Program advances School of Science and Engineering’s goal to lead AI-driven innovation in healthcare, cybersecurity and intelligent systems
The University of Missouri Board of Curators approved the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s plan to launch a new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree this fall, pending approval from both the state and the Higher Learning Commission.
Housed in the School of Science and Engineering, the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence is a 30-credit hour program designed to meet growing workforce demand for advanced artificial intelligence expertise across industry and research sectors. The program will offer courses covering foundational and advanced topics in artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing.
UMKC has already established itself as a leader in artificial intelligence education and research, with AI‑focused initiatives implemented across academic units. This new program builds on that foundation, positioning UMKC at the forefront of AI‑driven innovation.
UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal announced plans for the new master’s degree in AI as well as a Bachelor of Science in AI at his State of the University address in October 2025. The bachelor’s degree is in the early stages of planning.
“This new master’s degree in artificial intelligence reflects our responsibility as a university to lead – not follow – during moments of profound change,” Agrawal said. “Employers across every sector are seeking professionals equipped with the skills, judgment and creativity needed to harness AI’s powerful potential. This new degree positions UMKC graduates at the forefront of innovation, ready to succeed in a rapidly evolving, AI-driven economy.”
The new Master of Science in AI program will be open to applicants with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field such as data science, information technology, software engineering, informatics and mathematics.
With artificial intelligence emerging as a transformative field in the computing industry, demand for AI-related occupations (especially software developers, database architects and engineers) continue to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developers’ employment is projected to increase 17.9% from 2023 to 2033, significantly outpacing average job growth. LinkedIn also ranked “Artificial Intelligence Engineer” and “Artificial Intelligence Consultant” as the two fastest-growing roles in 2025.
The new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program is developed to prepare students for high-demand careers in fields like healthcare, finance, manufacturing, cybersecurity, robotics and intelligent systems. Drawing on UMKC’s strengths as a Carnegie Research 1 institution, the program will leverage the school’s research expertise and industry partnerships to provide students with a curriculum that incorporates applied experience with real-world challenges.
While UMKC currently offers a Master of Science in Computer Science with an emphasis in artificial intelligence, the new degree boasts a much more robust AI curriculum. The existing emphasis incorporates AI-focused electives within a broader computer science curriculum. However, the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program is fully dedicated to AI with both required and elective courses centered on artificial intelligence topics, such as artificial intelligence ethics.
Graduates of the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program will be prepared for roles such as machine learning engineer, computer vision engineer, robotics engineer, data engineer and software engineer, as well as emerging positions including AI ethics officer, data-centric AI specialist and prompt engineer. Some graduates are also expected to pursue entrepreneurial ventures, contributing to workforce development, innovation and economic growth in Kansas City and across Missouri.
Feb 05, 2026
Jerry and Patty Reece have contributed decades of service and philanthropy, elevating education, arts and community impact
Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association recognizes outstanding alumni achievements with an awards celebration. Jerry (H.A.) and Patty Reece (M.A. ’71) are the Class of 2026 Bill French Alumni Service Award recipients.
The Bill French Alumni Service Award honors individuals whose loyalty, service and advocacy have significantly advanced the University of Missouri-Kansas City. For decades, the Reeces have embodied that spirit through leadership, philanthropy and personal engagement to strengthen the university’s mission and expand its reach throughout Kansas City and beyond.
As a couple, Jerry and Patty Reece have contributed their time, talent and resources to advance student success. They served as honorary co-chairs of the 2024 Crescendo Gala benefiting the UMKC Conservatory, helping raise a record-setting $1 million for student scholarships. The Reeces also established a $500,000 endowed scholarship to support students in the UMKC Institute for Urban Education, a nationally recognized program preparing teachers committed to urban schools.
Jerry Reece is an honorary alumnus of UMKC and has served the university in leadership roles for more than two decades. A UMKC trustee since 2004, he joined the UMKC Foundation Board in 2019 and served as chair from 2022 to 2024, providing steady leadership during a period of organizational transition. Alongside former Chancellor Leo Morton, he co-chaired the Institute for Urban Education, also known as IUE, Advisory Council, helping raise more than $7 million to expand scholarships and strengthen the teacher pipeline for Kansas City’s urban schools. In May 2025, he was honored with the Hugh J. Zimmer Award for Excellence in Urban Education.Patty Reece, a graduate of the UMKC School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences, has devoted her life to education, the arts and conservation. Her early experience teaching in Kansas City’s diverse urban schools shaped a lifelong commitment to educational equity and teacher preparation. Those values motivated her long-standing support of the Institute for Urban Education. For more than 15 years, she has remained personally engaged with Reece Scholars, offering encouragement and guidance as they prepare for careers in the classroom. Eight Reece Scholars are now serving as full-time teachers.
“In every sense, Jerry and Patty represent the spirit of the Bill French Alumni Service Award,” said Sara Helfrich, dean of the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences. “Their steadfast support and prominent advocacy for the UMKC continue to elevate the university's stature and foster enduring connections within our community. I can think of no more deserving recipients of this joint recognition.”Beyond campus, they are leaders in the arts, historic preservation and environmental conservation. In 2015, the couple founded the Volland Foundation, A Place for Art and Community, in the Flint Hills near Alma, Kansas, where the couple has a ranch. The foundation supports artist residencies, exhibitions and performances and has welcomed numerous UMKC faculty, staff and students.“Jerry and Patty’s vision extends beyond Kansas City through their transformative work with the Volland Foundation, where art, community and place intersect to inspire meaningful cultural experiences in the Flint Hills,” said Courtney Crappell, dean of the UMKC Conservatory. “Whether locally or regionally, the couple lead with generosity, grace and a belief in the power of the arts to shape lives.”Together, the Reeces exemplify the spirit of the Bill French Alumni Service Award, demonstrating how sustained engagement, strategic philanthropy and personal commitment can elevate a university and the communities it serves.
Feb 03, 2026
University prioritizes employee safety while securing upgraded, centrally located space for Kansas City’s NPR affiliate and Classical KC
UMKC is working on an agreement to move KCUR 89.3, the university’s NPR affiliate, into new offices on the Country Club Plaza and is negotiating final lease details, university leaders announced today.
KCUR staff and broadcast operations would make their new home on the Plaza, a short distance from its long-time location at 4825 Troost.
University and KCUR leaders have been working urgently to find suitable new office space after being notified of accelerated deterioration at KCUR’s 4825 Troost location that could have rendered it uninhabitable with minimum notice. With employee safety in mind, the university closed the building on Jan. 31.
“We thank KCUR employees – and everyone who turns to KCUR for its valuable local programming – for their patience as we worked through this unexpected situation,” said Troy Bruun, UMKC Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. “Although the circumstances were challenging in the short term, the outcome for KCUR will be a new office that will be an upgrade for its staff and a convenient location central to everything in the Kansas City metro.”
Once the Plaza lease is finalized, KCUR and its sister station Classical KC will retrofit the new space for its recording rooms and studio.
Station manager Sarah Morris says her team is excited about the Plaza location and is planning next steps now on setting up the new space once a lease is finalized.
“We look forward to working from a new space while continuing our mission of providing the very best in local news for Kansas City," she said. "I'm enormously proud of our team for remaining committed to serving our community with flexibility and grace.”
Feb 02, 2026
A Kansas native, Turgeon will bring over 20 years of head coaching experience and 10 NCAA Tournament bids to the Kansas City sidelines
One of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, Mark Turgeon has been named the head coach of Kansas City men’s basketball heading into the 2026-27 season, UMKC Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Brandon Martin announced on Sunday. Turgeon is the program’s ninth head coach since elevating to Division I in 1987-88.
“We are delighted to welcome Coach Turgeon and his wife Ann to the Roo family. It’s exciting to have them both back home in the Midwest,” Martin said. “Coach Turgeon brings a wealth of credibility and success for our fan base, alumni, donors and key stakeholders throughout Kansas City. This will undoubtedly be an exciting and rewarding era for our Roo basketball program.”
It will be something of a homecoming for Turgeon, who was raised in Topeka, Kansas, and was a four-year letterwinner for the University of Kansas men’s basketball program, qualifying for four NCAA Tournaments and making a Final Four run in 1986. Turgeon also spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Kansas and seven years as the head coach at nearby Wichita State, lifting the Shockers into national relevance.
"It is an honor to be returning home and to be trusted to build a winning tradition with Kansas City men's basketball,” Turgeon said. “It was obvious through our initial conversations that I could build a strong partnership with Dr. Martin and Chancellor Agrawal. I've always had a great love for Kansas City, and I believe that this city deserves a team that reflects its championship culture. There is so much untapped potential and with the full strength of the Kansas City community behind us, we will be able to elevate this program to new heights."
Turgeon arrives in Kansas City with one of the best resumes in college basketball. A 2024 inductee into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, he brings 24 years of head coaching experience and a career winning percentage of .634 between stops at Maryland, Texas A&M, Wichita State and Jacksonville State.
“We are thrilled to welcome a new leader for Kansas City’s Division I basketball program at such an exciting time for our university and city,” UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “Coach Turgeon brings the vision, record and competitive drive that align perfectly with our commitment to excellence – on the court, in the classroom and in the community. His hiring is part of our broader investments in elevating the university and strengthening programs that bring pride and momentum to our campus. We believe this is the start of a new chapter will raise the profile of our program and make our university community proud.”
Across his 24 seasons as a head coach, Turgeon has amassed a 476-275 overall record, which puts him in the top 30 in career wins among active Division One head coaches. He has taken teams to the NCAA Tournament 10 times with a pair of Sweet 16 appearances and winning records in 21 of his 24 years on the sidelines.
Throughout his career, Turgeon has displayed a knack for attracting and developing professional-level talent. He has coached 11 future NBA draft picks including Alex Len, the fifth overall pick in the 2013 draft.
Turgeon’s most recent head coaching tenure was spent at the University of Maryland from 2011-21, finishing with a winning record in all 11 seasons. He led the Terrapins through the transition from the ACC to the Big Ten, earning 2015 Big Ten Coach of the Year honors and finishing top-three in the Big Ten standings four times.
His 2015-16 squad finished 27-9, advancing to the Sweet 16 as a five-seed with wins over South Dakota State and Hawaii. In 2019-20, the Terrapins compiled a 24-7 record and won the Big Ten regular season title, compiling four wins over nationally ranked opponents throughout the season. In total, Turgeon-led Maryland squads qualified for the NCAA Tournament five times, advancing past the first round in four seasons.
From 2007-12, Turgeon manned the sidelines at Texas A&M, compiling a 97-40 overall record and finishing top four in the Big 12 in each of his final three seasons. His squads earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament all four years, advancing past the first round three times.
Turgeon took over at Wichita State prior to the 2000-01 season, and what followed was a turnaround that made the Shockers one of the biggest names in the Missouri Valley Conference. Turgeon took over a program that had just two winning seasons in the past 11 years and went .500-or-better in 6 of his 8 seasons at the helm, compiling three 20-win seasons.
Following three-straight NIT bids from 2003-05, Turgeon’s Wichita State squad broke through in 2005-06, winning the Missouri Valley regular season championship and qualifying for program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in nearly 20 years. The seventh-seeded Shockers took down No. 10 Seton Hall and No. 2 Tennessee in the first and second rounds, reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1981.
Turgeon’s head coaching career began at Jacksonville State in 1998, leading an incredible turnaround between his first and second seasons. After going 8-18 in his first year, the Gamecocks went 17-11 in 1999-2000 and finished third in the Trans America Athletic Conference standings.
Turgeon earned his stripes as an assistant coach from 1987-98, spending time at Kansas and Oregon before gaining NBA coaching experience with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was a member of the 1988 Kansas coaching staff that led the Jayhawks to a national title and aided Oregon to three-in-a-row winning seasons for the first time in 20 years.
At the University of Kansas, Turgeon played under Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown. He was the first player in Kansas history to play in four consecutive NCAA tournaments and was a team captain during his junior and senior campaigns. Turgeon led the Jayhawks to the 1986 Final Four as well as Big Eight Conference regular season and tournament titles, earning Big Eight All-Academic Team honors in 1986 and All-Freshman honors in 1984.
Turgeon was born and raised in Topeka, attending Hayden High School and capturing state championship titles in 1982 and 1983. He was named to the All-State Tournament team in both seasons and was a First Team All-State honoree his senior year. Turgeon is a member of the Topeka Sports Hall of Fam and the Hayden High School Hall of Fame.
Turgeon earned his bachelor’s degree in personnel administration from Kansas in 1987. He is married to Ann Fowler Turgeon, and the pair have three children: Will, Leo and Ella.
The Kansas City Roos are the NCAA Division I teams of UMKC. Home to one of the most unique mascots in college athletics, KC Roo was originally designed by Walt Disney, and is one of just two kangaroo mascots at the Division I level. Kansas City has won five conference championships since joining the Summit League in 2020, including back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances by the Roos' men's soccer program in 2024 and 2025.
Feb 01, 2026
The event, Feb. 6-7, is co-organized with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, in association with its featured exhibition, Painted Worlds
Join us for the "Painted Worlds Symposium on Mesoamerican Art," hosted by the University of Missouri-Kansas City and co-organized with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Instalación de México; Sala 14. 1892-1893. Photo from Biblioteca Nacional de España.
The event is free and open to the public.
Some notable events include “A Gleam in the Forest: Meaning and Material in Maya Color” from Stephen D. Houston, Ph.D., professor of anthropology at Brown University; “Jazz Age Maya: Mysteries of a Modern Prehispanic Book in 1930s Kansas City” from Byron Ellsworth Hamann, Ph.D., the curatorial consultant on Painted Worlds exhibition; and a brand-new digital collection at Miller Nichols Library on campus.
Lamina K' of Codex Porfirio Diaz featuring unknown Cuicatec words
Thanks go to the Marilyn T. and Byron C. Shutz Lecture Series, the Bernardin Haskell Lecture Series and The William T. Kemper Foundation for their support of this symposium and its related lectures.
Before the event, there is also a Cockefair Chair lecture from representatives of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and New York Metropolitan Museum of Art for a coast-to-coast review of new projects that will challenge traditional art, historical and museum models. This event is also free, but a separate registration is required.
Jan 30, 2026
KC Scholar Da’Mya Thomas is overcoming imposter syndrome and finding her voice through art
Recent graduate Da’Mya Thomas is turning her lifelong passion for art into a career.
A media, art and design major at UMKC, Thomas has always seen creativity as a way to express identity and tell stories that matter. Her curiosity has led her beyond the studio into museum studies and even international travel, building a vision for a future where art connects cultures and communities.
Why did you choose media, art and design?
During middle and high school, I always felt that art was the only subject that truly challenged me to improve and create new avenues for self-expression. It really felt important to me that I was creating art that reflected the experiences or ideas of Black people. I was also the go-to family member for making any handmade gifts, so I decided to give a career in the arts a shot! Studying studio art in my first two years only allowed me to learn so much more about the field and where I can apply my knowledge.
How has your college program inspired you?
Media, art and design inspired me to delve into other career fields related to the arts, and I have come to find a great interest in art research and museum studies.
What are the challenges of the program?
Putting yourself out there, especially when expressing vulnerability, is extremely challenging. There is also the ever-present feeling of imposter syndrome. It wasn’t until I took Painting I with Ricky Allman in my second year and participated in the 2024 Student Art Exhibition that I started to feel more confident in my work.
What other extracurricular activities are you involved in at UMKC?
I am a member of the student advisory group at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. It has been an amazing opportunity to get a sneak peek into museum operations and work with the members to plan events that draw in other students!
What do you hope to take from your experiences at UMKC into your professional career?
In my professional career, I hope that I will be able to continue to travel and learn about art history in other regions. UMKC allowed me to take my first trip outside of the country to the cities of Shanghai and Yixing in China. While there, I was introduced to incredibly intricate and beautiful aspects of material culture, specifically purple clay pottery. I also met individuals who were graciously willing to teach me about their city, language and traditional practices. I believe experiences like this are extremely beneficial for the work I intend to pursue.
Jan 27, 2026
U.S. News & World Report ranks online master’s program No. 22
The UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies ranked No. 22 among the nation’s best online nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report.
According to Joy Roberts, dean of the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies, the ranking is a testament to the people that make up the master of science in nursing (MSN) program.
“We attribute this success to our expert graduate faculty, who promote evidence-based practice and are dedicated to student success,” Roberts said, “as well as to our students, who come to the program with enthusiasm, nursing experience and a love of learning.
Up 11 spots from last year’s ranking of No. 33, this marks the 14th year in a row the program ranked in the top 50 of the schools on the list. It is the top ranked program in Missouri and Kansas of the schools on the list. In addition, the 2025 graduates of the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) achieved a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX exam to become a certified registered nurse. It marks the second year in a row for the achievement.
UMKC’s many online offerings enable working registered nurses to continue providing care in their communities, while preparing them for the evolving and dynamic challenges of healthcare.
“The U.S. continues to experience a nursing shortage nationwide,” Roberts said, “and graduates of our MSN programs take positions as nursing faculty, educating new registered nurses or as nurse practitioners, caring for the people of Missouri, Kansas and throughout the country.”
Nurses with graduate degrees are in demand. Indeed, the No. 1 career of U.S. News & World Report’s 100 Best Jobs in 2026 – based on factors including salary, longevity and work/life balance – is a nurse practitioner, which requires a master’s degree.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects significant demand for nurses who have graduate degrees, driven by an aging population and a need for advanced care. The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse workforce — including nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists —is expected to grow 35% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, by 134,000 new jobs.
In 2025, nurses with graduate degrees in the U.S. command high salaries, with median annual earnings for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who have master’s or doctoral degrees. Average pay for key roles include Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists at $212,650 and Nurse Practitioners at $130,000.
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.
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 26, 2026
Matt Robertson chose UMKC for its renowned jazz faculty and location in the heart of KC
Kansas City is home to world-champion sports teams and savory barbecue, but one of its greatest claims to fame is shaping American jazz. Those roots are still strong and make the city one of the best for jazz artists to perform and perfect their craft.
“What I like about studying in Kansas City is it has a great history of jazz music, and it's also just a great place to live because there's a lot of things to do outside of music as well,” said Matt Robertson, a student in the UMKC jazz studies program.Knowing he would have regular work with talented musicians is part of why Robertson chose UMKC to pursue his master’s degree.
Photo by Patrick Oliverio | UMKC
“I knew a few people in the program, and I also knew a few people that regularly gigged in Kansas City and knew that Kansas City was a great place to be a working musician,” Robertson said. But that wasn’t the only appeal. Robertson learned UMKC faculty included legendary jazz drummer Carl Allen.“He’s an amazing drummer that I look up to, so I thought it was a great opportunity to study with him,” Robertson said. “Professor Allen is very invested in students' growth and constantly trying to push me in different ways that are very specific to what I need to work on, which is very unexpected, honestly, for someone as with such a high profile as him.”It's not just Allen. Robertson has also learned from faculty like Peter Schlamb and Roger Wilder, who have not only helped him craft his musical talent but invited him to play at gigs.
Photo by Brandon Parigo | UMKC
“The faculty at UMKC are all working musicians, which means they’ve done the thing we, as students, are all trying to do,” Robertson said. “It really helps because their teaching style is centered around us getting work like they did. Also, what comes with that is they’re also all really great players that just know how to play with people and how you can get work.”Robertson has been able to work, playing in the city’s historic 18th and Vine district, and downtown at venues like the Majestic, the Blue Room, Westport Coffee House, Vine Street Brewing Co., Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and more. It’s an opportunity not just to make a living, but to do what he loves.
Photo by Brandon Parigo | UMKC
“Performing music is honestly a very therapeutic thing for me,” Robertson said. “It allows me to express a part of myself normally, and might not want to express, because sometimes it's fun to experience the full range of emotions when you play, even if you don't want to do that all the time.”After graduate school, Robertson wants to stay in Kansas City to play before eventually playing in larger cities, like New York or Los Angeles. “Just to have the really big city experience, but Kansas City has been a great jumpingoff point for me to pursue things like that at some point.”
Jan 25, 2026
Regional leaders unite to advance a nationally significant strategy for economic growth and national security
The University of Missouri-Kansas City welcomed the National Science Foundation in January to campus for a site visit focused on the university-led Critical Materials Crossroads, a regional collaboration positioning the Kansas City area at the forefront of advanced materials innovation, regional workforce development and national security.
The site visit marked a major milestone in UMKC’s effort to lead one of the nation’s most ambitious regional strategies, bringing together more than 230 higher education, industry, government and civic partners around a shared long-term vision aiming to secure a domestic critical materials supply chain to strengthen U.S. economic and national security.
Community and civic leaders joined UMKC administrators at the site visit to demonstrate broad regional alignment and long-term commitment to the project, including:
Lana Alagha, professor at Missouri University of Science & TechnologyRonda Anderson, liaison to Missouri workforce development at Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workfoce Development Jon Arkin, chief operating officer of Arkin SalesTrent Armbrust, owner of Crossbow Strategic ConsultingRoy Blunt, former U.S. SenatorLisa Bray, dean of career and techical education and additional targeted support and improvement administrator at Metropolitan Community CollegesDeAngela Burns Wallace, president and chief executive officer of the Ewing Marion Kauffman FoundationJulie Carter, director of workforce development for Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce DevelopmentDean Chereskin, owner of MRC Midwest Electronic RecyclingIan Colrain, president and chief executive officer of MRIGlobal and UMKC TrusteeEric Couch, battery material program lead of Sun Chemical Aaron Deacon, managing director of KC Digital DriveMario Destephen, director of reseach of development for EaglePitcher TechnologiesKaren Dreiling, associate vice president of development at Great Jobs KCMatt Evans, chief executive officer and co-founder of Julius EducationDavid Frankland, chief executive officer of Enterprise KCCesar Gonzalez, executive chairman of Bonterra Resources Inc.Jim Grimes, chief audit and compliance officer at University of Missouri SystemRam Gupta, associate vice president for research strategy at Pittsburg State UniversityNathaniel Hagedorn (BBA ’02, MBA ’04), founder and chief executive officer of NorthPoint DevelopmentJason Haney, innovation and growth initiatives leader for Black & Veatch IngniteX accelerator programMike Hargett, president of CVMR USA Inc.Melissa Patterson Hazley, Kansas City, MO City Council, 3rd District at LargeDarren Hennen, vice president of OlssonPaul Holewinski, chief executive officer and president of Academy Bank and Dickinson Financial Corporation and chief executive officer of Armed Forces Bank and UMKC TrusteeMike Kehoe, Missouri governorRichard Kim, senior director of entrepreneurship for the Ewing Marion Kauffman FoundationYangchuan (Chad) King, professor at the University of Missouri in ColumbiaHeidi Lehmann, director of strategic investments, Ligo PartnersTom Lograsso, critical materials innovation hub director of Ames National LaboratoryLisa McIntosh, director of KC Rising and member of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas CityClyde McQueen, president and chief executive officer of the Full Employment CouncilGreg Miller, vice president of product engineering for EaglePitcher TechnologiesAaron North, founder and principal of Northward Consulting, in consultation with Civic Council of Greater Kansas CityDave Palmstein, managing partner for Birch Creek PartnersJonghyun Park, professor at Missouri University of Science & TechnologyMiles Sandler, director of policy and engagement of the Ewing Marion Kauffman FoundationGurpreet Singh, professor at Kansas State UniversityDavi Soares, professor at Wichita State UniversityTim Triplett, retired general counsel at Black & Veatch and member of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas CitySusan Wally, president and chief executive officer of PREP-KCDavid Warm, executive director of Mid-America Regional CouncilDarius Watson, assistant provost for academic innovation at Lincoln University
The work is a top priority for the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City and is formally recognized in the organization’s KC Investment Playbook, underscoring the initiative’s importance to the region’s economic future.
In addition, organizations including the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City Area Development Council and Port KC have taken a strong interest in the initiative and are among the regional partners.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe participated in the site visit, expressing strong support for the initiative. Governor Kehoe has previously spoken with President Donald Trump about the urgent need for this project, citing its importance to U.S. competitiveness and national security.
The initiative is one of only 15 finalists nationwide for the National Science Foundation Regional Engines award. If selected, Critical Materials Crossroads could receive up to $160 million over 10 years, the largest grant in UMKC history. Awardees will be notified this year.
Critical Materials Crossroads is projected to generate 10,000 jobs and add $17 billion in economic growth to the Kansas City region.
UMKC leaders who participated in the site visit were Anthony Caruso, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and principal investigator; UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal; Mostafizur Rahman, associate professor and co-principal investigator; Maria Meyers, vice chancellor of commercialization and entrepreneurship and co-principal investigator; Nathan Mauck, professor and co-principal investigator; Sumeet Dua, vice chancellor for research and innovation; William Highsmith, senior director of program operations; Jamie Andes, senior director of program operations; Anthony Weiss, senior director of program operations; Jeff Blackwood, director of commercialization; Darran Cairns, associate teaching professor; Eric Anderson, director of technology transfer; and Jill Meyer, senior director of technology venture studio.
This past fall, UMKC Chancellor Agrawal convened a group of UMKC Trustees and Kansas City civic leaders to advise on the best path forward for developing the Critical Materials Crossroads regional strategy. These leaders provided guidance across four key areas essential to long-term success: real estate, finance, government engagement and legal issues. They include:
Ramin Cherafat (MBA ’02), chairman and chief executive officer of McCownGordon Construction and UMKC TrusteeIan Colrain, president and chief executive officer of MRIGlobal and UMKC TrusteeTim Dunn (MBA ’12), chairman and chief investment officer of JE Dunn Construction and UMKC TrusteeWarren Erdman, retired executive vice president of Kansas City Southern Railway Dave Frantze (J.D. ’81), partner at StinsonCameron Garrison, managing partner at Lathrop GPM, member of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City and UMKC Trustee Nathaniel Hagedorn (BBA ’02, MBA ’04), founder and chief executive officer of NorthPoint DevelopmentDave Harrison, president of VanTrust Real Estate and UMKC TrusteePaul Holewinski, chief executive officer and president of Academy Bank and Dickinson Financial Corporation and chief executive officer of Armed Forces Bank and UMKC TrusteeReachel Jennings Beichley, experienced executive and general counsel and UMKC TrusteeJolie Justus (J.D. ’98), chief legal officer and general counsel for University Health and UMKC TrusteeMark Long, president and chief executive officer of Newmark ZimmerJohn Parry, member of the Missouri Development Finance Board and founder of the Parry GroupCharlie Shields, president and chief executive officer of University Health and UMKC TrusteeTim Triplett, retired general counsel at Black & Veatch and member of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City Don Wagner, private investor and general partner of Wagner Investments Michael Woods (EMBA ’11), senior vice president at Lockton Companies and UMKC Trustee
UMKC leaders who oversaw working groups are Troy Bruun, vice chancellor of finance and administration; Sheri Gormley, chief of staff in the chancellor’s office; Curt Crespino, vice chancellor of external relations and constituent engagement; and Troy Lillebo, associate vice chancellor of external relations and constituent engagement.
In the News
Critical Materials Crossroads team advances as finalist for NSF award of up to $160M over a decade | Kansas Geological Survey – University of Kansas | October 2025
UMKC project foresees big campus, 3,000 jobs, $17B impact - Kansas City Business Journal – Kansas City Business Journal | July 2025
Ingram'sUMKC Team Enters Next Step Into Building Energy Materials Campus - Ingram's – Ingram’s | January 2025
Stakeholders meet to transform Kansas City region into hub for electronics – KSHB 41 | December 2023
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Jan 23, 2026
Sue Agrawal will chair a Council for the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU)
On Wednesday mornings, before most students have even attended their first class of the day, Sue Agrawal is already at the Whole Foods parking lot. She loads boxes of donated produce, pantry staples and baked goods for the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center at UMKC.
“It might seem like a small task,” Agrawal said. “But to me, it’s one of the ways I can show our students we care about them.”
Agrawal’s hands-on involvement on campus has been clear from Day One since arriving in 2018 at the university with her husband, UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. You’ll see her cheering on the Roos at Kansas City Athletics games, attending numerous student events, helping students and their families during move-in week and co-hosting faculty and staff gatherings with the Chancellor at their home. In addition, she’s a well-known presence at civic events and serves on Kansas City regional boards.
Now Sue Agrawal’s commitment to service has earned her national attention. She has been elected chair of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities Council of Presidents’ and Chancellors’ Spouses/Partners, a role that will allow her to help shape how spouses across the country support their universities and communities.
Commonly referred to as the APLU, the association is a research, policy and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities. APLU’s 255 members span all 50 states, the District of Columbia, six U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico.
Agrawal said her goal with this position is to create a space where spouses can learn from one another, share the challenges they are facing and foster community around the leaders of colleges and universities, challenging roles that few people fully understand.
“We want spouses to feel supported,” Agrawal said. “We want them to have a place to share ideas, ask questions and learn from one another. It’s important to have a community where people can lean on each other through the challenges and learn from each other on various opportunities to elevate our universities.”
This national appointment doesn’t surprise anyone. Agrawal brings vitality and commitment to any role that she takes on.
“When I first met Sue, I was immediately impressed with her energy and excitement about becoming the campus’ ‘first lady,’” said Curt Crespino, UMKC vice chancellor of External Relations and Constituent Engagement. “She truly took the role and made it her own. She’s constantly engaging with students, attending campus events, meeting with student organizations and even hosting students together with the chancellor in their home. Sue is a tremendous asset to UMKC.”
One example of her commitment to students is her involvement with the Kangaroo Pantry at the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center that opened in the Student Union in 2022. Agrawal helped shape the vision for expanding UMKC’s food security efforts as part of the Food Security Task Force and often volunteers regularly, assisting with deliveries and greeting students. The Agrawals made a personal gift to create an endowment to support the Care Center in perpetuity and named it after her mother-in-law.
“I love the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center,” Agrawal said. “Whether I’m greeting students, weighing their items, sweeping the floors or unloading pallets once a month, it all matters. I want to do anything I can to support the students.”
Anthony Maly, director of the Office of Student Involvement, worked with Agrawal on the Food Security Task Force. He said, like everything else Agrawal was involved with, she was enthusiastic when it came to ideas on how to alleviate food insecurity on campus.
“Sue is a fierce advocate for our students and has always kept their priorities in mind,” Maly said. “When the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center opened, she volunteered to be a daily pantry manager and would check students in and organize the shelves. Now, she still helps us with deliveries and often volunteers her time to help us out. She has been instrumental in helping us grow from where we were when we first opened and has been a part of the journey every step of the way.”
Agrawal’s dedication to service is also evident through her consistent interest with student organizations such as the nationally recognized UMKC chapter of Enactus, an incubator for innovation where students tackle community needs – like helping families with car maintenance – through business solutions.
“As a student in Enactus, I had the honor of presenting our social entrepreneurship projects to Sue Agrawal, who provided insightful feedback and praised our dedication to the Kansas City community,” said Eduardo Sandoval, a sophomore double majoring in theatre and political science.
Outside UMKC, Agrawal has spent more than six years volunteering with Lead to Read KC, a nonprofit that boosts elementary students’ reading, social and emotional skills by mobilizing mentors to read one-one-one with kids. The organization also offers online tutoring and distributes books, aiming to improve literacy in schools and build confidence for academic success.
“Before I even moved to Kansas City, I immediately Googled organizations in Kansas City where I could read with kids,” Agrawal said. “I had been reading with kids at San Antonio Youth Literacy and wanted to continue my love for interacting with kids. I joined Lead to Read KC once I moved here and read to kids weekly.”
Agrawal has also served on numerous boards, including six years with Lead to Read KC, and a current position for KC STEM Alliance, a nonprofit collaborative network in the Kansas City area, connecting schools, businesses, organizations and museums to boost K-12 interest in science, technology, engineering and math.
“Some people don’t know I have an engineering background,” Agrawal said. “I actually coached a robotics team seven years. I’m looking forward to bringing those experiences to positively impact STEM education.”
KC STEM Alliance is also excited to welcome Agrawal to its advisory board.
“Her deep commitment to the Kansas City community, combined with her engineering training, makes her an incredible fit for this role,” said Chelsea Barbercheck, Ph.D., executive director of KC STEM Alliance. “Sue joins a diverse group of leaders from across the region who advise KC STEM Alliance on fiscal strategy and provide guidance on programming to inspire an interest in STEM for all kids in KC.”
Agrawal’s vast volunteer and leadership experiences have definitely prepped her to serve on a national stage with the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities as chair of the President’s and Chancellor’s Spouses/Partners Council.
Crespino notes the impact Agrawal is making not just on campus, but on a national scale.
“Chancellor Agrawal has focused on elevating the campus’s presence externally, and Sue has been key in making that happen,” Crespino said. “They are a team, and her presence sends a powerful message to the civic and business community: they’re committed to not just the university’s success, but Kansas City’s success as well.”
Doranne Hudson, board chair of the UMKC Trustees Executive Committee, echoed a similar sentiment. Sue Agrawal attends numerous community events for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Community College and Children’s Mercy, among others.
“Through her consistent presence at functions across our community, Sue Agrawal serves as a gracious ambassador for the university — strengthening relationships, fostering goodwill and representing UMKC with distinction, both alongside the chancellor and independently,” Hudson said.
When asked what she hopes to accomplish at UMKC, Agrawal’s answer is simple: “I’m here to support the university and to support my husband. If I can be a positive ambassador for UMKC, then I’m doing my job.”
Agrawal smiles when asked what she loves most about UMKC.
“There are so many things I love about UMKC, my answer changes every day,” Agrawal said. “I love the variety of high-caliber students and programs we have. You go to a men’s soccer game and see the 16th-ranked team in the country. Then you go to a Conservatory dance performance and see these performers put on an amazing performance. Then you hear a lecture from someone doing AI research on campus. We have numerous programs like First Gen Roo and Professional Escalators program to equip our students to be the most successful versions of themselves. There’s just so much that UMKC offers.”
When asked to describe UMKC in a single phrase, she pauses, then smiles again. “Growing and welcoming.”
It’s a description that mirrors her own presence on campus. Not loud. Not performative. Just consistent. Through early mornings, busy afternoons, late evenings, through small acts repeated often, Sue Agrawal has woven herself into the everyday fabric at UMKC— proof that leadership, at its most enduring, is built less on titles than on the quiet decision to show up, again and again.
Jan 23, 2026
Almost 2,000 students recognized
The University of Missouri-Kansas City encourages and celebrates the dedication required to achieve academic excellence. Each semester demands focus, commitment and perseverance. During the Fall 2025 semester, 1,967 students earned recognition on the UMKC Dean’s List.
The Dean’s List is an honor that recognizes outstanding academic performance. To qualify, students must complete the standards established by their academic unit. Eligibility is outlined in the catalog and determined using the UMKC term GPA. Qualifying students receive an official notation on their permanent academic record reflecting this achievement. If you know someone who made the Fall 2025 list, be sure to congratulate them for their achievement!Below are the Dean’s Lists for the Fall 2025 semester.
Conservatory
Jack BelmoreCaroline BlackKate BlanchardKatrina BlumbergLouaa BoudeGrace BowlesAddy BrullAlena BunkersHannah BurksGillian CalderNathan CoveyAnna CurielBen CurleyRobin DeimerlyWilliam DraperVictoria DriverFrancesca FarinaNayeli GarciaKye GarrettIsabella GastineauJacob GehrMadison GenerBrooklynn GormanPeter GrebenyukGabrielle GriggsCameron GurssHannah HaleyJack HanfordFaith HealyKendall HeckmanKaitlyn HessTimothy HoustonRuo-Ying HsiehSophie KenvillePercy KernPaige KilbyGalen KroegerElla KurtzTia KushwahaCameron LandollKennedy LaughlinMatt LeeSantino LicameliMackenzi MasonAbby MauldinReyna McdarisZoe MeinsNicole NormanLydia NovakAbigail OhmsQuin O'LaughlinDavid OosseClara PattenScarlett PfisterDillon PottsAbby RamirezAddie ReschShea RiderMicah Ruiz EsparzaRuth RydingsSam SchislerRebecca SchmidtMariah SchulzEmily SchutzelCrew ShaferKade SlaytonNatalie SmithVeronica SmithNeave SullivanRiley SwaffarSierra TapiaLily TetenAaron TsengMarie UrnessAidan Van LeerSol VeenstraIsabel YearianJohn Zhu
Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Semhar AbrahamOmar Aguilar GarciaSumaya AhmedJake AmesCollin AndrewsRobby AppleberryHannah ArchdekinCamden BakerElisha BaldwinCal BanholzerBridget BartholomausRuhi BhaktaBrady BlankenshipRachel BowermasterSydney BrensonIan BriscoeJana BruceJaqueline Cardenas TostadoDaniela Castro-CarreraJiaqi ChangYuhan ChenOlga CherniavskaChris ChiDavis ChildsAshwin ChockalingamGrace ClarkSatori ClosserBrie CoxAllie CrawfordJackson CrewsPayton Crump-McHughMary CunninghamAdriana Diaz LeguilluLina DinhRose DoanSeiry DominguezAutumn DotsonHaley DowlerRyan DunningArnela DzilicGrant ElsasAliya EmberySydney EvensonAriel FanningMiguel Fernandez NovasDavid FlemingVal FryEmmanuele GarofaloCelina GentaNadiira GhazaliWilliam GoertzenIvan GonzalezBryson GoschJohn GosseJillian GuhrHao GuoMiriya GutierrezSaid HajiJonathan HansonDelaney HarbruckerHaley HeidbrederGrace HensleyGriffin HerHaley HernandezErica HesterClaire HicksJosh HinkleTanya Hladky-BlyTruc HoErica HofferSam HulseyMissy HuntebrinkerKimber HusteadGaby JimenezLayla JohnsonBrooke JonesEmily KakieAlexander KaroutzosGrace KertzKaleb KingNatalie KingAnna KruegerBrooklyn LammersNhi LeLillian LeJeiry Lemus RamosJunyi LiYijun LiuXiaohan LiuCyrus LoarNoah LockeBrandon LopezAlec LopezEthan ManemannMariana MartinezMia Matthews-BeavenSean McDermottKatie McGrathSeth McGrewLeah McIntyreCarter McMichaelCody MeekShuxin MiaoAaron MikessellBahia Mohammed SeghirGrant MosleyShayla MurphyDan NastarowiczValerie NegreteLia NguyenJustin NguyenKhanh NguyenLily NguyenErika NunezWyatt OhnemusTreza OlimaFernando OlivaresJavier Olivares BurgosEthan OlmedoNayely OrtizJames OrtmannBryce OutmanMaura PageJaspreet PanesarAnahi PardoKira PaytonSamantha PeredaHannah PfeiferMya PhamAnalisa PhillipsJulian PrendesMarissa Presley-RobinsonZakiya RamzanAlyssa RankinsBlake ReynoldsMicaela RichardsSydney RicklefsJazmin RomoLingfeng RuanMansimran SaraiDash SchneebergMizki ShireKyle SilerCarter SimpsonJaipreet SinghElla SmithConnor SmithCarson SmithFeiyang SongJack SpencerKirsten SpildeRichard SunTiko TamiruMya Myintzu ThantEric ThibodeauSivkan ThindJaden TillerMandy TranNguyen TranIsabella TrimboliNicole TruongDavin TubbsMae TuschmanAlondra Valdez SanchezMadeline VillalobosEli VogtYue WangAdam WangChenxi WangChang XuEthan YangAngel YuanYuchen Zhao
School of Dentistry
Hayley AdairMichael AllisonRaneem AlzahabiElizabeth BackerTiffany BargmannAvery BehrendsNeil BoesChamberlain BrownsbergerCamden ChastainLexi CliftLauren ConradDrew CubaHannah DavieDrake DuganBen FergusonGiovanni FerraroJason FirthShelbi FlahautToni FraizerJackson GlynnBrayden HoushTia KahwajiKatie KannenbergNoah KurlbaumPeyton KusgenClara LindstromMaria MasonTommy MatayaJonathan McDonaldPayton MillerAbby MonroeEthan NettlerKylie NicholsJiani OsbornMichelle PalmerK-Leigh PappasLisa RaymondQuinten ReasonerSage ReichenbergerHadley SchreinerSam ScottAdam SimokaitisJustin SurberJaiden TaggartNoah TallyReagan ThornhillJuliana TomitaGrace Wilson
School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Alia AbneyShams AlarthyHope AlbertAshley AlvaAuteria AndersonAndy Angeles CamargoSherlin Angeles-MartinezMelissa AraizaWesley Atkinson-SmithSui AyeBen BalinoD'Maraee BarahonaAlyssa BarbeeDeaven BarlowJonah BennettAdrian BernalMaguy Bikene AssembeTJ BlancarteLogan BollingerCharlotte BostockJaylin BriscoeJaylie BuiPaw BwayAvery CahillJanelle CarmonaNikki CaudleMaddie CavinSarah ChangAno ChikunyaAva ChinnockTyler ClaytonAutumn ColstionForteshia CorneliusHadley CottonMakenna CoxEmily DamianBella DelacruzMartha DelatorreRaul DiazLindsay DickinsonKierstin DowCarter Dye-MasonBailee EhlersJordan FitchCorinne FogartyMichelle FormanNelly GalindoAndrea Gamboa RizoJane GaoBianca GarciaJordie GeistMacy GoetzAspyn GreenElijah GreenAbby GrowneyJoshua HannszSierra HaselhorstAva HaskinsBritnee Hawthorne - CrosbyGrace HeaterAddyson HeffnerAngelina HerrNicole HoganScott HoltNancy JaegerKatelyn JohnsonNyree JonesMarkeith JonesClaire JonesKelvin KampEmmitt KaufmanLyba KhawarGrace KiewietMadalynn KimMikaylah KingJoyce KingKennedy KingMara KuglerAlyssa LaShureElise LehneValerie LittlejohnErin MagelNatalie MarrantAudrey MartensMorgan MashburnCate MaxeyJamie McCleadJossie McClellandBrianne McGovernMia McGuireMikenna MeadowsAlexia MelanderBelen Mendoza SotoLogan MillerAva MooreJules MortonBrooke NewtonCiCi NguyenJessie O'DellEmma OerlyCali OesterleMichelle OgazStella OlimeMac OppermannLynden OsbornLauren ParkerNatalie PeaceJake PerimanNatalie PhalpAinsley PickeringKylynn PorterLilianne PrimeauxAna Puentes RezaRonnie QuickSohyla RahimiArriana RichardsonEmma RobinsonSarah RobinsonNatalia RosalesJulia RossMckenna RowlandTy RusticiPaige SanfordCandy SarresJasmin ScherbringJulian SchrickNatalie SeguraLucy ShivelyMariana Simental GrijalvaAdriana SpanglerBrijet SunTarah TavisKalani TaylorAbrielle ThackerAbby ThimmeschTrevor TimkoValeria Trejo-SandovalDhwani TripathiLiliana van EijndtEmely VelasquezMessiah WallsBrooke WalterJadynne WattsSean WesselKy WilliamsGarrett WilliamsLyric Williams-McGuireAdrienne WilsonThistle WolfHarper YoungWil YoungEthan Zawaski
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Rebecca AbebeTanvi AgrawalArely Aguilar-DenaYusuf AhmedHira AhmedAyan AhmedSakina AkbarYaretzi Alaffa-CoronaElizabeth AllenEve AlmansouriAlejandra AlmarazMik AlonMax AlvarezMohammed AmerJocelyn AmparanNatalie AndersonParker AngottiAffan AnsariCarolyn AppletonIsabel Arreola-AvilesEmaan ArshadRenee AshleyAva AsliniaSulei AtiehLaila AtkinsAlex BachtellTanvi BandaruAshlyn BandelierSophia BarlagEden BarnesAlissa BerrieKaitlyn BerryKayla BiggsEmily BinnickerJayda BlackwellAyesha BobatHanna BoberHaya BodaJosephine BoosmanElla BowmanAna BrandelLiam BransonMicah BredehoeftElyse BredfeldtLee BridgmanMax BrodyMichelle BrownOncey BrownKate BruntzTara BudampatiSamantha BurkheadSam BurnsIvy ByersBrinlea CalaisGenesis CampbellNatalie CarrollSy CartwrightLaura CastellanoLeticia Castillo-LopezCarver ChaneyMadelyn ChavezOlivia ChristensenShelbie ChristoffersonAkaria ClarkAlexis ClarkChristina CloughElizabeth CloverSarah CochranMorgan ColeAurelia ColletteTaylor CookTaylor CovertKylee CoxLuke CozadAnnabelle CrappellAshley CrockettLilah Crum BarnhillAdelina CurielWillow DavisAidan DavisLilith DavisRyan DekatSteve DesouzaOlivia DevryWendy DiazKaylene DollarChristian DossTina DowneyAaliyah DuckettRussell DunnVia EasterBrogan EberlyIvy ElliottDayne EvansLyric EvansAndrew FarrisRae FellLaney FischerChloe FischerKatie FitzgeraldCassandra FloresMcKaylie ForrestNick FotiadesDylan FreemanSamantha FrockLikitha GaddipatiKarina GaleasJasmine GamelIxchel GarciaAngelika GarcianoKiyah GarlingtonCarlie GeiseKevin GillAmulya GiradaMelissa Gonzalez GonzalezIshita GorjalaHaasini GorrepatiRebekah GrantBrylan GriestNatalya GruzdEmani GuerinTanzil GuptaMahtab HadjianShicagolyn Hams ScrogginsSara HanonBrianna Hardesty-BiondoIsabel HarrymanSafio HassanLauren HeathClara HeikenSamantha HendersonTj HenleyYency Hernandez-SanchezEve HerrMelissa HerreraKate HigginsKatarina HillLauricella HoedlTrent HoglandSienna HoopingarnerJacob HortonAva HrabanKarissa HsuAmy HurleyChloe HusbandsHana IlahiAhmed IqbalFatima IqbalCara JacobNabeeha JalaliJustin JangAshwika JaniKatelyn JanishRayne JasoniChristian JespersenValentina Jimenez-ValenciaKassidy JohnsonDaniel JonesCameron JonesKarli JonesNick KamatovicAveney KandiahKatelyn KaysGrant KellerDaniel KennedyKhadija KhanNatalie KiesKaitlynn KnippJoseph KnowlesAnusri KoditipalliSamanyu KoduriPrithvi KoneruNora LahmannOwen LanioJarissa LaraWil LasaterKaitlyn LaveryWesley LawsJulienne LeonardScarlett LewandowskiRamiyah LewisVance LiGianna LickelPhillip LongTaylor LopezGracie LoreySamantha LussoLauren MageeDiya MakkapatiAlondra Maldonado-EscamillaTorie MallingerCaden ManchesterKrish ManekMayzie MangosKylie MarshallZoey MarshallBrianna MartinTanner MartinSofia MartinezEmma McdonaldDade McDonaldKamyron MebaneElleanora MemanItzel MendezRachel MengHeidy Mera ParedesDallin MerrillAnnamarie MilanoJocelyn MirandaLola MoiseYasmina MokhtarKinleagh MonroeJay MooreMelissa MurpheyMegan Myers-WearyDiya NairAnanya NairSaichaitanya NallajennugariElijah NelsonAquila NgoSteven NickellMina NoumanAllen NunezLexi OkoyeAbby OldhamMichelle Oliva-EspinosaAlexa OmorodionTah Ja'e PaigeAntara PanwarRyan PasleyRahi PatelJai PatelPari PatelAngelina PearsonBunny PedersonCharlotte PeetzAriana PerchesLana PeregrinaTaron PetselCross PezzettiSamantha PhillipsCaitlin PickertSantosha PochirajuJack PowerAudrey PruessnerAla'a QariniArthur QualmanHomyra RahimiMegan RahnDemitra RailsbackAlina RainesArchi RajRhayne RamosSophia RamosSarah ReedCeline ReedWilla ReustAlisa ReznikMadelyn RiffeeIsabella RobinsonAngelica RodriguezBen RossiterOlivia RubioSaira RuelasBrady RuksJoy RyanWyatt SabinasJouhel SalinasAnahi SandovalSamantha Santibanez-RuedaKaitlyn SchebaumIsabelle SchroederAbby SchutteAlicia ScioliBrooke SeppiVictor SewankamboTalia ShachtmanAwais ShahidBelah ShanksAliyah ShawSofia SheltonDelaney ShieldsEmily ShoemakeEvan ShoryRob ShresthaEllie SidorukZa'Carriah SimmonsJonathan Siriano CervantesSamrita SivasankarAsia SkillmanSophia SlocombJonathan SmithEmma SmithHarry Soper PlazaOviya SrihariElaina StefanskiLaila StevensonTyler Stone-HowertonZachary StoryAlissa StrayhornJake StumpenhausJazlyn SummersVictoria SuttonAlesha SyedRhonya TalibLyric TaylorAva TeplyAlvincent ThaiDa'Mya ThomasRyan ThomasEmma ThomasLauren TiefryAvery TiemannEmily TownsPasquale TrozzoloHannie TruongStella TurnerReana Van VoorstMeaghan VandeheyNivriti VaranasiEmma VarelaLily VelazquezPedro Vicentin RezendeIya WakilKenneth WalkerCharlotte WalkerAngelle WashingtonLuke WatkissZane Watt HovenBrian WendelmanIsabella WhiteChristina WholeyKyra WilburnSophia WildeConstantin WilliamsRebekah WilliamsBrett WilsonGrace WinklerJamyah WinterGavin WithamAlexandria WoerthLayla WrenAlessandra XibiliaSarah YacoubRosie YanceySatya YarasiZhenos ZakiBlaine ZekariasSophie Zinman
School of Law
Jadyn AdamsClayton AdkinsAndrew AlticSonny AlvaradoDominic AmmatelliIsabelle ArmourTiara ArtiesRebekah ArwoodKelsy AustwickMason BarrettMichelle BarrineauAshley BartonJoseph BazataJohn BelfonteRaef BellBrianna BellamyAlexa BergstromCameron BerryAshlyn BestEmma BeuerleinHope BiancoNicholas BlumeJenniece BooneQuintin BossertNathan BothwellAlexandra BowerBrent BoydKenn BoyleGrace BrunerHarrison BurchfieldKarima BurnsMarin CareyJosie CareyKenzie CarsonAmanda CastillejaMatt ChampagneMolly ChasteenTimothy CheadleBrian ChristianMikayla ClarkJesse ClaypoolThomas CluckSophia CocoPhilip ColeLiam ConnellyMakenna CopelandBobbie CrewTaylor CullenIan CuthbertAustin CutlerPadriac DaBruzziBrooke DaughertyTrinity DelaneyMichael DerusseauKendall DillonMackenzie DouglasNatalie EberlySavannah EcclesMarion EichholtzLilythe EighmyRiley FahrenholzNoah FanslerAngelina FerraraClementina FerraroKatie FiferCarson FinkMichael FinneganBrady FiolaMatthew FischbachCaroline FishNatelee ForbesHannah FordJoanna FowlstonRies FreemanJoey GambleDanny GamezVictoria GardnerErica GarrettKirby GarrettCharlie GenglerDoug GraceJack GrahamEthan GraySophie GreenCameron GreenErika GreerAbigail GuimbellotJoseph GutierrezHarper HaganBethany HalsteadJoseph HardyChristine HarpeGlenne HarvellGrant HeimanRiley HeitmanJay HellebuschMax HellerAlex HerringTorri HicksCalvin HolleBrett HoukGrant HouskeLukas HudsonAlison HuffTownshend HurtClayton HutchinsMatthew HyattAntonina InfrancaOlivia JabaleyRyan JacobsenMason JohannesCat JohnsonMaggie JohnsonGabe JohnsonClaire JoskiJack KanzlerKatherine KarnatzMaria KenneyColin KieltyCole KingsleyWilliam KirkpatrickSamuel KissuuNatalie KnappKaitlin KnetzkeSalenna LaffoonAlexander LangstonBrenna LarkinLauren LawsonMandy LawsonJacob LeamonJilliane LewisLauren LipariReilly LouderKyle MacfarlaneJenna ManzelliRachel MartinMatthew MartiniRob MasseyKyle MassonJillian MayElizabeth McCarthyCaroline McCurdyDaniel McGovernGrady McIntyreAli McKeeBruce Mena-SierraChaz MercerMyra MilamKaleb MillerAddison MillerErin MillerDavis MillerBrett MordecaiDelaney MoserAnnie MullenEmma MurphyInfinatasia NadingKyle NelsonKendal NilgesKenneth NormanMegan NormanHunter O'ConnorHannah OlivarezEthan OliverJohn Olomon-HowellAsh OnstottNoah ParkinsSara PauleyMegan PilegeTaylor PinonKirsten PintoNicholas PolitteKaylee PopejoyHayley PrinsCaleigh QuinnAnthony QuinnSamuel RackersZachary RainesNicholas ReckerJoshua RepplingerKarley ReynoldsErin RichardsHailey RichardsJessica RigbyRamon RodriguezJillian RogersChristopher RogersCarrigan RohachAnna RomoMichael RoseTaylor RoseAnthony RossPeter RottinghausRyan RoushAlessandro Rubio Lopez SantibanezKelee RussNoah RyanEthan SahudinYara SalamedAndrea SchafferClaire SchallenbergJoseph ScholtenKatie SchultzRobert SchwindMargaret SelfEmersyn ShaltonTanner SheltonPersis ShibuBrent ShinkleTaylor ShoemakerMadison ShueySophia SilvaDiego SilvaJoseph SkojacDaniel SlaybaughSamantha SmithKathryn SopcichWill SpeidelAndrew StaffordKatherine StanziolaRiley SteenstraMacy SteinlageKaylee StillieSarah SummersCorrine SurrattAnna Syptak-WelchAlaine TateMaxson TechauJake ThompsonGabrielle ThurnReece TreasureAlexander TrueSumeya TummalaDerek van ThullenarAbby VandiverJaquelin Veloz-CisnerosKristin VillaIsabella VillegasE Josef VothDanielle WagnerNathaniel WallaceDaniel WalshLandon WebbJake WillenbringRiley WilliamsLauren WinterHeather YatesWilliam YoungsLogan ZabelJesse ZeckCamron ZerrDylan ZieglerOtto ZinnGrant Zykan
School of Nursing and Health Studies
Salma AbdelrahmanShadia AbdikadirLexi AdamecYaretzy Aguirre CamachoYamam AliReanna AlshalabiHiba AlterjalliReem AlterjalliTheresa AlvarezLillian ArnoldMati BaerElla BaileyMaddie BallingerMia BatistaJudy BattsDaniela BautistaCatLinh BeckettVanessa BoltenZoe BradfordElasia BradleyAmelia BreuerKatie BuehlerSavannah BurnettTacee CatlettKayla CoatesRiley ColeBrevyn ColeAnnabel ColonBrenna CroninElaina CroninAisha DialloJasmin DuranDaniel EmbreyLyric EwingHanna FarahzadIsabelle FishKayla FraserJulissa Gaona - LoyaKatelyn GendronOlivia GholsonKristen GirardierAliyah GreenLeah GreenwaldAnya GriffinMicayla GutierrezFahima HaidariMalena HamiltonSu HanMalia HarrisCambria HartHayley HastingsHalle HeerenKathryn HeminghausJaycee HenryAlexis HiebertCecelia HinesGlenne HinkleRio HoffmanSahra HusseinAliza IjazVeronica JacksonEmely Jaramillo-MirandaLillian KamlerGabby KatzKenzie KennicuttSkyla KinchenIlaria KnaptonJulianna KuyMolly LaFolletteGrace LendtHannah LindGrace LiviaKennedy LucasLuke MarkleyElizabeth MartinezOla MattiDaniela MendezMcKenzie MoburgRuqiyo MohamedIsaac MontgomeryEdgar Montoya-OrtizMaximo Morales-ReynaBrooke MuehlingMahat MuhamudAndrea MulfordNatalie NguyenTaryn NicholsKatie NobleSalma NoorAlex OffuttAttyson O'keeffeBella OkwuegbunamPeyton OsborneMumtaza OsmanJoselyn Percastegui MartinezKassandra Perez OropezaBryanna PlankerOlivia PlattChloe PopeRae'ven PorterLaci PowellLexi PribylKaylee ReiserVanessa ReyesGrace RichardsGray RobisonRachel RonquilloAshley RosalesShannon RoseSam Ruiz-BehrendsMadi RussellTristan RyanLydia SaflyJohana SanchezNeri SantosNoelle SchmidtIsaac ScottMalaika ShahidMichaiah ShoresRya SmithLaChe' SmithPaloma SolorioOlivia SommerKarsyn StehlikAddi SuttonEnzue TangAn'Jolise TaylorRuth ThaoNatalie TillMeleonilehua TongaJenny TranMakayla TraylorSierra TrippAnahi Valenzuela GarciaBethany VandenburgDiego Vega RicardezBridgette VelasquezMel VentersCaden VoTa'Mia WatsonMarissa WhitmerLinda WhitsellMarissa WinseaChloe XiongCarson YantziValencia YzaguirreJazmin ZepedaBethany Ziebarth
School of Pharmacy
Nabaa AbdulhafezCaitlin AlmquistHaley AndersonBrooke AtchisonSydney BakkerAbbey BartlettSharon BaskaranAlex BiglerEthan BillupsLogan BlazekKayla BondZach BosRebekah BostonWeston BoswellKamden BoydKiara CarpenterYumiko ChenCarson CormierKarina CoxReese DiskoEmily DunnMia EhrhartMaddie EppleKaycee FactorSydney FalterBrock FisherCarson FlakeJulia FlynnMariah FranciscoBri FrerkingMarian FrizzellJocelyn FrumpKiley GarrettKiley GebhardtKate GeorgeDelainey GodbyTanyaa GurushankarSeth HammackRachel HarmanDarra HarperRose HauserCarter HawkinsDrew HedrickJoshua HendersonDayne HerlKevin HoKayla HolmgrenJacob HoltmeyerCollin HunterJudah JerlsCaitlin KearnsAlison KeverMaya KivistoCourtney KneseAllie LawrenceMichael LuDrew McAreavySarah MenseCory MeyersMadyson MinkerMaddie MooreElizabeth MullinsPayton NeubauerMary Grace NgTam NguyenLuca NguyenHailey OeschYoung OhBrittany ParkerHayden PaulsIsabella PetryJenna RainsLexi RiggsLydia RollerJulie RueckertJoseph SalazarAlan ScalziSavannah SchludeChris SimkinsGisele SimonJohn StriblingAli TehraniRene TellmanTerry ThachTraeten ThorellEmily TiedeEmra TmusicPeter TranTommy TranTony TranCorrina TrimbleBrett TurnerDominick VittoneEmma WalkerMatney WatersPeri WelchLogan WestWill WhiteClara WiedemanMaddie WilliamsAnna WinelandAllison WinklerKait WryeLauren YoungbloodJefferson Zhong
School of Science and Engineering
Aymen AbboodHashim AbdullaZaid Abu-SalahLexy AguilarEmilio Aguilar GutierrezMichelle AguileraHafsa AhmedCameron AkhtarNoor Al-Hussaini Al - HussainiSadia AlamHanna AlemuKarrar AljabaraYaseen AllanHillary AllenAdel AlotaibiMansoor AlqahtaniDareen AlqrainiLatifah AlrashedElham Al-SharhaniRukhsar Hareer AmanDivenderjit Amarjit SinghViraj AminShalya AnandLance AndersonShayaan AnisAbrahim AnsariNicolas AponteHalena Aquino-DunkinYordanka ArauzJulia ArriolaSamantha Arroyo-PichardoJeremiah ArthurDerek AshdownIbrahim AssafKeeli AustinAmulya BabburiWisal BabikirCatherine BahadursinghAshling BahadursinghBoubacar BaldeElaina BaldwinLaiba BalochRachel BangGavin BartonHanva BassembatJoravar BassiLucy BeckenbachCole BeckerLauren BeiterLuke BelmoreSalma BensahriAnnalisa BergLiya BerhanuMauricio BernalLogan BeshearsElle BetzSiya BhaduGarry BhullarCaden BichselJacob BiddingerDipsika BiswaEmma BjornstadSonja BleierDavid BoatrightFredrick BodenhausenKate BoosmanElla BooteRyann BowmanKiley BozungNico 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University College
Isabella AlmaguerItzel ArevaloChristian CastrejonHelen ChapmanFranchesca CordatoChase FaulknerTristan FeenerPiper FreemanZoelie HerreraCristal Irenia De Los SantosAnarha JobohamZoe JuarezClaire LahmannMarijke LewisIsaiah ManchesterPhilino MarquezJacqueline Martinez-HuertaAisha MohamoudMikey MookAxel SanchezCadence Weichert
If a student’s name does not appear on the list, please direct questions to the appropriate school or college.
Jan 22, 2026
Tiffany S.W. Hamilton (BLA ’03, M.A. ’09) is this year’s Defying the Odds Alumni Award winner
Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association recognizes outstanding alumni achievements with an awards celebration. Tiffany S.W. Hamilton (BLA ’03, M.A. ’09) is the Class of 2026 Defying the Odds Award recipient.
When Tiffany Hamilton walked onto the University of Missouri–Kansas City campus as a first-generation college student, she carried more than just books. A mother to a four-year-old, she was determined to rewrite a narrative said to be impossible.
“When you encounter a ‘no,’ you do not stop. You find the ‘yes.’ You find the way,” Hamilton said. “For me, that reserve has always been perseverance.”
Her journey began with a full academic scholarship in computer science. Sixteen weeks before graduation, she made a bold pivot.
“Pursuing something I knew was not aligned with my story simply did not feel right,” Hamilton said. “Living a life authored by someone else’s expectations was never going to free me.”
She switched her major to liberal arts, a decision that required courage and creativity. That choice set the stage for a career dedicated to helping people. Hamilton rose through the ranks at UMKC, from a student to serving as Director of Multicultural Student Affairs and Assistant Dean of Students for Student Success.
Her leadership eventually extended beyond Kansas City with roles at Westchester Community College and later at Pace University, where she helped launch the Barry M. and Jackie Gosin Center for Equity and Inclusion with a $2 million gift. Today, as CEO of the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester, she leads one of the region’s most influential nonprofits, serving thousands through programs in housing, childcare, youth empowerment, economic advancement and wellness. A proud member and current president of the Westchester Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Hamilton also serves on the boards of Nonprofit Westchester and the Urban League of Greater Kansas City.
Through every role, Hamilton has lived by her motto: Lead by serving and gain by giving. Whether mentoring students, advocating for systemic change or mobilizing resources for families in need, her leadership is rooted in service.
“Sometimes serving means recognizing the need and mobilizing the right support,” she said. “Leadership requires attentiveness, humility and a willingness to respond even when the solution is not within your own skill set.”
Her story has come full circle. The young woman who started her UMKC career as a teen mom now leads organizations, wins national competitions like MSNBC’s “Know Your Value” and inspires audiences as a keynote speaker. Her daughter, Imani, is a college graduate who like her mother, went on to receive her master’s degree.
“At UMKC, Tiffany soared,” said Carla Conway Wilson (B.S. ’88), a former athletic director at UMKC and the winner of the 2018 Spotlight Alumni Award. “She received both a bachelor's degree and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration while raising her daughter to follow in her footsteps.”
Hamilton’s legacy is in helping others author their own chapters.
“I often ask young people, ‘What would you do every day for free because you love it that much?’ If the answer doesn’t align with your major, make adjustments,” she says. “Staying the course doesn’t mean staying stuck; it means staying true.”
Jan 20, 2026
Kansas City emerges as a contender to lead America’s critical materials future through innovation, workforce development and regional collaboration
The National Science Foundation conducted a site visit this week at the University of Missouri-Kansas City for Critical Materials Crossroads, a bold regional initiative designed to secure America’s supply of the materials that power modern life and define the nation’s economic and technological future.
The visit marks a pivotal moment for the UMKC-led effort in collaboration with more than 50 stakeholders across Missouri and Kansas with endorsements from its top officials, including former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt and Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe. Critical Materials Crossroads was selected in 2025 as one of just 15 finalists nationwide out of 285 proposals for the National Science Foundation’s highly competitive Regional Innovation Engines program.
Following the site visit, the National Science Foundation is expected to announce awardees later this year. If selected, awardees may receive up to $160 million over 10 years, which would be the largest grant in UMKC history. But the vision of Critical Materials Crossroads extends well beyond funding.
What began as a research proposal has grown into a coalition of more than 230 partners across Missouri and Kansas, spanning industry, higher education, capital investment firms, government, workforce organizations and community leaders — united around a shared belief that the Midwest can lead the next era of American innovation.
Critical Materials Crossroads represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a new industry in the heart of the United States — one rooted in discovery, advanced manufacturing and workforce development, and focused on materials essential to batteries, artificial intelligence systems, aerospace technologies, medical devices and clean-energy infrastructure.
“The National Science Foundation site-visit panel brought the diligence, expertise, and rigor that exemplify the Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate,” said Anthony Caruso, UMKC vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and the project’s principal investigator. “Their thoughtful engagement reflects the hard work behind the TIP Directorate’s mission and reinforced both the national importance of this effort and the promise of what this region is building together for the nation.”
At full scale, Critical Materials Crossroads would establish an integrated, end-to-end ecosystem across hundreds of acres in the Kansas City region. Plans include world-class research laboratories, pilot- and demonstration-scale processing facilities, advanced manufacturing operations, workforce training centers offering degree and apprenticeship pathways, and startup incubators designed to translate discovery into real-world impact.
The economic and societal implications are profound. By 2036, the initiative could support more than 10,000 total jobs, generate $40 billion in gross regional output and add $17 billion to the regional economy while strengthening national supply chains and expanding access to high-quality careers.
As the nation looks to rebuild domestic supply chains and compete in strategically vital industries, Critical Materials Crossroads positions Missouri and Kansas not just as participants — but as leaders — at the intersection of research, manufacturing and workforce development.
“The National Science Foundation site visit affirmed the strength of our vision and the extraordinary collaboration behind Critical Materials Crossroads,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. “The reviewers saw a region aligned around a shared mission — to advance research and national security, create opportunity and help secure America’s future through innovation.”
Jan 14, 2026
Local developer will renovate houses into quality single-family homes
The University of Missouri-Kansas City has entered into an agreement to sell 10 UMKC-owned properties south of the Volker Campus to CORE Urban Renew, a Kansas City-based developer specializing in the renovation and creation of high-quality, market-rate housing. The agreement is part of UMKC’s plan to return these homes to owner-occupied use.
In April 2024, the university issued a request for proposals for a pilot program of 10 properties to begin revitalizing its holdings in the Rockhill Crest neighborhood, which generally spans the area of 53rd Street to 55th Street and Holmes Street to Troost Avenue.
Karen Reilly and Steve Cook, the partners of CORE Urban Renew, are looking forward to getting started on the revitalization of the century-year-old houses. Each brings both personal and professional experience to the project that gives them a deep understanding of what it takes to successfully return properties like these to stable, owner-occupied use. In addition to living in nearby neighborhoods in older homes, they have led multiple redevelopment efforts involving century-old houses, restoring and repositioning them as high-quality, single-family homes.
The CORE Urban Renew team will lead comprehensive, top-to-bottom restorations of the century-old houses — upgrading structural systems and modernizing interior layouts and finishes while carefully preserving the historic character and architectural details that define the Rockhill Crest neighborhood. “Everything in the homes will be touched inside and outside with energy efficiency and curb-appeal enhancements,” Reilly said.
This is a partnership built on a shared vision and mutual trust among UMKC, our neighbors and CORE Urban Renew,” said Troy Bruun, UMKC vice chancellor of finance and administration. “These homes will contribute to a thriving, welcoming, owner-occupied neighborhood that will benefit all involved.”
Over the years, UMKC supporters have purchased or donated homes immediately south of the Volker Campus. The university contracts with a property management company to maintain and lease these properties. UMKC has long engaged neighbors about the area, and in 2023 began more focused conversations with the UMKC Neighborhood Advisory Council on the development of a potential RFP to address the future of the properties. Neighbors’ input helped shape the RFP’s language and reinforced the shared goal of returning the properties to stable, owner-occupied housing. As with any older homes, many of these properties now require significant repair, and this new solution of returning them to owner-occupied homes is a positive one for neighbors.
“I love the vitality and variety in my UMKC neighborhood, and I applaud the university’s efforts to strengthen and stabilize the area through its focus on selling homes to families,” said Pat Gallagher, Rockhill Crest representative on the UMKC Neighborhood Advisory Council. “I’m sure all residents of Rockhill Crest are appreciative of the university’s thoughtful and careful approach to property sales that benefit buyers, neighbors and the entire university community.”
Jan 13, 2026
New site at the University of Missouri in Columbia increases access to rural healthcare needs
Founded in 2014, the UMKC Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant Program is a seven-semester program that offers interdisciplinary learning, allowing future physicians and physician assistants to train together. It is also one of the most selective programs in the United States at just 20 students per cohort.
“It’s desirable to have that size,” said Eric Johnson, program director. “We knew that if we were going to grow, we’d still want the feel of a small cohort.”
Physician assistants are in demand. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report listed physician assistant as one of the most in-demand careers in the nation with a median salary of $130,000.
A satellite location in Columbia allows UMKC to expand the program for this in-demand field without sacrificing cohort size.
“The University of Missouri approached us about opening a program, and we saw an opportunity to collaborate,” Johnson said. “It allows both of our medical schools to share resources, support students and address workforce shortages, especially in rural areas surrounding Columbia.”
The Columbia site will enroll 10 students in January 2026, growing to 20 by 2028. Students and faculty will be housed at the MU School of Medicine, which is also where students will receive coursework and where faculty offices will be. Faculty on both campuses will teach all students in the collective cohort, with some lessons occurring virtually.
"The rural setting in Columbia was a significant part of its appeal," said Lexi Bohnert, year one physician assistant student. "I grew up in a small town and gained experience working in rural medicine during my undergraduate education. I am passionate about serving rural and medically underserved communities, where access to healthcare is often limited. As a provider, I plan to extend the reach of quality healthcare to communities that need it most."
UMKC has hired a professor for the Columbia location, with plans to hire four new faculty members in total. The program was accredited in June.
“We’re grateful for the collaboration,” Johnson said. “This is a big step forward for the program and the communities we serve.”
The expansion to Columbia is an extension of UMKC’s long history of investments in expanding healthcare access to rural areas in Missouri.
In addition to the PA program, since 2005, UMKC has provided a pharmacy program at MU and since 2014 at Missouri State University in Springfield. In 2021, UMKC started a School of Medicine program at Mosaic Life Center in St. Joseph, and in 2025, opened a School of Medicine building. UMKC is seeking to expand its School of Dentistry in St. Joseph.
Jan 12, 2026