMaddie MeyerAnnamarie MilanoGrace MillerWren MillerAnthony MishrikyAndrew MishrikyYasmina MokhtarKenney Monzon BrunoJay MoorePhoebe MurphyConstantin MusteataMegan Myers-WearySaichaitanya NallajennugariCharles NevilleEthan NguyenErick NicolasSavy NistalaBalqiisa NurMichelle Oliva-EspinosaAlexa OmorodionHafssa OuazzaniBrenna OxleyMin PaingRiya ParikhSarah ParkReagan ParkerJordan PaxtonCydney PayneRephael PearsonAngelina PearsonNatalie PeersonLana PeregrinaBlake PfannesCaitlin PickertKenzie PietzschLeya PogueJailyn PolkElizabeth PorrittArthur QualmanArushi RaiTheo RaitzerArchi RajSophia RamosSurya RangarajHamza RaufJillian RayJack ReavesPrisha ReddyAdam ReedSamyra RegaladoNathaniel ReiserIsabella ReyesMadelyn RiffeeRemi RochaMarco RodriguezJoslyn RossEmma RuckerThessa RyanJoy RyanHarryson SalcedoJouhel SalinasKayla Savinon FernandezKaitlyn SchebaumHaden SchelpIsabelle SchroederArya ShahDelaney ShieldsKowthar ShireEmily ShoemakeEvan ShoryJoe SimmonsZa'Carriah SimmonsIqbal SinghMolly SloanJonathan SmithKc SmithRob SongerHarry Soper PlazaHenry SowellBen SpringerAydan StiglerVictoria StlouisJazlyn SummersTristan SupernawNatalie SwampillaiTennessee TaffnerYordanos TarikDa'Mya ThomasRyan ThomasEmma ThomasKaelyn ThompsonNathan ThurmanYvonne TorbertKimberly Torres-VelaTe TranDhairya TrivediSophia TrudeHannie TruongAllBright TunNicole ValadezKatie ValdovinosDana Valenzuela PortilloReana Van VoorstNivriti VaranasiDanusri VaratharajSarai VasquezCamille VerhoevenMadeline VillalobosEthan VillasenorCatie WalkerBradley WaltonKeegan WatkinsLuke WatkissZane Watt HovenAlexiea WernerLyric WestleyEmily WheelerElla WhitfieldChristina WholeyKyra WilburnNathan WilcoxAlexander WildtConstantin WilliamsMonica WinemillerGavin WithamAlexandria WoerthThistle WolfHannah WoodsGrace WorkmanJames WorthamSarah YimDaniel York
School of Law
Kit AdderholtAbayomi AkinmoladunRashid AliMohammad AlkhatibCallison AmesDominic AmmatelliAllee ArmitageShep AronTiara ArtiesRebekah ArwoodKelsy AustwickSidney Bach-NormanZoda BallewAshley BartonJoseph BazataJohn BelfonteRaef BellOlivia BenoitBekah BerardiAlyse BergerCameron BerryEmma BeuerleinCharles BeulensQuintin BossertAlexandra BowerBrent BoydShayna BrazealKyle BrownHarrison BurchfieldEthan BureshCade BurghartKarima BurnsJason CantrellMarin CareyJosie CareyRachel CarrKenzie CarsonJohn CastelloAmanda CastillejaTrevor CernechAshley CerrentanoPiper ChristensonBrian ChristianJesse ClaypoolTyler ClevengerThomas CluckMayara CoelhoPhilip ColeFrancesco ConsalvoMakenna CopelandBobbie CrewStephanie CrockerKristen CroucherTaylor CullenDavid CummardIan CuthbertAdam DanielBrooke DaughertyJames DeisterTrinity DelaneyAlex DeLucaMichael DerusseauEmily DesbienKendall DillonAudrey DoeringSofia DominguezAnna DonaldsonJosie DostalJack DoughertyMackenzie DouglasMarkia DouglasYara DuranIvana EasleyJackson ElderNoah FahnestockNoah FanslerAngelina FerraraCarson FinkMatthew FischbachCaroline FishTaylor FlemonsBrian FordJoseph GambleDanny GamezVictoria GardnerKirby GarrettMia GoekeEthan GraySophie GreenErika GreerJoseph GutierrezHarper HaganMcCalister HallJennifer HalversonJoseph HardyBret HartGlenne HarvellMary Paige HawkinsAddison HaynesGrant HeimanCatherine HenneWill HenricksonEmma HeroldLiam HeuselTorri HicksBen HobstetterHans HodesCliff HollyGrant HouskeKirsten HoutzJulia HowellLukas HudsonAlison HuffAaron HungClayton HutchinsAntonina InfrancaOlivia JabaleyRyan JacobsenKaylee JacobsonElizabeth JanneyTara JanowskiLogan JeffersHunter JenkinsCristina JimenezNoah JohnsonCat JohnsonNathan JohnsonJared JohnstoneClaire JoskiKatherine KarnatzRyan KatzMargaret KellstromColin KieltyEmma King MurphyCole KingsleyWilliam KirkpatrickAlec KirwanWilliam KnutsonWieu KuotSalenna LaffoonRyan LahmanNick LangsdaleAlexander LangstonRies LasterLauren LawsonJacob LeamonJilliane LewisLauren LipariLilly LucasMadeline MannRachel MartinRob MasseyBrad MatteuzziElizabeth McCarthyKenny McDermedLauren McFailDaniel McGovernGregory MelhamBruce Mena-SierraErin MillerAlexander MillerLogan MitchellBrett MordecaiMeredith MorrisonCorey MyersKyle NelsonMatthew NeswickJacob NiemeyerKendal NilgesSarah OldfatherEthan OliverJohn Olomon-HowellAsh OnstottPyper OttDeyanira Parra LugoSamuel PetersonWhitney PetersonEmma PiazzaMegan PilegeTaylor PinonKirsten PintoAmanda PoeKaylee PopejoyLeslye QuintanillaAlexandra Quintanillo HernandezNicholas ReckerJoshua RepplingerErin RichardsHailey RichardsJessica RigbyHunter RobertsAddison RockersChristopher RogersCarrigan RohachEmma RomanoMichael RoseAnthony RossTaylor RumseyKelee RussEthan SahudinYara SalamedJosefina SanchezLouise SarverClaire SchallenbergKloe SchnellJoseph ScholtenKatie SchultzRobert SchwindAshley SegniboMadison SelfMargaret SelfEmersyn ShaltonTanner SheltonBrent ShinkleTaylor ShoemakerUmar SiddikiDiego SilvaJoseph SkojacHelene SlinkerKyle SmithKathryn SopcichWill SpeidelAddison SpiehsAndrew StaffordJoseph SteinbacherMacy SteinlageKaylee StillieCorrine SurrattJenni SweetonAnna Syptak-WelchMaxson TechauMatthew TeemantJohn ThompsonGabrielle ThurnReece TreasureLuke TrusdaleGiorgi TsivtsivadzeSumeya TummalaJoseph UnanaowoAnna VanBuskirkWilliam VanceAbby VandiverElias VaoifiJohn ViewAlex VillalobosIsabella VillegasSydney VogelgesangAlexander von KeudellDanielle WagnerRobert WaldMatthew WalkerSeth WalkerStephanie WaxmanLandon WebbSamantha WhiteBrennan WhittRiley WilliamsAndrew WiseKevin WiseIan WisemanThomas WolffRegan WoodJoshua YanceyChristopher YardleyHeather YatesWilliam YoungsJesse ZeckCamron ZerrGrant Zykan
School of Nursing and Health Studies
Yaretzy Aguirre CamachoHiba AlterjalliRocio AlvaradoDarby AnguianoKeeley AtkinElla BaileyMaddie BallingerDeeanna BarbeeMia BatistaJudy BattsSajeda BeeKayley BellCaroline BrandtDanielle BroxtonElizabeth BurgenerAlivia CalvertAlex CarreonTacee CatlettSihaam CaydaruusShema ColleyAnnabel ColonRylee CourterClaire CovertWesley CribbLydia CripeBrenna CroninElaina CroninMalath DaffaallahLillian DangEspy DanielsKelsey DavisNouran ElhiweejSam EllerbeckJazmine EllsworthLyric EwingAlyssa FebresTia FieldsFatima Fierros-EspinozaIsabelle FishJennifer FrisbeyKarina GaleasKatelyn GendronXimena GomezLeah GreenwaldKenna HacklerBrenden HansenConnor HardyZowie HayesHalle HeerenBritney HernandezCecelia HinesGlenne HinklePaw HserMahado HusseinAbby IslandAshley JacobsonLillian KamlerKenzie KennicuttMeik KernsJessica KnoxCamryn KorteJulianna KuyMolly LaFolletteAngelica LamCJ LamptonPiper LangmannHannah LindNatalia Lopez-RodriguezKyle LostrohDanielle MakaraNallely MartinezRafia MehmoodMaria MergenChristian MitchellRahma MohamedKarson MorrisLeAnn NguyenNatalie NguyenKristina NguyenCrystal OdugweMadison PageJasmine PattersonKassandra PerezSarah PerreaOlivia PlattGabrielle PorterLaci PowellLexi PribylOlivia QuinnVanessa ReyesElle RobinsonGray RobisonJeffrey RodriguezSydney RogersSabrina RogersRachel RonquilloShannon RoseRuth SchinstockEvan SchoorIsaac ScottWah Moo SheeSarah Jane ShidelerEmma SinclairTyesha SmithZaria SmithLaChe' SmithMakenna SmockQuinn SpearKrista SteeleRiley StehlikKarsyn StehlikBrooke TannerAva TeiwesSebastian TorresJenny TranMakayla TraylorEmma TurnerBethany VandenburgMel VentersCaden VoAlexis VoigtEmily WatkinsRyanne WattreeMackenzie WebbLinda WhitsellBriona WoodsTaylor Woods-ZakarasTomare WrightMya ZagoracJazmin ZepedaBethany Ziebarth
School of Pharmacy
Ali AkersHaley AndersonSafa AnsariBrooke AtchisonAlexis BallAbbey BartlettSharon BaskaranDaniel BatheAlex BiglerEthan BillupsKeith BodenhamerKayla BondRebekah BostonWeston BoswellKamden BoydKelley BurnsKiara CarpenterAnatoli CerneiKatherine ComerMadison CrawfordMackenzie DavisBreckin DawScott DuensingAlex EasterMaddie EppleSydney FalterMakenzie FletcherJulia FlynnBailey FowlerNatalie FrankBri FrerkingMarian FrizzellTanyaa GurushankarClaire HainesSeth HammackDarra HarperRose HauserDrew HedrickJoshua HendersonLauren HendrixKevin HoBridget HolmesAminatu IdowuJudah JerlsAnna JohnstonPaul KaggwaNav KaurElla KemmAlison KeverMaya KivistoCourtney KneseClaire KollarsSophia KovalenkoAvery LakeCassie LeeMichael LuShane McConnellAnna McDonaldCarson MohrJacob MorssElijah NeerPayton NeubauerMINH NguyenTam NguyenHailey OeschCole ParkerHayden PaulsIsabella PetryLexi RiggsAli RyalsJoseph SalazarAlan ScalziSavannah SchludeJustin SchmidtKaren SeeChris SimkinsGisele SimonAnnie SimphalyPeyton StearmanMegan StewartJohn StriblingRachel SturdevantVictoria TaggartMegan TandyAli TehraniTraeten ThorellEmra TmusicPeter TranTommy TranCorrina TrimbleBrett TurnerAshley VestMatney WatersKatie WeberLogan WestWill WhiteClara WiedemanAllison WinklerLauren YoungbloodJefferson Zhong
School of Science and Engineering
Hashim AbdullaAbel AbebeZaid Abu-SalahHafsa AhmedCameron AkhtarRashid Al GhailaniSadia AlamAhmed AlbarwaniKalkidan AlemayehuHanna AlemuSaid Al-FarsiEkram AliKarrar AljabaraAli AlsaffarSabea AlshammariAli AlsulaimanAnahi AlvarezBrandon Alvarez De La CruzAnum AmanullahDivenderjit Amarjit SinghViraj AminMeerub AmirErica AndersonNnenna AnikweNicolas AponteHalena Aquino-DunkinZain ArainAndres ArreolaSamantha Arroyo-PichardoJeremiah ArthurIbrahim AssafToleen AtiehKali AughinbaughKeeli AustinHilina AyenewJazmin Baeza-RussellCatherine BahadursinghAdelle BakerEyad BakheetBoubacar BaldeDylan BallRabeea BariJeff BarnhillGavin BartonTanu BassiJadyn BauerSophia BaugherLucy BeckenbachAaron BeckmanRohit BeledeKatelyn BellSamantha BeltranAdriana BenassiAmgad BenkhadraSalma BensahriLogan BeshearsEthan BessetteDelanie BestgenEric BetancourtElle BetzShayla BhuriJacob BiddingerAzaan BilalEmma BjornstadColton BlakleyDavid BoatrightHarshitha BonthuKate BoosmanKelsey BoucherJulia BourquinRyann BowmanWyatt BoydXavier BrandhorstMary BreauJaVion BriscoeShafter BriscoeDylan BrollSharli BrownJennifer BrownRand BrownChamberlain BrownsbergerJulia BrunoGarrett BryerZaina BsataAbigail BuckLindsey BuehlerKayla BurbachBk BurkaJessica BurkhartJack BurnosMarcus ButlerKyle ButlerCooper BuzbeeBenjamin CalcaraBrenda CalderonOlivia CarlsonAdella CastanerKeyra Castillo AvilaJudi CavenderSarah ChangNoah ChapmanShlok ChauhanXingyu ChenYumiko ChenAudrey ChildersNooriya ChishtiGrace ChurchCameron CiancioloMichael ClaussSamuel ClearyTeagan CoombesChristeen CoonSarah CrawfordDylan CrosbyPrincess CullomMuzan DaffaallahMichael D'AgostinoElias DamianCaitlyn DavisAshton DavisMyka DavisNicholas de RaadSheyda DehghaniNoah DevlinOpjeet DhanoaMaria DiazGaby Diaz LeguilluJohnny DiepKyla DinhKatreena DinhKhoa DoBrock DobbieAbhigna Dugaputi Jasmine DukesBrian DuongTessa EadsReed EasonJoel EbenezerSarah EbenezerBhavana EdigaMaryam El-DemerdashMohamed ElgasimReina EllemanDoug ElyAnthony EppelheimerKatelyn ErceEuropa EstabrookKaycee FactorArsala FatimaTasneem FatimahDanny FaustElizabeth FeldkampLauren FergusonSienna FickenArfa FirozNusaybah FiroziAdamaris Flores ValadezChristina ForbesEthan FordDavid ForsonLogan FortnerKylan FosterSienna FranklinSymone FranksDylan FrazierKevin FrazierConner FreeoufOlivia FritzJoy FruRemica FunderburkAngela FurmanKrishna GandhamDylan GastonAmy GayleJosh GehrLogan GeorgeAdrina GeorgeAlex GhasemiTaylor GilbertSirat GillCody GlassbrennerKathleen GodornesJackson GoldSebastian GomezMJ GonzalezMirka GonzalezJohn GoodenKyle GoodmanAdam GouddouBrandon GouvionLance GrabmillerJackson GrantCallum GraysonMichael GreenBrenda Guevara-AlatorreAaron GulatiAutumn GuptaElaina GurungElla GuyearLina GuzmanSophia HaiCaden HallCarter HallAnass HammoudStephen HangeZach HardeeAlina HasanRuweyda HassanTaiba HayadMuskaan HayerDominic HeaterBen HelusElbert HenriquezSam HermanTroy HermannSelena HerreraKatarina HertellAlex HiebertCassidy HillLauren HinesEvelyn HoTrenton HoeflickerBruno HoeltgebaumAlex HoffmanIzzy HogelinTanner HoilandTobias HoldenMcKenna HoodRaviv HoreshAdam HoskinsMadhav HotaMaung HtooCameron HuddlestonKona HudsonSpencer HughesAndy HumphreyCollin HunterDalton HuntleyKhaled Harun HusseinDaniel HuynhJim HuynhAisha IbitoyeMohid IdreesSaid IsakovHiba IssawiJason JacksonConnor JacoberLillie JacobsDania JacubKamron JafariSteven JalinskyAlpha JallohNatasha JamaGuntas JammuJocelyn Jarquin GarciaMohammad JarradAJ JayasekarKarissa JenesseBrenden JenningsBrendan JohnsonKevin JonesOliver JonesRachel JoseJuliana JosephJessica JosephJoan JoshyGwendolyn JoslinTyler KaiserTyler KaminskiAkshay KannanShazia KanwalAnshika KapoorSimarpreet KaurDavid KeltnerSydney KennedyJack KeysRahhaf KhalilShree KhambekarEshal KhanSean KhanHannah KhatiwadaZawni KhineWei Shen KhooIan KimDaniel KingSydney KingGabe KingdonBraeden KingsolverMary KleneGabrielle KleoppelElijah KlineZach KnuthAshok KothamasuGabriel KribbsAlisa Krolevich BertrandHudson KropAbhinav KrovvidiKirtis KuhnMiguel 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Feb 17, 2025
Carnegie R1 status unlocks new opportunities for the community and campus
The University of Missouri-Kansas City reached a historic milestone as Kansas City’s first Carnegie R1 institution, a prestigious designation that reflects years of dedication to research, innovation and community collaboration. With this achievement, UMKC joins an elite group of U.S. institutions reshaping the future of discovery and education.
“This milestone is a huge victory for all of the Kansas City area and its top research university,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. “We’ve seen a steady and rapid rise in the excellence of UMKC, thanks to the incredible hard work and drive of our faculty, students, staff and community partners.”
Of the more than 2,800 four-year institutions, only 187 universities - about 6% - are R1, according to a Carnegie news release.
Achieving the Carnegie R1 classification comes five years ahead of the 2030 goal set in the university’s strategic plan. This elite status represents a transformative era for UMKC, Kansas City and the broader region.
“University research allows us to develop cutting-edge solutions to real-life societal problems that can lead to innovation and change around the world,” said UMKC Vice Chancellor for Research Sumeet Dua. “It trains students in critical reasoning and problem-solving skills, partners with industry and government to address national and global issues and fosters a culture of curiosity and collaboration on campus and in the community—thanks to the dedication and expertise of our faculty, who serve as mentors, innovators and thought leaders, driving this mission forward.”
Local and regional leaders are celebrating the UMKC R1 designation as a game-changer for Kansas City
Quinton Lucas, mayor of Kansas City: "UMKC's achievement of R1 status draws national attention to the groundbreaking work taking place in Kansas City. This accolade strengthens UMKC and Kansas City's reputation as an educational leader and a driver of innovation, showcasing the dedication and impact of its faculty, researchers and students."
Tim Cowden, president and CEO of Kansas City Area Development Council: “R1 status elevates Kansas City on the world stage, attracting businesses, creating high-paying jobs and fostering a competitive edge in the global marketplace.”
DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation: “Carnegie R1 status enhances UMKC’s ability to address critical issues, like access to opportunity and fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems, that are central to our work. The university’s dedication to innovative, community-driven research will amplify efforts to create a more dynamic Kansas City economy.”
Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri System: “Achieving Carnegie Research 1 classification is an incredible honor for UMKC and the entire UM System. Chancellor Agrawal, along with dedicated faculty and staff at UMKC, have worked hard to meet the requirements necessary for this remarkable accomplishment. We are proud to now have three R1 institutions within the UM System, which will transform our outreach and impact across the state.”
Todd Graves, chair of the UM Board of Curators: "This is a landmark day for the University of Missouri-Kansas City as it joins the ranks of the nation’s top research institutions. The Board of Curators applauds this achievement. With this R1 designation, UMKC reaffirms its commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation and making a lasting impact in Missouri and beyond."
To be a Carnegie R1 university, an institution must spend at least $50 million on research and development and award at least 70 research doctorates on average in a single year. UMKC spent $55 million, and awarded 134 doctorates.
UMKC key research areas are advancing healthcare, defense and more with specialties in electromagnetic radiation and energy; advanced and critical materials; unmanned platforms; artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science and digital humanities.
Five examples of high-caliber research at UMKC
UMKC is leading a national study to combat rising maternal mortality rate, focusing on pregnant women with heart conditions. John Spertus, MD, one of the country’s leading health outcomes researchers, is co-primary investigator on the grant, the highest National Institutes of Health funding in UMKC history: $8.3 million
As a finalist for a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines Type II Award, UMKC has the opportunity to receive funding of up to $160 million over 10 years. This is a large-scale effort to bring jobs and manufacturing critical materials that we rely upon from other countries back to the U.S. This initiative will create thousands of high-paying jobs, launch 70 new businesses and boost our regional economy by $17 billion by 2035. This effort boosts America’s economic and national security by reducing reliance on foreign supply chains and positioning UMKC as a national leader in sustainable technology.
The Mellon Foundation awarded UMKC $4 million to create the Kansas City Monuments Coalition to help fund 16 preservation and commemorative organizations across Kansas City so visitors can enjoy historic sites for years to come. Locations include UMKC, the city of Kansas City itself plus classic points-of-interest local residents will recognize from childhood field trips such as Fort Osage National Historic Site, Missouri Town and the Wornall-Majors House Museums.
Conservatory Professor Amy Robertson is studying how music therapy – singing lullabies – to extremely young premature babies can lead to better health outcomes, including reducing brain bleeds, so infants can thrive and reduce their time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit—or NICU—to go home earlier.
The American Association of Psychology featured the research of Westley Youngren, who is studying ways to make dreams pleasant to alleviate trauma and stress to create better sleep and quality of life.
In addition to UMKC, Missouri University of Science and Technology – another University of Missouri System campus – and St. Louis University also achieved R1 in 2025. Regional R1 universities include the University of Missouri in Columbia, Washington University, University of Kansas and Kansas State University. Other notable R1 universities are Columbia, Georgetown, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Stanford and Yale.
The R1 designation elevates the academic profile of UMKC, paving the way for expanded opportunities that empower both faculty and students.
“All aspects of our lives are impacted by research—our food, transportation, healthcare interventions, education and even the arts are all influenced by research,” said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jennifer Lundgren. “Having research-active faculty ensures students are learning from professionals who are pushing their disciplines forward.”
For UMKC Ph.D. candidate Jennifer Truitt, researching mental health with faculty mentor Daniel Maitland, whose research on the loneliness epidemic was recently featured in the New York Times, the UMKC R1 designation has already made a difference.
“UMKC’s ambition to achieve R1 was one of the reasons I chose to transfer here,” Truitt said. “It affirms that this is the ideal environment for impactful research because R1 status means access to tools, funding and networks that elevate the quality of our work.”
For more information, images and videos about UMKC research and its Carnegie R1 designation, visit go.umkc.edu/r1.
Feb 13, 2025
Transition of management for KCUR, Classical KC
The University of Missouri-Kansas City announced today that it will seek to transfer the management of its public radio stations KCUR and Classical KC to a community-based, independent nonprofit within the next three years.
The UM System Board of Curators, which currently holds the licenses for KCUR and Classical KC, expressed its support for a recommendation put forth Feb. 6 by UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. The board also supported a similar plan from UMSL for its public radio affiliate STLPR.
Agrawal noted that transitioning the Kansas City station to an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is a positive move that will allow the University of Missouri System to focus on its highest priorities of education and research while giving the community-based radio stations the flexibility to better navigate an increasingly dynamic and competitive media landscape.
Agrawal proposed a three-year transition that will:
Accommodate establishment of an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to manage the station.
Develop sustainable strategies for core administrative functions, including finance, human resources and information technology, which are currently supported by the university.
Ensure the smooth transfer of key assets, including broadcast licenses, equipment and physical spaces, as appropriate.
Agrawal noted that a group of community leaders already has contacted the university to express the intent to form a nonprofit to manage KCUR and Classical KC. The stations will continue to operate as usual during the transition period, with no anticipated changes to programming or staffing.
“The radio stations have been a valued part of our campus and Kansas City community for many years, informing and engaging our community with their high-quality news and programming,” Agrawal said. “This transition will set the stage for them to flourish and grow for decades to come. We remain committed to actively supporting this transition and will work closely with the station and the community-led nonprofit to ensure they have the resources and tools needed to succeed.”
While this transition represents a shift in structure, Chancellor Agrawal said this plan does not change the university’s commitment to public radio. UMKC will remain a proud supporter and partner of KCUR and Classical KC, recognizing their critical contributions to civic dialogue, education and cultural enrichment in Missouri and beyond.
“We’re excited to start this new chapter in our longstanding relationship with UMKC,” said KCUR General Manager Sarah Morris. “Our association has made it possible for us to provide Kansas City audiences with essential news and entertainment programs for decades. But as our industry evolves ever more quickly, this bold move allows us the flexibility to adapt in real time.
“The success of this transition will rely on strong community support, dedicated leadership and a shared vision for the future of public radio, and we look forward to ensuring that happens.”
Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves praised the foresight of the proposal.
“The Curators are supportive of the recommendations from our chancellors at UMKC and UMSL,” Graves said. “Together, we are confident that this transition will position stations in both communities for success in the years ahead.”
The transitions will not affect Mizzou’s public radio station, KBIA. Curators also hold that station’s license, but it will continue as currently structured. Its mission is directly tied to education as the training ground for students in the MU School of Journalism.
Feb 10, 2025
The Moot Court team finished in the quarterfinals of the National Moot Court Competition
The UMKC School of Law’s Moot Court Competition team was one of the top eight teams in the country at the 2025 National Moot Court Competition, co-sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers and New York City Bar Association.
More than 145 teams from 108 law schools competed in this year’s competition, considered one of the most prestigious in the country. This is the second time in three years that a UMKC team has won the regional competition and participated in the national rounds.
“I could not have asked for a better team,” said Steve Leben, moot court team coach, associate dean of the law school and former appellate judge. “These results show that our students can compete with students from any law school in the country. Fortunately for the Kansas City legal community, all three of them plan to stay in town after graduation.”
The competition includes writing an appellate brief and making oral arguments for a hypothetical legal case. Students on the team argue for the petitioner and respondent sides. The UMKC School of Law team was made up of third-year law students Sidney Bach-Norman, Emma Piazza and Helene Slinker.
“Participating in the National Moot Court Competition was the best experience I’ve had while in law school,” Piazza said. “It was a great opportunity to meet students from other law schools and gain helpful feedback from attorneys that I wouldn’t otherwise be connected to. This competition gave me valuable skills that will translate well into my career as an attorney.”
Piazza was named the top speaker in the five-state regional competition, held in November. The team won five rounds in their regional competition, becoming undefeated champions and earning their place in the national tournament. They won three rounds at nationals before narrowly losing in the quarterfinals to the eventual runner-up team from the University of Iowa.
“This was my first time visiting New York City, and it was an unforgettable experience,” Bach-Norman said. “The competition was incredible, and I will always treasure the opportunity to co-counsel with Emma and Helene and be coached by Judge Leben.”
Learn more about UMKC School of Law’s moot court teams and other competition opportunities.
Feb 10, 2025
Four students will receive funds to enhance their educational opportunities
The University of Missouri-Kansas City has announced the Chiefs Opportunity Fund recipients.
The award is given to graduates and undergraduate students to apply for projects and learning opportunities such as professional development, unpaid internships, graduate school preparation or transportation costs. The 2024 awardees are:
Cameron Johnson, senior, business administrationJohnson will use funds for expenses related to the Law School Admissions Test, commonly called LSAT. Amanuel Bekele, senior, computer scienceBekele will use funds to pay for travel to an internship. Karina Galeas, sophomore, health sciencesJasmine Galeas, freshman, biologyThe sisters will use funds for a professional development trip related to their majors. “This encounter will be a memorable and profound learning experience, equipping me with the tools to advocate for better healthcare access and support for vulnerable communities,” Jasmine Galeas said.The student fund was created as part of the university’s five-year partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs.
2023 Awardees Mariah Duran Amy Gayle Abdihakeem MaalimEdgar Prado Noah Sims Timothy WilliamsNizar KhamisKyra AfolabiMcKayla AnnesserBrooke Higgins
Jan 31, 2025
Percival Everett shared personal stories and inspiration behind ‘James’
One of the nation’s most celebrated writers, Percival Everett, author of “James,” the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction – visited with students and presented a keynote lecture open to the community, courtesy of the University of Missouri-Kansas City in partnership with the Carolyn Benton Cockefair Chair and the Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City.
Everett is a distinguished professor of English at the University of Southern California, known for his award-winning novels. His novel “James,” in addition to the National Book Award for Fiction, won the 2024 Kirkus Prize and recently the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. “James” is a retells “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain through Jim’s perspective.Everett hosted a small Q&A session with UMKC writing students earlier in the day before delivering his lecture to a packed Spencer Theatre.
John Barton, Ph.D., department chair and professor of English, welcomed Everett to the stage. “It’s a distinct honor and privilege to introduce distinguished Professor Everett,” Barton said. “As a professor in English who teaches literature, I want to say thank you for the literary world you created.” Everett talked briefly about what he admired about Twain, what he learned from his writing and what brought him to write fiction. In his own life, Everett said it helped him with observation, how knowledge often comes from places you’d never expect. He shared earlier experiences from when he was a child to when he was a ranch hand as an adult. His message: avoid making assumptions.
“It is often assumed that just because some people have the same skin color, they have the same experience,” Everett said. “But it is more complicated than that. Our location, our upbringing and the culture we’re around all influences our experience.”Everett also read excerpts from “James” and dove into the reason why he wrote the book and the meaning behind it. Afterwards, he answered questions from the audience and hosted a book signing for those who attended.
Many prominent figures in the community attended, including Kansas City’s civic leader Alvin Brooks and Carmaletta Williams, CEO at the Black Archives of Mid-America. Everett has written in many different genres, and his books are often thought-provoking and satirical at the same time. His novel, “Erasure,” provided the foundation for the 2023 film “American Fiction.” The film received an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.UMKC brings in speakers of national stature each year as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture Series. In 2024, the university hosted Academy Award winner Kevin Willmott, a noted filmmaker whose play “Becoming Martin” is about the early life of King.The Cockefair Chair at UMKC presents an acclaimed lecture series and popular continuing education courses. For 60 years, Cockefair programs have engaged Kansas Citians. The Cockefair Chair also partners with regional civic organizations including the Black Archives of Mid-America to bring in high-caliber speakers like Everett.
Jan 31, 2025
Madeline Mann’s unconventional career path prepared her for law school success
Working in law isn’t Madeline Mann’s first career. Mann was a firefighter until a career-ending injury sent her down the path to become an arson investigator. Although they have little in common on the surface, her experiences in those jobs led her to law school.
Madeline MannAnticipated graduation year: May 2025UMKC degree program: J.D.Hometown: Atlanta, GA
“Because of my injury, I was exposed to employment law and worker’s compensation,” Mann said. “Then when I was an arson investigator, I learned a lot more about criminal law. I really loved investigating but felt that my career would be limited at some point. I wanted more options in case I didn’t have the same passion in 20 years. Law school seemed like a good choice to explore more paths.”
Her path led her to UMKC and Kansas City from Atlanta, GA. Kansas City’s size made Mann feel at home, and the university’s welcomeness to nontraditional students and strong employment network sealed the deal.
“I was looking for a law school that was relatively affordable, in a city I’d enjoy living in, and could help me open as many doors as possible for my legal career,” Mann said. “UMKC checked all of those boxes. After doing some research, it was clear to me that this school is a regional powerhouse that frequently places graduates in both public interest roles and at big law firms.”
Mann has made the most of her time at the UMKC School of Law. She is currently a fellow with the Human Trafficking Institute; as part of her work there, she put together a UMKC Continuing Legal Education event on recognizing and addressing human trafficking through a multidisciplinary lens. Due to her exceptional work in this area, she was recognized by the Missouri Lawyers Media with a Leader of Tomorrow Award at their statewide, annual Women's Justice Awards. Additionally, the UMKC Women's Council selected Mann for a Graduate Assistance Fund award and an award for outstanding merit.
Mann also worked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Kansas and the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office, where she spoke in court and sharpened her trial skills. Her time in those jobs exposed her to work on civil cases, which she discovered an interest in. That interest led her to work as a summer associate for civil defense firm Armstrong Teasdale in their Kansas City office. Her time with Armstrong Teasdale led to a job offer, and she’ll be returning there after finishing law school.
“I’ve really enjoyed law school,” Mann said. “I want to be here; you get to learn interesting things and talk to smart people about those interesting things.”
We asked Mann to tell us more about her time at the UMKC School of Law.
What are the challenges of the program?
The learning curve for soft skills, like time-management and organization, can be steep. Law school can be challenging for students who have yet to develop those skills because they’re trying to develop good habits while also trying to learn the law. That’s not something unique to UMKC School of Law. I imagine it’s the most challenging part of being at any law school.
What are the benefits of the program?
UMKC School of Law offers great resources to both non-traditional students and those coming directly from finishing their undergraduate education. The career services office helps students for whom the law is a second (or third) career leverage past experiences to obtain internships and jobs in the legal field. They also help traditional students properly form a resume and prepare for interviews. UMKC School of Law is also much more affordable than other law schools, which is a huge benefit.
How has your college program inspired you?
I know law school may not be the most enjoyable experience for a lot of people, but I think it’s hard not to feel inspired while learning about the law. Even before working in public safety, I always wanted to help people and be dependable and add some good to the world. Law school has definitely revealed more paths for doing just that.
Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?
I learned that I actually like to learn. I used to think of myself as someone who didn’t enjoy being in a classroom and wasn’t really meant for academic settings.
Who do you admire most at UMKC?
I have to give another shoutout to the career services office at UMKC School of Law. Even though I had a career prior coming to law school, there was much about the legal hiring process that I was unfamiliar with. Jennifer Dierks and Megan Dougherty are always willing to answer questions.
What do your scholarships mean to you?
The scholarships I have are meaningful because they are a large part of the reason why I am able to graduate from law school virtually debt-free. That is not a luxury most law students have, and it’s not something I take for granted.
To the people that donate to UMKC School of Law: your donations give students freedom. Students with higher school-related debt often look for high-paying jobs, even if those jobs don’t align with their professional interests. Students with less financial pressure have the freedom to follow their interests, even if those jobs do not offer the same high salaries.
What other extracurricular activities/student organizations are you involved in at UMKC?
I am part of AWLS, which is the student chapter of the Association of Women Lawyers, and I am also a member of the Military Veterans Law Association.
What do you hope to take from your experiences at UMKC into your professional career?
Through the externship program at UMKC School of Law, I’ve had opportunities to work at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the Platte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. This past summer, I worked as a summer associate for Armstrong Teasdale. Throughout my 3L year, I am working as a fellow with the Human Trafficking Institute. These experiences have helped me sharpen my legal skills and form great relationships that will last far beyond graduation.
What are you most proud of during your time at UMKC?
I am proud of my fellowship with the Human Trafficking Institute and for getting a job at Armstrong Teasdale. Both organizations, though wildly different, are full of incredibly smart, kind and impressive people. I’m proud to be on those teams.
What is one word that best describes you?
Driven. The definition is “relentlessly compelled by the need to accomplish a goal; very hard-working and ambitious.” I am a goal-oriented person and have always considered myself a hard-worker.
What do you love about UMKC?
The culture is very relaxed and supportive, and the school is full of really bright, wonderful people. Law school is inherently competitive, but everybody here is helpful in a way that I wasn’t anticipating. Students are always studying together, sharing outlines and helping each other. The environment here is relaxed and welcoming; I just think it’s pretty special.
What are some of your best memories/most fun you’ve had at UMKC?
Some of my best memories are attending different professional events at the school. Those events are great opportunities to meet lawyers and learn more about different career paths. On more than one occasion, I’ve become friends with some of the attorneys who I met during those events and likely would not have otherwise met.
Who is your favorite professor?
Associate Dean Steve Leben. He brings real-world experience to the classroom, is a great teacher and is always willing to help.
How has UMKC prepared you for your career?
The professional opportunities I’ve had throughout my time at UMKC School of Law gave me varied legal experience that ultimately led to a post-graduation job offer from my top choice law firm.
If you were talking to a high schooler or someone on the fence about UMKC Law, what would you tell them?
I would first tell them to take a year or two off and get a job. It doesn’t have to be a legal job. Just get a job and work. Being independent and out in the world provides new perspective and will make getting through law school much easier.
I would tell them UMKC School of Law is the best option if they want to start their career or permanently stay in the Kansas City area because they will graduate with less debt than their peers and have tons of great job and networking opportunities.
What makes you proud to be a Roo?
Because UMKC School of Law is such a regional powerhouse, the alumni are locally represented in all areas of the law, at all levels, and maintain an affinity for UMKC School of Law graduates. I meet lawyers who graduated from UMKC School of Law decades ago, yet there is still somewhat of an instant connection when they discover I’m a UMKC student.
Jan 30, 2025
Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy (MIDE) leads research projects to improve society
MIDE currently accounts for 20% of the University of Missouri-Kansas City research expenditures and, as of 2024, has secured more than $60 million in externally awarded grants and contracts. The increase in funding over the years has provided them with more opportunities to showcase their expertise in electromagnetic fields, cybersecurity and robotics.
For Kaitie Butler, a student studying mechanical engineering at UMKC, joining MIDE was a natural progression of her lifelong passion for aerospace and defense. Raised in a family with strong military ties, Butler was drawn to the idea of working in an industry that combined service with her curiosity for the sciences.
“MIDE is the perfect connection between these two worlds,” Butler said. “I am able to invest my skills into furthering national security for our nation and the science and technology field within the global technology base.”
At MIDE, Butler not only found the perfect platform to explore her passions but also a strong mentor who challenges her. She first met Travis Fields, Ph.D., interim director of MIDE, at a seminar.
“He has been a pivotal figure in my journey,” Butler said. “From the moment I joined MIDE, he encouraged me to explore different areas of research. Not all bosses challenge and push you but that needs to happen, especially when you're working with important stuff like we do. But he also is aware and cares about whatever you're going through.”
Fields has influenced numerous students’ research experiences, including Butler's. His leadership goes beyond academic guidance—he challenges students to think critically and prepares them for future careers.
“Students are really the backbone of the research at MIDE,” Fields said. “I'm not the one in the lab anymore. The students are the ones who are getting these experiences they cannot get anywhere else. They are the ones who really make up more than half of our workforce at MIDE. We cannot do this without them.”
Fields’ ability to create a supportive environment for students has led Butler to embrace multiple disciplines within the aerospace industry. Her research ranges from engineering tasks, like wiring autonomous vehicles, to more hands-on tasks, including flight testing and systems design. Her favorite part of working at MIDE is the flight testing, where she gets to directly see her designs come to life by testing them in real-world scenarios that demand quick thinking and adaptability.
“Flight testing includes training internal MIDE members as well as going out in the field and getting our vehicle to fly in certain formations,” Butler said.
She also loves the people she works with.
“I love working for MIDE,” Butler said. “I've worked at a couple of different places, but within MIDE, we have a great culture. We're always building each other up. We're always challenging one another.”
Butler is confident her experiences and connections at MIDE will transform her future career.
“Since we're able to go out and present our research at all these different conferences, I’m able to connect with a lot of different folks in the industry, not just aerospace defense,” she said.
Thanks to her experiences at MIDE, Butler is already making an impact.
“I got an internship through X-Force National Security Innovation Network,” she said. “We actually designed a reconfigurable drone, in collaboration with NSWC Crane, and it was published in an article. I wouldn't have had that experience if it weren't for my position at MIDE and the people who got me here.”
MIDE’s focus on applied research that ensures the work produced not only advances academically, but also delivers real-world solutions is something that also excites Fields.
“My favorite part of working in MIDE is seeing the impact, seeing that we are delivering real things,” Fields said. “We are trying to solve real problems, and we have students who are getting to see the real problems and real threat briefs now going out and having a real impact at these major organizations across the country in defense labs and with major contractors.”
MIDE staff and students get to showcase their expertise by training real operators on how to use advanced systems. Some Air Force operators even travel thousands of miles to come to Kansas City just to be trained by MIDE staff and students on how to use large, unmanned aircrafts.
The impact of MIDE’s work is evident in the high demand for its graduates. Companies from across the country are attending UMKC career fairs to hire MIDE students, recognizing their unique skill sets and preparedness for real-world challenges.
By offering hands-on research opportunities and fostering professional relationships, MIDE is molding the next generation of leaders in defense and technology to contribute to a safer, more innovative future.
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Jan 28, 2025
Chiefs Cheer teammates pursue physician assistant, marketing degrees
Carly Hays and Laney Duchene are making the most of their college experience in their hometown. As UMKC students and cheerleaders for the Kansas City Chiefs, they’re balancing time in the classroom and gamedays in the loudest stadium in the world.
Hays and Duchene share deep connections to Kansas City, a city that has shaped their identities and ambitions. Hays, who moved to Kansas City from St. Louis at an early age, considers herself a true Kansas Citian.
“Kansas City is where I grew up and where I’ve built my life,” she said.
Duchene, a lifelong resident of Independence, Missouri, shares a similar sentiment. “I loved that UMKC was close to home,” she said. “I get the perks of living at home while attending college.”
For Duchene, the decision to attend UMKC was all about family. “My dad and sisters also attended UMKC, so it feels like a family tradition,” she said.
Hays, on the other hand, was drawn to UMKC for its strong physician assistant program in the School of Medicine, which allowed her to stay close to home after completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
Since arriving on their respective campuses, Hays and Duchene have thrived at UMKC, where they’ve found supportive communities and opportunities to grow.
Hays notes that her first year was full of both rewarding and challenging experiences.
“This was the most mentally and physically challenging thing I’ve ever done,” she said. “I had to completely relearn how to study, but the support from my cohort and faculty has been incredible.”
Duchene, a senior studying business administration with a marketing emphasis at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management, credits her professors and the course curriculum with preparing her for her future.
“My classes have been incredibly practical,” she said. “I’ve learned so much about professional communication, which has translated directly into what I do with the Chiefs.”
Both students’ experiences at UMKC have directly influenced their roles as Chiefs cheerleaders. Hays’ background as a competitive dancer and a member of the Mizzou Golden Girls dance team prepared her for the demands of professional cheerleading.
“Dance is my escape when school gets heavy, and school is my escape when dance gets heavy,” she said.
Duchene’s time on the KC Roos Dance Team helped her transition back into the dance world after taking a break to focus on academics.
“Joining the Roos team got me back in the groove and really helped prepare me for the Chiefs,” she said.
Despite both students’ having extensive dance backgrounds, they both quickly learned making the Chiefs squad would require more homework.
“We also had to participate in interviews, answer questions about Chiefs history and demonstrate our knowledge of the game,” Hays said.
Once past this stage, they advanced to in-person finals, a three-day event involving choreography, public speaking and media training. Hays is currently in her second year with Chiefs Cheer and notes some audition advantages for returning members.
“Veteran candidates skip the preliminary rounds, but every cheerleader must earn their spot back each season,” Hays said.
Duchene, a rookie, recalls how challenging the process was: “It’s not just about dancing, it’s about representing the brand with professionalism and knowledge.”
On gamedays, their routines begin long before the stadium fills with fans.
“Depending on the time of the game, we get up as early as 4 a.m. and show up to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium ready in our hair and makeup,” Duchene said. “The atmosphere is electric, and the bond with my teammates makes it all worth it.”
“Stepping onto the field at Arrowhead is an unforgettable experience,” Hays said. “It’s a mix of pride and adrenaline.”
UMKC is an official higher education partner of the Chiefs, a partnership both Hays and Duchene say they’ve loved experiencing firsthand. Hays specifically notes the significance of seeing UMKC signage in Arrowhead Stadium.
“When I’m on the field, I see the UMKC banner, and it’s like my two worlds coming together,” she said.
Duchene agrees, recalling a memorable moment when UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal walked by as the cheerleaders prepared to take the field.
“Seeing him walk on the field with other UMKC students and seeing the UMKC logo at Arrowhead during games is such an honor,” she said.
The connection between UMKC and the Chiefs is more than symbolic for Hays and Duchene, it’s engrained into their practices as well. UMKC alumna Stephanie Judah (BBA '95), who serves as the director of entertainment teams for the Kansas City Chiefs, plays a key role in guiding both Hays and Duchene in their journey with the team.
"UMKC was a huge part of my life and education. During my time at UMKC and the Bloch School, I was also a Chiefs Cheerleader," Judah said. "To now have two cheerleaders that are currently UMKC students is such a wonderful thing. It is like bringing two worlds together. It is a special bond that will connect us forever."
Hays and Duchene also take pride in representing Kansas City on and off the field. Through her clinical experiences at University Health, Carly has been able to serve the community that shaped her.
“UMKC’s partnership with University Health allows me to provide care to Kansas Citians,” she said. “It’s a great representation of giving back to the city that raised me.”
For Duchene, the sense of camaraderie within the Chiefs organization has been a highlight of her experience.
“The Chiefs team feels like a big family,” she said. “We’re so lucky to have this incredible bond.”
As Hays continues her journey in the physician assistant program and Duchene prepares to graduate in May, both students have their sights set on the future. Hays is focused on completing her degree and continuing to balance her dual passions. Duchene hopes to stay with the Chiefs while pursuing a career in marketing.
“Being part of UMKC and the Chiefs has been an unforgettable experience,” Duchene said. “It’s a privilege to celebrate both in such meaningful ways.”
Jan 23, 2025
Historic preservation projects span across the Kansas City community
The Mellon Foundation awarded the University of Missouri-Kansas City $4 million to create the Kansas City Monuments Coalition to help fund 16 preservation and commemorative organizations across Kansas City so visitors can enjoy historic sites for years to come.
Locations include UMKC, the city of Kansas City itself plus classic points-of-interest local residents will recognize from childhood field trips such as Fort Osage National Historic Site, Missouri Town and the Wornall-Majors House Museums. Others are relatively unknown exhibits that can host the field trips of tomorrow.
The grant was awarded as part of the Mellon Foundation’s Monuments Projects to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, thanks to the work of Diane Mutti Burke, Ph.D., Sandra Enríquez, Ph.D. and David Trowbridge, Ph.D. from the history department, as well as Michael Sprague, coordinator for the Center for Digital and Public Humanities.
Mutti Burke explained the Mellon Foundation is expansive in how it defines monuments.
“It’s statues, of course, but also historic structures, interpretative signage, public exhibits, digital content and artistic and cultural programming,” she said.
The grant will support the historical and preservation projects of the 16 community organizations as well as public programming in partnership with the Kansas City Public Library. Examples include refreshing the Luis Quintanilla mural in Haag Hall on campus out to updates on exhibits at the Fort Osage National Historic Site. The UMKC team is excited about what support from Mellon will mean for local historical organizations.
“Our team has established relationships with our community partners and over the years we have talked about their needs and ideas,” Trowbridge said. “The most exciting part of the grant is getting them financial support and collaborating with them as they do this important work.”
The UMKC team founded the Kansas City Monuments Coalition to ensure the funding go as far as possible and to as many community organizations as possible.
“We felt if we could all work together and have ongoing conversations, we could learn from one another” Mutti Burke said. “By working together, we can be greater than the sum of our parts.”
“This transformative grant from the Mellon Foundation emphasizes the importance of inclusive storytelling and historical preservation” said Sumeet Dua, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research and economic development at UMKC. “The exceptional work of our UMKC faculty has been instrumental in securing this opportunity, showcasing their dedication to engaging with the community and reshaping how history is represented and understood.”
The work of the Kansas City Monuments Coalition will further advance the UMKC mission as a public urban research university by bridging the work of faculty, students and community partners. Enríquez explained community engagement has been a cornerstone of the history department and Center for Digital and Public Humanities and that support from the Mellon Foundation will bolster this commitment to collaborative historical interpretation.
“The work of the UMKC team and our community partners is a thrilling opportunity to leverage our strengths and collectively build a historical landscape that better reflects the experiences of everyone who calls Kansas City home,” Enríquez said.
Most of the $4 million will directly fund the historical efforts of partner organizations. The projects must be completed within the three years allotted by the Mellon Foundation. The UMKC team, including numerous additional faculty and staff, will also organize and deliver public programs as well as collaborate with the Kansas City Public Library’s Digital Branch on its next KC history website project. The grant includes funding for two full-time staff positions and graduate students who will aid this effort. Students who are part of the Mellon humanities internship program awarded to UMKC are also eligible to work on this project.
“The Monuments Project is an unprecedented multi-year commitment by the Mellon Foundation that is aimed at transforming the nation’s commemorative landscape to ensure our collective histories are more completely and accurately represented,” according to the foundation. “The Monuments Project supports efforts to express, elevate and preserve the stories of those who have often been denied historical recognition, and explores how we might foster a more complete telling of who we are as a nation.”
Jan 22, 2025
Mark Hoffman of Children’s Mercy is a School of Medicine professor
The University of Missouri-Kansas City now has four administrators and professors who are fellows in the National Academy of Inventors, a prestigious group of innovative researchers.
The academy recently selected Mark Hoffman, Ph.D., UMKC School of Medicine pediatrics professor and chief research information officer at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, a clinical partner of the university, for induction into its 2024 Class of Fellows this June. This recognition is the highest professional distinction given exclusively to inventors, recognizing those who have shown exceptional innovation in developing or advancing groundbreaking inventions that have made a significant impact on quality of life, economic growth and societal well-being.
Throughout his nearly three-decade career, Hoffman has made significant contributions to the field of medical technology. As a distinguished inventor and researcher, his work has resulted in 22 U.S. patents and three international patents, underscoring his commitment to enhancing healthcare through innovative solutions.
“In fifth grade, I chose to do my first formal report on Thomas Edison, sparking my lifelong interest in invention,” Hoffman said. “Being elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors is a humbling recognition of my career and I look forward to leading the ongoing, innovative work at Children’s Mercy.”
Hoffman is the first from Children’s Mercy to join this distinguished group of world-class innovators and leaders, and the fourth from UMKC. Previous winners from UMKC include:
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, Ph.D., Class of 2015
Reza Derakhshani, Ph.D., associate dean in the School of Science and Engineering, Class of 2020
Anthony Caruso, Ph.D., vice chancellor for strategic initiatives, Class of 2021
“I am grateful to Dr. Caruso for nominating me into this prestigious group,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman will be inducted at the 14th Annual NAI Conference held June 23 to 26 in Atlanta. During this ceremony, Hoffman and the other 170 exceptional inventors of the 2024 Class of Fellows will be presented with honors from NAI representatives and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
According to NAI President Paul R. Sandberg, an election to the rank of fellow, “reflects not only your accomplishments but also your dedication to advancing technology and fostering invention for the benefit of society.”
Jan 21, 2025
U.S. News & World Report ranks online master’s program No. 33
The UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies ranked No. 33 among nation’s best online nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report.
According to Dean Joy Roberts, the ranking is a testament to the continued success of the program.
“UMKC’s Master of Science in Nursing program has educated hundreds of advanced practice nurses and nurse educators since its inception and our graduates have gone on to work throughout Missouri, Kansas and the United States,” Roberts said. “We are proud of our graduates, our current students and the faculty who educate them.”
Up from No. 36 last year, this is the 13th year in a row the program has ranked in the top 50 of the 149 schools on list. For working registered nurses, the school’s many online offerings enable them to continue providing care in their communities, while preparing them for the evolving and dynamic challenges of healthcare.
Students in these programs participate in online discussions just as if they were present in the classroom. Technology offers two-way communication in real time via multiple modes. Students also receive on-site learning through summer institutes, where they attend clinical training or dissertation work sessions as well as deliver presentations to classmates and faculty.
For pediatric nurse practitioner Lori Erickson (BSN ’06, MSN ’09, Ph.D. ’20), her coursework in the Master of Science program laid the foundation for her progression as an advanced provider. Now the director of remote health solutions at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, the connections she made during clinical rotations were far reaching and the opportunities to experience different clinical and leadership scenarios in nursing were invaluable.
“My connections with faculty and staff at UMKC have continued after graduation and are part of the reason that I returned to the School of Nursing for my Ph.D.,” Erickson said. “My Doctorate in Nursing prompted my shift to focus on outcomes in a rigorous way. I would not be where I am without the Roos.”
UMKC offers a variety of online graduate nursing tracks, including Master of Science in Nursing and other options: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Nurse Educator (NE) Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Primary Care and Acute-Care (ACPNP) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Ph.D. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Jan 21, 2025
Plans for boutique hotel, spa and more could transform unique building
A local group comprised of Sunflower Development Group and hospitality veteran Jen Gulvik has secured permission to proceed with a historic redevelopment project involving one of Kansas City’s most beloved assets: the Epperson House at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
The group’s vision would maintain the rich historic heritage of Epperson House while transforming it for modern day use into a 14-room boutique hotel with a café, small library bar, full-service restaurant, intimate event space and a hydrothermal spa offering body and facial treatments, ancient European baths, hot and cold therapies, visiting practitioner workshops and retreats and other wellness programming.
“This is an exciting step forward for the future of this beloved local historic treasure,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, who has been working toward saving the distinctive Tudor-Gothic mansion on campus since he arrived in 2018. “One of the most frequent questions I get about UMKC is about next steps for the Epperson House, and now I finally can share a promising answer.”
Built in 1920 on what’s now the southern edge of the UMKC Volker Campus, Epperson House was the home of Kansas City insurance tycoon Uriah Epperson and his wife, Mary. The 24,000-square-foot, 54-room mansion at 52nd and Cherry streets is a curious blend of a castle and stately home.
1922 photograph of Epperson House
Eventually bequeathed to the university, Epperson House was used for a variety of purposes over the years but has been empty for more than a decade. Its destiny seemed uncertain with a long list of projects needed to bring it up to building code and ADA requirements. Throughout the years, Historic Kansas City Foundation has listed it on its most endangered buildings list.
In 2023, UMKC issued a request for proposals, commonly called an RFP, seeking a public-private partnership for the rehabilitation of the famed Epperson House. The university recently selected a team led by Mark Moberly (M.S. ’06) and Jason Swords of Sunflower Development Group in partnership with hospitality veteran Jen Gulvik. The design architect for the project will be Kansas City-based Generator Studio.
No university funds are being used for this project. The Epperson House will be leased and rehabilitated by the development team. All operations for the project will be funded and managed by that group. The plan is for UMKC to realize revenue from the partnership that will help support the university's mission.
In addition, the group is engaging Heritage Consulting Group to ensure the historic fabric of Epperson House is preserved throughout the rehabilitation process. Among the house’s unusual features are ornate woodwork, an indoor swimming pool, billiard room, barbershop, a custom organ and a tunnel linking the east and west wings.
Organ loft in Epperson House, a second-story space that opens into the ballroom
“There is nothing comparable to this type of spa or development in the Kansas City area, and the story of Epperson House cannot be replicated,” said Gulvik, who regularly walks in the neighborhood past Epperson House and is enchanted by its uniqueness. “A restored Epperson House will serve the neighborhood, UMKC faculty, staff and students, travelers to Kansas City and the community at large - especially given its proximity to the KC Streetcar stop at UMKC, slated to open later this year.”
The team will soon begin development efforts, which include seeking operating and financial partners as well as pursuing state and federal historic tax credits, to turn the project into a reality within the next few years.
While restoring historic buildings can be complex, the development group and its partners say they have the experience needed to overcome hurdles.
Sunflower Development Group is a real-estate development company based in Kansas City that has been involved in more than $500 million of new and historic commercial developments over the past 15 years. The group’s local historic rehabilitation projects include Ambassador Hotel, The Grand KC Apartments, Longview Mansion, Cosby Hotel building and Pershing Lofts.
Epperson House ballroom
Gulvik’s hospitality marketing experience includes revitalizing and growing Houlihan’s Restaurants, Bristol Seafood Grill and J. Gilbert’s restaurant brands nationwide, and advisory for Fairwave Coffee Collective, which owns 30 cafes.
Generator Studio’s architecture and interior design business has a focus on hospitality. Generator led design for Grand Place, a major historic preservation project transforming the former Kansas City Star building and is currently designing the Margaritaville Hotel in Kansas City, Kansas in addition to hospitality spaces for professional sports venues. Generator partner and director of interior design, Christina Franklin, has designed more than 20 boutique hotels for West Coast-based Pacifica Hotels.
“We look forward to engaging with the university, neighborhood and Kansas City preservation community in our development and historic rehabilitation plans,” said Moberly of Sunflower Development Group. “It’s an important architectural landmark in the area and bridges the university to the neighborhood. What an exciting opportunity to work on a project in partnership with my alma mater that will create a destination for which everyone in our community can be proud.”
Sewing room in Epperson House
The news is exciting to Epperson historian Chris Wolff (M.A. ’12) of UMKC who leads popular tours outside the home during Halloween season (the public is not permitted inside as it awaits rehabilitation). Wolff tells visitors about the house’s storied past and the lore of ghosts and other haunting phenomena.
“To say people are captivated by Epperson House is an understatement,” Wolff said. “I’m ecstatic that it has interested people who have a vision to restore and repurpose it so all of Kansas City can enjoy it into the future.”
Jan 15, 2025