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