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