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.
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
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 (attended) 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
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, has been recognized as the 2025 Special Olympics Missouri 2025 Community Champion for the State of Missouri.
Davison 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.
“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, pickleball, basketball and bocce, with soccer soon to be added.The unified teams have won multiple National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Regional championships and ranked first in Missouri and 10th 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 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Swinney Center and Durwood Soccer Stadium, dependent on the season.
Jan 30, 2025