Five things to know about the nearly 150-year-old riverboat bell and its remarkable journey to the University Walkway
There is a new — and old — UMKC tradition ringing in this school year.
The historic bell now standing along the University Walkway may seem like a new addition to campus, but its story stretches back nearly 150 years. Before arriving at UMKC in the 1930s, the bell traveled the Ohio and Missouri rivers, survived a shipwreck and spent decades marking the rhythm of university life.
Now restored to a place of prominence on campus, it has plenty of stories to tell.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wolff | UMKC
It got its start on riverboats.
Long before it rang across the UMKC campus, the bell traveled America’s rivers. It was originally aboard a riverboat called the Warsaw, which made runs on the Ohio River. It later moved to the Jo Horton Fall, renamed the Valley Queen when the boat transferred to the Missouri River, carrying freight and passengers between Kansas City and Omaha. The bell also spent time aboard a tugboat at the Kansas City river wharf.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wolff | UMKC
It survived a shipwreck.
In May 1934, the Valley Queen struck a snag — a fallen tree or other wooden debris lodged in the riverbank — and sank. All passengers and crew escaped safely.
The bell was among the items salvaged from the wreck and purchased by Howard P. Treadway, a founding trustee of the then-University of Kansas City. He later donated it to the university, where it was installed in the tower of the liberal arts building, now Haag Hall.
It once signaled the start of classes.
For 15 years, the bell rang multiple times a day over the Volker Campus to mark the beginning of classes. But its role extended well beyond the daily schedule.
Students raced to the tower to ring it when Clarence Decker was announced as the university’s new president. It also rang to mark visits by U.S. presidents and international dignitaries, including President Harry Truman, Mexican President Miguel Alemán and a prime minister of Pakistan. And when Treadway died in 1939, the bell rang in his honor.
It fell silent for decades.
As UMKC grew and class schedules became more varied, ringing a bell to signal the start of classes no longer made sense. The bell made a special return for the university’s 50th anniversary, but after that, it remained silent for more than 40 years.
Photo by Brandon Parigo | UMKC
It went “missing” for a while.
After decades of silence, UMKC Campus Facilities believed the bell had been removed when air conditioning was installed in Haag Hall in the 1990s.
Then came 2020. When campus closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, campus historian Chris Wolff, who also manages the UMKC Bookstore, decided to solve the mystery. Air-conditioning ducts blocked access to the tower, but from the roof, he spotted it: The bell was still there, in its original UMKC home.
Campus Facilities Director Robbie Wren worked to restore the bell in the tower before it was eventually moved to its new home along the University Walkway, near Swinney Recreation Center. And this August, after a long silence, the bell rang once again, this time to welcome a new generation of Roos at Convocation.
A nearly 150-year journey from riverboat to shipwreck to university landmark has come full circle. And that’s a UMKC tradition that’s music to our ears.
Sep 02, 2026
Seven outstanding students join the university’s prestigious scholarship program
The University of Missouri-Kansas City Trustees’ Scholars Program is one of the university’s highest honors for first-time college students. A collaboration between UMKC and the UMKC Board of Trustees, the program provides scholars with a fully funded education along with access to mentorship, professional connections and unique leadership and experiential opportunities.
Trustees’ Scholars are interviewed and selected for their academic achievement, leadership potential and commitment to making an impact in their communities. Throughout their time at UMKC, scholars are paired with Trustee mentors who provide guidance and connections as they pursue their academic and professional goals.“The Trustees’ Scholar Program is the signature program of the board,” said Cameron Garrison, board chair of the UMKC Trustees. “Nurturing the next generation of leaders for Kansas City and beyond is a key objective of the program, and one I wholeheartedly believe in. These scholars are living examples of why we do what we do as board members. They remind us of the importance of our work and make us proud of our impact and contributions to the university.”
The 2026 class includes students from multiple different states, with a wide range of academic interests ranging from biology to art history.
Alizah Alvarez Chedzoy
Alvarez Chedzoy is from Topeka, Kansas, and is studying biology as a pre-med student. She is especially excited about the research opportunities available at UMKC. Alvarez Chedzoy moved to Topeka as a sophomore and has already earned a research certificate. She is honored to receive the Trustees’ scholarship and looks forward to making the most of her next four years at UMKC.
Lydia Fantahun
Fantahun is from Maryland Heights, Missouri, and is studying biology. She hopes to become a cardiologist or ophthalmologist and continue touching lives through medicine by attending the UMKC School of Medicine.
Savannah Jackson
Jackson is from Edwardsville, Illinois, and is studying economics with plans to attend law school. Jackson is particularly proud of her time as a drum major in high school, an experience that required dedication and passion while also giving her the opportunity to mentor younger drum majors. Watching those students grow has been especially meaningful to her, and she hopes to receive that same kind of support as a Trustees’ Scholar.
Gracelyne Logan
Logan is from Purdy, Missouri, and is studying political science as a pre-law student. She hopes to become a civil rights attorney and has long been passionate about speaking up for her fellow students. Logan said her parents have jokingly called her a “public defender” because of her willingness to advocate for others. She is proud to have made the transition from a small town to a big city while finding a community and a home at UMKC.
Sophia Menden
Menden is from Brandon, South Dakota, and is studying accounting. She hopes to work for a large accounting firm and eventually become the chief financial officer of an NFL team. While in high school, Menden and a friend started a DECA club in their small town, and she is excited to continue exploring new organizations and opportunities at UMKC.
Jaclyn Morton
Morton is from Wildwood, Missouri, and is studying art history. She hopes to become a cultural anthropologist and eventually work as a curator, using artwork and storytelling to help people connect with history and culture. Morton looks forward to beginning her college journey and building the relationships and experiences that will shape her future.
Annie Rhoney
Rhoney is from Belton, Missouri, and is studying biology as a pre-dentistry student. She hopes to attend the UMKC School of Dentistry and eventually specialize in orthodontics. Rhoney has visited UMKC many times through school field trips and chemistry classes and is excited to now call the university home. In high school, she created an after-school tutoring program and hopes the program continues to inspire other students. She is hoping to use the opportunities at UMKC to build a meaningful career and give back to her community.
Sep 01, 2026
Students can earn a Master of Arts in Teaching in just one year after completing their bachelor's degree
For students who dream of becoming middle school, high school or K-12 teachers, the path to the classroom doesn't have to begin with an undergraduate education degree. Instead, University of Missouri-Kansas City's 4+1 Master of Arts in Teaching program allows students to earn a bachelor's degree in the subject they want to teach before completing a Master of Arts in Teaching, also known as a MAT, in just one additional year.
The 4+1 program is available to students pursuing bachelor's degrees in content areas that align with Missouri teacher certification, including subjects such as English, history, mathematics, biology, chemistry, art and music. Students apply to the program during their undergraduate studies, complete prerequisite coursework and maintain the required academic standing before transitioning into the MAT program during their fifth year.
The program is specifically designed for students pursuing secondary education careers, allowing students to build expertise in the subject they want to teach before seamlessly transitioning into graduate-level teacher preparation.
That flexibility attracted students like Benjamin Lewis, who is pursuing a career as an art teacher through the 4+1 program. By majoring in art before entering the MAT program, Lewis is developing both the artistic foundation and classroom skills needed to inspire future students.
“Originally, I thought I was going to have to take a nontraditional route and get an alternative certification later,” Lewis said. “I heard about the 4+1 program while I was working as a student ambassador in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. My supervisor at the time heard about what my goals were and told me that’s exactly what the 4+1 program can do for me, and I was immediately set on it.”
During their undergraduate studies, students complete coursework in their designated major while fulfilling requirements for the 4+1 pathway. After earning their bachelor's degree, they spend one additional year completing the Master of Arts in Teaching program, where they receive advanced instruction in curriculum, the science of teaching and classroom practice, before entering the profession.
Because students specialize in the subjects they plan to teach, the 4+1 program offers faculty expertise and coursework tailored to their discipline during their graduate courses. Whether preparing to teach visual arts, science, mathematics or social studies, students learn teaching strategies designed for their specialized field, helping them connect their expertise to effective classroom instruction.
"Our students don't have to choose between studying what they love and becoming a teacher," said Sara R. Helfrich, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences. "They graduate with a strong academic foundation in their discipline and the teaching skills they'll need to lead a classroom."
As school districts continue seeking qualified teachers across a wide range of subject areas, the 4+1 pathway offers an efficient and intentional route for students who want to share their passion with the next generation.
Aug 31, 2026
For one Kansas City family, choosing Bloch wasn’t a coincidence but a deliberate step toward professional success
Most families approach college one at a time, but the Connellys are doing it together at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Henry W. Bloch School of Management. Wendy Connelly is enrolled in the Executive Master of Business Administration program while her children, Leo and Gryffin, are carving out their own experiences as high-achieving undergraduate business students.
Wendy’s return to school came after raising her two children and then earning a master’s degree in divinity. She co-founded a nonprofit and worked in the corporate world before deciding to reenter the classroom.
She looked for something that would both challenge and engage her.
“I knew pursuing another master’s degree was something I would value,” Wendy said. “UMKC was top of mind for me, and it was the only place I applied.”
She found what she was looking for in the Executive MBA program at UMKC, where a cohort-based structure brings students together through shared coursework and experiences.
“A former governor and a U.S. senator joined our public policy class,” Wendy said. “The next month our entire cohort traveled together to Washington, D.C., and next year we will study abroad. The program offers unique access and opportunities, and it has created a strong sense of community.”
Not long after Wendy began her program and Gryffin toured UMKC as a first-time college student, Leo — already a college student — made the decision to transfer to UMKC.
“Leo was excelling at her first school and was on the Dean's Honor Roll,” Wendy said. “But Leo learned more about UMKC after Gryffin's visit and was impressed with what UMKC offered. Without telling us and after reviewing materials about the Bloch School, Leo applied for a transfer within a few days of Gryffin's visit.”
Leo then met with Scott Ezzell, director of undergraduate admissions and recruitment at Bloch, and Gene Pegler, executive director of student affairs at Bloch, and they mapped out her classes together.
“At the Bloch School, we recognize that choosing a college is one of the most significant decisions a student will ever make, and we treat that journey with the personalized attention it deserves,” Ezzell said. “We work hard to see each prospective student as an individual, taking the time to understand their unique aspirations, backgrounds and specific needs for support. Our goal is to serve as a comprehensive resource from the first point of contact and ensure that once a student is admitted, they are seamlessly plugged into the vital resources that drive success.”
As a current UMKC student and mom to two college-aged kids, Wendy has experienced it from both sides, and that level of personalized support stood out to her.
“That's the kind of attention that sets UMKC apart,” Wendy said.
When asked about what this experience means to her, Leo said: “It’s nice to have support from my family, especially when we’re all pursuing business together.”
Now a sophomore, she is involved in Bloch Launchpad, an immersive professional development and leadership program that brings students together for weekly sessions with guest speakers and offers unparalleled access to Kansas City’s business community. Leo is also a recipient of the Chancellor’s Transfer Award.
“I’ve really enjoyed Launchpad,” Leo said. “They bring in different lecturers each week, and we do a lot of team activities.”
Outside of business, Leo is also pursuing a minor in film — an interest she’s had since childhood.
“I’ve been really into art since I was a kid, and I thought pairing my management degree with a minor in the arts could help me become an art director,” Leo said.
Gryffin, the youngest, was drawn to the Bloch School for its More in 4 program.
“Gryffin had applied both locally and far and wide, and turned down huge scholarship offers elsewhere,” Wendy said. “For him, there was no match anywhere to the accelerated More in 4 program, where he could earn both his Bachelor and Master of Science in Accounting in four years.”
For Gryffin, the More in 4 program allows him to stay ahead early in his college experience.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to start my career earlier than most,” Gryffin said, “and it opens more doors for me by giving me a few extra years of experience.”
He’s currently exploring interests in investment and financial analysis, while also having shared his musical talents at the UMKC Conservatory’s annual jazz festival with his high school.
With three family members already navigating Bloch together, the Connellys’ connection to UMKC runs even deeper. Wendy’s husband, Mark Connelly, Ph.D., M.S., is a professor at the UMKC School of Medicine and a clinical health psychologist at Children’s Mercy.
"Education and a love of learning have always been core values in our family,” Wendy said. “Beyond his work as a professor, our kids watched Mark complete another degree last year.”
That shared mindset on the value of education has made their overlapping time at Bloch feel natural. For Wendy, there’s also a sense of reassurance in seeing her children navigate the same environment.
"Since preschool, we’ve had a send-off tradition: ‘Wisdom in your head, love and courage in your heart, hands to serve others’,” Wendy said. “My hope is that wherever they go, they’ll always think not only about their own growth but also about how they can use it to serve others. UMKC shares that focus and provides opportunities for them to grow in service and community leadership.”
Side by side, the Connellys are making their way through Bloch and setting the foundation for what comes next.
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Aug 26, 2026
Missouri and Kansas leaders rally behind regional initiative to strengthen U.S. supply chains
Critical materials power modern life — from cellphones, batteries and semiconductors to medical technologies, pharmaceuticals and national defense. Yet the United States imports most of the rare-earth minerals it consumes, leaving essential industries vulnerable to disruptions in foreign supply chains.
A bistate initiative led by the University of Missouri-Kansas City aims to change that — and make the Kansas City region a national hub for critical materials innovation and production.
Government, business, civic and university leaders from Missouri and Kansas gathered Friday at Union Station to celebrate the launch of the U.S. National Science Foundation Critical Materials Crossroads Engine, backed by an award of up to $160 million from the NSF.
That collaboration was on display at Union Station, with leaders from across the political spectrum and both sides of the state line, including Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri and U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas, along with NSF, university, business and civic leaders.
“Missouri and Kansas recognized an opportunity before us, and we chose to compete for the future together,” Kehoe said. “That’s good for our region, and it’s great for our country.”
The location was fitting. Saved and restored after Missouri and Kansas voters approved a bistate tax in 1996, Union Station stands as a symbol of what the region can accomplish when it works across state lines. Now, leaders are rallying there around another ambitious regional undertaking.
“Since 1996, when voters from Missouri and Kansas approved the rescue and renovation of Union Station, this grand building has become a symbol of bistate collaboration and the great things that can happen when people work together across state lines,” UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “Today, we embark on our region’s next great endeavor.”
Building a Domestic Supply Chain
Critical materials include metals and minerals such as nickel, chromium, magnesium, copper, lithium, cobalt, graphite, gallium and rare earth elements. They are essential to transportation, healthcare, communications, energy, advanced technologies and national defense.
“We learned during the pandemic just how vulnerable our supply chains are and can be,” said U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas, in recorded remarks. “When we rely too heavily on other countries for critical materials and components, a disruption halfway around the world can mean higher prices, empty shelves or delays for American businesses and families.”
Critical Materials Crossroads aims to build a new domestic critical materials ecosystem in the Missouri and Kansas region — bringing together research, innovation, workforce development, manufacturing and commercialization to strengthen U.S. supply chains and position the Kansas City region to compete globally.
“The $160 million investment that’s going to be made right here is part of a broader effort to bring these supply chains home,” Schmitt said. “We simply cannot rely on China for all the critical materials we need, from everything from iPhones to the materials we need to build fighter jets.”
The initiative has drawn support from more than 260 leaders and organizations across Missouri, Kansas and beyond. Universities, businesses, government agencies, workforce organizations and civic leaders have united around the effort. Stakeholder groups set up booths at the event including Arco Construction, Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell, City of Sugar Creek, Enterprise KC, Full Employment Council, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Great Jobs KC, GreenTec Auto, IT Recycling Answers, Kiessinger-Hunter, Kissick Construction, KS Department of Commerce, MO Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Geological Survey, MRC Recycling, National Lab of the Rockies, NorthPoint Development, Scrap Advisors and Wagner Logistics.
“The NSF Engines represent the best of American innovation, and the Critical Materials Crossroads Engine’s inclusion in that class signals just how important this region is to America’s success in the long term,” said Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for technology, innovation and partnerships at National Science Foundation, who spoke at the event. “America is counting on you to turn that cooperation into a new generation for America’s critical materials industry, upon which every sector of our economy depends on a daily basis.”
Once-In-A-Generation Opportunity
The initiative represents the largest grant ever awarded to UMKC and the University of Missouri System. But its ambitions extend well beyond university research.
The NSF Regional Innovation Engines program is designed to bring together academia, industry, government and nonprofit organizations to turn research and innovation into new technologies, businesses, jobs and economic growth.
Within the decade, Critical Materials Crossroads is projected to generate $40 billion in gross economic output, support approximately 10,000 jobs and spur more than $3 billion in public-private investment across the greater Kansas City region.
Anthony Caruso, UMKC vice chancellor for strategic initiatives, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Physics and Electrical Engineering and the principal investigator for Critical Materials Crossroads, put the importance of critical materials in everyday terms.
“The coffee you brewed this morning, the cool air in this room, the sound system you are listening to, your method of transportation to this event, the display on your mobile device — all of the machines that serve you and the world daily require critical materials,” Caruso said.
The region brings strategic advantages to the challenge, including its central location, extensive rail, river and road transportation networks and deep expertise in advanced manufacturing, materials research and engineering.
A Region Rallies Behind the Effort
Just weeks after Kansas City demonstrated its ability to come together to welcome the world for the World Cup, regional leaders pointed to Critical Materials Crossroads as another opportunity to channel that collaborative spirit into an initiative with potentially generational impact.
“We have the talent. We have the research capacity. We have the industry. We have the universities,” Agrawal said. “And, most importantly, we have partners on both sides of the state line who understand that the biggest opportunities in front of us are bigger than any one university, company, city or state.”
At Friday’s event, regional business and civic leaders announced the formation of a leadership group that will work alongside UMKC and Critical Materials Crossroads partners to champion the initiative, attract companies in the critical materials sector and help build the regional ecosystem necessary to sustain the effort.
Cameron Garrison, chair of the UMKC Board of Trustees, a partner at Lathrop GPM and a longtime civic leader, said the business community sees Critical Materials Crossroads as more than a university research initiative.
“We knew it could be a catalyst for fostering local innovation,” Garrison said. “We could see from the beginning that this was not only a bold and innovative idea but also a transformative project that would forever change this region.”
For Garrison, the gathering at Union Station marked both an achievement and a starting point.
“We mark today’s milestone achievement with great pride and enthusiasm,” he said. “However, we know that the hard work truly begins now.”
What Leaders Are Saying About the NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe: “Missouri is a destination for the industries that will drive America’s future. Whether it’s advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, life sciences, agriculture, engineering or cutting-edge research, we’re not waiting for the future to come to us. We’re building it here.”
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri: “We have become a pretty big deal, Kansas City, and not just in football. This is a Super Bowl win. This is a big deal.”
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas: “I especially love seeing institutions like UMKC, KU and Kansas State working together across state lines, because that is what this region does so well. We bring people together, we figure out what we are good at and then we actually start to build something. This award is proof that Kansas City can be a national leader in doing exactly that.”
Todd Graves, chair of the University of Missouri Board of Curators: “This initiative demonstrates what can happen when higher education, industry and government unite behind a shared purpose. This significant investment positions Missouri to lead in an area that is vital to our nation’s future while creating lasting opportunities for our universities, citizens and economy.”
Mun Choi, president of University of Missouri System: “I can’t wait to see this project take hold so we can unleash the $17 billion of economic impact to this region, right here in Missouri, right here in Kansas.”
Aug 21, 2026
UMKC Conservatory brings dancers together to learn and create
Dancers from across the country will have a new opportunity to train, connect and create at the first-ever KCMOves Festival, taking place Sept. 4 to 7, presented by the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory.
The four-day festival brings together current students, alumni, professional dancers, choreographers and teachers to learn, create and connect. With an impressive roster of guest artists, KCMOves invites dancers at all stages of their training to learn from established artists and expand their creative practice.
For Caroline Dahm, UMKC dance professor and alumna, the festival reflects the Conservatory’s longstanding connection to the Kansas City dance community.
“The UMKC Conservatory is a pillar of the Kansas City dance community,” Dahm said. “Many of our alums continue to expand on their artistry in Kansas City even years after graduation. Our city’s dance community is largely made up of UMKC graduates.”
KCMOves builds on that role while extending the Conservatory’s reach beyond Kansas City. The festival welcomes dancers from across the country, bringing together emerging artists, established professionals, alumni and educators in one place.
Kickoff Master Class
One of the festival’s highlights is a master class at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 4 with Conservatory alumnus Kameron Saunders (BFA), an internationally recognized dancer and artist most known for being a backup dancer for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour. Participants will have the opportunity to train with Saunders and other guest artists, like Guggenheim Fellow Gary Abbott, gaining exposure to new approaches to movement, choreography and performance.
Opening Performance
The festival will open with a free public KCMOves Festival performance at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center. Dahm will dance and restage one of her works, while Christian Denice, a world-renowned choreographer and teacher, will present his work, “Fragments.”
The event will bring together artists from across the Midwest for an evening of bold choreography, powerful storytelling and movement. A reception will follow, offering all attendees an opportunity to connect and celebrate the beginning of the festival.
Community Lectures with Art Therapy Experts and Guggenheim Fellows
KCMOves is about more than dance training. The festival also invites the public to attend two free lectures, including “Art As Therapy,” a community lecture panel at the UMKC Conservatory.
The panel will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 5 at the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, and will bring together artists from a variety of disciplines to discuss how creative practices can become powerful tools for healing, connection and personal growth.
Panelists include:
• Amy Robertson, director of music therapy at UMKC and researcher of music therapy for premature infants
• Karen Savage, professor of collaborative piano and coordinator of chamber music at UMKC
• Paul Rudy, Curators’ distinguished professor of music composition, known as “the High Priest of Sound”
• Jarrett McCourt, assistant professor of Tuba and Euphonium at UMKC
• Suzanne Ryanstrati, former UMKC dance professor and current faculty member of the Kansas City Ballet
• Sun Joo Lee, assistant professor in music therapy at UMKC, who does clinical research with individuals with neurological diseases. Lee is the music director of Tremble Clefs, a therapeutic singing group for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Together, the panelists will explore how movement, music and interdisciplinary collaboration can support resilience, self-discovery and transformation.
Students, educators, artists and community members are all invited to explore the ways creative expression can support both individual and collective well-being. A Q and A with refreshments will follow the panel, giving attendees an opportunity to engage directly with the artists.
A second panel at 6 p.m. Sept. 6 features Guggenheim Fellows Gary Abbott and Paul Rudy in conversation about innovation, listening and the power of collaboration across disciplines.
An Invitation to All
While the festival is hosted by the UMKC Conservatory in Kansas City, its invitation extends far beyond the region. Dancers from across the country are encouraged to register and be part of the first KCMOves Festival. The festival’s public lectures and kickoff performance also invite the broader community to experience and engage with the art form.
Registration and festival information are available at KCMOves’s website.
Aug 20, 2026
UMKC is investing in student success, healthcare innovation and the arts
Across all schools and programs, UMKC continues to evolve in ways that matter. Whether you're returning to campus or arriving for the first time, there’s never been a more exciting time to be a Roo. Here’s a look at what’s new and upcoming this year at UMKC.
KC Streetcar UMKC Stop
Getting to campus has never been easier! This is the first fall semester where students can ride the KC Streetcar to Volker Campus. The Union Station stop is also a short walk away from our Health Sciences Campus.
Ridership for the KC Streetcar since the Main Street Extension has grown, showing the UMKC stop as one of the most used on the line.
New Screens on Campus
Things are looking bright on campus. New video boards have been installed at both Durwood Soccer Stadium and the Cherry Street Garage. If you haven't caught a Roo soccer match lately, now is the time. The men's team has earned a national ranking for the third straight year (Top 25), and the new screens make game day even more exciting. You'll also spot the Cherry Street Garage board when traveling along Oak Street.
Ringing in a New But Old Tradition
This 1,100-pound bell, originally gifted to the university by businessman Howard Treadway after he rescued it from a wrecked riverboat, once rang daily between classes at Haag Hall. It has been silent since 1983, but it is being relocated to a more visible spot near Swinney Recreation Center. Students and the surrounding community can look forward to hearing it again when Chancellor Mauli Agrawal rings it during this year's Convocation!
Olson Performing Arts Center Addition
The expansion of the Olsen Performing Arts Center will include a large music ensemble performance and rehearsal space, two dance rehearsal rooms and support spaces for the dance program and a new, accessible black-box performance space to be used by all three Conservatory programs. Current facilities, including White Recital Hall, will also be renovated during this project. The groundbreaking of this project is Sept. 23.
Atterbury Student Success Center Expansion
Beautifully updated, the Atterbury Student Success Center will have its grand opening on Oct. 20. Atterbury will be home to Admissions, Advising, the Center for Transfer Students and Adult Learners, Career Services, University College and International Student and Scholar Services. It will also include an inviting welcome center with a two-story atrium to host prospective students and their families. Pierson Auditorium also has been renovated.
UMKC Roos Basketball Returns to Municipal Auditorium
The Roos are heading back downtown! This season, the UMKC Men's Basketball team will play its entire home schedule at historic Municipal Auditorium. The Women's Basketball team will split home games between Municipal Auditorium and the Swinney Center on Volker Campus. Fans can get an early look during exhibition games on Oct. 24, which also happens to be World Kangaroo Day.
Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building
Set to open in February 2027, the 200,000-square-foot Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building will house dental clinics, cutting-edge research, medical education and interdisciplinary collaboration in the heart of the UMKC Health Sciences District.
The building, the largest capital project in UMKC history, will include simulation and digital anatomy labs, expanded classroom space and community-focused health programs, making it a vital resource for both student learning and regional healthcare innovation.
Aug 17, 2026
Sean O'Brien honored by Innocence Project for landmark Missouri exoneration
When Sean O’Brien (J.D. ’80) graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, he was prepared for a career in business and tax law but soon found his calling in public defense. More than four decades later, the Innocence Project honored him with its Award for Freedom and Justice, recognizing his role in ending a St. Joseph woman’s 43-year incarceration, the longest known wrongful incarceration of a woman in U.S. history.
Throughout his career, O’Brien has defended clients on death row, helped free wrongfully convicted people through pro bono work and successfully argued two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
O’Brien estimates he is directly responsible for litigation that has helped 43 people in cases involving death sentences, wrongful convictions and juvenile offenders sentenced to life without parole.His relationship with the Innocence Project dates to its founding in 1992 and has continued ever since.
“I am typically the Innocence Project’s go-to lawyer when they need local counsel in a Missouri case,” O’Brien said. “The Schlup v. Delo case that I did in 1995 sets the standard for actual innocence in habeas corpus litigation in America, so I have been called in as a consultant or co-counsel on a lot of the Innocence Project’s cases over the years.”
The O'Brien family after Sean argued the Schlup v. Delo case in Kansas City in 1994.
The Innocence Project began in 1992 at the Cardozo School of Law in New York, New York. Over time, similar groups formed across the country; some based at law schools, others operating as independent nonprofits. They work separately but stay connected through the Innocence Network, a loose coalition that provides annual training, fundraising support and other programs.
In 2003, O’Brien joined the founding board of directors for the Midwest Innocence Project, serving until 2010. He has remained active in innocence work, including his work in the exoneration of Sandra Hemme.
Sandra Hemme, center, with her sister and granddaughter minutes after her release. Photo by Sean O’Brien.
Hemme was 20 years old when she falsely confessed to a 1980 murder she did not commit in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was exonerated in December 2024 after serving 43 years in prison. Upon release, she was 64 years old.
“What is unusual about this case is that the New York team hired my daughter Quinn to be Sandy’s lead investigator, and when the investigation was substantially complete, they asked me to be local counsel,” O’Brien said. “I was the only lawyer in the courtroom, including the judge, who was born before Sandy went to prison. In fact, I had been a lawyer for less than three months when Sandy went to prison, so she has been there for most of my legal career.”
He remembers Hemme as a remarkable client.
Sean O'Brien waiting for Sandra to be released.
“She demonstrated bravery and kindness throughout her ordeal. It was a privilege to represent her,” O’Brien said.
The Innocence Project’s recognition, he added, carries special meaning.
“This was truly a meaningful recognition, coming from lawyers I have known and admired for many years,” O’Brien said. “It’s a nice capstone for a meaningful career. I have received other awards, but this one comes from the seasoned advocates in the trenches, and I can’t begin to say how much that means to me.”
O’Brien’s impact extends into the classroom. In 2023, the UMKC School of Law alumnus was named Alumnus of the Year by the UMKC Alumni Association. The following year, he received the University of Missouri System Board of Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professor designation, the university system's highest academic honor, recognizing his excellence in teaching, scholarship and service.
Professor O’Brien retires from UMKC on September 1 after nearly 22 years with the UMKC School of Law.
Alongside his daughter, Quinn, and several former students, O’Brien launched the nonprofit organization, the Investigation and Advocacy Service, to continue fighting wrongful convictions.
“My mother is a teacher, and it was a lifetime of her guidance that allowed me and my father to realize we also enjoyed teaching and guiding others,” Quinn O’Brien said. “When we set up IAS, it was with the idea that we would help other attorneys and their teams advocate for wrongfully convicted people. Hollywood makes movies about our clients' stories, so it's not hard to understand why people are interested in this work and want to do this with us. IAS allows us to assist and train people motivated to do wrongful conviction work.”
Sandra Hemme’s defense team after oral arguments before the Court of Appeals. From left, kneeling: Ji-hye Rhee, paralegal, and Jane Pucher, Innocence Project staff attorney; standing: Kayla Johnson, intern, Kanani Schnider, paralegal, Sandra Hemme, Sean O’Brien, Andrew Lee, Innocence Project staff attorney, and Quinn O’Brien.
Working alongside her father has given Quinn O’Brien a firsthand view of the leadership style that has defined his career.
“My dad is the best boss I have ever worked for, and not because he’s my father,” she said. “He works harder than anyone on the team and leads by example. My dad creates a team environment where every person on the team is valued for both their unique professional skillset and who they are as a person. Having a team of people around you that you trust and respect is critical. It helps if one of those people is your father.”
Quinn said her father’s commitment to clients extends far beyond the courtroom.
“People my father defended as the Jackson County Public Defender in 1985, people who were convicted and sentenced to life in prison, are becoming eligible for parole now,” she said. “It may be 40 years later, but those people are still my father’s clients, and he will still advocate for them at this stop on their journey through the justice system. That’s what client-centered advocacy is: never abandoning the people you promised to zealously defend.”
In retirement, Sean O’Brien and his daughter will teach investigation courses at the UMKC School of Law and involve students directly in their work.
“The main thing is that nobody does this work alone,” O’Brien said. “It takes a team of dedicated professionals. When you get someone out of prison, you feel like you’ve moved a mountain because the prosecution fights so hard to preserve their unjust conviction. It is way too easy to convict an innocent person, and way harder than it should be to free them.”
For current UMKC law students, O’Brien’s advice is simple and direct: “You can use your law degree to do legally, morally and spiritually significant work. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Aug 17, 2026
Longtime UMKC staff member honored for a remarkable career on and off the football field
University of Missouri-Kansas City students and employees may know Jerry Blanton as the associate director of the Student Union. But before his career at UMKC, Blanton made his mark on another Kansas City institution: the Kansas City Chiefs.
Now, that career has earned him a place among football greats.
Blanton was inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame on June 26 as a member of its Class of 2026. The organization is the nation’s only state-specific professional football hall of fame.
"Being elected to the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame is greatest recognition an athlete can receive in any sport," Blanton said. "So, I am blessed."
His UMKC colleagues feel awestruck.
“We were incredibly proud to learn that one of our very own had been inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame,” said Jody Jeffries, director of the Student Union. “The magnitude of Jerry’s achievement really hit home for me when I saw the incredible list of names he was joining: Johnny Unitas, Paul Hornung, Phil Simms, George Blanda and even his college and professional teammate, former Chief Art Still.”
Blanton, a native of Toledo, Ohio, attended the University of Kentucky, where in 1974 he became the first true freshman to start a varsity football game in program history. He helped the Wildcats win the SEC Championship and Peach Bowl in 1976 and finished his college career with 389 tackles.
Selected by the Buffalo Bills in the 1978 NFL Draft, Blanton joined the Chiefs the following year and spent his entire seven-year NFL career in Kansas City. The inside linebacker became a starter in 1980 and had his best season in 1983, leading the Chiefs with 136 tackles. He retired in 1985 after playing in 92 NFL games.
His impact didn't end when he left the field. Blanton worked as a criminal investigator with the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office before serving as deputy commissioner of Kentucky State Parks, where he became the highest-ranking African American in the department’s history. Today, he continues his career of service at UMKC, where he started working in 2010.
"What I like most about working at the university is the relationships that you build with your colleagues and meeting students who are trying to fulfill their dreams and become successful," he said.
Blanton's character is what colleagues say makes his recognition particularly meaningful.
“Jerry is a quiet, humble and reserved person who would probably never seek recognition for himself,” said Janet Dexter, a facility manager at UMKC, in an email to colleagues. “However, an accomplishment of this magnitude deserves to be celebrated and recognized by all of us.”
Blanton’s football story has also become a family legacy. His son, Kendall Blanton, is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs.
“Jerry’s induction is a tremendous testament to his remarkable career and the lasting impact he has made both on and off the field,” Jeffries said.
Dexter echoed that pride in her email.
“We are proud to have you as a member of the UMKC family," she wrote. "And we sincerely appreciate your continued service and dedication to our university.”
Aug 17, 2026
Key theatre, dance and music performances around theme “A Place We Call Home”
The University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory is announcing cornerstone performances in its 2026-27 calendar, including a new Dean’s Signature Series. This series highlights theatre, dance and music performances that embody the theme “A Place We Call Home.”
“This theme invites you to reflect on the spaces, people and experiences that shape who we are as artists and as a community,” said Courtney Crappell, dean of the UMKC Conservatory. “Home can be rooted in geography, memory, tradition or belonging. It can be inherited, discovered or created. We’ll explore these ideas across our performance season and examine the ways we carry a sense of home with us as we grow and change.”
This theme comes at a time when the Conservatory’s own home is growing. The expansion of the Olson Performing Arts Center will break ground on Sept. 23, bringing new facilities and opportunities to the students and community. The expansion will add crucial performance and rehearsal spaces for students in all three disciplines.
Cornerstone performances include “Sounding a Nation,” a collection of Pulitzer-Prize winning works performed by the Conservatory Symphony Orchestra; “Working,” a musical by Stephen Schwartz; “Suor Angelica” and “Gianni Schicchi” by Giacomo Puccini; “The Listening House,” part of the Conservatory’s NEXUS series; and more. Check the Conservatory’s season highlights page for the most current information on performances.
Join the Conservatory to enjoy Kansas City’s next generation of performers at the Dean’s Signature Series events:
“Sounding a Nation,” Conservatory Symphony Orchestra Concert
• Sept. 18, White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center • Dr. Christopher Kelts kicks off the Dean’s Signature Series with an evening of Pulitzer-Prize winning orchestral works.
Conservatory Wind Symphony Concert
• Sept. 24, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts • Conductor Steven D. Davis and the Conservatory Wind Symphony return to Helzberg Hall to celebrate contemporary composers and the stories they share through music.
“Working,” a musical by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso (Oct. 14-17)
• Oct. 14-17, Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center • Our home away from home: this musical explores and celebrates our lives at work — the places in which we often spend more time than our actual homes.
“At the Heart of Kansas City,” Conservatory Choirs and Orchestra
• Oct. 19, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts • UMKC Conservatory Choirs and Symphony Orchestra combine forces for an evening at Helzberg Hall
Fall Dance Performance
• Oct. 23-25, Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center • The Conservatory Dance Division presents an evening of works exploring the universal idea of home — its meanings, memories and contradictions.
“Corners Grove,” a play by Kayla Mei Shing Garver
• Oct. 30-Nov. 2, The Arts Asylum • An adaptation of the classic “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder, Garver's play reimagines the action of the play through the eyes of the younger generation as they explore identity, belonging, the excitement of an unknown future and how chosen family can provide the truest "home" they'll ever know.
“Passage,” a play by Christopher Chen
• Nov. 18-21, The Arts Asylum • Inspired in part by E.M. Forster's “A Passage to India,” Chen's play explores relationships between members of two communities — those who have been colonized and the colonizers themselves — after an unfortunate encounter results in unjust treatment and negative fallout. Chen invites us to rethink how we engage with other cultures, and other worlds, as we all endeavor to find places we can call our own.
“A Celebration of Peace,” Conservatory Choirs and Allegro Choirs
• Feb. 16, 2027, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts • The UMKC Conservatory Choirs and the Allegro Choirs of Kansas City perform the Dona Nobis Pacem by Ralph Vaughan Williams in Helzberg Hall.
“Suor Angelica” and “Gianni Schicchi,” two 1-act operas by Giacomo Puccini
• March 3-6, 2027, White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center • Banished from home: when Angelica is forced to join a convent, she finds a new community and a deep spiritual connection. • Inheriting home: can Gianni, a doting father, ensure his daughter has a home while also navigating money troubles with her new in-laws? Puccini’s dark comedy will leave you laughing all the way home.
“The Winter's Tale,” a play by William Shakespeare
• March 16-20, 2027, Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center • When King Leontes, ruler of Sicilia, succumbs to unjustified jealousy, his anger throws the realm into chaos and shatters his once-stable alliance with Bohemia. Shakespeare's ingenious blend of moving tragedy, whimsical comedy and pastoral rebirth creates a magical world where the two kingdoms must navigate a painful path of loss and misfortune to find their way home to redemption.
“The Listening House” by Paul Rudy
• April 7, 2027, White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center • “The Listening House” invites audiences into a shared environment of sound, movement, participation, video and temporary structures to explore home as something we build together through attention. This performance is part of the NEXUS series.
Conservatory Finale
• April 20, 2027, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts • A long-time favorite of the Kansas City performing arts community, this spring event highlights performers in all disciplines, along with faculty and alumni.
“Failure: A Love Story” by Philip Dawkins
• May 5-8, 2027, The Arts Asylum • A series of ups and downs has defined the life of the Fail Family for a generation, and Mortimer's introduction to the Fail sisters and their brother, John, seems to only be inviting more of the same. Despite life's ongoing struggles, Dawkins’s heartfelt play challenges us to embrace the joyous moments of existence, however fleeting, and to treasure the loves we encounter along the way that lead us back home.
Aug 13, 2026
Eight oral healthcare providers across four generations trace their roots to the UMKC School of Dentistry, building a legacy of patient care and se...
For more than 100 years, proud UMKC School of Dentistry alumni in the Kutina family have been practicing across Kansas. The family, boasting dentists and hygienists educated at UMKC, appreciate their shared legacy, milestones and memories from the school.
The past year especially has given the family, with a total of eight oral healthcare practitioners across four generations, the opportunity to reflect on their years at UMKC and all the school has given them.
“I have great pride when I think of four generations of dentists all graduating from the same school,” said Larry Kutina (DDS ’88). “To be able to provide dental care for more than 100 years is an incredible journey and a legacy I am very proud to be a part of.”
The family’s legacy began with George Kutina (DDS ’25), who opened his dental office in Great Bend, Kansas, in 1925. George’s son, Loren (DDS ’61), joined the practice shortly after his own dental school graduation. And Loren’s son, Larry, joined the family practice in 1989.
Larry’s chief memory of his grandfather George is his unfailing work attire. Every day, he wore a crisp, white button-down shirt and a smock with a black tie.
“I look back at those old pictures, I don’t know if I could have practiced with spittoons getting passed around, using belt driven handpieces while performing stand-up dentistry with no stool,” Larry said. “My back couldn’t handle that.”
Larry worked alongside his dad for about 13 years until Loren retired in 2002. Larry fondly remembers attending the Midwest Dental Conference (MDC) with his dad, getting to see Loren in a different light and hearing stories about his grandpa.
One of Larry’s favorite family stories is about a time George and Loren shared a hotel room while attending the conference. Every MDC, George and a few other dentists would get together to play poker. One of those nights, Loren went out with his own buddies. He got back to their room in the early morning hours and snuck in quietly to avoid waking his dad.
“But my grandfather was nowhere to be found,” Larry said. “When my dad woke up at 6 a.m., there was my grandfather, already awake and brushing his teeth — no mention of how late that poker game went.”
Larry’s son, Andrew (DDS ’18), reflected fondly on the days when his dad and grandpa Loren practiced together.
“I remember a lot of days just sitting in there or running up and down the hall,” said Andrew. “It was the ’90s. Times were different compared to today.”
According to Larry’s children, dentistry was never pushed on either of them. Andrew wanted to be a dentist for as long as he can remember. His sister, Elizabeth (DDS ’23), decided on dentistry after she completed her undergrad at Kansas State University. Now, Andrew is practicing in Manhattan, Kansas, and Elizabeth is practicing in the Wichita area.
Andrew (right) and his dad continue the family tradition, hooding Elizabeth at her class ceremony in 2023.
Both siblings have treated patients who were former patients of their dad. Andrew can count more than 20, and one or two even remember Andrew assisting his dad at the clinic in Great Bend. According to Andrew, Manhattan is a popular choice for retirees from Great Bend, as well as other small towns in western Kansas, who are looking to retire to a bigger city.
“Some of my first patients were ones that remember me assisting for my dad,” said Andrew. “That was a real full circle moment for me.”
Father, son and daughter have shared a number of School of Dentistry milestones, from white coat ceremonies to graduation. Loren and Larry were the ones to hood Andrew, and Andrew and Larry took part in Elizabeth’s hooding ceremony.
Larry cherishes how his relationships with his kids have evolved.
“Our texting has changed. I’m like a mentor from afar,” said Larry, who still practices in Great Bend. “It’s been cool to be that for them, help them with some situations, not just techniques for practicing dentistry, but some patient management things too.”
Larry’s enthusiasm for dentistry was imprinted on Elizabeth early on and has stuck with her. When she and her brother were growing up, every time Larry got a new piece of equipment, he wanted to show his kids how it worked. She fondly remembers the time her dad got his first-generation CEREC mill and then showed them how he could produce crowns in his office.
“He was always teaching us,” said Elizabeth. “Until recently, I did not know just how much I absorbed and had taken into my daily practice now.”
Their family history in dentistry is special for all three of them, and Andrew and Elizabeth are proud to have this connection to their great grandfather, some 100 years later.
“It is such a special legacy,” said Elizabeth. “Not many people can say they share something so strong with so many generations of their family.”
Other members of the Kutina family who are also UMKC School of Dentistry graduates include Alan Marcotte (DDS ’89), son of George’s daughter, Mary. Alan was classmates with Larry during dental school, and went on to practice in Winfield, Kansas. And Larry wasn’t the only child of Loren’s to go into the dental field. Larry’s sisters, Julie (BSDH ’81) and Jan (BSDH ’86) also went to UMKC. Julie retired from dental hygiene in 1987, and Jan works in the Kutina family practice with her brother.
“I’m so thankful to the UMKC School of Dentistry for starting and continuing my family’s legacy,” Larry said.
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Aug 12, 2026
Holly has played a role helping her owner and future students at UMKC and UM System
Booties on all four paws. Safety goggles. A protective covering over her coat. All geared up, Holly finds her mat in the alcove near Mollie Stark's workstation and gets comfortable.
Holly is a goldendoodle service dog trained to detect changes in Stark's blood sugar before her medical devices can.
"I knew people were going to look and talk whenever I brought Holly into the lab," Stark said. "But if I saw a cute dog in the lab, I'd be looking at it, too."
Stark was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 9 years old. A pre-pharmacy student who will be starting the UMKC School of Pharmacy program this fall, she has spent more than a decade managing a condition that most people misunderstand.
"You hear the word diabetes, and you usually think of someone with Type 2 who is older and potentially overweight," Stark said. "Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. There's nothing I could have done to prevent it."
Type 1 diabetes is also unpredictable, and it certainly doesn't pause for class. During a lecture, Stark's blood sugar dropped, forcing her to stop taking notes and drink a juice box while her professor continued lecturing. This meant she had to miss out on a portion of class just to manage her blood sugar levels.
In lab settings, losing 10-15 minutes to manage blood sugar levels can be more unforgiving. If Stark’s blood sugar crashes mid-reaction, she must leave the experiment to manage her levels, which can result in it being unsuccessful and a loss of over an hour’s worth of reactions. During exams, a low blood sugar can cost her up to 15 minutes of focus she can't usually afford.
To help manage her blood sugar, Stark uses a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor and an Omnipod insulin pump. However, the Dexcom can run 10 to 15 minutes behind real-time readings and its readings at times can be off by up to 20%.
"If my blood sugar is 300, Dexcom might not read 300," Stark said. "I just wouldn't get the insulin I need as soon as possible.”
Service dogs trained to detect blood sugar changes had always been on Stark's radar. Late last year, Stark's mother learned about CARES Inc., a service dog organization based in Concordia, Kansas, through a colleague who had a therapy dog. For Stark's wedding gift last July, her mother paid the deposit to get her on the waitlist. By December, CARES had a match. Stark spent a week in Kansas training with Holly before bringing her home.
Holly has been with Stark for a few months and is still learning Stark's individual blood sugar patterns.
In the middle of an organic chemistry lab session earlier this year, Stark noticed Holly sitting up and staring at her instead of sleeping. Her Dexcom read 101, which was not an alarming level. But Holly kept staring at her. Stark waited a few minutes and then stepped outside the lab to check her blood sugar with a finger poke. It read 84. Holly had caught the low blood sugar level before the Dexcom did.
"She knew she was supposed to be in a certain area, but also knew that something was wrong with me," Stark said. "It was interesting to see her do that for the first time, and I was glad I had her with me during that moment."
Holly detects blood sugar changes through smell. When Stark checks her blood sugar with a finger poke, she lets Holly smell the blood and then her breath. High blood sugar makes breath smell sweet while low blood sugar triggers a different hormonal response entirely. When Holly catches the right scent and alerts Stark, she gets a treat. Holly is still learning to distinguish between a routine check and a real warning but eventually she will simply smell Stark and know when to alert.
Bringing a service dog to class is straightforward in most settings. Bringing one into an organic chemistry lab is a whole other story.
"The honest answer is that it wasn't just 'a dog in a room,'" said Andrea Drew Hutchison, Ph.D., teaching professor of chemistry, coordinator of the undergraduate program in chemistry and coordinator of the organic chemistry labs. "It was a dog in a high-risk, controlled environment, and that changes everything."
Organic chemistry labs involve volatile solvents, glassware and hazardous chemicals. These are risks that students understand, but something a dog can't be trained to comprehend. The presence of a dog in lab also introduced practical safety concerns, like maintaining clear walkways, preventing tripping hazards and ensuring emergency procedures like evacuations or eyewash access weren’t compromised.
Hutchison worked with UMKC's Environmental Health and Safety (also known as EHS), Student Accessibility Services and the university's general counsel to develop a plan. Each group brought a different kind of expertise to the table. Chemistry lab coordinators helped outline the practical realities of the lab environment, including the procedures, materials and day-to-day risks. EHS focused on hazard assessment and risk mitigation, thinking through exposure pathways and necessary safeguards. Student Accessibility Services ensured appropriate accommodation for the students. Additionally, University of Missouri System general counsel helped interpret legal requirements and liability considerations, making sure the plan developed was compliant and defensible. Together, they developed a framework that was both inclusive and safety conscious.
Hutchison said it was important that UMKC treat this situation not as a one-time workaround, but as the foundation for accessibility policies.
"Handling it as a one-off might have solved the immediate situation, but it would have left us without clear guidance for the next time a situation like this comes up again. Accessibility and safety aren't competing priorities. They can be addressed together with the right planning and collaboration," Hutchison said.
The next step, now that UMKC has a policy, is to adapt it across all campuses in the UM System. For Stark, knowing that her experience will help make things easier for future students is meaningful.
"I'm glad I can help the university be more aware and inclusive about service dogs," she said. "I had no idea before I got Holly what any of this looked like. There’s a lot that goes into this, and I am glad I can make the experience smoother for future students.”
Stark is excited to start pharmacy school with Holly by her side.
“I’ve heard pharmacy school moves fast,” Stark said. “A 15-minute blood sugar crisis during a lecture or lab is time I may not be able to get back. With Holly, I hope to catch those moments before they become crises so that I can focus on getting good grades. For the first time since I've been diagnosed, I can kind of put diabetes to the side of my mind. I can rely on Holly instead of relying on how I'm feeling."
Aug 10, 2026
Alejandro Hernandez and Jazmin Romo brought their business education to a once-in-a-lifetime experience working behind the scenes at the 2026 FIFA ...
Alejandro Hernandez and Jazmin Romo didn’t just watch the FIFA World Cup this summer. They helped bring it to life. Through their internships with Host Broadcast Services, the recent graduates of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Henry W. Bloch School of Management supported international media operations, gained hands-on industry experience and saw firsthand the teamwork behind one of the world’s largest sporting events.
Alejandro Hernandez, Class of 2026UMKC degree program: Business administration, analytics and business intelligence emphasisExtracurricular activities: Enactus and Kappa Sigma
Jazmin Romo, Class of 2026UMKC degree program: Business administration, marketing emphasis; Communication studies, strategic communication emphasisExtracurricular activities: Enactus, Launchpad, Delta Sigma Pi, Roo News, Student Government Association
How did you learn about the opportunity to intern with Host Broadcast Services?
Hernandez: I learned about the opportunity through Daniel Folk at the Bloch Career Center, and I applied because I thought it was a unique opportunity that could set me apart for a future job search. I also like international work, so this seemed exciting!
Romo: I also heard about the opportunity through Daniel Folk from the Bloch Career Center. He encouraged me to apply when I met with him for a resume review. I thought it was a great fit for me because I want to go into the sports marketing industry. The Bloch Career Center helped me secure this internship by making me aware of the opportunity.
Can you describe your summer internship and your responsibilities leading up to and on match days?
Hernandez: I was a broadcast liaison assistant, supporting the broadcast liaison officers with their work. We worked a lot with organizing and helping international media partners with their positions and being the bridge between them and FIFA. For me, a typical week could look like guiding media partners to their positions, distributing goods, labeling positions and surveilling sensitive positions around the stadium. On match days, I would usually be up in the commentary positions assisting media partners or in interview zones making sure people knew where they were supposed to be. Occasionally, I would be on the pitch during a match, which was really cool!Romo: A typical week as a liaison assistant could look like coordinating broadcast operations and media logistics to ensure seamless coverage for international media partners; assisting with pre-match preparation by organizing broadcaster bookings, preparing venue signage and posting operational information within the Broadcast Information Office; managing operations at the Stadium Media Centre welcome desk, monitoring media zones and ensuring designated broadcast areas remain organized and accessible; escorting media partners to their assigned camera and commentary positions, conducting venue tours and documenting broadcast positions in use; and monitoring guest arrivals as well as team arrivals and departures.
What's one moment you'll never forget?
Hernandez: My most memorable moment was during my first match, and I took an Argentinian media partner down to the pitch on short notice. Everything was about to begin, and I remember walking onto the pitch side and seeing all the white and blue Argentinian jerseys and fans screaming. It was really exciting, especially knowing that it was the World Cup!
Romo: My most memorable moment from the experience was walking into the stadium and standing above the commentary positions, where I saw an aerial view of the stadium filled with fútbol fans for the first time. It was the beginning of the second half of the Argentina vs. Algeria match, and the atmosphere was truly unforgettable. The cheers from the crowd, their passion and love of the game created an energy unlike anything I had ever experienced. In that moment, everything felt surreal. I remember thinking that I was exactly where I wanted to be. It only reinforced my passion for sports and pursuing a career in the sports marketing industry.
Can you describe a challenge you encountered and overcame during your internship?
Hernandez: A challenge I faced was managing situations where people did not follow the rules. Sometimes a media partner would try and sneak into a position they were not assigned to, or someone would attempt to walk through a restricted zone after being told multiple times they could not. Unfortunately, sometimes I would have to be the bad guy, but I found that being confident, firm and not taking anything personally really helps.Romo: One challenge I encountered during the tournament was helping de-escalate high-stress situations. Match days moved quickly, and with broadcasters, media partners and staff all working on tight schedules, emotions can run high. In those moments, it was important for me to remain calm, listen carefully and communicate clearly while helping people find the information or support they needed. I learned that staying composed under pressure can have a positive impact on those around you. I was able to keep operations running smoothly while ensuring media partners felt supported throughout the event.
What did this experience mean to you?
Hernandez: Being part of the World Cup while still being a Bloch student was an extraordinary opportunity. It was a perfect way to close out my undergraduate career.Romo: This experience taught me how to work effectively in a high-pressure, international event environment. I learned how to think critically while communicating with diverse stakeholders and managing multiple priorities.This internship also confirmed that I want to build a career in the sports industry. Working behind the scenes at one of the world’s largest sporting events showed me how many opportunities exist beyond match day. As a recent graduate, being a part of this experience was extremely rewarding. My education at the Bloch School prepared me for this role through marketing and management courses, and I am extremely grateful for the Bloch Career Center and Daniel Folk for his support. I will always look back at this internship with a smile and carry the memories and lessons gained throughout my career.
Aug 06, 2026
UMKC students’ work will be featured on the iconic Crown Vision screen at Kauffman Stadium
Students studying journalism and film and media arts got a grand slam of an opportunity with Pine Tar Collective, the in-house marketing agency for the Kansas City Royals.
The collaborative effort led to a promotional commercial for the University of Missouri-Kansas City partnership with the Royals on Kauffman Stadium Crown Vision, the almost 9,000-square-foot screen above the outfield.
Students pitched their own ideas for the commercial and then joined Pine Tar Collaborative to film and edit it for the big screen.
“We've been bouncing around spots all day on campus filming both KC Roo and Slugger, just kind of hashing it out having fun,” said Trey Trawicki, a UMKC freshman studying film and media arts. “I've just been shadowing these professionals watching how they work. A lot of cool cameras, a lot of cool setups. It's cool to see people in the industry, especially the sports industry which I'm super into, doing this work like I want to do in the future.”
Trawicki and ten other students were involved in the project from conception to seeing their work on the Crown Vision during the UMKC Night at The K.
This is the third year students worked with Pine Tar Collective as part of the partnership with the Kansas City Royals.
“It was an extraordinarily unique opportunity to have a chance to go out to Kauffman Stadium and really experience what life at The K is all about,” said Steve Kraske, teaching professor of journalism. “To work with professionals who really know what they're doing, have a very clear idea of how to film this project and get it in the can. It was a great experience for our students to have that opportunity.”
Cristian Martinez, a journalism and film and media arts major, was one student who saw the whole project from concept to screen.
“To work with the Royals on this project was amazing,” Martinez said. “It felt like a dream come true. UMKC, whether it be equipment or the professors themselves, has really prepared us for this moment to be on a set with the Royals. It made us felt comfortable. It made us feel like that we were able to really translate what was what we learned in the classroom to a professional set.”
Students got the MVP tour of Kauffman and Pine Tar workspaces. They met again later where the students were able to pitch concepts to the production team and finalize a plan. After two days of shooting, where students got to be hands-on behind and in front of the camera, Pine Tar edited the final video that premiered at UMKC Night at The K. It will air during every Friday home game of the remaining Royals season.
“All of us we were able to attend and watch our commercial up there,” Martinez said. “The Royals showed us on Crown Vision, which is crazy because I always wanted to be up there. They showcased all of us and it was awesome.”
The prime location and partnerships of UMKC allow for these amazing opportunities that students get to advance their career before they even enter the workforce.
“I think coming to KC, this is what it's all about,” Martinez said. “I think some people like to tell themselves, ‘I want to go to Chicago. I want to go to New York. I want to go to LA,’ when in reality, Kansas City is the place to be. You get so many opportunities, like the chance to work hands-on early in your dream career.”
Aug 03, 2026
The school is preparing the next generation of oral healthcare providers while bringing much-needed care to underserved communities
In the 56 years since alumnus Andrew Trout’s family began practicing dentistry in St. Joseph, Missouri, he’s seen firsthand a growing scarcity of care, resulting in almost half the amount of practicing dentists there now compared to 1970.
“Outside of St. Joseph, there are almost no other dentists in northwest Missouri,” said Trout (DDS ’95), a St. Joseph city councilman since 2022. “I don’t know anyone in private practice in the surrounding towns. People are traveling all the way to Leavenworth, Kansas, for care.”
The UMKC School of Dentistry is leading the charge to address these dental deserts. Pending funding and approval by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a proposed expansion in St. Joseph would serve northwest Missouri and join more than 30 active student rotation sites across Missouri and Kansas that help meet the oral healthcare needs of the region.
More than half the counties that make up Missouri do not have enough dentists or hygienists to serve their population. In fact, 81 counties in the state are federally designated as Healthcare Provider Shortage Areas (HPSA) specific to oral health. In neighboring Kansas, 20 such counties carry that designation. Across both rural and urban areas, there is a dire need for dental care.
UMKC’s dental student rotation sites cover a variety of different environments — including a clinic in the heart of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, a clinic in the rural community of Hays, Kansas, and an Army base just outside Junction City, Kansas. In the 2025-26 school year alone, UMKC dental students treated more than 4,000 patients and provided nearly $650,000 worth of services across all rotation sites.
Expanding in Northwest Missouri
The school’s proposed expansion to northwest Missouri in St. Joseph would enable it to reach even more people in need. To Trout’s point, most counties in that region have less than one oral healthcare provider for every 2,100 residents.
Under the proposed program in St. Joseph, fourth-year dental students, senior dental hygiene students and residents in the school’s advanced education in general dentistry (AEGD) program would provide direct patient care while building the rural workforce pipeline.
According to Trout, the area is primed for dental education. The American Dental Association cites just 18 dentists in the St. Joseph area currently. When Trout started practicing in St. Joseph in 1995, that number was 28. When his late father James (DDS ’59) began his career, it was 32.
His father and late mother, Judith Trout (BSDH ’58), ran a dental hygiene school at Hillyard Technical Center in St. Joseph from roughly 2005 to 2015. When it shut its doors, the dental hygiene field still had plenty of interest from potential students, but Trout’s parents had trouble filling academic leadership positions.
“My father was very focused on education,” Trout said. “To have a UMKC satellite campus in St. Joseph would be his dream.”
Trout, who retired from dentistry in 2016, hopes an expansion will address the need in St. Joseph while also drawing in college students from other rural areas who want to work in a similar environment.
“I think it’s the best thing in the world for people across the state who aren’t from the major metropolitan areas,” Trout said. "It will be an absolutely bright light for St. Joe.”
According to School of Dentistry Dean Paul Luepke, the school’s goal is to establish additional ways to help meet shortages.
“A St. Joseph expansion will enable us to add more rotation sites in northwest Missouri and beyond,” Luepke said.
Students Meet the Need
The St. Joseph program would build on efforts the school already has in place to meet shortages. UMKC works to attract dental students who are already comfortable in those environments, like third-year dental student Jenna Romme, who is focusing on rural care.
Next fall, Romme will begin a rotation at First Care Clinic in her hometown of Hays, Kansas. She is following her brother, Nathan Romme (DDS ’24), who also had a rotation in Hays and stayed there to start his career. The duo hopes to eventually practice in their hometown together, and this rotation will allow Jenna to get an idea of what her future might look like.
“I’m able to see what it will be like when I graduate, since these will be the people I’ll be working on all the time, so I like that,” Romme said. “And when I come back to school after my rotation, I’ll have a better understanding of what I need to work on to treat a rural population.”
Romme believes the rotation will allow her to improve her speed and accomplish more in each appointment, saving patients the need for multiple trips. She’s thrilled to begin taking care of the community that’s done so much for her.
“I love small town vibes, how it feels like everyone knows each other,” Romme said. “They are always there for you and ready to help out one another.”
Rural areas aren't the only underserved places UMKC School of Dentistry aims to serve. Students and alumni work at the Seton Center, a community health center in downtown Kansas City, where the need for dental care is also great.
As a recent graduate, Michelle Bui (DDS ’26) is making some big decisions about her future. She was considering private practice or a DSO, but the weekend before she was set to sign a contract, her public health professor, Shelly Howard, BSDH, told the class Seton Center needed a new dentist. Having already completed a dental rotation at Seton, Bui knew it was the place for her. Seton Center runs one of the largest safety net dental clinics in the region, treating underserved populations in the Kansas City urban core.
“I jumped on that opportunity so fast,” Bui said. “I worked well with the doctors there, and got along great with the assistants and hygienists. I’m really excited for the opportunity to come back and pick things up where I left off.”
Public health is a passion for Bui. She’s worked and volunteered in public health offices throughout high school and college, and she credits the School of Dentistry for integrating public health early on in her education. Early in her first year, she was already performing screenings and offering oral health education to elementary students.
Bui is also a first-generation dentist, so the generous loan forgiveness program offered by Seton is a major benefit. But the people are what truly made her want to return, especially dentists like Andrew Thompkins (DDS ’24). Bui said Thompkins is always willing to take the time to teach after each appointment.
“I was really lucky Dr. Thompkins was supportive,” Bui said. “He helped me get my feet wet with endodontics on that rotation.”
Public health is a calling for Thompkins as well. Growing up in northwest Arkansas, he noticed the health disparities in his own community and became acutely aware of how things like missing teeth or mouth pain can pose a barrier for people.
“When it comes to teeth, a lot can ride on your smile,” Thompkins said.
Thompkins is leaving Seton for another public health position in St. Paul, Minnesota, but there is more help from UMKC on the way. Michael Florez (DDS ’16) recently transitioned from private practice to working full-time at Seton Center.
“It’s probably the best decision of my career,” Florez said. “I feel like I’m making a difference in people’s lives, and it feels very rewarding each day.”
Both Florez and Thompkins credit the students on rotation for enabling them to do more for their patients. With a student assisting, they have more bandwidth for same-day emergency appointments. That can be critical for Seton’s patients, who may have limited time away from work or are coming from significant distances.
Even military bases are considered underserved in some areas, and UMKC has stepped up there as well.
When it came to his time at UMKC, recent dental grad Timothy Nguyen’s (DDS ’26) plan was to maximize the opportunities presented to him. He refereed intramural sports, was a digital denture teacher’s assistant at the School of Dentistry and had already finished one dental rotation at Samuel U. Rogers Health Center in downtown Kansas City.
Nguyen was content with that being his only rotation until a unique opportunity presented itself at Fort Riley — a major army base in north central Kansas, near Junction City, where UMKC established a rotation site this past spring. Nguyen, who was the first and only student at the site this year, spent the last few weeks before graduation at the base. The site will continue offering rotation opportunities next year.
According to Luepke, the Fort Riley site has three state-of-the-art dental treatment facilities, but only five dentists to serve about 14,000 active duty service members.
Nguyen, originally from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, was intrigued by an opportunity further from home. He hoped being 2.5 hours away would cultivate more independence. And as the guinea pig for the new program, he welcomed the challenge.
“I’m ready to embrace being comfortable in the uncomfortable,” he said, ahead of the rotation. “I’m looking forward to gaining different pearls of wisdom from the other providers and figuring out what I can utilize in my career.”
Jul 28, 2026
Community-focused entrepreneurship initiative aims to expand opportunity, mentorship and upward mobility for Kansas Citians
The Henry W. Bloch School of Management received a $50,000 gift matched dollar-for-dollar to create a $100,000 investment supporting local businesses and higher-education pathways through the University of Missouri-Kansas City Community Entrepreneurship Program, aligning with nationwide efforts to support communities in FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities.
The program is modeled on a proven initiative at the University of Notre Dame which, supported by a $2.5 million grant from The Coca-Cola Company, partners with universities and nonprofits to help entrepreneurs launch and grow sustainable businesses in FIFA World Cup host cities.
"Being part of the UMKC program has been such a gift. The mentorship, resources and support we've received have helped us not just run our coffee cart but dream bigger. The connections we've made, the advice we've received and the encouragement along the way have reminded us that small businesses like ours matter, and that we don't have to do it alone." — Marbhely Gonzalez
The initiative provides partner organizations with a full model, including curriculum, mentoring, training, consulting and access to microgrants.
“Coca-Cola’s support allows us to empower Kansas City residents to start sustainable ventures while connecting them to educational and professional opportunities,” said Marvin Carolina Jr, director of the UMKC program. “We’re helping individuals take meaningful steps toward inclusive prosperity and community engagement.”
Launched in September 2025 through the UMKC Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Community Entrepreneurship Program provides training, mentorship and resources for early-stage entrepreneurs.
One business already seeing the impact is Bonita Café & Co., a women-owned, sister-led coffee cart founded by sisters Leslie and Marbhely Gonzalez in July 2025. With no prior background in the coffee or food industry, the pair launched the business with a vision of creating memorable coffee experiences that bring people together at weddings, corporate events and community gatherings.
The sisters joined the Community Entrepreneurship Program shortly after launching the business and quickly found support through mentorship, networking and hands-on opportunities. Carolina hired Bonita Café & Co. to serve coffee at the program's Saturday sessions, giving the entrepreneurs an opportunity to refine their operations while building visibility in the community.
"Being part of the UMKC program has been such a gift," Marbhely Gonzalez said. "The mentorship, resources and support we've received have helped us not just run our coffee cart but dream bigger. The connections we've made, the advice we've received and the encouragement along the way have reminded us that small businesses like ours matter, and that we don't have to do it alone."
Less than a year after launching, Bonita Café & Co. secured bookings with organizations including Lululemon, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ronald McDonald House Charities and local schools. The rapid growth prompted the business to add a second coffee cart and expand its focus on corporate events.
Phase one of the Community Entrepreneurship Program ran for six consecutive Saturdays, giving participants hands-on guidance in business development. In phase two, participants were paired with the UMKC Entrepreneurship Mentor Network, a group of 60 to 70 local professionals who provide personalized advice, share industry insights and help participants navigate challenges as they advance their business ideas. Phase three brought in students from the Bloch Consulting Lab, who provided pro-bono consulting to help participants refine business plans, conduct market research and implement operational strategies.
From left to right: Bloch Consulting Lab students Joana Miralles Cardona, Anita Huynh and Adriana Díaz Leguillú, and UMKC Community Entrepreneurship Program participants Jenell Watts, Jenell Harper, Marbhely Gonzalez and Leslie Gonzalez.
Bloch Launchpad scholar and business student consultant Adriana Díaz Leguillú worked alongside the marketing team at Bonita Café & Co.
“We provided research on similar businesses and branding advice after hearing what they wanted their business to feel like,” Leguillú said. “We provided research on survey tools and what an inquiry form should look like; we provided posting templates and some simple ‘how to be successful on social media’ research. Overall, it was a great experience seeing a women-owned business be so successful.”
Leguillú credits the experience in helping her grow academically and professionally.
“I was able to apply what I have learned in past marketing classes,” Leguillú said. “Working in the Bloch Consulting Lab helped me develop my confidence in the marketing space, specifically with market research, photography and social media marketing. With the lab, I’ve done product photoshoots, developed logos and conducted a lot of social media and competitor research.”
With support from Coca-Cola, the World Cup and the Bloch community, the UMKC Community Entrepreneurship Program will run again this fall, continuing its mission to empower local entrepreneurs and create long-term pathways to education and opportunity.
To transform your idea into a sustainable business, apply to the UMKC Community Entrepreneurship.
Jul 22, 2026
Historic investment positions the Greater Kansas City region to strengthen America’s supply chains, advanced manufacturing and national security
Today, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) selected the University of Missouri-Kansas City-led NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine in the Kansas City region to receive up to $160 million in funding, potentially the largest award in Missouri higher education history and one of the nation’s most significant investments in rebuilding America’s domestic critical materials ecosystem.
The award positions the Greater Kansas City region and the broader Missouri-Kansas corridor as a national hub for critical materials innovation, commercialization and workforce development. The initiative is expected to create approximately 10,000 jobs by 2036 across manufacturing, research and development, logistics, engineering, construction and workforce training, according to Missouri Extension. The effort could generate up to $40 billion in economic output and increase the combined Missouri-Kansas GDP by $17 billion over the 10-year period.
The NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine, initiated by the University of Missouri System in 2022, is driven by a coalition of more than 260 partners spanning higher education, industry, entrepreneurship, government and community and workforce development organizations in Missouri and Kansas. The ultimate goal: to help secure the United States’ economic and national security future by reducing dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains for critical materials.
The NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine (Critical Materials Crossroads) will develop the regional ecosystem necessary for increasing production of the metals and advanced materials that manufacturers use in batteries, aircraft engine parts, semiconductors, medical devices and more. The starting materials include concentrated ore and spent materials, recovered domestically and internationally. This effort, led by UMKC, will establish the region as a national hub for critical materials innovation, commercialization and workforce development.
UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal
“Critical Materials Crossroads represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen America's economic and national security while positioning the Kansas City region as a global leader in critical materials research and innovation,” UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “This initiative reflects what is possible when a region unites around a bold vision with national impact.”
University of Missouri President Mun Choi added: “This consortium exemplifies the power of the University of Missouri System's four research universities working together to address one of our nation's most pressing strategic challenges. Thanks to the leadership of UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal and Dr. Anthony Caruso and their strong partnerships across industry and government, we are creating a collaborative enterprise that makes a transformative impact for our state and country.”
The University of Missouri System's leadership in critical materials extends beyond the UMKC-led NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine. Collaborator Missouri S&T is internationally recognized for its critical materials research and is also a recipient of a federal Tech Hub award, further strengthening Missouri's role in advancing domestic supply chains and advanced manufacturing.
“This initiative demonstrates what can happen when higher education, industry and government unite behind a shared purpose,” said Todd Graves, chair of the UM Board of Curators. “This significant investment positions Missouri to lead in an area that is vital to our nation's future while creating lasting opportunities for our universities, citizens and economy.”
The Critical Materials Crossroads has garnered bi-state and bipartisan support from top federal and state leaders because of what it means for the United States. Currently, the nation imports most of the critical materials essential to modern life, with China dominating large portions of the global supply chain. Congressional leaders supporting the initiative warned that America’s dependence on foreign adversaries for these materials represent “an active and growing vulnerability to U.S. national security and economic independence.”
The Kansas City region offers strategic advantages unmatched in the United States, including a central geographic location, one of the nation’s most robust rail and river transportation networks, deep manufacturing roots and growing expertise in advanced materials research and engineering.
The Kansas City region’s economic development arms strongly support Critical Materials Crossroads including the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, EnterpriseKC, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City Area Development Council and Midwest Area Regional Council.
Anthony Caruso, UMKC vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and founder of Critical Materials Crossroads
Anthony Caruso, UMKC vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and founder of Critical Materials Crossroads, said the effort represents years of collaboration focused on solving one of the nation’s most pressing economic and security challenges. Caruso is the principal investigator leading the initiative in partnership with fellow Carnegie R1 research institutions including University of Missouri, Missouri S&T, University of Kansas and Kansas State University.
“For decades, the United States has steadily lost much of the workforce, infrastructure and manufacturing capacity required for critical materials production,” Caruso said. “This investment allows us to rebuild that capability here in America — creating jobs, strengthening our national resilience and ensuring the technologies that power our future can be produced domestically. We are deeply grateful to the National Science Foundation and to the hundreds of partners across Missouri, Kansas and the nation who united behind this vision and are now dedicated to action.”
The NSF announced the newest NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) awards to 12 U.S. teams across 20 states. These NSF Engines will build and scale innovation clusters that aim to accelerate the development of critical technologies, prepare talent for emerging jobs and grow regional economies. Building on decades of NSF investments in foundational research, the NSF Engines partner with the private sector to advance technology deployment and secure America's position at the forefront of science and technology.
“NSF Engines investments in critical technologies and future industries will transform America’s innovation infrastructure for decades to come," said Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director. “This NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine will be a substantial resource in the Midwest to onshore and sustain production capacity for critical minerals used across the transportation, energy, communication and national security sectors.”
Critical Materials Crossroads and the other awardees will initially receive an award of $15 million over two years. If Critical Materials Crossroads demonstrates progress on well-defined milestones, it will have the potential to eventually receive up to $160 million from NSF over the next decade as it seeks to build an internationally competitive technology and innovation cluster in the region. In 2025, NSF selected Critical Materials Crossroads as one of just 15 finalists out of 285 proposals nationwide.
Read what federal, state and city leaders say about the NSF’s selection of the Critical Materials Crossroads Engine:
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe: “The State of Missouri is proud to welcome this incredible opportunity to further position the region as a leader in strengthening America’s national security and strategic supply chains, while also generating thousands of jobs and billions in economic growth. Developing a critical materials ecosystem in Missouri will leverage many historic strengths of our state, including as a longtime leader in the mining and production industries, a strong U.S. transportation and logistics hub, and a robust manufacturing workforce.”
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly: “The Critical Materials Crossroads initiative represents a bold, high-impact opportunity to advance scientific leadership while strengthening supply chains, enhancing global competitiveness and delivering durable economic growth in the heart of the United States.”
U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt: “Missouri is doing its part to secure American dominance on the world stage. Kansas City’s NSF Engine will be an important driver in enhancing U.S. competitiveness and strengthening the domestic critical mineral supply chain. I am proud to support a transformational NSF investment that accelerates innovation, creates high-paying jobs and establishes the Kansas City region as a national hub for critical materials and advanced manufacturing."
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran: “The National Science Foundation’s selection of UMKC for this award is an important investment in the Greater Kansas City region. This investment will strengthen our local economy, support job growth and position the region to continue leading in research, innovation and advanced manufacturing while creating new opportunities for the next generation. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NSF, I have long made it a priority to support efforts like these to strengthen our domestic supply chains and support U.S. economic and national security.”
U.S. Rep. Mark Alford: “This is a big win for Missouri’s New Fourth District and for America’s future. I was proud to support this effort because rebuilding our domestic supply chains for critical materials is essential to our national security, our energy independence and our economic strength. This investment will create good-paying jobs, strengthen our manufacturing base and ensure the Heartland continues to lead the way in innovation."
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver: “Today’s announcement proves that the future of American innovation is being built right here in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. UMKC’s designation as an NSF Regional Innovation Engine reflects the extraordinary talent and collaboration that define our community. This investment will strengthen our economy, create good-paying jobs, and ensure our region continues to lead in developing the critical technologies of tomorrow. I congratulate Chancellor Agrawal, UMKC and all of the partners who helped make this achievement possible. Today, we are reminded that our greatest successes come when there’s collaboration towards a shared vision. That’s the Kansas City way, and today the nation is taking notice.”
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids: “I’ve been proud to support this effort since day one because Kansas City has the talent, the partnerships and the know-how to help solve our nation’s biggest challenges. This investment shows what’s possible when we work across state lines and across sectors to build the future right here in the heartland. By strengthening our critical materials supply chains, we’re not only protecting our national security — we’re creating good-paying jobs and new opportunities for the next generation of Kansas City innovators.”
U.S. Rep. Sam Graves: "The Critical Materials Crossroads is a huge deal for the Kansas City region and the State of Missouri. The future of our country is dependent on having the ability to produce our own critical materials. Missouri is well-positioned to develop the resources, technology and talent to make that happen here at home and I can think of no one better than the University of Missouri System to lead this effort."
U.S. Rep. Bob Onder: “This historic investment for UMKC is a major win not only for Missourians, but for our entire country as we work to rebuild American manufacturing. Our state is now well-positioned to help lead the next generation of innovation, and this investment will ensure that our researchers, manufacturers and workforce are driving the advancements needed to strengthen our economic and national security. Funding merit-based, evidence-driven research is exactly what the NSF should be supporting to help grow advanced manufacturing, secure our domestic supply chains and keep America competitive on the global stage.”
U.S. Rep. Jason Smith: “For too long, the United States has watched critical minerals supply chains shift overseas, leaving our energy security dependent on foreign adversaries like China. This grant is a serious step toward reversing that, building a real domestic supply chain for the materials that power everything from batteries to jet engines, right here in Missouri. I was proud to join my colleagues in a letter of support for the University of Missouri System’s effort to secure this award, and I’m glad to see that work pay off for our great state. Missouri has the mineral supply, the research talent and the manufacturing base to lead the effort in rebuilding our domestic critical minerals supply chain, and this grant gives us the resources to do so.”
U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner: “This is a tremendous win for Missouri and for America's future, and I am proud to have helped lead congressional efforts supporting this proposal. Developing secure domestic sources of critical materials is essential to protecting our economic competitiveness and national security. Missouri has long been a leader in innovation, manufacturing and research, and this award further showcases our state's central role in strengthening America's industrial base. Congratulations to the University of Missouri System and the partners who came together to make this monumental investment a reality.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas: “Kansas City is proud of UMKC for its receipt of one of the largest federal grants in our region’s history to make Kansas City the national center for critical materials research, ensuring our country can produce materials we rely on in our phones, cars and daily lives with less reliance on unsustainable forms of mineral extraction elsewhere in the world.”
Read what civic and industry partners say about the NSF’s selection of the Critical Materials Crossroads Engine:
Adam Weisenstein, chief technology officer for Æsir Technologies: "The NSF’s selection of the Critical Materials Crossroads Engine is a great win for the Kansas City area and is a large first step in establishing a domestic source for battery materials. Æsir’s partnership with UMKC and Critical Materials Crossroads is crucial to establishing a fully domestic mission-critical Nickel-Zinc battery."
Doug Miller, vice president and managing director for mining, food and agriculture for Black & Veatch: “The National Science Foundation’s investment in the Critical Materials Crossroads initiative is an important milestone for the Kansas City region and for advancing critical materials capabilities in the United States. As demand for critical materials continues to grow, the challenge is not only developing new technologies, but creating the infrastructure and industrial capacity needed to bring them to market at scale. Black & Veatch is proud to contribute its experience in human critical infrastructure to support that effort.”
Ron Coker, senior vice president, Burns & McDonnell: "Kansas City has long been a place where complex challenges are solved through collaboration. Today's announcement recognizes the strength of our region's talent, industry and research community. We are proud that UMKC in leading this important initiative and look forward to supporting the development of new and lasting economic opportunities here in Kansas City while strengthening America's critical materials supply chain."
Mario Destephen, director of research and development, EaglePicher Technologies: “We are excited to be part of this important regional initiative. EaglePicher, a leading battery manufacturer serving the defense and aerospace industries, will be a key partner in the development and commercialization of domestically produced battery materials, helping to strengthen national security and enhance supply chain independence."
DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and chief executive officer, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation: “Congratulations to the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the entire NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine in the Kansas City region team on this big win for our region! As Mr. K once said: ‘All of the money in the world cannot solve problems unless we work together. And, if we work together, there is no problem in the world that can stop us.’ This Is our newest example of working together, and I’m excited to see what’s possible.”Clyde McQueen, chief executive officer, Full Employment Council: “This project holds great promise for the region’s workforce, and will create pathways for thousands of in-demand, quality careers in sectors that play to the Kansas City region’s economic strengths. Through training and support systems that match the needs of employers and job seekers concurrently, the Critical Materials Crossroads Engine will ensure that opportunity is accessible to the workforce and employers in Greater Kansas City region.”
Joe Reardon, president and chief executive officer, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce: "This is a transformative moment for Greater Kansas City and a powerful validation of what is possible when universities, industry, government and civic partners come together around a shared vision. The NSF Regional Innovation Engines award positions our region to lead the nation in advancing critical materials innovation while strengthening our economy, creating high-quality jobs and building a more resilient domestic supply chain. The KC Chamber is proud to have supported this effort, and we congratulate UMKC and every partner whose collaboration helped make this achievement possible. We look forward to building on this momentum to ensure Greater Kansas City continues to compete and lead on the global stage."
Jimmy Swift, chief operating officer, Great Jobs KC: "This historic $160 million NSF award is a massive win for the Greater Kansas City region, and Great Jobs KC is ready to ensure our local workforce shares in that success. Our role is to break down barriers to these high-paying career pathways by delivering comprehensive tuition assistance, specialized workshops, and critical support services. We look forward to working alongside our partners through 2036 to build a diverse, skilled talent pipeline that will sustain this vital national initiative for the decade to come.”
Tim Dunn, chairman of the board and chief investment officer, JE Dunn Construction; UMKC Trustee: “The National Science Foundation’s investment in UMKC’s Critical Materials Crossroads Engine is a major win for Kansas City and our region. It recognizes the expertise and commitment behind an effort that can strengthen American manufacturing, expand career opportunities and position this region as a leader in critical materials. JE Dunn is proud to support UMKC and congratulate everyone whose work made this achievement possible.”
Elli Houston, vice president of KC SmartPort, the industrial-focused initiative of the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC): "This award is a powerful validation of what the Kansas City region can achieve when industry, higher education and public partners unite behind a shared vision. With world-class infrastructure, a thriving talent pipeline and a collaborative ecosystem, our region is uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of advanced manufacturing and create new opportunities for critical materials innovation and production."
Nathaniel Hagedorn, chief executive officer of NorthPoint Development: "Critical Materials Crossroads is an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen America’s industrial base and build a secure domestic supply chain for materials essential to our economy and national security. NorthPoint Development is proud to help translate this vision into industrial capacity by developing the sites, infrastructure and manufacturing environment needed for businesses to onshore the production of critical materials within the U.S. The Critical Materials Crossroads brings together industry, research, government and civic communities around a shared opportunity. We believe Missouri and the Kansas City region are uniquely positioned to become a national center for critical material processing, knowledge and innovation. We are excited to help build the platform that makes it possible.”
Ram Gupta, associate vice president for research and innovation, Pittsburg State University: "The Critical Materials Crossroads Engine presents a tremendous opportunity to develop a highly skilled workforce in emerging technologies that are essential to our nation's future. This initiative will strengthen research collaborations, accelerate innovation and create new pathways for students, researchers and industry partners to address critical workforce needs. Pittsburg State University is proud to support this transformative effort and to contribute our expertise in applied research, workforce development and industry engagement. Together, we are building a stronger innovation ecosystem that will enhance regional economic growth while advancing the nation's leadership in critical materials and advanced manufacturing."
Brian Smith, chief executive officer, Wagner Logistics: “Rebuilding America's critical materials supply chain will require strong partnerships across research, manufacturing, workforce development and logistics. Wagner is proud to support the UMKC-led Critical Materials Crossroads Engine and the coalition of partners working to strengthen domestic manufacturing, enhance supply chain resilience and position the Kansas City region as a national leader in critical materials innovation.”
Jian Wang, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, Wichita State University: "The Critical Materials Crossroads (CMC) NSF Engine presents an incredible opportunity to establish a robust innovation ecosystem spanning both Missouri and Kansas. This initiative will address critical regional and national needs while fostering the development of a highly skilled workforce. Wichita State University is proud to support this transformative effort and contribute its expertise in research and development. Critical materials are essential to industrial manufacturing, technological advancement and national security. The establishment of this regional engine will create significant opportunities for innovation, commercialization and domestic production of critical materials in the Kansas City region, with subsequent expansion and broader economic impact extending to Wichita and the surrounding areas."
Jul 14, 2026
Five questions with Miguel Mostafá
Miguel Mostafá, Ph.D, joined the School of Science and Engineering as dean in June.
He previously was the dean of the College of Science and Technology at Temple University. As he begins his first year at UMKC, Mostafá shares what drew him to the university and his vision for the School of Science and Engineering.
1. What attracted you to the UMKC School of Science and Engineering?
What attracted me most was how closely UMKC's mission aligned with my leadership philosophy. The university's focus on student success, interdisciplinary research and community engagement are areas I've dedicated my career to for more than 20 years. I was also drawn to the opportunities that come with being part of a major research university in Kansas City. The School of Science and Engineering’s strong connections to the Kansas City community create meaningful opportunities for students through various internships, research experiences and professional opportunities. Combined with UMKC's Carnegie R1 research status, those strengths create an environment where students can learn from leading researchers while engaging with real-world challenges. Ultimately, I saw an opportunity to make a meaningful, long-term impact in a university and community that strongly supports that vision.
2. What are your priorities for your first year as dean, and how do you plan to build on SSE's strengths?
I'm especially looking forward to meeting our students. Interacting with students is one of the most rewarding parts of higher education, and it's something I've made a priority throughout my career. Even as dean at my previous institution, I continued teaching because having the opportunity to directly interact with students allowed me to better understand them and how we can best support their success. My first year will also be focused on listening and learning. Every institution has its own culture and strengths, so it's important to understand the people and opportunities that already exist before making changes.
I'm also looking forward to building partnerships across various academic units. Universities can sometimes operate in silos, with people focused primarily on their own academic disciplines or units. I believe we make the most progress when we work together, so I'm excited to collaborate with fellow deans and colleagues on initiatives that bring different areas of expertise together.
I'm also excited about improving and developing programs that align with student interests and workforce needs. Recent additions such as the Bachelor of architecture, Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in biomedical engineering and Master of Science in artificial intelligence reflect both the opportunities in the workforce and the future of science and engineering.
3. You trained as a physicist before moving into academic leadership. How has that scientific background influenced your career?
My undergraduate degree is in nuclear engineering, and I earned my Ph.D. in physics, so I’m naturally a data-driven person. Whether we're talking about enrollment, student success, program development or research growth, my first instinct is always to look at the data. I want to understand what's happening, identify trends and make decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions.
That mindset influences every aspect of my work. As we think about new programs and future opportunities, I want to understand the landscape. How many similar programs exist? What are national trends? What are students interested in studying, and what careers are available to them after graduation? The data helps us make informed decisions and position ourselves for success.
4. What has been your first impression of UMKC and Kansas City?
My first impression has been incredibly positive. I had lived in the Midwest before, so I've really enjoyed being back and appreciate the pace of life in Kansas City. I've also been enjoying the city itself, from the food to the welcoming atmosphere. As someone from Argentina, I can certainly appreciate a place that takes its barbecue seriously.
But more than anything, I've been impressed by the people. From the moment I arrived, everyone at UMKC has been incredibly welcoming, supportive and generous with their time. University leaders, faculty and staff have all made me feel at home. The support I've received has exceeded my expectations, and I'm excited about what we can accomplish together.
5. What qualities do you think today's science and engineering students need to succeed in a rapidly changing world?
That's a fantastic question because it's something higher education is grappling with every day, especially as artificial intelligence continues to transform how we learn and work.
If I had to choose one quality, it would be critical thinking. AI can be a powerful tool, but it cannot replace human judgment, curiosity and the ability to evaluate information thoughtfully. Universities have a responsibility to develop these skills in students.
Beyond critical thinking, effective communication is essential. No matter what field students enter, they need to be able to explain ideas clearly, collaborate with others and communicate across disciplines. Adaptability is also important. Change is happening more rapidly than ever before, and students will likely work in industries and occupations that continue to evolve throughout their careers. Rather than preparing students for a single job, we need to help them become lifelong learners who can adapt to new technologies and challenges.
Jul 10, 2026
From local communities to the state capital, Deidre Anderson-Barbee has dedicated her career to improving early childhood education
When Deidre Anderson-Barbee (MPA '00) moved to Kansas City, she was a single mother looking for a graduate program with the tools to make a greater impact. Nearly three decades later, that journey has earned her recognition from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration, also known as NASPAA, as one of two recipients of its global Alumni Spotlight Award.
Anderson-Barbee has spent her career working at every level of the early childhood system, from serving children and families directly to leading nonprofit organizations and shaping statewide policy.
Whether in classrooms, communities or government, she has remained guided by the same belief: meaningful change begins with the people a system is designed to serve.
"I bring my whole self into everything that I do," Anderson-Barbee said. "When you're in community and you are proximate to the work, what you're doing for the system actually works. But when you build a system without the end users in mind, it's just a system."
Originally from Iowa, Anderson-Barbee moved to Kansas City in 1997 and enrolled in the UMKC Master of Public Administration program with an emphasis in urban policy and management at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management.
As a single mother working in child welfare, she sought a graduate program that reflected the work she envisioned for herself: strengthening communities through nonprofit leadership and public service rather than pursuing elected office.
"Getting my master's was having the credential to do the higher-level work," she said. "But I never wanted to be removed from where it all started."
For Anderson-Barbee, the MPA program at UMKC shaped her approach to leadership by emphasizing collaboration.
"The content you get in an MPA degree is relevant to anyone," Anderson-Barbee said. "The MPA program teaches you to collaborate because not everybody's looking for the same career path, not everybody's coming from the same background.”
She also credits faculty members David Renz and former Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser with bringing real-world experience into the classroom.
"The professors who meant the most to me were the ones who could bring their real-life experience to the classroom," she said. "They were able to make it personally relevant for me as a student."
After graduating, Anderson-Barbee built a career centered on improving outcomes for children and families. She spent more than a decade leading EarlystART, a Kansas City nonprofit providing early childhood education services.
During her tenure as chief executive officer, the organization expanded from one early learning center serving approximately 120 children to three centers serving more than 300 while increasing access to high-quality early education through community partnerships and scholarships.
As the organization grew, Anderson-Barbee recognized another challenge facing early childhood education: developing and retaining the workforce needed to meet families' needs.
She founded Starting Early, an organization dedicated to attracting, training and supporting the next generation of early childhood educators while bringing together providers, businesses and policymakers to address systemic challenges.
Her leadership eventually led to statewide service as assistant commissioner of Missouri's Office of Childhood within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, where she helped oversee efforts to expand access to high-quality early childhood programs across Missouri.
Even in a statewide leadership role, Anderson-Barbee believed the best policy begins in local communities.
"You can't just make decisions from behind a desk," she said. "You need to be out where families are."
Today, Anderson-Barbee continues serving children and families as director of student and family support services at Scuola Vita Nuova Charter School while remaining closely connected to UMKC. She serves on the Bloch School’s Public Affairs Advisory Council, giving input to both the Master of Business Administration and MPA programs.
“One of the greatest joys of leading the Bloch School's MPA program is seeing graduates whose impact reaches far beyond their job titles,” said Susan Opp, Ph.D., Victor E. and Caroline E. Schutte Professor. “Deidre is one of those leaders. She has spent her career bringing people together, tackling difficult public challenges and building stronger systems for children and families across Missouri. Just as important, she has remained deeply connected to UMKC, generously sharing her experience with our students and helping shape the future of the program that helped launch her own career. There is no better example for our students of the difference a UMKC MPA graduate can make.”
For students considering a career in public service, Anderson-Barbee encourages them to think beyond a job title and focus on the impact they hope to make.
"There couldn't be a more important time in our nation to have public servants and leaders," she said. "I think it's the human side of business. What kind of person do you want to be in business? If you're trying to figure that out, the MPA is a program that can help you figure out who you are and how you fit in whatever ecosystem you want to work in."
Jul 06, 2026
Determination and three phone calls changed Sherri Wattenbarger’s life; now she pays it forward
When Sherri Wattenbarger (B.A. ’91, J.D. ’93) was 6 years old, her father taught her the value of asking for help when you need it. Now, she’s in a position to be the one who answers when someone asks for help. Wattenbarger and husband Brian Beins have created an estate gift of $575,000 to benefit first-generation law students and Athletics.
“We are always excited to celebrate law alumni who choose to invest in the future of their law school, but because Sherri also benefited from her time as a student athlete, we are grateful her unique student experiences led her to expand her legacy at UMKC,” said Marie Dispenza, senior director of development at the UMKC School of Law and executive director of the UMKC Law Foundation.
Since the age of 11, Wattenbarger knew she wanted to go to Harvard University. For a first-generation student from St. Joseph, it was a daunting goal. With high grades and extracurriculars, she achieved her goal and made it to Harvard. But when she got there, she quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit. Wattenbarger was far from home and her support network, and she was struggling to navigate the university system and financial demands. Significant stress and unhappiness made leaving Harvard the right choice for her.
When Wattenbarger returned to St. Joseph, she thought carefully about her next steps. She knew she needed to attend a university that had more support for first-generation students and made financial sense. She wanted to major in political science and attend law school to become a public servant, which wouldn’t be possible with significant student debt. She also wanted to stay closer to her family and support system.
Wattenbarger toured UMKC and was impressed by the small class sizes and supportive professors. That summer, she made the first of three phone calls to UMKC that would set her on the path right for her.
“I called the admissions office at UMKC and told them my story,” Wattenbarger said. “They sent me to the dean of admissions, and when she called me back, she had a full scholarship for four years of tuition for me. It was just amazing. I had no money for college. I don’t know how long it would have taken me to get through school if I had to work full-time and pay for it on my own.”
Wattenbarger lived at home and commuted to UMKC. During her sophomore year, she was reading the school newspaper and came across the collegiate cross-country results. An avid runner, she realized she could compete with those times. Wattenbarger made her second phone call to UMKC.
“I told the cross-country coach I could run faster than his fastest runner,” Wattenbarger recalled. “He said he could get me some scholarship money if I tried out for the team, so I did. I became No. 1 on the team and ran during my last two years of undergraduate school and my first year of law school.”
Wattenbarger took advantage of UMKC School of Law’s 3+3 program to begin law school after just three years of undergraduate coursework, with law school credits counting toward her remaining undergraduate requirements. While that saved her a full year of tuition, it provided an additional challenge – the law school thought she was applying for admission for a year later. Wattenbarger made her third phone call to UMKC.
“I had been admitted to the law school but hadn’t received any word on scholarships,” Wattenbarger said. “It was July and I realized that I couldn’t afford to go to school at all if I didn’t get a scholarship. So I called up the law school and told them what was going on. Once they realized I intended to go to school that fall, they gave me a full-ride scholarship for tuition and books.”
That scholarship allowed Wattenbarger to graduate from law school with minimal debt and begin her career as a public servant. Looking back, Wattenbarger wasn’t sure the debt that came with a Harvard education would have allowed her to pursue work as a public servant.
“Sherri’s story exemplifies UMKC Law’s mission,” said Lumen Mulligan, dean of the UMKC School of Law. “We provide a world-class legal education that is authentically accessible. We continue to pursue this mission today only with the generous support of alumni like Sherri, for which we are deeply appreciative.”
With help from her UMKC connections, she received a job clerking for Judge Pasco Bowman II, 8th Circuit Court of Appeals and a former dean at the UMKC School of Law. Judge Bowman learned of her desire to work for the U.S. Justice Department and recommended her for their Attorney General’s Honors Program, a recruitment program for entry-level federal attorneys. Wattenbarger was one of more than 2,000 applicants who applied and was one of 13 to be hired.
Wattenbarger worked for the U.S. Justice Department under Janet Reno, the first woman to become Attorney General. The first several years of her career were spent in Washington, D.C., but eventually she decided to move back to Kansas City. She wanted to stay with the Justice Department, so in 1997 she interviewed for a position with the U.S. Trustee Program in Kansas City. Wattenbarger spent the rest of her career there, enforcing bankruptcy laws.
“When I moved back to Kansas City, I knew I was home,” Wattenbarger said. “This is where I wanted to stay and build my life. I decided to get involved in some organizations around town. I taught bankruptcy law at UMKC School of Law as an adjunct professor for three years.”
Despite her college journey taking unanticipated turns, Wattenbarger achieved many of the things in her career she set out to do. She attributes much of that to her resilience, hard work and willingness to ask for help. The help she received from UMKC is a large part of what influenced Wattenbarger and Beins to make their own estate gift.
“I don’t know how long it would have taken me to get through school without scholarships, and I don’t have a record of who gave to any of the scholarships I received from UMKC,” Wattenbarger said. “I wish I could thank them and tell them that I graduated top of my class. I went on to be a public servant. I’ve been very involved in the community and UMKC. They did that for me. There are a lot of kids out there like me who just need a little help, just a tiny boost. And if you give them that boost, there’s no limit on what they can do. Someone gave me that boost, and I want to pay it forward.”
Jul 01, 2026
Joseph Lightner from the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies will study how zero-fare transit systems influence health outcomes across urban ...
For Lightner, experiencing and understanding different cultures is important to him, not only as a person, but as a researcher as well. Getting out of his own social context broadens what he can learn. Over the next year, he’ll be in Brazil for three months, then Puerto Rico, back to the United States and then off to South Africa for another research project.
“I think the United States has a lot to learn from other countries,” Lightner said. “What are those things that really make a population healthy? How are those things health protective? And then, how do we create interventions in the United States that can mimic the mechanism of change in other places?”
The impetus for the Fulbright project began when Lightner was invited to speak at a zero-fare conference in Rio de Janeiro. His talk piqued the interest of researchers at the Rio de Janeiro State University. The group immediately began strategizing on how they could work together. That’s when the Fulbright award came about.
The goal of the project is to understand what impact zero-fare policies will have on physical activity, overall health and ancillary things like grocery store trips or doctor visits. Lightner will travel to Brazil in August to begin the study. The team will collect data from six urban cities in Brazil, three cities with zero fare and three that do not.
Lightner is eager to learn more about Brazil’s unique bus system and how it compares to Kansas City and beyond. According to Lightner, bus systems in the United States are operated by the government, where drivers are essentially public employees. In Brazil, the bus system is a public-private partnership, where individual companies run a city’s bus system, funded by a tax on employers.
“I’m astonished by the fact that they can have this public-private partnership where it looks and feels very much like the United States, but it works so much better,” Lightner said. “What can the United States and Kansas City learn from these environments where so many people are taking transit and walking more?”
According to Lightner, transportation adoption is high in Brazil compared to the United States where about 1% of trips are made on public transportation. Whereas in Brazil, it’s anywhere between 20% to 50%. Because of that, zero fare can make a huge impact. Brazil has the largest zero-fare transit system in the world. It has about 220 million people, and about 150 mid-sized cities in the country have zero fare.
The research team is hoping to recruit about 600 people, connecting with them through community centers, health departments and municipal city halls. Once the study begins, each participant will receive a research-grade accelerometer – similar to a smart watch but waist mounted and more accurate – and a GPS tracker. Each week, participants will return their accelerometers and GPS trackers, which the team will pull the data from. Then participants will get a new set of trackers and come back in a week. Brazil has a national healthcare system with extensive electronic records so it will be simple for the team to gather information like number of doctor visits and overall health indicators like blood pressure.
The other members of the research team at Rio de Janeiro State University are excited about the opportunity to collaborate. For Magno Garcia, Ph.D., the project will be part of his post-doctoral fellowship. Lightner is already helping him improve as a researcher, emphasizing the viewpoint of study participants and how that affects their behavior.
“Lightner is a good researcher to learn from because of his creativity and how he motivates,” Garcia said. “He provides opportunities to improve my knowledge and help me understand the best way to assess things. I’m so thankful for him.”
On the project, Garcia will mainly be collecting and organizing the data for the project. He’s hopeful that with good data from his community, he can better understand behavior and create innovative policy to encourage physical activity for Brazilians.
According to Jamie Hunt, faculty member in the Department of Health Sciences, Lightner's work demonstrates how innovative research can address real-world challenges and improve lives.
“Lightner’s pioneering research on equitable transportation policy has already influenced national conversations,” Hunt said. “His Fulbright work in Brazil will further advance global understanding of how transportation systems can promote health, opportunity and social equity”.
For Hunt, the Fulbright project reflects Lightner’s commitment to advancing equitable, community-centered solutions on a global scale.
“We are proud to support him as a scholar, collaborator and ambassador for both UMKC and the Fulbright mission,” Hunt said.
Lightner has been studying zero fare since 2021, where he researched Kansas City’s switch to zero fare. His team found that ridership increased as well as physical activity. The research found that people were meeting their daily recommendation for physical activity just walking to and from the bus stop.
The framework for the project in Brazil is built on the work Lightner and his team performed in Kansas City. He’s excited to see how the research in Brazil will affect change in Kansas City. The work is important to Lightner because he said bus riders are a traditionally marginalized population where there are systemic issues limiting their ability to have good health.
“Built environments play a really important role in physical activity,” Lightner said. “In many developed countries like the United States, if you don’t have a sidewalk or a trail to walk, you’re less likely to be active. It’s been great seeing people in environments that aren’t really designed for physical activity still find a way to be active.”
Jun 30, 2026
A night celebrating Kansas City’s global moment
The UMKC Family Soccer Fest brought many community members, alumni, students and soccer fans to campus for an evening celebrating Kansas City’s rich soccer culture. With strong attendance and activities for all ages, the event created a festive atmosphere that showcased UMKC’s role in the Soccer Capital of America.
Guests enjoyed a variety of interactive activities throughout the evening. Including inflatables, lawn games, face painting and soccer-themed challenges. Hydration and misting stations helped attendees stay cool during the summer night while families explored Roo Plaza and connected with local soccer organizations and the university’s Kansas City Roos men’s and women’s soccer teams. The highlight on the field was a series of exciting 3 vs. 3 matches that kept players and spectators engaged throughout the event.
The festival also featured appearances from both of the university’s soccer partners, the Kansas City Current and Sporting Kansas City, giving fans an opportunity to connect with two of the region’s premier professional clubs. Local entrepreneur and Bloch School alumna Lesly Romo (B.B.A. ’25) and her business, Golazo, were among the community partners helping bring the celebration to life, adding to the event’s vibrant and welcoming atmosphere with plenty of soccer experience activities. Food trucks kept attendees fueled throughout the evening and contributed to the festival’s neighborhood feel.
As the sun set, attention shifted to Durwood Soccer Stadium for a watch party of the Algeria vs. Austria game on the new screen that delivered plenty of excitement. Fans sat on the field and cheered through the match, creating an electric atmosphere that capped off a memorable night.
Jun 29, 2026
First Gen Roo and recent UMKC graduate Sharae Shaheed (B.A. ’25) took the trip of a lifetime while balancing school, work and being a single mother
At UMKC, students like Sharae Shaheed (B.A. ’25) are redefining what success looks like and proving it’s never too late to expand your world.
Shaheed is a first-generation college student, mother and recent Spanish graduate who discovered study abroad isn’t just for traditional students; it’s for anyone ready to say yes to opportunity.
Why did you choose to study Spanish?
Spanish has been something I’ve been drawn to since I was a teenager. Growing up in California, I was surrounded by the language and culture. It always stayed with me.
I didn’t pursue it right away, but eventually I realized I needed to go back to what I was genuinely passionate about. Studying Spanish felt like stepping into something that was always meant for me.
And then you got the opportunity to study abroad in Spain?
I almost didn’t go. Between finances, responsibilities and being a parent, it felt like too much.
But support made the difference: scholarships, university resources and encouragement from my family. The turning point was my son telling me, “There’s no way you’re not going to Spain.” That gave me the confidence to fully commit to the experience.
Tell us more about those resources.
Financial Aid played a huge role. That funding helped make study abroad possible.
The advisors and faculty who took the time to understand my situation and help me navigate a path forward were also important. That level of support makes a real difference, especially for students balancing multiple responsibilities.
How was the experience when you finally got to Spain?
It was incredible and a bit overwhelming in the best way. Being immersed in Spain’s history and culture was something you can’t replicate in a classroom. One of the most rewarding parts was finally feeling like I was learning Spanish at the right level. Everything clicked in a way it hadn’t before.
It also felt surprisingly familiar. The environment, public transportation and pace of life reminded me of where I grew up. It felt like everything came full circle.
How else did studying abroad impact you beyond the classroom?
It gave me space to mentally and physically reset.
I’ve spent years in survival mode, and this was the first time I could truly step back and focus on myself. Even something as simple as walking every day had a major impact on my health.
It was a reminder that education isn’t just academic. It’s personal growth, too.
What would you say to other non-traditional students considering study abroad?
Don’t count yourself out. Your journey might look different, and you may have to plan around more responsibilities. That doesn’t mean the opportunity isn’t for you. If you’re willing to take the step, it can change your perspective in ways you never imagined.
Jun 25, 2026
A University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine student has been recognized for her leadership, service and impact by the University of Mis...
Sarah George, a B.A./M.D. student minoring in chemistry, is one of seven recipients of the 2026 Remington R. Williams Award and the only student selected from UMKC this year. The award honors exceptional student leaders who demonstrate outstanding character, collaboration and meaningful contributions both inside and outside the classroom.
Named in memory of Remington Williams, a former UMKC student representative to the UM Board of Curators, the award is one of the UM System’s highest non-academic honors, celebrating students who embody compassion, leadership and dedication to student success. Each recipient receives $1,000 and a student-designed medal to wear at commencement.
George has distinguished herself through extensive leadership and advocacy work. She serves as president of several organizations including Days for Girls, the OB/GYN Interest Group and the American Medical Women’s Association at UMKC, focusing on menstrual health equity, mentorship and advancing women’s healthcare education.
Here’s an excerpt from the UMKC School of Medicine letter nominating George: "As the Founder and President of the Days for Girls chapter at UMKC, she established the university’s first medical-student–led chapter of a global nonprofit dedicated to menstrual health access and education. Under her leadership, students mobilized to assemble and distribute hygiene kits, conduct campuswide education initiatives and partner with local shelters and nonprofits to address period poverty. This work not only embodies the university’s mission of service and engagement but has also helped destigmatize women’s health issues within both academic and underserved communities."
The Remington award recognizes George’s leadership and advocacy efforts, particularly her work advancing women’s health and addressing gaps in care, which has been especially significant for George.
“This recognition is deeply meaningful to me, especially in the context of my work in menstrual health equity and women’s healthcare advocacy,” George said. “I am honored to be part of a system that elevates this kind of work and I remain committed to using every platform I have to expand access, advance equity and ensure dignity in healthcare for all patients.”
Victoria Garrett, education team coordinator for the School of Medicine, noted in her nomination letter that George’s leadership in several student organizations has impacted both these causes she works on and the students she works alongside.
“Through this work, she has championed menstrual equity, mentorship, women's health education and inclusive leadership,” Garrett said. “She advocates for a holistic college and professional school experience that brings together academics, service and community engagement."
George said that leadership has been important to her because it has allowed her to turn service into meaningful action for both patients and fellow medical students.
“I have taken on roles that strengthen the student experience, foster collaboration among peers and extend advocacy in women’s health beyond the classroom,” George said. “Through these experiences, I have learned that leadership is not defined by position alone, but by consistent action, accountability and a commitment to serving others within and beyond medicine."
Garrett also mentioned in her nomination letter George’s natural leadership skills while providing mentorship to her peers.
"One of Sarah's most striking strengths is her leadership which involves her commitment to mentoring and student engagement,” Garrett said. “She is deeply organized, dependable and generous with her time, frequently offering support to peers navigating the demands of medical school. Students are drawn to Sarah not only because of her experience, but because of her kindness and approachability. She listens attentively, offers thoughtful guidance and models collaboration in every interaction."
Faculty mentors also praised her collaborative approach to research and learning.
“Sarah is one of the brightest and most collaborative researchers I’ve had in my lab,” said Gary Sutkin, vice chair of education for obstetrics and gynecology. “We conduct our research in inter-disciplinary teams. Sarah is both an active listener and frequent contributor. Her intellectual curiosity is infectious, and she is the first to volunteer for tasks while involving other students in our lab.”
Award recipients are nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students and are selected for their lasting impact across the UM System. George’s recognition reflects both her leadership at UMKC and her commitment to advancing equitable healthcare and student success.
“I also feel deeply grateful for my faculty mentors who have supported and nominated me, and I recognize that I would not be in this position without their guidance, encouragement and investment in my growth."
Jun 25, 2026
Through an immersive and accessible new program in Québec City, students gained global perspective, confidence and experiences they’ll never forget
For some, taking a trip is the hallmark of summer. But this year, a group of UMKC students turned that tradition into something that was, for some, entirely new — getting a stamp on their passport.
The group just returned from the first-ever UMKC Study Abroad and Global Engagement–led trip to Québec City, Canada. For many of the students, it wasn’t just their first time participating in a study abroad program, it was their first time leaving the United States, navigating international travel and seeing themselves in a global context.Students immersed themselves in French-speaking culture through a guided walking tour of Old Québec, a French cooking course, a maple syrup experience, a national park hike and a circus school experience. The group was housed at Université Laval, one of Canada's top research universities, and supported every step of the way by UMKC's Study Abroad and Global Engagement office in partnership with First Generation Student Programs.
Katelyn Kays
Katelyn Kays is a dual major in English and Criminal Justice and Criminology and part of the First Gen Roo program. She said she had always been intrigued by Canada, and this trip was the perfect balance of different and familiar for her first trip abroad. “I learned a lot about Canadian culture and gained a better understanding of how Canada's government works,” said Kays. “The trip also helped me become more confident in stepping outside my comfort zone, trying new things and embracing opportunities I might have been hesitant to pursue before.”Gaining that comfort was exactly the point, said Associate Director of Study Abroad Ryan Ourada.
From left to right: Andrea Valenzuela, Karina Galeas, Isabel Muziva
Even though the trip was open to all students, it was designed with first-time international travelers in mind. UMKC Director of International Affairs Mark Daly wanted to organize a trip that was accessible, both logistically and financially, to give students a taste of going on an international trip while building their confidence in stepping outside their normal routine. Quebec City, Ourada said, was the perfect fit.
From left to right: Noah Wilson, Andrew Carr, Ryan Nolan
"Québec City has a very unique culture compared to anywhere else in North America,” Ourada said. “It is very similar to actually going to France, the way the city is designed, the food, the arts, but is a much cheaper location to fly to because it is not as far as France. It's only a short plane ride to get there and you don't need a visa.”“I was a little nervous beforehand, but it turned out to be an amazing experience and I'm so glad I decided to go,” Kays said. “The trip pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way possible and gave me memories that I'll carry with me for years to come.”
From left to right: Andrew Carr, Ryan Nolan, Katelyn Kays, Grace Allen
With an all-in, low cost of $1,600 including flights, housing, transportation and activities, the program made international travel realistic for students who might not otherwise consider it. “There are many resources, scholarships and support systems available on campus to help make these opportunities accessible,” said Karina Galeas, a communications student who went on the trip. “Studying abroad is a unique experience that allows you to grow personally and academically, and it is something I believe everyone should experience at least once.”One thing that was important for the Study Abroad team was to be sure to include first-generation students, who generally opt out of study abroad experiences at higher rates than other students. Accounting major Carlos Mata was one of the First Gen Roo students who went on the trip.“I think trips like this are important for first-gen students because they give us the chance to experience something we may not have imagined for ourselves before,” Mata said. “For many of us, traveling outside of the country, or studying abroad, can feel out of reach, so having opportunities like this helps make it feel more possible. Being able to travel, explore a new place and learn outside of the classroom can really open your perspective.”
From left to right: Ana Lagares, Andrea Valenzuela, Karina Galeas, Katelyn Kays
While students certainly had fun, the impact of expanding study abroad goes beyond having a good time. Study abroad participation is linked to higher graduation rates, stronger academic performance and improved career outcomes. “Navigating an unfamiliar environment, especially one with a different language, builds self-efficacy in ways that are hard to replicate in a classroom,” Ourada said.
From left to right: Ryan Ourada, Natalie Gilkison Brooks
Noah Wilson, a graduate student studying business data analytics, has traveled abroad before, but he said this trip reinforced how valuable it is to step outside routine. “It helped me appreciate different ways of life and showed how travel builds leadership, communication and teamwork skills in ways you can’t get in a classroom,” he said.“I think experiences like this allow you to learn from others and bring back ideas that can positively influence your own daily life,” said Andrea Valenzuela. For any student thinking about signing on for the next trip, traveler Ana Lagares has just one piece of advice — do it. “Exploring a foreign country as a young, first-gen college student is more important that I had ever realized,” Lagares said. “You will experience so many things that, in the end, cultivate into a massive learning experience that stays with you forever.” Planning is already underway for 2027, with SAGE exploring additional short-term programs designed to expand access and opportunity. If you’re interested in studying abroad, reach out to the Study Abroad and Global Engagement Office.
Jun 18, 2026
Karima Burns and Emma King-Murphy recognized among best law students in the country
Two University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law students were named Academic All-Americans by the National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators (NALAE), recognizing their excellence in academics, competition, service and leadership. Karima Burns (J.D. ’26) was named an Academic All-American Trial Advocate and Emma King-Murphy (J.D. ’26) was named an Academic All-American Appellate Advocate.
Burns and King-Murphy are two of only 29 law students across the country who earned this honor, and the only students selected from a Missouri law school.
Burns credits this honor to her mentors and peers, especially those in the advocacy program.
“The advocacy program at UMKC is truly special, and I owe a great deal of this recognition to the mentorship of the faculty and the support of my mock trial teammates,” Burns said. “The program is incredibly practical and prepares students for real courtrooms. Everyone involved in the advocacy program deserves tremendous recognition and respect, they are exceptional trial lawyers, mentors and educators.”
The NALAE’s national selection committee evaluates candidates across three criteria: academic performance; competition achievement in trial advocacy, appellate advocacy or dispute resolution; and leadership and service within their law school and community.
Burns was part of the 2026 UMKC Law national championship mock trial team and earned Best Advocate of the competition. Burns said she tried to show a commitment to advocacy in throughout law school, and earned a place on the Dean’s List every semester.
“Karima is an exceptional competitor on any team she is a member of, but her passion for advocacy goes beyond competitions,” said L. Michaelle Tobin, professor of law and director of the mock trial program at UMKC School of Law. “She is a student who understands that advocacy matters because it affects real people.”
King-Murphy was a competitor in the 76th Annual National Moot Court competition. She has a published comment in the UMKC Law Review, “The Hidden Secret of Religions: Perpetrators of Adult Abuse Escape Justice” and was a staff writer for the journal. She earned a place on the Dean’s List every semester and graduated third in her class.
“Emma was one of our legal-writing teaching assistants; combining that with her academic curiosity made her one of the best brief writers I’ve worked with,” said Steve Leben, associate dean and professor at the UMKC School of Law. “One of Emma’s special qualities is that she is always ready to help others — even when she’s busy. While preparing for our regional and national competitions, she helped second-year students prepare for their first oral arguments by giving them practice rounds with her as a judge. That kind of generosity takes time and dedication.”
The UMKC School of Law advocacy program is nationally recognized, earning the No. 21 spot on the 2026 U.S. News and World Report rankings for best law schools and programs. In 2024, the mock trial program was ranked No. 11 in the country. In addition to the 2026 national champion mock trial team, a UMKC Law team won the inaugural National Military Trial Competition in 2025.
Jun 17, 2026
UMKC is among the top third of universities globally and its School of Medicine programs rank among the best in the world
U.S. News & World Report has recognized the University of Missouri-Kansas City among the world's top universities in its 2026-2027 Best Global Universities rankings. Out of more than 2,250 institutions across more than 100 countries, UMKC earned a national ranking of No. 145 and overall global ranking of No. 727.
UMKC is ranked in the top third of universities globally. Of the 289 U.S. universities in the rankings, UMKC is one of only four Missouri public universities recognized among the world's best universities, including the University of Missouri, Missouri University of Science and Technology and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Among those Missouri public universities, UMKC ranked No. 2 in the state.
Among all 197 public U.S. universities included in the rankings, UMKC earned the No. 98 spot.
"UMKC earning recognition among the world's best universities is a testament to the excellence of our research enterprise and the dedication of our faculty, staff and students," said Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. "This achievement reflects the momentum we are building as Kansas City's only Carnegie Research 1 university and affirms our commitment to advancing discovery, innovation and student success while serving Kansas City and communities around the world."
The UMKC School of Medicine also earned strong subject-specific rankings, including No. 18 nationally and No. 50 globally in Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems, as well as No. 98 nationally and No. 482 globally in Clinical Medicine.
In Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems, the UMKC School of Medicine ranked No. 1 among all Missouri and Kansas universities.
In Clinical Medicine, the UMKC School of Medicine ranked No. 1 among public Missouri universities.
"The UMKC School of Medicine is exceptionally proud of this truly appreciated recognition and honor," said Dean Alexander Norbash, M.D., M.S., FACR. "As the flagship six-year BA/MD school, we are proud of our Cardiac, Cardiac Vascular and Clinical Medicine divisions and see their recognition as a reflection of the remarkable work our school is doing."
This marks the second time in 2026 that UMKC has received global recognition for its research and reputation excellence.
Earlier this year, TIME magazine named UMKC among the world's top universities in its inaugural global rankings. UMKC was one of only two public universities in Missouri included among the 500 institutions recognized.
In the U.S. News & World Report global rankings, universities achieving an overall ranking in the top 50% worldwide receive "Best" status, a distinction awarded to 1,125 institutions this year.
The Best Global Universities methodology, powered by data and metrics from Clarivate, evaluates institutions based on factors measuring research reputation and academic research performance, affirming UMKC’s standing as a leading public research university.
Jun 16, 2026
A $730,000 multi-university initiative is helping researchers rethink how food is produced and delivered to improve access to fresh produce across ...
Do you know where your food comes from? In the Midwest, fresh produce often travels more than 1,500 miles before reaching the table. At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a student-staff duo is working to make produce more accessible through a certification program in controlled-environment agriculture.
Despite Missouri ranking third in the nation for number of farms, food insecurity remains widespread. One in six Missourians experience food insecurity, including more than 248,000 children, according to Feeding America.
A 2023 United Way of Greater Kansas City report found more than 180,000 people in the metro area face food insecurity, with the highest rates in Wyandotte, Clay and Jackson counties.
So why does high agricultural production not translate into equitable food access?
In her report presented at Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol, Jackie Gildo, a junior studying business administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management, wrote:
“Fresh produce often travels more than 1,500 miles before reaching a Missouri dinner table. Local communities still depend on long-distance distribution systems that increase food waste, raise costs and reduce freshness by the time produce reaches communities.”
At UMKC, Gildo and her mentor are building a solution.
What started as a single hydroponic growing system on the second floor of Flarsheim Hall has transformed into a $733,000 USDA-NIFA-funded initiative to develop a controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) certification program.
The program is a collaboration among UMKC, the University of Missouri, Kansas State University and Kansas State University Olathe. Students across campuses can take online coursework with in-person lab components.
At UMKC, the certification is housed in the department of Earth and Environmental Science in the School of Science and Engineering.
Leading the effort is Angela Cottrell, Ed.D., director of research and institutional programs at UMKC.
Cottrell’s path to CEA began with her work in grant writing. That role introduced her to workforce and food systems research.
“It’s personally important for me to understand where my food comes from,” Cottrell said. “My entire family are type 2 diabetics. The pandemic really hit home the realities of food supply chain gaps.”
Gildo discovered undergraduate research during UMKC Welcome Week and applied to work with Cottrell. She began by helping build the hydroponic lettuce growing system.
“Hydroponic growing systems allow crops to be produced in compact indoor spaces, making year-round production possible even in urban areas,” Gildo said. “We are pioneering this framework to show there is a viable, feasible solution for our community's food needs.”
Since its first harvest in April 2024, the system has produced 183.75 pounds of lettuce, all donated to the Kangaroo Pantry at the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal CARE Center.
The produce goes from harvest to pantry in about two hours, significantly reducing spoilage and preserving freshness.
Cottrell described it as some of the freshest lettuce available.
Gildo also surveyed Kangaroo Pantry users to understand campus food needs. Fresh fruits and vegetables were the top request with 31% of students selecting them.
Now, Gildo and Cottrell are helping expand the CEA certification program, aiming to enroll at least 20 students from each participating university this fall.
Cottrell said student interest was strong: 89% of UMKC students expressed interest in a lab or greenhouse where they can participate in growing crops, and 53% said they would participate in a CEA program.
Gildo is also contributing through marketing and outreach efforts tied to her business education at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management.
“As a business student, being able to take a slice of her work and build on it feels empowering,” Gildo said. “Angie is really the reason why I keep coming back. She lets me be creative, explore my own ideas and connects me to opportunities I wouldn’t have found on my own. She’s always thinking about ways to set me up for success. She’s a great mentor who believes in my potential, and having someone believe in you really changes the way you go about your future; it helps me stay engaged in my studies."
Gildo describes the project as both hands-on and scalable.
“This is just a six-by-six footprint,” she said. “But nearly 200 pounds of lettuce from something this small shows how it can scale into something much bigger.”
After presenting her work at Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol, Gildo received external recognition, including resolutions from Missouri lawmakers.
“I got two official resolutions, one from Senator Patty Lewis and one from Representative Melissa Douglas,” Gildo said. “It was very gratifying to see my research officially recognized at a state level. I don't think anything will ever beat that.”
For Gildo and Cottrell, the goal is not just producing lettuce but building a new model for Missouri agriculture that connects food production, education and access.
As Gildo wrote in her research, “Establishing a new model for Missouri agriculture will help advance year-round production to strengthen regional food access, applied research and workforce development.”
The undergraduate certificate in Controlled Environement Agriculture may only be awarded in conjunction with a UMKC undergraduate degree. Students interested in enrolling should contact Angela Cottrell, the IDEA Coordinator, prior to enrollment.
Learn more about the undergraduate CEA certificate at UMKC.
Jun 15, 2026
The one-of-a-kind listening experience presents three shows
When you walk into the Sound Mandala, you’re greeted by speakers on all sides. The lights will dim, and you’ll hear music and audio like never before. The experience will surround you with sound in motion, in a way that can’t be replicated anywhere else.
The Sound Mandala will be at the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City June 10 to August 1, with three distinct shows. “Signal&Soul” is a variety show with 10-12 pieces, featuring works by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Anton Chekhov, Krizz Kaliko and more. “Indie Spotlight” features works by five indie bands. “The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari,” released in 1920, is an early silent horror film that’s been given a new score to bring it to life in new ways. Click here to learn more about each show and get tickets.
Tom Mardikes, professor of sound design at the UMKC Conservatory, is the creator of the Sound Mandala. Inspired by intricately crafted sand mandalas, Mardikes wanted to apply that precision and artistry to sound. He created a system to place individual sounds of a track on different speakers and move those sounds throughout the duration of the track. Much like movies are moving images, the Sound Mandala is moving audio.
“When you listen to a recorded track, the sounds have been mixed already and you’re hearing it all come out of one console,” Mardikes said. “I wanted to know how a song would sound if it was mixed in the air, as you listen to it.”
Mardikes retires from UMKC in August 2026 after 45 years at the university as a professor of sound design. He has been working on the Sound Mandala since 2014. Graduate students in sound design at UMKC have been involved in the process, including his core Sound Mandala team of current and former students. Mardikes holds a patent for the system and foresees its use in theatres, auditoriums and even haunted houses in the future.
The Sound Mandala has progressed to 100 independent speakers. Mardikes’s team outfitted the theatre to ensure the best audio experience possible to showcase their creation. The intimate venue at Unicorn Theatre holds 40 people, ensuring that every seat is the best seat in the house.
“You can hear sounds moving around the room,” Mardikes said. “You might hear a guitar coming from in front of you, a voice behind you and a piano next to you. You’re truly immersed in the sound, it’s an entirely unique experience that’s never been possible before.”
Experience a taste of the Sound Mandala. Headphones are required for listening.
Jun 15, 2026
Ph.D. students Lyza Iamrache and Said Tabharit are excited to welcome visitors from Algeria to Kansas City as the World Cup arrives
Two UMKC international students will get a rare and powerful connection to home this summer, as Kansas City hosts the FIFA World Cup and Team Algeria takes the field just miles away from campus.
For Lyza Iamrache and Said Tabharit, both Ph.D. students in statistics, the 2026 World Cup is more than a global sporting event. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment where their academic journeys and national pride intersect.“I never expected in my life to attend a World Cup, and then to have Algeria come here to Kansas City,” Tabharit said. “This is really exciting.”Both students began their journeys in Algiers, Algeria, at the University of Science and Technology, but their paths didn’t cross until they were recruited to UMKC. Professor Kamel Rekab, Ph.D., sought out talented students with strong mathematics backgrounds and reached out directly to universities in Algeria.“When I was looking for good graduate students, I contacted the University of Science and Technology in Algeria,” Rekab said. “Both of them are very hardworking.”Though they didn’t know each other before applying, Iamrache and Tabharit connected during the admissions process. Iamrache arrived in Kansas City first in Fall 2023, navigating a new country, culture and academic system on her own.“It was hard at the beginning,” she said. “The system in Algeria is very different.”So when Tabharit arrived the following semester, his presence meant more than just a familiar name.“I was missing Algeria,” Iamrache said. “Then he came. I was so happy he was here!”Together, they built community, both with each other and beyond. Rekab helped introduce them to a small, but close-knit, Algerian network in Kansas City, where they gather for barbecues, soccer and shared traditions.“It’s not a big community, but we have each other,” Tabharit said.At UMKC, both students have excelled academically. Iamrache is the first author on a published journal article focused on estimating the risk of epidemic spread, while Tabharit is a co-author on similar work, an achievement Rekab highlights as exceptional for early-career researchers. “That’s a very good result,” Rekab said.Outside of the classroom, they’ve embraced Kansas City. Iamrache spends weekends exploring museums and local attractions, and both are fans of the parks in the area.“I love the city,” Tabharit said. “It’s quiet, people are friendly, you feel welcomed. It’s an amazing city.”That balance between global diversity and Midwestern hospitality is part of what makes this World Cup moment so meaningful. Both students are eager to share their culture with American friends and visitors who may not know much about Algeria.“I don’t think Americans know a lot about Algeria,” Tabharit said. “This is an opportunity to share our culture.”Iamrache is already making plans. A lifelong soccer fan who dreamed of going to a World Cup, Iamrache could have never guessed she’d get to see her home country compete in her college town. But she scored a ticket to see Algeria face Austria, a matchup that carries historic weight. In 1982, a controversial match between Austria and West Germany eliminated Algeria from the World Cup. Now, decades later, the Algerians will come head-to-head with one of the teams that denied them their shot all those decades ago. “It’s like a revenge game,” Rekab said, who is also going to the match.Even for matches they won’t attend in person, the students plan to join watch parties, fan festivals and gatherings with friends from across the U.S. and beyond. Iamrache has already connected with fellow fans traveling from Chicago and Ohio, many of whom she met through online groups.“There are a lot of Algerians coming,” she said.For Iamrache, Tabharit and Rekab, the World Cup represents something far larger than soccer. It’s about connection to home, to each other and to a global community converging in the place they now call their second home.“They’re going to wake up at 2 a.m. in Algeria to watch these games,” Rekab said.And here in Kansas City, thousands of miles away, two UMKC students will be cheering alongside them with Team Algeria’s team chant, “One, two, three — Viva l’Algérie!”
Jun 15, 2026
Change enhances university’s impact on health services, policy and community outcomes across the nation
The UMKC Collaborative Center to Advance Health Services has joined the UMKC Institute of Human Development.
The move brings together two established teams to better align their work and strengthen their collective impact. The transition reflects a strategic realignment within the university to enhance administrative support, streamline operations and expand opportunities for research and community engagement. "To elevate UMKC’s research enterprise, we must align our most impactful assets to operate with maximum agility,” said Sumeet Dua, vice chancellor for research and innovation. “Housing these complementary strengths within the Institute for Human Development creates a cohesive research powerhouse. It streamlines how we empower our investigators, accelerates our portfolio growth and ensures our research delivers transformative, scalable solutions to the communities we serve."The UMKC Institute of Human Development was founded in 1977 and is a major contributor to research at the university. Its work focuses on research and evaluation, providing professional development, training and technical assistance and advancing systems change at the local, state and federal level to improve the lives of people across the lifespan. Its portfolio of work spans physical and developmental disabilities, aging and disability, maternal, childhood, and early childhood and education systems. It is federally designated as Missouri’s University Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.The UMKC Collaborative Center to Advance Health Services brings a similarly strong portfolio of work focused on improving health systems and outcomes through research, professional development and community partnerships. Its principal investigators lead federally and state-funded initiatives in areas such as behavioral health, substance use and reproductive health, while also providing national training and technical assistance to professionals in these fields. The integration will enhance efficiency, reduce administrative burden and create new opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and funding streams.“We all serve the same population, so we are stronger together,” said Michelle Reynolds, senior associate director for the UMKC Institute for Human Development. “I foresee in the next year or two where we'll really be able to jointly write new initiatives and leverage each other's work.”This alignment strengthens UMKC’s ability to support high-impact research, foster cross-sector collaboration and drive lasting improvements in health systems and community outcomes.
Jun 12, 2026
From innovative vaccine delivery technology to reimagining community through contemporary music, this year’s top graduate award winners showcase th...
The University of Missouri–Kansas City has announced the winners of its highest graduate research honors: the UMKC Outstanding Dissertation Award and Distinguished Thesis Award.
This year’s Outstanding Dissertation Award was presented to Md. Reaid Hasan (CIPh.D. '25), who earned his Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemistry. The Distinguished Thesis Award was presented to Emily Trapani (M.M. '25), who completed her Master of Music in Musicology. Christine Getz, Ph.D., dean of the School of Graduate Studies, said the scholars in this year’s competition exemplified the innovation, curiosity and impact that define graduate research at UMKC. “Research and creative work are essential to advancing scientific discovery and enriching society,” Getz said. “We are proud to celebrate Reaid and Emily for their extraordinary accomplishments and the meaningful impact their work has had in their disciplines and on the community.”Hasan’s award-winning dissertation could transform how vaccines and therapeutics are administered and dramatically reduce waste. He developed a biodegradable microneedle to deliver vaccines that reduces pain and eliminates hazardous sharp waste.A key breakthrough in Hasan’s research is his team’s development of an emulsion-based, light-curable formulation that significantly increases drug loading while allowing microneedles to be formed quickly using visible light rather than harmful UV exposure. Hasan said the microneedle patch also could reduce reliance on cold-chain storage, enabling vaccines to remain stable at room temperature and expanding access in areas without advanced infrastructure. In addition to improving efficiency, Hasan’s innovation could also open the door to broader applications to reduce UV exposure, from curing dental fillings to curing nail polish. Another key benefit is reducing waste. Rather than a single-use needle being discarded into a landfill, Hasan’s microneedle degrades into the skin. Hasan credits his advisor, Kun Cheng, Ph.D, Sperry Family Fund endowed chair in geriatric pharmaceutical research and Curators' Distinguished Professor, with guiding him toward the right questions and supporting him throughout his research.“He is a really inspiring person,” Hasan said. “Looking at him pushed me a lot to achieve.” While his invention has been proven with a model, the next step will be testing with a live vaccine and examining any potential byproducts of the microneedle. Hasan’s dissertation will be nominated for this year’s Distinguished Dissertation Award, a national competition sponsored by the Council of Graduate Schools and ProQuest. Trapani’s master’s thesis explores how artists and organizations create meaningful connections in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape. Motivated by a curiosity of how she could turn her passion into a career, Trapani examined three nonprofit arts organizations that have successfully adapted over time while remaining grounded in their values. Her research highlights how these groups integrate artistic practice with purpose-driven programming, demonstrating that contemporary music can serve as both an aesthetic experience and a powerful tool for connection. Drawing on case studies ranging from nationally recognized ensembles to Kansas City’s own No Divide KC, Trapani found successful organizations share a commitment to accessibility, inclusivity and community engagement. Through innovative programming such as festivals, collaborative performances and interdisciplinary events, these groups break down barriers between artists and audiences, inviting participation and dialogue. Trapani even had the opportunity to put her findings into action at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. With the support of her advisor AWith the support of her advisor Andrew Granade, Ph.D., associate dean of academic and faculty affairs and professor of musicology, Trapani curated and produced a multimedia performance that invited audiences to move through gallery spaces as music unfolded alongside visual art. The program featured works by 21st-century female composers paired with contemporary artwork, allowing audiences to engage with the performance from multiple perspectives and even encounter it unexpectedly as they moved through the museum.“That felt like kind of my first chance to curate something that was rooted in something that’s really important to me,” Trapani said. “There were some really meaningful conversations that I got to have with people in and after the performance.”Trapani is currently pursuing her Doctor of Music at Michigan State University and is continuing her work, developing a performance in collaboration with the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum.
Jun 12, 2026
Katelyn Hurd sees every experience as an opportunity to learn and grow
Katelyn Hurd knows who she is and what she wants. That hasn’t always been the case, but her journey as an actor has transformed her. She credits the theatre community at UMKC and Kansas City with helping her grow as a performer and as a person.
Hurd is a junior studying theatre and English. She came to UMKC from a small town in Kansas, where acting opportunities were few and far between. Her introduction to theatre came from her older brother, who unknowingly changed her life.
“When I was in eighth grade, my brother had to work the concession stand at the high school’s fall play,” Hurd said. “I was going through some hard things, so he took me with him to get me out of the house. I sat in the back row of this low-budget high school play, and I just knew that this was going to be my thing. I started acting when I got to high school. My first show was ‘Leaving Iowa,’ and my brother was in it with me. I have him to thank for everything, because he took me to that first play.”
After her freshman year of high school, Hurd transferred to a larger school in a town with more opportunities to get involved in theatre. From doing virtual plays during Covid to acting in ‘Mamma Mia,’ she knew she didn’t want to leave that world. That’s where UMKC and Kansas City came into play.
“I was backstage during ‘Mamma Mia’ my junior year and remember thinking how sad I was to only have one year of this left,” Hurd said. “I realized right then that I wanted to do this forever. My senior year of high school I was president of the drama club and hit the ground running. That’s when I chose to go to UMKC. There are so many community and professional theatres in Kansas City that I knew I could get involved in, along with the Conservatory.”
In addition to Conservatory productions, Hurd has been part of performances with Summit Theatre Group, City Theater Independence, Pearson Productions and Gladstone Theatre in the Park. She’s also auditioned at numerous other places in the metro area, experience she values even if she doesn’t book a part.
“There was some culture shock when I first came to UMKC. I would audition for shows and not get any part,” Hurd said. “I did 23 auditions my freshman year, and I only got cast three times. That didn’t happen for me before that, because there wasn’t a lot of competition where I lived. It’s taught me so much though and really pushed me to work harder.”
Hurd credits the theatre faculty with supporting her and reinforcing the ups and downs of a career in theatre. She said they’re straightforward and transparent, but also encouraging and supportive. While Hurd took theatre classes during high school, she’s found significant value in the classes she’s taken at UMKC and the professors she’s learned from.
“I am the person in class who asks a question and then has three follow-up questions,” Hurd said. “I can ask such specific questions and they have the answers, and that’s been so helpful. I know I can go to them for advice about the industry too, because they’ve been there and have that experience.”
As an aspiring actor, most of Hurd’s experience was on stage until she came to UMKC. The theatre curriculum includes practicum classes where students are required to work backstage during productions to learn more about technical areas such as lighting, sound, set construction and costumes. Hurd says that experience has made her a better performer and theatre community member.
“One thing I learned early is that it doesn’t matter how good you are, it matters how you treat people,” Hurd said. “Experiencing the work backstage helps you better understand what’s going on around you and connect better with the people in those roles. Theatre is about community, and creating a strong community makes for a better experience and performance for everyone.”
The Conservatory community has played a prominent role in Hurd’s growth, both as a performer and as a person. While you might imagine the environment to be competitive, Hurd says the community is supportive of each other. She studied abroad in Glasgow, Scotland for a semester, an experience that helped her appreciate what everyone brings to the table.
“I can be a competitive person, and that shone through my first year here,” Hurd said. “Going overseas really helped me ground myself. I’m confident in what I can do and I’m not trying to compete with everyone around me. It really changed the lens I see through from competitiveness to inspiration. I want to learn from others around me and root for their success.”
Studying at the University of Glasgow introduced Hurd to people from all over the world. She saw that everyone had different backgrounds, approaches to theatre and acting styles. She embraced the opportunity to learn from them – an experience that changed the way she views herself and contributed to her personal growth.
“You can respect other performers for what they do well and still trust yourself and your abilities to perform,” Hurd said. “Somebody else's ability to do something well doesn't mean that you also can't do it well. If you’re always comparing yourself to somebody else, you’ll be miserable. I know, because I was. Now I trust myself. I can watch one of my friends perform and do amazing and it doesn’t affect how I think of my own abilities. I know I’m here because I’m capable too.”
Jun 11, 2026
Chamber is part of the William T. Kemper Research Lab: Characterization for Electromagnetics, Antennas and RF Technology
When you step inside the anechoic chamber at UMKC, the first thing you’ll notice is the silence. Try yelling, and the sound goes nowhere. There's nothing for it to bounce off.
That’s exactly the point.
An anechoic chamber is a quiet, foam-lined room for electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic waves power radar systems, wireless communication and the devices we use every day. These waves will reflect off almost anything: walls, tables, people walking nearby. In an ordinary lab, these reflections can create interference that corrupt measurements and produce unreliable results. However, this interference disappears inside the anechoic chamber since the specialized foam covering the walls absorbs the waves rather than letting them bounce around, much like how echoes are reduced in a soundproof room. This creates a clean, interference-free environment, which is essential for producing accurate and reliable measurements.
At UMKC, the anechoic chamber supports a wide range of research involving electromagnetic signals and wireless systems. Researchers can use the chamber to precisely measure and characterize antennas, as well as test and validate technologies such as signal processing methods and beamforming. Without this environment, it would be much harder to isolate signals and understand how systems truly perform.
UMKC’s anechoic chamber is the only one in the Kansas City area and open to the public, making this highly specialized research space accessible to the community.
Matt Lindboe (M.S. ’26) was one of the very first students to work with the anechoic chamber before he graduated in May.
"I like to say that an anechoic chamber allows us to pretend that the only things in the universe are us and whatever we're testing," Lindboe said. "The pyramidal foam absorbs any outgoing waves, so they don't get reflected back toward us."
Under the DARPA Emon “Gaining Radar Advances with Spatio-Temporally-Variant Waveform Predictive Planning (GRASP)” project, UMKC, in collaboration with the University of Kansas' Radar Systems Laboratory and the Colorado School of Mines' ARC Research Group, are working toward improvements in radar range, signal strength and image resolution. Lindboe is part of this project, specifically conducting research on antenna design and characterization.
“Radar works by sending out electromagnetic waves and measuring how they bounce back from objects,” Lindboe said. “The challenge is that those return signals can be extraordinarily faint, especially when a target is small or far away. In an ordinary lab, detecting a weak signal is nearly impossible due to interference from external sources. However, these vulnerabilities are minimized and pretty much non-existent in an anechoic chamber.”
In particular, the team is measuring how low-power electromagnetic waves interact with small objects, similar to how water or sound waves behave. As distance increases, the objects intercept less of the wave, which makes the radar response weaker.
In one experiment inside the chamber, they used an array of eight transmitting antennas to send electromagnetic waves toward a small metallic plate balanced on a rotating post. A receiving antenna captured the reflected signal as the plate was rotated through different angles. When the plate sat at certain orientations, the receiver picked up almost nothing. But by manipulating the transmitted wave in specific ways, the team was able to help the receiver see the plate far more clearly at those difficult angles, more than doubling the strength of the received signal.
"We've seen from measurements in the chamber that manipulating the electromagnetic wave in specific ways can more than double the strength of the received signal," Lindboe said.
The team subsequently hopes to address the broader question of how to best use multiple radar sensors simultaneously. More sensors will mean more information about a target will be provided. The team will need to figure out which sensors to use, where to place them and how to interpret the combined data. These are exactly the kinds of questions the chamber is built to answer.
The anechoic chamber at UMKC is also used to measure and characterize antennas and to evaluate techniques like beamforming and direction-of-arrival estimation.
This was especially important for Sai Sampreeth Indharapu’s (Ph.D. ’26) research, which focuses on beamforming.
Beamforming is the technology behind how wireless systems direct energy toward a specific user rather than broadcasting it in every direction. Think of it like a spotlight. By controlling the phase and amplitude of signals sent through each element of an antenna array, the system can direct wireless energy precisely where it needs to go. It's used in everything from cellular networks to satellite communications and defense systems.
Indharapu developed an AI-assisted method that predicts the correct antenna settings needed to point the beam at a given target angle.
"A lot of existing research in beamforming focuses mainly on simulation results," Indharapu said. "There are fewer studies that experimentally validate these methods using real hardware."
To bridge this research gap, Indharapu built a low-cost modular hardware testbed using software-defined radios (radio devices that can be controlled through software) and used the anechoic chamber to put his AI method to the test.
In the experiment, he gave the system a target angle, such as 30 degrees. The AI then predicted the antenna weights needed to steer the beam in that direction. Indharapu rotated the transmitting phased antenna array in small angular steps, measuring the received signal strength at each angle. If the experiment worked, the measurement plot showed a peak of energy at the target angle.
"It was very rewarding when the measured beam directions matched the expected directions," Indharapu said. "It showed that the AI-assisted beamforming method and the hardware testbed were working together in a real experimental environment, not just in simulation."
This validation was especially important for Indharapu as it was an important part of his Ph.D. dissertation that he recently defended.
And to think it all started with a room full of foam.
Jun 03, 2026
On June 27, video board will be on display for free UMKC Family Soccer Festival and watch party
As the world’s biggest soccer event prepares to take over town, Kansas City Athletics continues to elevate its soccer programs and the fan experience at Durwood Soccer Stadium at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Multiple projects to help raise the profile of Kansas City Soccer are underway this summer, highlighted by the addition of a top-of-the-line Daktronics video scoreboard on the east side of the stadium.
“Our elevations to Durwood Soccer Stadium are transformational for our soccer programs, athletics department and university community,” Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Brandon Martin said. “The enhancements will undoubtedly help with recruiting and optimizing the in-stadium fan experience. This advancement is a true testament to the excellence that both of our soccer programs have done on-and-off the field.”
On Saturday, June 27, the community can get a first look at the video board at the free UMKC Family Soccer Fest, including a watch party for the Algeria vs. Austria match at 9 p.m. The Kansas City Roos Men’s and Women’s soccer teams are joining the festivities along with food trucks and other activities.
The video board will stand 34 feet wide and 17 feet high, a considerable upgrade from the previous standard scoreboard. The Daktronics 520x1040 LED Outdoor Video Display (DVX) will create an immersive fan experience, featuring live video, instant replays, fan promotions and more. Fans will be shown motion animations, real-time statistics, scoring information and sponsor activations, creating a professional-quality experience for fans of Kansas City’s College Team.
“Our recent success, including Summit League Regular Season and Tournament Championships and advancing in the NCAA Tournament each of the last two seasons, has helped generate momentum for continued investment in our program. These enhancements reflect UMKC's commitment to providing our student-athletes with an elite collegiate experience and the resources necessary to compete at the highest level,” Men’s Soccer Head Coach Ryan Pore said. “As we prepare to celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of the most successful teams in program history, these investments reinforce our vision of building a program that honors its history while continuing to elevate the standard for current and future student-athletes. I would like to thank Chancellor Agrawal, Dr. Martin and especially Ursula Gurney. Their leadership and support have been instrumental in bringing these enhancements to life. Together, these investments strengthen our commitment to our student-athletes, alumni, supporters and the Kansas City community as we continue working to establish UMKC as one of the premier Division I soccer programs in the country.”
“The addition of the video board elevates our facility to one of the top college stadiums in our region,” Women’s Soccer Head Coach Jess Smith said. “We are excited for how it will improve the game day experience for our players and fans starting this fall. With the integration of our Spiideo camera system, we plan to use this technology during training sessions to show our team successes and areas for improvement, which will greatly enhance our learning environment.”
In addition to the elevated fan experience, the video board will also create new analytical opportunities for Kansas City’s soccer programs. The board will be integrated with Kansas City’s Spiideo system, allowing in-the-moment film breakdown and strategy development.
Four new Spiideo cameras have been added at Durwood Soccer Stadium - an upgrade to the mid-field camera on the east side, the addition of a mid-field camera above the west side press boxes and the addition of field-level cameras behind each goal. This brings the total number of cameras around the stadium to eight, providing 360-degree coverage and setting the standard for soccer programs around the nation.
Auxiliary stadium upgrades include an analog timing board on the west stands to provide ease for coaches when keeping track of game time, new custom-branded ball stands outfitted with the Kansas City Soccer crest and upgrades to stadium signage.
Along with in-stadium upgrades, Kansas City Men’s Soccer will enjoy a remodeled locker room. The back-to-back Summit League Champions will enjoy new lockers from Longhorn Locker Co., new carpeting, upgraded lighting and a full media center. Construction on the locker room is expected to be completed prior to the beginning of the 2026 fall season.
About Kansas City Soccer at UMKC
Kansas City Athletics is excited to share the elevated Durwood Soccer Stadium experience with its fans in 2026! Men’s and Women’s Soccer season tickets are on sale now with single game tickets available beginning July 13. Women’s soccer season tickets begin at $50 and men’s soccer season tickets start at $60. For an upgraded experience, fans can join the Cupini’s Corner Kick Club Presented by Boulevard Brewing, which includes access to premium club space and complimentary food and drink throughout the match. For just a $70 upgrade for the entire season, you won’t be able to find a better premium option in college soccer! Tickets can be purchased online at kcroos.com/tickets or by calling the Kansas City Ticketing Office at (816) 235-2849.
About Kansas City Athletics
The Kansas City Roos are the NCAA Division I teams of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, providing energy, excitement and a rallying point for campus and community. UMKC, one of four University of Missouri universities, is a public university serving more than 16,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the greater Kansas City area to promote exceptional student success, conduct impactful researc, and elevate our region’s economy and workforce while fostering an environment welcoming to all. For more information, visit KCRoos.com or follow us on social media with the handle @KCRoosAthletics. For more information about UMKC, visit UMKC.edu.
Jun 03, 2026
News station will move in phases starting this month
UMKC announced today that KCUR 89.3, the university’s NPR affiliate, will have a new home on the Country Club Plaza, beginning June 15.
KCUR staff and broadcast operations will move into the Park Plaza building on 47th Street, near the Unity Temple, a short distance from its original location at 4825 Troost Ave.
KCUR staff have been working remotely since being notified that their former building at 4825 Troost location needed to close due to a rapidly deteriorating foundation that could have rendered it uninhabitable with minimum notice. With employee safety in mind, the university closed the building on Jan. 31.
“Although the building closure presented challenges, we’re excited to be past that and to confirm that KCUR will be in a new location that is an upgrade for staff and offers convenient access to everything in the Kansas City metro,” said Troy Bruun, UMKC vice chancellor for finance and administration. “We thank KCUR employees for their patience and appreciate the strong outpouring of support from the community as radio station staff have dealt with this unexpected transition to a new facility.”
UMKC explored multiple options for relocating KCUR with its unique space needs. The radio station needed not only office space for its staff, but broadcast facilities to keep its 24/7 news operation on the air. The community responded with an outpouring of support, including dozens of leads on potential office spaces.
Throughout the process of exploring new locations, the top goal of the university and KCUR was to keep their broadcast programming on air and going strong, a goal that was accomplished.
The Plaza lease will give KCUR and its sister station Classical KC a fresh start in a location that will be easily accessible to employees. Station manager Sarah Morris says her team is planning to move in phases during the coming weeks, with top priority being to set up the broadcast studio in the new space.
Jun 02, 2026
Almost 1,900 students recognized
At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, academic achievement reflects months of discipline and sustained effort. Each semester brings new challenges and opportunities for growth, and students rise to meet them through consistent dedication to their studies. For the Spring 2026 semester, 1,872 students earned a place on the UMKC Dean’s List.
The Dean’s List recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance during the term. Eligibility is determined by each academic unit in accordance with university standards and is based on UMKC term GPA requirements. Students who qualify receive a permanent notation on their academic record acknowledging this distinction. If you know someone who made the Spring 2026 list, take a moment to celebrate their accomplishment!
Below are the Dean’s Lists for the Spring 2026 semester.
Jump to each Academic Unit:
Conservatory
Henry W. Bloch School of Management
School of Dentistry
School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
School of Law
School of Nursing and Health Studies
School of Pharmacy
School of Science and Engineering
University College
Conservatory
Donovan Andes
Caroline Black
Katrina Blumberg
Alena Bunkers
Hannah Burks
Gillian Calder
Allee Chevalier
Nathan Covey
Anna Curiel
Ben Curley
Robin Deimerly
William Draper
Allie Ellsworth
Francesca Farina
Nayeli Garcia
Jacob Gehr
Madison Gener
Brooklynn Gorman
Sam Granade
Peter Grebenyuk
Hannah Haley
Jack Hanford
Mark Hayes
Faith Healy
Peyton Heimburger
Aria Holmberg
Carlin Holton
Ian Johnson
Paige Kilby
Ella Kurtz
Tia Kushwaha
Matt Lee
Patricia Loving
Zoe Meins
Lydia Novak
Abigail Ohms
David Oosse
Matthew Parsley
Riley Pembleton
Scarlett Pfister
Dillon Potts
Quinton Reh
Addie Resch
Micah Ruiz Esparza
Ruth Rydings
Kennedy Schaedel
Mariah Schulz
Emily Schutzel
Becky Sellers
Natalie Smith
Veronica Smith
Rose Smock
Riley Swaffar
Sierra Tapia
Lily Teten
Aaron Tseng
Cole Turney
Taylor Urbanek
Tony Valera
Aidan Van Leer
Isabel Yearian
John Zhu
Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Amaris Alcantara
Jake Ames
James Anderson
Samuel Anderson
Dana Angel
Karla Angel
Robby Appleberry
Julian Arbelo
Elisha Baldwin
Katelyn Bell
Kadin Bennett
Lessly Berrios
Brady Blankenship
Stephen Boychew
Sydnee Brandt
Danai Bravo
Trey Brisco
Jana Bruce
Jacobi Capleton
Daniela Castro-Carrera
Chris Chi
Davis Childs
Madi Cierpiot
Grace Clark
Allie Crawford
Jessica Crowder
Payton Crump-McHugh
Mary Cunningham
Emilie Dagnault
Aya Danley
Sarah Decker
Kannon Dillabough
Dat Do
Rose Doan
Haley Dowler
Ryan Dunning
Hannah Edwards
Grant Elsas
Sydney Evenson
Chase Faulkner
Lilly Felton
David Fleming
Osvald Fontcha
Camden Freeman
Val Fry
Loretta Garoutte
Ava Gates
Celina Genta
William Goertzen
Bryson Gosch
Jillian Guhr
Maggie Gum
Hao Guo
Miriya Gutierrez
Madilyn Hamline
Jonathan Hanson
Zaynah Hazziez
Haley Heidbreder
Tanya Hladky-Bly
Truc Ho
Genevieve Hull
Rania Ibrahim
Jayden Johnson
Megan Johnston
Cora Jones
Tala Joudeh
Alexander Karoutzos
Kaleb King
Maddie Knapp
Ashley Koch
Andrew Lair
Ann Lam
Cael LaRocca
Chas Larsen
Nhi Le
Mark Lewis
Xiaohan Liu
Noah Locke
Brandon Lopez
Adriana Lopez-Jurado
Arsh Mahey
Ethan Manemann
Carlos Mata
Mia Matthews-Beaven
Ethan McCune
Seth McGrew
Cody Meek
Shuxin Miao
Aaron Mikessell
Grant Mosley
Parker Murphy
Shayla Murphy
Arik Myers
Dan Nastarowicz
Lucy Negrete
Valerie Negrete
Jack Nguyen
Lily Nguyen
An Nguyen
Nick Noblet
Wyatt Ohnemus
Treza Olima
Fernando Olivares Burgos
Javier Olivares Burgos
Nayely Ortiz
Alex Overton
Anahi Pardo
Marina Payne
Savannah Peisert
Marlon Perez-Morales
Sarah Perrea
Mya Pham
Analisa Phillips
Marc Popow
Ed Procter
Blake Reynolds
Sydney Ricklefs
Adam Robinson
Jazmin Romo
Lingfeng Ruan
Amy Salazar
Axel Sanchez
Mansimran Sarai
Liam Scott
Mizki Shire
Jeanie Shoemaker
Kyle Siler
Carter Simpson
Jaipreet Singh
Carson Smith
Feiyang Song
Jack Spencer
EmmyLou Swan
Mya Myintzu Thant
Eric Thibodeau
Sivkan Thind
Kevin Thong
Jaden Tiller
Luke Tomc
Ben Tootle
Nhi Tran
Nguyen Tran
Isabella Trimboli
Mae Tuschman
Genesis Valdez
Fabian Valencia
Henry Vaupell
Eli Vogt
Heira Vora
Adam Wang
Annali West
Tyler West
Lance Willyard
Ethan Yang
Yuchen Zhao
Alannah Zuber
School of Dentistry
Arwa AbdelhakiemHayley AdairElizabeth BackerAbigail BauerChamberlain BrownsbergerIsabella CannonLexi CliftRoss ColletteDrew CubaHannah DavieBen FergusonToni FraizerJaylie HicklinBrayden HoushKatie KannenbergCharlotte KettlerMadison KunzNoah KurlbaumClara LindstromLindsey LoseyTommy MatayaJonathan McDonaldAbby MonroeSina OmuraJiani OsbornJayla PierceSage ReichenbergerRose ReillyKlare RollinsSam ScottOlivia SommerAly WhiteGrace Wilson
School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Loraina Acosta Felix
Shams Alarthy
Hope Albert
Fatima Albor
Nora Alsaedi
Auteria Anderson
Melissa Araiza
Itzel Arevalo
Sui Aye
Deaven Barlow
Ian Battles
Adrian Bernal
Rachael Blankenship
Logan Bollinger
Charlotte Bostock
Kathryn Bradley
Jaylin Briscoe
Jaylie Bui
Kat Cade
Avery Cahill
Janelle Carmona
Michael Carrillo
Maddie Cavin
Sarah Chang
Eileen Chang
Ava Chinnock
Tyler Clayton
Autumn Colstion
Makenzie Contreras
Hadley Cotton
Emily Damian
Hailey Davis
Maeve Dee
Bella Delacruz
Martha Delatorre
Kierstin Dow
Ally Esry
Corinne Fogarty
Camille Fry
Andrea Gamboa Rizo
Jane Gao
Emma Garcia
Macy Goetz
Grace Gomez-Palacio
Makenna Goodner
Amelia Gray
Elijah Green
Dejia Griego
Joshua Hannsz
Britnee Hawthorne - Crosby
Estrella Hernandez Garay
Angelina Herr
Nancy Jaeger
Arwa Janjua
Chanel Johnson
Nyree Jones
Madalynn Kim
Mikaylah King
Joyce King
Kennedy King
Mara Kugler
Damary Lara
Alyssa LaShure
Elise Lehne
Marijke Lewis
Kaylee Lickteig
Valerie Littlejohn
Morgan Mashburn
Cate Maxey
Jamie McClead
Jossie McClelland
Faith McDonough
Brianne McGovern
Mia McGuire
Belen Mendoza Soto
Colton Minks
Ava Moore
Jules Morton
Emyly Munoz-Salinas
Heather Musick
Maleah Myers
Cali Oesterle
Oneita Offield
Michelle Ogaz
Stella Olime
Mac Oppermann
Lynden Osborn
Sydney Pederson
Jake Periman
Kylynn Porter
Lilianne Primeaux
Ana Puentes Reza
Star Raspberry
Arriana Richardson
Jacqueline Rivera
Allison Roberts
Payten Robertson
Sarah Robinson
Ty Rustici
Lilia Sandoval
Paige Sanford
Candy Sarres
Julian Schrick
Natalie Segura
Cayloma Sehnert
Payton Shanahan
Lucy Shively
Mariana Simental Grijalva
Brijet Sun
Emilie Talley
Tarah Tavis
Kalani Taylor
Abby Thimmesch
Tamia Thompson
Trevor Timko
Kevin Torres-Wentworth
Valeria Trejo-Sandoval
Liliana van Eijndt
Catalina Vargas Ojeda
Emely Velasquez
Brooke Walter
Elizabeth Webb
Forteshia Westbrook
Anthony Westrope
Ellee Wheelock
Garrett Williams
Lyric Williams-McGuire
Thistle Wolf
Brianna Yoder
Harper Young
Wil Young
Amy Zarate Hernandez
Ethan Zawaski
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Rebecca Abebe
Gema Acosta
Rylee Adamson
Chelsi Adkins
Tanvi Agrawal
Yousef Ahmad
Hira Ahmed
Ayan Ahmed
Sakina Akbar
Marin Akeson
Jeslyn Alexander
Naira Ali
Elizabeth Allen
Eve Almansouri
Mohammed Amer
Jocelyn Amparan
Ashlee Amyx
Miriam Anderson
Carolyn Appleton
Emaan Arshad
Ava Aslinia
Abanoub Attallah
Jumana Bahrainwala
Abby Banark
Tanvi Bandaru
Ashlyn Bandelier
Jay Banuelos
Sophia Barlag
Miles Batliner
Mathias Baucher
Reily Berroteran
Kaitlyn Berry
Kayla Biggs
Emily Binnicker
Emerson Blair
Maisy Blanton
Ayesha Bobat
Haya Boda
Ella Bowman
Brady Brecht
Elyse Bredfeldt
Courtney Breedlove
Max Brody
Joseph Brooks
Allie Brooks
Kate Bruntz
Tara Budampati
Juniper Bunch
Samantha Burkhead
Imani Byas
Ivy Byers
Natalie Carroll
Laura Castellano
Elizabeth Clover
Sarah Cochran
Ava Coffman
Morgan Cole
Michael Collings
Sonja Combs
Kylee Cox
Luke Cozad
Annabelle Crappell
Lainey Creason
Ashley Crockett
Lilah Crum Barnhill
Adelina Curiel
Alexa Davila
Aidan Davis
Hilonee Dedhia
Olivia Devry
Mahmoud Diallo
Wendy Diaz
Brandon Dittemore
Darrelyn Dollar
Jeffrey Eakins
Via Easter
Noon Elmahdi
Elsa Emily
Ryley Ernzen
Dayne Evans
Sophie Falco
Reece Farley
Andrew Farris
Rae Fell
Regina Fernandez Flores
Jacqueline Fernandez-Patlan
Laney Fischer
Jordan Fitch
Katie Fitzgerald
Cassandra Flores
Mia Forney
McKaylie Forrest
Nick Fotiades
Audrey Foy
Marcus French
Samantha Frock
Kelly Fuentes
Chris Fuller
Likitha Gaddipati
Karina Galeas
Gabriele Galluccio
Jasmine Gamel
Angelika Garciano
Kiyah Garlington
Carlie Geise
Destiny Gilkey
Kevin Gill
Amulya Girada
Robert Gonzales
Ishita Gorjala
Haasini Gorrepati
Rebekah Grant
Kristin Grider
Brylan Griest
Taylor Griffin
Tanzil Gupta
Andy Guzman
Mahtab Hadjian
Sara Hanon
Brianna Hardesty-Biondo
Thor Harter
Lauren Heath
Clara Heiken
Morgan Hennessy
Melissa Herrera
Gabriella Herrera
Kate Higgins
Ian Hilderbrand
Torri Hill
Lauricella Hoedl
Trent Hogland
Sienna Hoopingarner
Ava Hraban
Karissa Hsu
Amy Hurley
Hana Ilahi
Ahmed Iqbal
Omar Jack
Cara Jacob
Nabeeha Jalali
Justin Jang
Ashwika Jani
Rayne Jasoni
Sarah Johnson
Markus Jones
Madisyn Jones
Cameron Jones
Karli Jones
Tatum June
Aveney Kandiah
Trisha Karthi
Sukhmun Kaur
Daniel Kennedy
Khadija Khan
Natalie Kies
Ella Kilgore
Nate Kindred
Jena Knapp
Anusri Koditipalli
Prithvi Koneru
Nora Lahmann
Amy Lam
Haley Langevin
Jarissa Lara
Wil Lasater
Quinn Latas
Kaitlyn Lavery
Wesley Laws
Scarlett Lewandowski
Ramiyah Lewis
Kylie Lewis
Vance Li
Noah Libowitz
Gianna Lickel
Kyle Lilley
Aaliyah Logan
Jordan Loos
Jeremy Lovos Trejo
Sam Lu
Samantha Lusso
Nikhil Maddipoti
Janeth Magana
Diya Makkapati
Torie Mallinger
Anagha Mandadi
Krish Manek
Mayzie Mangos
Kylie Marshall
Brianna Martin
Tanner Martin
Caleb McDaniel
Emma Mcdonald
Itzel Mendez
Rachel Meng
Maddie Meyer
Annamarie Milano
Yasmin Mohamed
Lola Moise
Yasmina Mokhtar
Kinleagh Monroe
Jay Moore
Devin Morrow
Anika Mulkanoor
Melissa Murphey
Diya Nair
Ananya Nair
Saichaitanya Nallajennugari
Elijah Nelson
Steven Nickell
Savy Nistala
Mina Nouman
Allen Nunez
Jocelyn Oh
Glory Okeowo
Abby Oldham
Hafssa Ouazzani
Tah Ja'e Paige
Min Paing
Antara Panwar
Ryan Pasley
Rahi Patel
Jai Patel
Pari Patel
Natalie Peerson
Charlotte Peetz
Nikola Peine
Oscar Peraza
Cross Pezzetti
Samantha Phillips
Caitlin Pickert
Santosha Pochiraju
Malia Pope
Jack Power
Arthur Qualman
Sha Racy
Homyra Rahimi
Sara Rahman
Archi Raj
Sophia Ramos
Rhayne Ramos
Surya Rangaraj
Sarah Reed
Celine Reed
Samyra Regalado
Nayab Rehman
Savy Repinski
Willa Reust
Madelyn Riffee
Mitch Rivard
Zoya Rizvi
Charles Roberts
Tamara Robinson
Angelica Rodriguez
Ben Rossiter
Joy Ryan
Wyatt Sabinas
David San Miguel
Anahi Sandoval
Samantha Santibanez-Rueda
Kaitlyn Schebaum
Haden Schelp
Tucker Schooley
Haylee Schreck
Abby Schutte
George Scott
Aden Segal
Victor Sewankambo
Arya Shah
Awais Shahid
Sofia Shelton
Emily Shoemake
Jonathan Siriano Cervantes
Samrita Sivasankar
Sophia Slocomb
Emma Smith
Kristen Smith
Allee Sombatchareun
Harry Soper Plaza
Elizabeth Soto
Tristan Starner
Elaina Stefanski
Laila Stevenson
Dany Stock
Alexandre Stout
Alissa Strayhorn
Alycia Sulieman
Victoria Sutton
Alesha Syed
Almaan Syed
Rhonya Talib
Lyric Taylor
Ryan Thomas
Emma Thomas
Daishane Thompson
Rachel Thomson
Triniti Thurman
Lauren Tiefry
Avery Tiemann
Emily Towns
Salene Tran
Hannie Truong
Janea Turner
Nicole Valadez
Reana Van Voorst
Nivriti Varanasi
Francisco Verzola
Pedro Vicentin Rezende
Maddie vonFischbach
Emaan Waheed
Ava Waitley
Bradley Walton
Carlita Washington
Luke Watkiss
Zane Watt Hoven
Skylar Webb
Ally Weightman
Sloane Weinkein
Brian Wendelman
Lyric Westley
Christina Wholey
Kyra Wilburn
Constantin Williams
Rebekah Williams
Brett Wilson
Gavin Witham
Alexandria Woerth
Sarah Yacoub
Rosie Yancey
Satya Yarasi
Blaine Zekarias
Nicole Zheng
School of Law
Jadyn AdamsClayton AdkinsAndrew AlticSonny AlvaradoCallison AmesDominic AmmatelliMacKenzie AndersonYusof AsefiKelsy AustwickMason BarrettMichelle BarrineauJoseph BazataJohn BelfonteRaef BellBrianna BellamyElias BelzeskiAlexa BergstromCameron BerryAshlyn BestEmma BeuerleinHope BiancoNicholas BlumePeyton BohlJenniece BooneQuintin BossertNathan BothwellAlexandra BowerKenn BoyleDaniel BrisbinKyle BrownGrace BrunerJake BrunsPadraich BurkeMarin CareyJosie CareyLindsey CavittMolly ChasteenTimothy CheadleAddisalem ChewakaAndrew ChickBrian ChristianMikayla ClarkJesse ClaypoolThomas CluckSophia CocoEden CoffmanPhilip ColeBobbie CrewTaylor CullenIan CuthbertAustin CutlerPadriac DaBruzziSaja DaifallahBrooke DaughertyBrooke DavisTrinity DelaneyKendall DillonJack DoughertyMackenzie DouglasSavannah EcclesAidan EdmondsonIsabella EdwardsMarion EichholtzLilythe EighmyAddison EversonRiley FahrenholzNoah FanslerAngelina FerraraShae FickettKatie FiferMichael FinneganBrady FiolaMatthew FischbachCaroline FishNatelee ForbesMorgen FosterJoanna FowlstonDylan FoxRies FreemanDavid FuellJoey GambleDanny GamezVictoria GardnerErica GarrettKirby GarrettCharlie GenglerLouise GillMarly GourleyDoug GraceJack GrahamEthan GraySophie GreenCameron GreenLayken GrimesAbigail GuimbellotJoseph GutierrezHarper HaganJon Michael HallBethany HalsteadEmilee HammJoseph HardyChristine HarpeHaylee HarrellGlenne HarvellMaya HeckartGrant HeimanAdam HeinrichRiley HeitmanJay HellebuschTorri HicksJordan HopperBrett HoukTownshend HurtClayton HutchinsMatthew HyattAntonina InfrancaRyan JacobsenJoshua JacobsenHunter JenkinsMason JohannesCat JohnsonMaggie JohnsonGabe JohnsonClaire JoskiBrett JustusJack KanzlerKatherine KarnatzMeiraf KassaMaria KenneyJoshua KetchmarkColin KieltyHailey KingCole KingsleyWilliam KirkpatrickWieu KuotSalenna LaffoonBrenna LarkinLauren LawsonMandy LawsonBenjamin Ledesma MontanoSuhong LeeJilliane LewisNicholas LoomisReilly LouderTyler LynnKyle MacfarlaneJose Antonio MamuricJenna ManzelliRachel MartinMatthew MartiniKyle MassonJillian MayElizabeth McCarthyCaroline McCurdyKenny McDermedBrogan McDougallDaniel McGovernGrady McIntyreAli McKeeJessica McQueenBruce Mena-SierraBenjamin MesserMyra MilamAddison MillerErin MillerJuliana MirekuBrett MordecaiKarley MorelandWendy MorenoDelaney MoserAnnie MullenEmma MurphyInfinatasia NadingNicole NeherKyle NelsonJoseph NesterKenneth NormanMegan NormanHunter O'ConnorJanelle OlawaiyeHannah OlivarezEthan OliverJohn Olomon-HowellAsh OnstottPyper OttRachel ParsonsBrogan PattonLoren PedroliMegan PilegeTaylor PinonKirsten PintoNicholas PolitteKaylee PopejoyLayla PriceHayley PrinsAnthony QuinnSamuel RackersZachary RainesNicholas ReckerJoshua RepplingerErin RichardsHailey RichardsRamon RodriguezJillian RogersChristopher RogersCarrigan RohachLinn Rojas MalpartidaEmma RomanoJordan RomayAnna RomoMichael RoseTaylor RoseAnthony RossPeter RottinghausAlessandro Rubio Lopez SantibanezKelee RussNoah RyanEthan SahudinYara SalamedLauren SandersAndrea SchafferClaire SchallenbergJoseph ScholtenKatie SchultzOlivia SchwiesoRobert SchwindLogan SeiffertMargaret SelfEmersyn ShaltonTanner SheltonBrent ShinkleTaylor ShoemakerMadison ShueyDiego SilvaJoseph SkojacSamantha SmithAndrew StaffordKatherine StanziolaRiley SteenstraVelimir StefanovicMacy SteinlageKaylee StillieSophia StinnettGeorge StoryTressa StovernSarah SummersCorrine SurrattMaxson TechauMatthew TeemantJake ThompsonGabrielle ThurnReece TreasureSumeya TummalaKellen TurnerDerek van ThullenarAbby VandiverKristin VillaE Josef VothDanielle WagnerNathaniel WallaceDaniel WalshLandon WebbSiler WehrmannAmanda WhitfordZach WilhiteJake WillenbringRiley WilliamsGrace WilsonHeather YatesWilliam YoungsJesse ZeckCamron ZerrDylan ZieglerPeyton ZigrangOtto ZinnGrant Zykan
School of Nursing and Health Studies
Salma Abdelrahman
Amorina Acsenvil
Yaretzy Aguirre Camacho
Yamam Ali
Rahma Allan
Hiba Alterjalli
Reem Alterjalli
Hailie Ambrose-Covey
Lillian Arnold
Tami Ayegbo
Mati Baer
Ella Bailey
Beatriz Banda
Mia Batista
Judy Batts
CatLinh Beckett
Mary Beda
Lucy Behm
Olivia Beshears
Scholar Besong
Vanessa Bolten
Zoe Bradford
Avery Brady
Brooklyn Brandon
Mackenzie Bremer
Katie Buehler
Savannah Burnett
Erin Carbery
Elizabeth Carr
Tacee Catlett
Norah Charles
Hannah Claire
Kayla Coates
Riley Cole
Brevyn Cole
Annabel Colon
Johana Contreras Ballesteros
Wesley Cribb
Brenna Cronin
Elaina Cronin
Ava Currier
Lillian Dang
Riley DeWitt
Kaitlyn Edwards
Daniel Embrey
Aleacia Estrada
Lyric Ewing
Areej Falah
Hanna Farahzad
Isabelle Fish
Adelyn French
Julissa Gaona - Loya
Madeline Garlick
Katelyn Gendron
Marissa Gerlach
Nadiira Ghazali
Jenny Giang
Grace Gilchrist
Katelyn Gooch
Toni Gooden
Leah Greenwald
Morgan Greil
Fahima Haidari
Malena Hamilton
Malia Harris
Cambria Hart
Yasmin Hashi
Ikram Hashi
Hayley Hastings
Jared Hatfield
Halle Heeren
Vanessa Hernandez Valdez
Cecelia Hines
Glenne Hinkle
Mama Hsen
Emely Jaramillo-Miranda
Kiara Jimenez
Lillian Kamler
Kenzie Kennicutt
Tehaguas Kibrom
Ilaria Knapton
Chelsea Knie
Abbi Knott
Megan Lawson
Enya Lin
Hannah Lind
Grace Livia
Alondra Loya-Vazquez
Kennedy Lucas
Christalin Mackenzie
Sofi Maloney
Elizabeth Martinez
Millie McGhee
Patrick McWilliams
Rafia Mehmood
Isis Melo Sanchez
Daniela Mendez
McKenzie Moburg
Ruqiyo Mohamed
Edgar Montoya-Ortiz
Maximo Morales-Reyna
Rhaina Morris
Brooke Muehling
Mahat Muhamud
Andrea Mulford
Natalie Nguyen
Crystal Nguyen
Katie Noble
Bella Okwuegbunam
Aung Oo
Peyton Osborne
Jacorey Parker
Jasmine Patterson
Joselyn Percastegui Martinez
Kassandra Perez Oropeza
Cole Pittsenbarger
Olivia Platt
Chloe Pope
Gabrielle Porter
Rae'ven Porter
Laci Powell
Lexi Pribyl
Alyssa Rechtermann
Vanessa Reyes
Grace Richards
Maddy Riggs
Marelyn Rivas Perez
Breanna Roberts
Gray Robison
Angeline Robles-Feliciano
Sydney Rogers
Rachel Ronquillo
Ashley Rosales
Ingrid Rosales
Shannon Rose
Sam Ruiz-Behrends
Tristan Ryan
Lydia Safly
Neri Santos
Noelle Schmidt
Kiley Scott
Isaac Scott
Bayley Searing
Malaika Shahid
Michaiah Shores
Rafia Siddiquea
Kortney Small
Sydnee Stanford
Karsyn Stehlik
Samantha Stotts
Addi Sutton
Enzue Tang
Janyiah Thomas
Madi Tobin
Meleonilehua Tonga
Jenny Tran
Makayla Traylor
Lauren Trickey
Nicholas Tuck
Gabby Urrea
Bethany Vandenburg
Arlene Vargas Arredondo
Ryanne Wattree
McKenzie Whitaker
Molly Wiltfang
Chloe Xiong
Jazmin Zepeda
Bethany Ziebarth
School of Pharmacy
Caitlin AlmquistHaley AndersonSydney BakkerAbbey BartlettSharon BaskaranJoshua BengelAlex BiglerEthan BillupsPaige BirkLogan BlazekKayla BondWeston BoswellKamden BoydKelley BurnsHeidi CarmoneyKiara CarpenterYumiko ChenKarina CoxCole DeppeReese DiskoMia EhrhartMaddie EppleSydney FalterJulia FlynnMariah FranciscoNatalie FrankBri FrerkingMarian FrizzellKiley GarrettKate GeorgeDelainey GodbyTanyaa GurushankarSeth HammackDarra HarperRose HauserCarter HawkinsDrew HedrickJoshua HendersonKevin HoKayla HolmgrenJacob HoltmeyerCollin HunterJudah JerlsSara JiwaniCaitlin KearnsElla KemmAlison KeverMaya KivistoCourtney KneseAllie LawrenceMichael LuBradley MaloneDrew McAreavySarah MenseCory MeyersMadyson MinkerAutumn NachbarPayton NeubauerMary Grace NgTam NguyenLuca NguyenHailey OeschYoung OhGannon PattersonTobi PennockIsabella PetryAubrey PrindleJenna RainsLexi RiggsLydia RollerJulie RueckertJoseph SalazarAlan ScalziSavannah SchludeKatie SeeKaren SeeChris SimkinsGisele SimonClaire StevensJohn StriblingAli TehraniRene TellmanTerry ThachHannah ThomasonTraeten ThorellEmra TmusicPeter TranTommy TranCorrina TrimbleBrett TurnerStephen UnkAshley VestDominick VittoneMatney WatersPeri WelchLogan WestWill WhiteClara WiedemanMaddie WilliamsAnna WinelandAllison WinklerKait WryeAddison WuebkerEmmalee WyattLauren YoungbloodJefferson Zhong
School of Science and Engineering
Aymen Abbood
Hashim Abdulla
Fatemah Abdullah
Zaid Abu-Salah
Jaret Adams
Imran Adem
Spencer Aeschbacher
Lexy Aguilar
Emilio Aguilar-Gutierrez
Michelle Aguilera
Hafsa Ahmed
Cameron Akhtar
Lily Aktaa
Sadia Alam
Ammar Albeloushi
Kalkidan Alemayehu
Hanna Alemu
Karrar Aljabara
Yaseen Allan
Hillary Allen
Alex Alonso
Yousef Alqallaf
Latifah Alrashed
Yoona Alsaeed
Ali Alsaffar
Abdulaziz Alsaidi
Brandon Alvarez De La Cruz
Rukhsar Hareer Aman
Viraj Amin
Shalya Anand
Abrahim Ansari
Halena Aquino-Dunkin
Phillip Armenta-Barraza
Julia Arriola
Samantha Arroyo-Pichardo
Jeremiah Arthur
Billie Asralt
Pauline Atillo
Keeli Austin
Wuraola Awopetu
Grace Ayoub
Amulya Babburi
Ashling Bahadursingh
Ethan Bahr
Elaina Baldwin
Laiba Baloch
Ethan Barnhart
Gavin Barton
Mason Bass
Hanva Bassembat
Grace Batdorf
Sean Bates
Cole Becker
Salma Bensahri
Gabriel Benson
Liya Berhanu
Mauricio Bernal
Logan Beshears
Eric Betancourt
Elle Betz
Siya Bhadu
Kirnavi Bhatt
Caden Bichsel
Dipsika Biswa
Emma Bjornstad
David Boatright
Brynn Bolden
Elizabeth Bond
Kate Boosman
Ella Boote
Mark Bowles
Ryann Bowman
Nico Bradshaw
Xavier Brandhorst
Grace Brandner
Caleb Bridges
Joshua Briner
Sophia Brink
Shafter Briscoe
Brendon Brown
Ben Brown
Kam Bryant
Kaiden Bryant
Mick Bryant
Garrett Bryer
Ethan Bui
Kayla Burbach
Bk Burka
Gauge Buseck
Kyle Butler
Cooper Buzbee
Benjamin Calcara
Esteban Calderon
Jason Carron
Keyra Castillo Avila
Muhammad Chaudhry
Xingyu Chen
Michael Chester
Jediael Chintha
Ruth Chow
Catherine Chrobak
Cameron Cianciolo
Jordan Clapp
Tyler Coffey
Marissa Colmar
Michael Cook
Sophia Cook
Drew Cornelison
Juan Corral-Galindo.
Liv Courtney
Luke Cox
Elmer Cristobal
Connor Cronin
Princess Cullom
Caden Cunningham
Christina Cutts
Muzan Daffaallah
Mohammed Daghmoush
Michael D'Agostino
Ryan Dahmer
Maggie Damian
Ethan Dang
Aristotle Daskaleas
Keisha Dave
Reagan Davis
Ava Davis
Safae Dbaibi
Miguel Deltoro
Noah Devlin
Opjeet Dhanoa
Aashi Dharia
Johnny Diep
Kyla Dinh
Johnson Dinh
Katreena Dinh
Savannah Ditzfeld
Khoa Do
Brock Dobbie
BethAnne Dockins
Linnae Downs
Hope Drake
Jacob Drummond
Logan Dudley
Kyra Dunford
Brian Duong
Charlotte Dutton
Zachary Dye
Reed Eason
Tyler Eaves
Sarah Ebenezer
MarkAnthony Echekwu
Ava Edwards
Alice Eggen
Maryam El-Demerdash
Nouran Elhiweej
Anthony Eppelheimer
Isabel Esau
Alexis Esparza
Xavier Espinoza
Ashley Espinoza Leyva
Nonso Eze
Christian Farfan-Centeno
Arsala Fatima
Elizabeth Feldkamp
Christopher Fernandez
Maddox Ferris
Oliver Files
Isaac Fleer
Ilse Flores Hernandez
Alex Fonseca Varela
Ethan Ford
Emilie Forrest
Gracyn Frecks
Dantae Friley
Olivia Fritz
Peyton Fry
Saivi Gadi
Krishna Gandham
Shreeya Gandhi
Will Gannan
Bella Garcia
Nathan Gebru
Lainey Gelinas
Nick George
Adrina George
Alex Ghasemi
Cesar Giner
Cody Glassbrenner
Jackson Gold
Aislee Gonzalez
Mirka Gonzalez
John Gooden
Makalynn Goodwin
Emily Grant
Alice Gray-Alvarez
Michael Green
Annabelle Griffin
Ethan Grijalva
Ethan Gross
Ben Growe
Lina Hadi
Josh Hafner
Sophia Hai
Carter Hall
Mathias Ham
Sara Hamid
Anass Hammoud
Eli Hansen
Cole Hanson
Zach Hardee
Axaveon Hardin
Aela Hartnett
Dominic Heater
Ben Helus
Emily Henderson
Emma Hendricks
Elbert Henriquez
Troy Hermann
Selena Herrera
Jennifer Herrera
Cassie Herring
Katarina Hertell
Nasma Hijaz
Evelyn Ho
Anna Hoang
Trenton Hoeflicker
Bruno Hoeltgebaum
Izzy Hogelin
Julia Holmes
Isabel Holthouse
Clement Horlander
Adam Hoskins
Madhav Hota
Maung Htoo
Angelina Huckabee
Cameron Huddleston
Aidan Hughes
Austin Hughes
Lukas Hunter
Bawaan Hussain
Khaled Harun Hussein
Hao Huynh
Wesley Idahosa
Ashlyn Iman
Umaiyyah Imran
Aaliyah Ingram
Alyssa Jackson
Connor Jacober
Lillie Jacobs
Kate Jacobsen
Aaditya Jadhav
Kamron Jafari
Alexia Jaime
Akerth Jain
Schyler Janner
Jocelyn Jarquin Garcia
Mason Johnson
Ashli Johnson
Mark Johnson
Kate Johnston
Oliver Jones
Evan Jones
Jessica Joseph
Aikim Kaba
Malak Kamil Qastoma
Anshika Kapoor
Pavan Krishna Karri
Abhinav Katyal
Joshua Kawase
David Keltner
Sydney Kennedy
Matt Kent
Rahhaf Khalil
Shree Khambekar
Zawni Khine
Luke Kilgore
Caitlin Kirkendoll
Ivy Kirumira
Elijah Kline
Brylie Kovar
Kai Kowalczewski
Hudson Krop
Jacob Kupperman
Lizzy Laffold
Duy Lam
Jade Lambertz
Brooklyn Landwehr
Calvin Larison
Alex Le
Alicia Le
Loc Le
Christina Le
Lance Le
Austen Leckbee
Mick Leinbach
Samantha Letourneau
Cat Lewin
Jack Lewis
Alex Li
Perry Liang
Juan Lopez
Natalia Lopez
Thomas Lopez
Tiffany Lor
Shuang Luo
Del Lutsenhizer
Alex Ly
Abdullahi Maalim
Andrew Maalouf
Chinmayee Magesh
Zack Magnuson
Anvitha Makkena
Ihor Malanchuk
Luke Malcom
Leher Malhotra
Atlas Mallams
Savanah Manion
Evan Mantonya
Chandi Marsh
Matthew Marszalek
Sidney Martin
Jozef Martinaj
Sofia Martinez
Leslie Martinez
Hannah Mathew
Alexa Matoushek
Julian Matras
Josh McAnerney
Andrew McDaniel
Koby Mckindry
Hayden Mcnallan
Keegan McRoberts
Ayden Meckley
Jaime Medina
Kylee Medlin
Leah Meng
Abreham Mesfin
Nick Miles
Chase Minnick
Branden Mitchell
Jaxen Mitchell
Nihal Modugu
Darko Mohammed
Aisha Mohamoud
Jackson Montaigne
Mikey Mook
Kyle Moor
Katelyn Moore
Elizabeth Moore
Grace Moppin
Berenice Moreno-Perez
Peter Morgan
Ethan Morick
David Mormino
Maria Eduarda Motta
Manaf Mubaslat
Jordan Mueller
Xaviera Muhammad
Canann Murphy
Mousa Musallet
Natilina Mussa
Alla Mustafa
Prithvi Nagarajan
Parwana Nawid
Jack Neer
Liam Neidig
Ally Neidlinger
Jaden Nelson
Jake Nelson
Jimmy Ngo
Tommy Ngo
Tommy Nguyen
Vincent Nguyen
Jason Nguyen
Brandon Nguyen
Cindy Nguyen
Mason Nguyen
Christine Nguyen
Kevin Nguyen
Cecilia Nguyen
Madi Nguyen
Nick Nguyen
Thy Nguyen
Joey Nguyen
Scott Nguyen
Natalie Nguyen
Noah Nichols
Tyler Niemeyer
Eliana Nixon
Baktash Noorany
Ethan Norris
Trevor Norton
Micah Novak
Andrew O'Dell
Demilade Ogunleye
Semire Olatunde-Salawu
Victor Olatunji
Sergio Olivas
Caden Ollar
Victoria Olusanya
Esteban Ordaz
Natalie Owens
Gunner Pace
Vaishali Padarthy
Noah Pahl
Brayton Palma
Isaac Pang
Jazmin Parra
Will Parrish
Gavin Paruch
Ana Pastora
Jai Patel
Anika Patton
Christian Pazos
Isaac Pena
Jennifer Perez
Noah Person
Ryan Peters
Kendall Peterson
Seth Peterson
Hallee Pham
Jacob Pham
Hanson Phan
Hieu Phan
Avery Phelps
Payden Pietrusinski
Audrey Plunkett
Anshu Podaralla
Emma Pollice
Rithchamy Polynice
Anjie Popoola
Oliver Powell
Sarah Powell
Camille Pross
Olyvia Pugh
Breckynn Pugh
Wylie Putnam
Hafsa Rahman
Nachiket Rajinikanth
Riya Rajput
Diana Ramirez
Ariana Ranstrom
Alexis Reed
Ruben Renteria
Giselle Reyes
Alexis Reyna
Alisa Reznik
Lexi Ricker
Donald Riead
Mitchell Riegerix
Zadok Riggs
Soklang Rin
Sokly Rin
Natalia Riveros
Alyssa Roberson
Henry Roberts
Kiley Roberts
Simon Robertson
Nevaeh Robinson
Ben Robinson
Parker Robinson
Daisy Rocha Gonzalez
Carson Roche
Madeline Rockwood
Ashton Rogers
Evelin Romo-Macias
Tyler Ross
Fargol Rozati
Tyler Ruf
Anthony Ruiz
Sergio Ruiz Fabian
Emery Ruliffson
Brice Sagnon
Noore Sahar
Nermeen Salamed
Nimo Saleban
Reyna Salvador-Jimemez
Luis Sanchez
Himmat Sandhu
Dori Sandritter
Preston Santo
Sofia Sarris
Ethan Schaefer
Ashland Schaumann
Rowan Schmidli
Makayla Schulz
Jason Schumacher
Carter Scobey
Philip Seager
Catherine Segovia
Hlib Serhieiev
Mahnoor Shahid
Paranjay Sharma
Bailey Sharp
Xander Shepherd
Emma Sherwood
Uliana Shulunova
Abeeha Siddiqui
William Sikorski
Sofia Silva
Atlas Sizemore
Kendal Smith
Jadan Smith
Nate Smith
Kaleb Smith
Leo Smith
Arsalan Sohail
Jose Sosa
Gabriel Sousou
Julia Sponenberg
Haley Springer
Varun Sridhar
Peter Stern
Alex Stinson
Sam Stoecklein
Andrew Strick
Isaac Stuck
Zharinna Subido
Luke Swinehart
Dawson Szot
Sthuthi Tadiparti
Daniel Tafesse
Emir Tahirovic
Hannah Tai
Alex Tang
Annie Thene
Melina Thomas
Aiden Thompson
Max Thompson
Vignesh Tiruvannamalai
Michelle Tran
Vincent Tran
Anh Thu Tran
Chau Tran
Ryder Tran
Ben Trana
Abby Truong
Mya Turner
Levi Turner
Shruthika Uduthuri
Lauren Ukena
Jordy Urbina-Guardado
Nathan Valencic
Francis Valete
Theodore Van Sickle
Connor VanBockern
Krishay Vanga
Akshaj Variath
Janani Venkat Ramanan
Rohan Venkatesh
Isadora Villanueva
Kevin Vo
Brian Vo
Haseeb Vora
Gracie Wagner
Olivia Walker
Joe Walker
Garrett Waller
Zihao Wang
Kuocheng Wang
Lily Warner
Blake Warner
Noah Watkins
Finley Watson
Mia Weaver
Jacob Weidle
Levi Wilhelm
Landon Willard
Cole Wise
Alyssa Wood
Izaak Workman
Gracie Wright
John Wu
Aniston Wulff
Gabby Yager
Jada Yancey
Vincent Yang
Kevin Yu
Ellie Yu
Leilany Zarco-Aguirre
Kevin Zhang
Ruixi Zhang
Yuchen Zhang
Presley Ziegenbein
University College
Kristine AguilarSidney CrockettNaomi DeLeonRayah FoltzPiper FreemanJasmine GaleasRyan HansonPhilino MarquezEmmely SuarezTg Wangchuk
If a student’s name does not appear on the list, please direct questions to the appropriate school or college.
May 29, 2026
New agreement removes barriers to collaboration, giving Ph.D. students faster access to hands-on research opportunities with leading pediatric inve...
The University of Missouri-Kansas City and Children’s Mercy have taken a significant step forward in their longstanding relationship, formalizing a new agreement that creates a clearer, faster pathway for Ph.D. students in the natural sciences and the School of Science and Engineering to collaborate directly with hospital researchers.
For years, faculty and clinicians at both institutions have worked together on projects that bridge discovery and patient care. The idea for a more formalized agreement began when a student sought to collaborate on a Children’s Mercy research project. The student worked with Gerald Wyckoff, Ph.D. chair of pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences and a UM System Curators’ Distinguished Professor. They got the approval, but found the process proved slow and complex. That experience prompted conversations about creating a more efficient system. Wyckoff worked closely with two individuals from the Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Mark Hoffman, Ph.D., chief research information officer and Laura Ramsey, Ph.D., section chief of individualized therapeutics, clinical pharmacology, toxicology and therapeutic innovation. Together, they built a new framework designed to build on existing collaboration in a more intentional, structured way, ensuring that opportunities are easier to access and scale. “Science is a team sport,” Wyckoff said. “This is a really effective team because we’ve got people who are motivated on both ends of the spectrum.”
Gerald Wyckoff, Ph.D. is chair of pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences and a UM System Curators’ Distinguished Professor
Under the new agreement, the need for individual, project-by-project administrative approvals has been removed, eliminating a key barrier that often slowed the start of collaborative work. That speed matters when children’s lives and wellbeing are on the line.“Together, we are strengthening the pipeline of researchers prepared to tackle the complex challenges affecting pediatric patients,” Ramsey said. Now, doctoral students can more readily engage with Children’s Mercy research teams, gaining hands-on experience in translational science while contributing to work that directly impacts children’s health. Researchers at Children’s Mercy now have faster access to emerging talent not only in the natural sciences, but in a broad range of disciplines that can provide valuable skills and knowledge.“UMKC and Children’s Mercy have a long history of collaboration,” Hoffman said. “This will streamline the process for UMKC Ph.D. students to perform their graduate work at Children’s Mercy. The inclusion of the UMKC School of Science and Engineering opens the door for deeper collaboration in biomedical engineering, AI and other technical topics.”Christine Getz, Ph.D., dean of the UMKC School of Graduate Studies said this kind of immersive research experience is invaluable for students. “Access to meaningful, real-world research opportunities is essential to preparing the next generation of scientists,” Getz said. “Being part of translational research allows our Ph.D. students to advance their own education while making a tangible impact on human health worldwide.”The agreement also establishes regular joint reviews between UMKC and Children’s Mercy, allowing leaders and researchers to proactively identify emerging areas for collaboration rather than waiting for opportunities to arise organically. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to academic excellence and innovation, positioning students at the center of a vibrant research ecosystem.Sumeet Dua, Ph.D., UMKC vice chancellor for research and innovation, highlighted the broader significance of the collaboration. “True innovation happens through strong collaboration,” Dua said. “By aligning the strengths of UMKC and Children’s Mercy, we are putting our students at the forefront of discovery and empowering them to fast-track research from the lab directly to the families who need it most.”
May 28, 2026
UMKC Honors student turns artistic passion into a teaching career
Benjamin Lewis always knew he wanted to become a teacher, he just wasn’t sure what path would get him there. After arriving at the University of Missouri-Kansas City from the small town of Jamesport, Missouri, Lewis pursued a bachelor’s degree in studio art with a minor in theatre before discovering UMKC’s 4+1 Master of Arts in Teaching program.
Now pursuing his Master of Arts in Teaching degree, Lewis is preparing to become a high school art teacher while gaining classroom experience and building on the artistic foundation that first brought him to UMKC.
Through his journey, Lewis became deeply involved on campus. He served as a student ambassador for both the Honors Program and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, participated in the Professional Career Escalators program and found opportunities to combine leadership, creativity and service throughout his undergraduate experience.
For Lewis, UMKC offered more than academics. Coming from a small town with a population of 570, he said the university’s campus environment and strong sense of community immediately stood out.
“When I toured UMKC, I immediately knew this is where I needed to be,” Lewis said. “I didn’t even tour anywhere else, I made my decision right away.”
How did you discover UMKC’s 4+1 program?
I knew that I wanted to be a teacher, but UMKC didn’t have an undergraduate secondary education program for what I wanted to teach. Originally, I thought I was going to have to take a nontraditional route and get an alternative certification later.
I heard about the 4+1 program while I was working as a student ambassador in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. My supervisor at the time heard about what my goals were and told me that’s exactly what the 4+1 program can do for me, and I was immediately set on it.
What is the 4+1 Master of Arts in Teaching program ?
The 4+1 program is essentially a way to get your teaching certification as well as your master’s degree in a shorter period of time. You get your bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach. For me, that was studio art. Then you’d transition into the Master of Arts in Teaching program and gain student teaching experience.
It’s especially helpful for students interested in secondary education because you’re able to focus deeply on your content area while also preparing to teach it.
What made you decide to stay at UMKC for your master’s?
Obviously, the 4+1 program was a huge draw. But I just love UMKC. It was my favorite place for a long time, and I wanted to stay because I felt like I was really making something out of myself here and to continue being a UMKC student. UMKC just felt like the right place to keep growing.
What has been your favorite part of the program?
My favorite part has been getting information that’s tailored directly to teaching your specialized area. I had a class called “Special Methods of Teaching Art,” where all the future art teachers came together and learned specifically about teaching art.
All we did was talk about teaching art. I was so excited for that class because I got to learn exactly what I want to do and get advice and ideas. Any new information just gets soaked into my brain because all I want is to improve and be better.
How did the Honors Program play in your UMKC experience?
I love the Honors Program. I became a student ambassador during my second semester at UMKC, and by my final year, I was basically the lead ambassador because I had been there the longest.
Coming from such a small town, I knew I needed to get involved on campus somehow. The Honors Program gave me a way to connect with people and really become part of the campus community. I found really good friends through the Honors Program.
How did the Honors Program help you as a student?
My freshman year, I lived in the Honors Living-Learning Community, and that was incredibly helpful because I didn’t know anybody when I came to Kansas City.
I was suddenly surrounded by like-minded people who cared about their studies and wanted to get involved. Some of my first friends at UMKC were Honors students because they were the first people I met through orientation and housing.
What opportunities came from your involvement in Honors?
I helped run events, worked on recruitment and got involved with leadership opportunities. I also got to submit a piece of art to a national honors society competition, which was really cool because it let me combine my artistic background with the Honors Program.
The Honors Program gives students opportunities to grow academically and personally. It’s kind of like a lift for your education, you get extra opportunities, smaller classes and more chances to be involved in areas you are interested in.
Besides the Honors Program and the 4+1 program, how else were you involved at UMKC?
I was involved in the first cohort for the Professional Career Escalators program and worked as a student ambassador for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. I also participated in events through the art and design department.
I’ve designed items for campus events, including honors T-shirts and a print design for an open house event. It was nice being able to use my major and apply my creative skills in those spaces.
How have you grown personally and professionally?
I’ve grown a lot professionally, but personally too. I feel like my growth was kind of stunted back home because there weren’t many opportunities there.
When I got to Kansas City, it felt like I was back on another set of stairs, and it was time to start climbing again. I learned a lot about being an adult, being a person in the world and understanding other people’s experiences.
UMKC gave me several opportunities to either learn new things and apply knowledge that I already had and was passionate about. I got to do that through a variety of programs and experiences, and they really supported my growth throughout my time here.
May 21, 2026
2026 Alumni Award Winners Kameron N. Saunders and Amy Patel delivered the keynote addresses
The University of Missouri-Kansas City conferred more than 2,300 degrees during its Spring commencement ceremonies at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
The first ceremony honored graduates of the UMKC Conservatory and the UMKC School of Science and Engineering. 2026 UMKC Conservatory Alumni Achievement Award winner, Kameron N. Saunders (BFA) was the keynote speaker. An alumnus of the UMKC Conservatory, Saunders is an accomplished choreographer and dancer. His performances over the course of the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour made him a viral fan favorite and led to worldwide popularity. This past March, Saunders premiered a new piece for the English National Ballet at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London.
Saunders told graduates about challenges he faced both growing up and in the early days following his graduation from UMKC, but the constant was his family and support system that pushed him to ignore people who tried to push him into being something other than himself. One of those people at UMKC was dance chair DeeAnna Hiett.
"My time here at UMKC was magical - for the first time in my training, I felt seen, not tolerated, not adjusted, but seen," Saunders said. "The professors here challenged me, supported me and pushed me to grow, not into someone else, but into the most honest version of myself. That kind of environment doesn't just train you, it transforms you and I carry that with me to this day."
After working for five years as an instructor, Saunders took the little money he'd saved and moved to New York. Little by little, opportunities began to take shape and he found himself in places he'd only dreamed of.
"None of that happened because I finally fit the mold," Saunders said. "It happened because I didn't quit. It happened because I stayed ready. It happened because I kept showing up, even when it was hard, even when it was uncertain, even when it felt like nothing was working."
He encouraged his fellow alumni to keep persisting, despite the inevitable challenges they'll face.
"When preparation meets passion, humility and preparation, you become unstoppable," Saunders said. "That doesn't mean that doubt disappears, that doesn't mean that fear goes away. It doesn't mean that you won't have the moments where you're questioning everything because you will, that's part of being a human being. What matters is what you do with those moments. You do it anyway - despite the fear and despite the uncertainty."
UMKC Alumna of the Year Amy Patel (BLA ’10/M.D. ’11) was the speaker for the second and third ceremonies celebrating graduates of the schools of dentistry, law, medicine, nursing and health studies, pharmacy, the Henry W. Bloch School of Management, humanities and social sciences, and the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences. Patel is a nationally recognized advocate for breast health and equitable access to care. She serves as a medical director and clinical associate radiology professor, and has served as president or chair of numerous healthcare boards. She has been recognized with numerous accolades; in 2022, her advocacy and fandom for the Kansas City Chiefs earned her a nomination for the NFL Fan of the Year.
"I have been so fortunate to tackle and accomplish so many things in my career thus far and I attribute this to the incredible foundation that the University of Missouri-Kansas City provided me," Patel said.
Patel encouraged graduates to find what sustains them, and be willing to change direction where needed. Inspired to help address breast cancer death rates in her home in northwest Missouri, which are some of the highest in the country, Patel told graduates she left her job at Harvard university to come back to Kansas City and help patients in the area.
"Be willing to take chances," Patel said. "The most successful people I know were the ones who were willing to take that leap of faith."
Most importantly, she urged graduates to persevere.
"It's ok if your career path takes an unexpected turn and isn't straight," she said. "Do not be discouraged. Reflect, regroup and, as I always say, fail forward."
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.
"A few years ago, each of you made a decision: to show up, to do the work, to invest in yourself and your future," Agrawal said. "Today, you’re not just celebrating an ending. You’re stepping into something new – with more confidence, more perspective, and a better understanding of what you’re capable of."
UM System Curator Bob Fry (DDS '73) addressed graduates, stressing the importance of gratitude as they move throught life, and urging them to stay connected to their alma mater.
"My wife and I are both very proud and grateful graduates of UMKC," Fry said. "When you leave here, don’t forget your Roo family. Stay in touch."
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas attended the second ceremony, telling graduates how proud the community is of their accomplishment.
"I want to thank you for all that you have done up to this point and to encourage you as you go forward to remember why you started, why you went through this, the people that you will continue to help along the way and the communities that so desparately need you."
Following the ceremonies, graduates took photos and celebrated with their loved ones.
May 16, 2026
20 students recognized for their outstanding academics, leadership and service
Twenty University of Missouri-Kansas City 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 20 Spring 2026 honorees’ accomplishments include traveling internationally with UMKC Global Medical Brigades, volunteering at Sojourner Health Clinic, Harvesters and Shelter KC, founding chapters of national organizations, serving on Graduate Student Council, working with AmeriCorps, raising money for nonprofit organizations, tutoring high school students and more.
"Recognizing our Dean of Students Honor Recipients is one of the most meaningful moments of each semester,” said Todd Wells, dean of students. “These students reflect the very best of UMKC through their leadership, integrity and commitment to community. They lead with purpose, support those around them and contribute to a campus environment where others can thrive. I’m deeply grateful for the impact they’ve made and excited to see how they continue to shape our university and beyond.”
Students shared reflections on their time at UMKC at a celebration in their honor. A few excerpts:
Alana Lopez: “My experience at UMKC has truly shaped who I am. It’s where I really found my voice. One of my proudest accomplishments has been helping establish the B+ Foundation at UMKC and raising nearly $10,000 in our first year to help children battling cancer while building real relationships with the families we support. After graduation, I will be traveling to Peru to hike Machu Picchu with the B+ Foundation while raising another $6,000+ to continue supporting children and families battling cancer. UMKC has shown me that leadership is about bringing people together and making a difference.”
Karen Moussa: “At the age of 15, I came to the United States as a Syrian war survivor, not knowing anyone and unsure of what the future would hold. By 17, I was given a life-changing opportunity and gained acceptance into UMKC’s six-year B.A./M.D. program. I built lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories and have had the opportunity to rotate through hospitals across the country. Coming to the United States at age 15, I never imagined I would one day be standing here with my M.D. at the age of 23.”
Khyathi Thallapureddy: “My proudest accomplishment has been serving both local and global communities. Serving refugee families in Athens, Greece with the UMKC Global Medical Brigades team taught me how compassion can transcend language and culture. One of my favorite memories was teaching children at an orphanage an anatomy song with hand motions—we laughed, connected and, for a moment, the barriers between us disappeared. These moments of service are etched into who I’ve become, shaping me into a more compassionate leader and a more grounded physician.”
Michael Luong: “The School of Dentistry has shaped me into a provider who is not only clinically prepared but also grounded in compassion and service. One of my proudest moments at UMKC was helping deliver a new set of digitally made dentures to a patient who had gone nearly ten years without a full smile. She came to us embarrassed and used to hiding her teeth, but with the support of incredible faculty, the Jackson County Grant and the technology here at UMKC, we were able to give her that smile back.”
Congratulations to the Spring 2026 Dean of Students Honor Recipients!
Lauren Baetje, School of Medicine
Judy Batts, School of Nursing and Health Studies
Mira Bhatia, School of Medicine
Carey Bickford, School of Medicine
Kailee Bunte, School of Medicine
Brenna Cronin, School of Nursing and Health Studies
Chris Galan-Gregorio, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Lukas Hudson, School of Law
Aditi Indurkar, School of Dentistry
Lyla Jones, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Sophia Kovalenko, School of Pharmacy
Alana Lopez, School of Science and Engineering
Michael Luong, School of Dentistry
William Matheson, School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Karen Moussa, School of Medicine
Victor Sewankambo, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Shavelle Shaw, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Khyathi Thallapureddy, School of Medicine
Gabriella Thornton, School of Medicine
Michelle Wu, School of Medicine
May 14, 2026
From Mexico to South Korea, six UMKC students are preparing for international study experiences
Six students from the University of Missouri-Kansas City were selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
The nationally competitive award supports students studying or interning abroad.The Spring 2026 recipients and the countries where they will study are: Jawnaa Matter, MexicoAlarice Cummings, Italy Daniela Castro-Carrera, South KoreaRosie Yancey, South KoreaLinda Ticum, SpainRami Zari, ItalyFor many of the students, the scholarship represents both an academic opportunity and a deeply personal milestone.
Jawnaa Matter will study in Mexico.
Matter, a biology and chemistry student with a Spanish minor was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and moved to Lee’s Summit in 2018. She said she is eager to immerse herself in a new culture while strengthening her language skills.“I am most looking forward to becoming more fluent in Spanish, meeting new people, experiencing a new culture, trying new foods and spending time at the beach,” Matter said.
Alarice Cummings will study in Italy.
Cummings, a music therapy major and psychology minor from Grandview, said she is excited to explore clinical sites and observe the differences between European and U.S. healthcare systems. Cummings is one of several recipients who credited the UMKC Study Abroad and Global Engagement office for support in getting the Gilman award. Cummings attended a Gilman information session, which helped prepare her for the application process.
Rami Zari will study in Italy.
Like Cummings, Zari also attended an information session. The finance major will be studying in Milan.
"I'm very excited to be studying in Italy, and thankful for this opportunity," he said.
Daniela Castro-Carrera will study in South Korea.
Castro-Carrera, a business administration student emphasizing data analytics, said study abroad advisor Natalie Gilkison played a critical role after an earlier unsuccessful application attempt. “She looked over my application and was honest on all that I needed to change to make my new application stronger than ever,” Castro-Carrera said.
Rosie Yancey will study in South Korea.
Yancey, a media, art and design major with a minor in creative writing, also credited Gilkison for supporting her essays and guiding her through the process. Yancey said she is excited to meet people across the world who share her interests and hopes to build lasting international connections through her experience.
Linda Ticum will study in Spain.
Ticum, a first-generation Latina student pursuing a degree in film and media arts, minor in communications and arts entrepreneurship certificate, said studying abroad once felt impossible and out of reach, but now represents an opportunity to honor both her heritage and future ambitions. She credited Gilkison and her family for helping review her essays and identify the right study abroad program.“I’ve learned with hard work, dedication and support, anything is possible,” Ticum said.
May 13, 2026
Service dog Nugget walked across the stage at Commencement with law student Rebekah Arwood
Criminal Procedure, Federal Taxation, Missouri Civil Procedure. Nugget doesn’t know what any of those words mean, but he attended all of these courses and sat through every class. You might not want to hire him as your lawyer, but he does have a "juris dogtorate" degree.
Photo from Rebekah Arwood
Nugget is a seven-year-old Golden Retriever and law alumni Rebekah Arwood’s (J.D. '26) service dog. Nugget began accompanying Arwood to the UMKC School of Law at the beginning of her second year, and after two years, he’s become a fixture at the school.
When setting up the interview for this story, Arwood said “You can find me because I’ll be the only person with a Golden Retriever.” A wagging tail and several greetings to Nugget from students, faculty and staff made them easy to spot. It was finals week, so Nugget’s friendly face was a happy distraction for many students. In a way, it was similar to his regular job duties for Arwood – and he’s very good at his job.
More than 61 million people in the United States live with disabilities, but less than 1% of them are teamed with service dogs, who are trained to perform specific disability-related tasks. Nugget is trained to help manage Arwood’s chronic depression, anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by keeping her physically grounded and present during stressful times by standing between her legs or sitting on her feet and resting against her.
Arwood completed her first year of law school without Nugget. He was not yet a service dog, as he hadn’t taken the rigorous training required.
“I did a lot of training on my own with Nugget and he was a big help to me at home,” Arwood said. “After the first year of law school, I decided to take the plunge and get him fully trained. Law school is hard and incredibly stressful. I knew I needed him with me for the next two years.”
Her next challenge was fitting that into her school schedule.
Service dog training by a professional can take anywhere from six months to three years, and costs often begin at $15,000. Arwood had less than three months before her second year of law school would begin, and she didn’t have the money required to send Nugget away for professional training. She worked with the company Dog Training Elite to set up a schedule to have Nugget fully trained by the time her school year would begin.
Arwood and Nugget worked together for six to eight hours a day that summer, preparing Nugget to not only perform his assistive tasks, but also to handle the life of a law student. Nugget had to learn to sit quietly in class, walk the hallways without getting distracted and work full days with few breaks.
The training paid off. Nugget’s time as a law student started with the beginning of Arwood’s second year at school, and he’s been with her ever since, attending classes, student organization meetings and other activities.
Nugget’s status as the most popular guy on campus has had a positive effect on Arwood as well. Although she’s naturally an introvert, Nugget’s popularity with other students forced her to be more social and meet people she may not have otherwise. Arwood was already involved in several student organizations on campus, but having Nugget helped her make even more connections.
“It was a huge adjustment initially, both the social and logistical aspects of having a service dog with me every day,” Arwood said. “Without him, I don’t think I would have been as involved with students. I know people in every class here and part of it is because they come up to him to say hi and then we talk.”
Nugget came to the interview for this story with Arwood. During the course of the interview, several students came up to say hi to Arwood – and Nugget. Everyone who stopped by was greeted with a tail wag, and he often got a pat on the head in return. Although occasionally briefly distracted by these friends, Nugget’s attention always quickly returned to Arwood.
“The only thing that Nugget struggled with during training, and still struggles with, is that he can’t go up and say hi to every single person he sees,” Arwood said. “He’s a people dog for sure. It’s been difficult to get him to understand that when he’s on duty, he can’t go up to them. And at the law school, he knows and loves everyone and many of them love him. Sometimes I have to pull him back in and remind him that he can’t do that in every environment, especially when he’s working.”
Photo by Janet Rogers | UMKC School of Law
With Arwood’s graduation, Nugget’s time as a law student is at an end. He has accompanied Arwood to internships already, so he has experience in offices and courthouses. Most people may not know that training a service dog doesn’t have an end point. Although Nugget completed his training to become a service dog, Arwood works with him frequently to ensure he’s ready for any environment.
“Training a service dog is a constant reiteration of tasks and behaviors,” Arwood said. “I’m always working with Nugget to be prepared. If I’m at work and I’m in the courtroom for a case, I can’t be focused on him. I need to know that he’s comfortable and knows what he’s supposed to be doing.”
By the time of the interview for this story, Nugget had been on duty for more than five hours and accompanied Arwood to a final and a finals week lunch for students she hosted. Although he was still focused on his job, Arwood could tell he was ready for a break.
“Dogs have moods just like people do,” Arwood said. “He gets tired or bored and needs a short break to run around and then he can focus again. Some days he’s excited to be here and other days I can tell he’s had enough. He always wants to be with me though, and even when he’s tired, he’s good at his job.”
When asked if she had a message for people regarding service dogs, Arwood paused. She reiterated the importance of letting service dogs do their jobs and not just walking up to them or trying to get their attention, as it breaks their concentration on their tasks. Just as importantly, she has a message regarding people who use service dogs, especially for invisible illnesses.
“Having a service dog will not stop you from being successful,” Arwood said. “It is no different from using medication or therapy or handling any other illness or disability. Just because my disability isn’t physical doesn’t mean it’s not real. I have chronic depression and anxiety, but I’m not lesser because of it. Nugget helps me manage it so I can go and do the things that everyone else can do too.”
Photo by Janet Rogers | UMKC School of Law
May 13, 2026
Kansas City and UMKC announce transformative partnership bringing Roos basketball back to one of the city’s most iconic venues
Mayor Quinton Lucas and the University of Missouri-Kansas City today announced that Kansas City Roos basketball will return to Municipal Auditorium, bringing Kansas City's hometown university team back to one of the city's most storied venues. The partnership marks a new era for Roos athletics and a defining moment for downtown Kansas City.
Opened in 1935 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Municipal Auditorium has served as the backdrop for generations of Kansas City's most iconic moments. Under the partnership, the Art Deco-style arena will be transformed into a modern home for Roos basketball while honoring its architectural legacy and its central place in the city's story.
"Municipal Auditorium is one of the great civic treasures of Kansas City, and bringing Roos basketball back home is great for our city," Mayor Lucas said. "The Kansas City Streetcar gives students, faculty, and fans a direct link between campus and the Auditorium, deepening the bond between our university and the heart of Kansas City."
Kansas City City Manager Mario Vasquez (MSERE '14); Mark Turgeon, head coach of Roos' Men's Basketball; UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal; and Kansas City Mayor Quinon Lucas spoke at a news conference about the Kansas City Roos returning to Municipal Auditorium for the 2026-27 season.
The Roos are no stranger to Municipal Auditorium. The team played its first game there on Nov. 30, 1987 vs. Rice University, and then occasionally in subsequent years until they moved in full time from the 2013-14 season through the 2018-19 season. After that, the Roos returned fully to the Swinney Center on the UMKC Volker Campus where they have played until now, building up regular season attendance at men’s and women’s basketball to record highs. With new coaching staffs, a renewed sense of direction and the KC Streetcar, UMKC is making a triumphant return to Municipal.
Planned enhancements to Municipal Auditorium will elevate the fan experience and position the venue as a true destination for Kansas City basketball fans.
A rendering of Municipal Auditorium Arena in downtown Kansas City shows a basketball court decked in UMKC Roo blue and gold for Kansas City Roos games in 2026-27.
A rendering shows the lobby of Municipal Auditorium decked in UMKC Roo blue and gold for Kansas City Roos basketball games.
"UMKC has always been Kansas City’s top university, and now our basketball program will call Kansas City's most iconic arena home," said Chancellor C. Mauli Agrawal. "Being part of a constellation of athletic excellence in the heart of downtown is a transformative moment for our students, our program, and our city."
“This is a defining moment for Kansas City athletics and for our student-athletes,” said Brandon Martin, Ed.D., UMKC Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. “Municipal Auditorium gives our programs the opportunity to compete on a bigger stage in the heart of downtown while creating an unmatched experience for our fans, recruits and the entire Kansas City community. We are building something special at UMKC, and this partnership reflects the energy, ambition and momentum surrounding Roos basketball.”
News reporters interviewed UMKC Mauli Agrawal about Kansas City Roos basketball moving to Municipal Auditorium for the 2026-27 season.
"This is a game-changer for our program," said Head Coach Mark Turgeon. "Playing in a historic downtown location, in front of a city that is rallying behind us, raises the bar for everything we do, recruiting, culture, performance. Kansas City is ready to embrace this team, and we are ready to deliver."
Beginning with the upcoming season, UMKC Men's Basketball will play its full home schedule exclusively at Municipal Auditorium. UMKC Women's Basketball will split home games between Municipal Auditorium and the Swinney Recreation Center on campus.
Under the lease agreement, the base rental for UMKC basketball games at Municipal Auditorium Arena is free for the 2026-27 season. UMKC is responsible for operational event expenses, including staffing, security and box office operations, applicable user fees and other game-day costs associated with hosting events. The agreement includes facility enhancements tied to the arena experience, including coach’s suite renovations and basketball-related upgrades. The city is paying for those upgrades.
May 12, 2026
Construction includes largest capital improvement project to date
The University of Missouri-Kansas City has announced and begun construction on major improvements to its physical facilities to meet key strategic goals.
Jump to each project:
Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building
Atterbury Student Success Center
Olson Performing Arts Center
UMKC Administrative Center
Projects currently under construction include:
The 160,000 square foot Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building project at 25th and Charlotte streets, the largest capital improvement project in UMKC history.
Elevating services that support prospective and current students at the Atterbury Student Success Center.
Projects expected to begin construction this year:
The 35,000-square-foot addition to the UMKC Conservatory's Olson Performing Arts Center will break ground on September 24, adding performance and rehearsal spaces on the east side of building that will stretch toward Volker Boulevard.
The UMKC Administrative Center will begin renovations later this spring, transforming the entryway and first floor into a welcoming front door to the community that celebrates our university, alumni and donors.
Look here for regular construction and project updates or sign up for a regular email update to be delivered to your inbox.
Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building
The final beam was placed on September 17. The university celebrated this construction milestone by inviting elected officials, university leadership and students, faculty and staff to sign the beam before it was placed in the new building.
Construction continues to progress throughout the facility, with drywall finishing and painting underway alongside ongoing mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire-protection work. Crews are installing ceiling systems, casework and countertops, while exterior work includes east-side stone installation, metal soffit panels and continued north-side site improvements, including stair construction.
The building is expected to open in 2027.
The campus surface parking lot at 25th and Charlotte streets closed. Student permit parking is no longer allowed in lot 68, located south of 25th along Charlotte Street. Health Sciences Campus map and Shuttle (PDF).
Faculty, staff and students can park in the seven-floor Hospital Hill Parking Garage 28 on the southeast corner of 24th and Charlotte streets, just north of the construction site/former lot, or in a surface lot 67 to the east at 25th and Campbell streets. Student parking in the garage is available on floors four through seven.
Parking for UMKC School of Dentistry clinic patients as well as metered spots for other UMKC Health Sciences District visitors has been moved to surface lot 68.
UMKC IDs are required to scan in and out of the parking garage.
Project Video Feeds
Atterbury Student Success Center
In May 2025, renovations began at Atterbury Student Success Center and are expected to be complete in summer 2026.
Walls and ceilings are nearly all installed with carpet, painting and other finishes underway. Work at the north entry to the building will continue into the first part of summer.
The renovated space will be home to Admissions, the UMKC School of Graduate Studies, the Center for Transfer Students and Adult Learners, Roo Advising, Career Services, University College and International Student Affairs. It will also include an inviting Welcome Center with a two-story atrium to host prospective students and their families.
UMKC’s robust Career Services programming will expand to add a Professional Wardrobe Studio, giving students a place to browse and try on professional clothing options as well as take headshots for interviews.
UMKC Central, a one-stop shop for students, and the Financial Wellness Center, are both moving from their current location at the Administrative Center to the newly renovated space as well.
Olson Performing Arts Center
UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal shared during the 2025 State of the University that this project is expected to break ground in 2026.
The new space will increase performance, classroom and collaboration opportunities for students and the Kansas City community.
The first phase of construction is estimated at $35 million.
The first phase includes the new addition which would house a large music ensemble performance and rehearsal space, two dance rehearsal rooms and support spaces for the dance program and a new, accessible black box performance space to be used by all three programs. The addition of the black box space will create a “theatre district” complementing White Recital Hall, Spencer Theatre and the McIlrath Lobby.
The second phase involves the renovation of current facilities, including White Recital Hall. Renovations will increase classroom and theatre spaces and create a central hub for student resources and collaboration. Facility renovations will allow the spaces to be used in flexible ways, creating more opportunities for special events and performances.
UMKC Administrative Center
Construction on the front exterior and first floor of the UMKC Administrative Center began early June and is expected to be complete in winter 2027. The project will improve accessibility by removing stairs in the entryway and lobby and adding additional accessible parking spaces.
The first floor will be remodeled, including a refreshed lobby and new reception desk. UMKC Central will relocate to newly renovated space in the Atterbury Student Success Center. Its former location in the Administrative Center will be converted into an alumni reception area and office suite for UMKC Foundation.
During construction, parking will remain available behind the building on the east side, in the north lot and in the parking garage. Four accessible spaces in the east lot and one space near the south entry will remain open. The east entrance and central elevator and stairs between the second and third floors, as well as the north and south elevators and stairwells, will remain accessible.
The following areas will be closed for the duration of the project: parking in the west circle, the first‑floor west entry and the central elevator and stairs between the first and second floors.
A small section of the driveway near the southwest corner of the building will close for a weekend this summer for repaving.
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May 12, 2026
New, updated facilities to provide greater opportunities for students and community
The University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory announced that its facility expansion would break ground September 23. 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.
The announcement fittingly occurred at one of the Conservatory’s premiere events of the year, 2026 Crescendo in Concert, an hour-long, non-stop performance featuring students from every discipline. Many leaders in the Kansas City arts community attended, underscoring the Conservatory’s deep connections and strong support from the community.
This announcement comes a year after the public reveal of the expansion project, which was announced at the 2025 Crescendo in Concert performance. The new space will increase performance, classroom and collaboration opportunities for students and the Kansas City community.
Concept rendering, courtesy of Helix Architecture
“This project isn’t just about bricks and mortar,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. “It’s about creating a space worthy of our students’ talent. It’s about giving our faculty the tools they need to teach and inspire. And on the practical side, it’s also about building capacity – so we can welcome more students, more collaboration and more connection with the community.”
The UMKC Conservatory offers more than 35 academic programs in dance, music and theatre. The Conservatory attracts internationally renowned faculty, including composer Chen Yi, jazz musician Carl Allen, pianist Sean Chen and more. In addition to teaching, faculty conduct research and perform worldwide. The graduate program in costume design has frequently been recognized as one of the best in the nation.
“This project is about people, and every step we take is driven by a shared purpose,” said Conservatory Dean Courtney Crappell. “We are entering a bold and inspiring new chapter for the Conservatory – one grounded in community, creativity and connection.”
The expansion and renovation aims to attract new talent and increase enrollment, particularly in the dance and theatre programs. Additional classroom space will also support the newly created minor in integrated performing arts, which will make performing arts training available to students in other disciplines. With these facilities upgrades, the Conservatory estimates it could increase enrollment by up to 40%.
Concept rendering, courtesy of Helix Architecture
The plan has two phases. Phase One includes the new addition which would house a large music ensemble performance and rehearsal space, two dance rehearsal rooms and support spaces for the dance program and a new, accessible black-box performance space to be used by all three programs. The addition of the black-box space will create a “theatre district” complementing White Recital Hall, Spencer Theatre and the McIlrath Lobby.
Phase Two involves the renovation of current facilities, including White Recital Hall. Renovations will increase classroom and theatre spaces and create a central hub for student resources and collaboration. Facility renovations will allow the spaces to be used in flexible ways, creating more opportunities for special events and performances.
“This project supports academics and the learning environment for our students, but it’s much more than that,” Crappell said. “We’re investing in the cultural future of Kansas City – and in the next generation of artists whose art and performances will inspire us all.”
The Conservatory prides itself on playing a vital role in the community, and community programming was a priority during planning. The expansion will increase current opportunities for the Kansas City community, including more summer camp and after-school lesson offerings, high school credit programs and competitions, master classes taught by Conservatory faculty, professional development for arts educators and expansion of the Conservatory Bridges program. The Bridges program provides exceptional young performers with the intensive, one-on-one instruction and experience necessary to prepare for auditions into selective university programs; the expansion will increase the number of K-12 students served from 80 to 500. Planning also includes more opportunities for students to take part in community-centered learning, bringing their skills to hospitals, schools, libraries, parks and more.
Learn more about the Conservatory building plan and how you can get involved.
Concept rendering, courtesy of Helix Architecture
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May 06, 2026
Alumnus Brian Hawkins joins an elite group of scholars across our continent
Brian Hawkins (B.A. ’11) is extremely familiar with UMKC. He studied studio art and art history as an undergraduate student. He taught as an adjunct a few years later. Back in that role once again, Hawkins submitted and was selected for the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship.
The Guggenheim Fellowship, awarded by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, supports scholars across 50 areas of study with grants they can spend as the fellows see fit. This allows the fellows to focus on their work without worrying about financial backing.
“The Guggenheim Fellowship recognizes the rare combination of intellectual rigor, creative daring and cultural impact that defines Brian’s work," said Tamara Falicov, Ph.D., dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. "As both a celebrated member of our community and a distinguished alumnus of UMKC, he embodies the excellence, curiosity and creative leadership we strive to cultivate. We are so proud."
Of only 223 recipients across the United States and Canada, Hawkins was chosen for this esteemed honor. He joins only seven other UMKC faculty members to have received the Guggenheim honor.
“It’s very surreal,” Hawkins said. “I had a hard time believing it until I saw it in print. This fellowship is a rare opportunity to really focus on a project that’s been important to me for over a decade, but that I haven’t always had the time or resources to fully commit to. In that sense, it really is a dream.”
As an alumnus, UMKC supported his journey in a way that may differ from students who attended a stand-alone arts school.
“It took me a while to settle on studio art and art history majors, but as a result I took a lot of different classes: filmmaking, history, things like that,” Hawkins said. “All of it ended up having a pretty big impact on my life after university. You have the opportunity to explore many different fields and find connections between them.”
Of course, as an adjunct, he’s seen the changes that have come to media, art and design at UMKC.
“Film and art are now combined, and I think that’s exciting,” he said. “Had that been the case when I was a student, I would have loved it. I wouldn’t have felt like I had to choose between different interests.”
Those different interests are coming together in his project now being funded by his Guggenheim fellowship. Hawkins is creating an artistic documentary about the folklore of the Missouri French Creole community.
“I’ve been working with archival audio collected mostly in the 1970s and early 80s, interviews with Missouri francophones recalling their childhoods around the 1910s,” Hawkins said. “These archival recordings are incredible, but they don’t neatly fit into a traditional documentary. They build a deeply immersive sense of place, almost like a novel. That’s where animation becomes really powerful. When you’re making animated films, you create everything, the environment and the characters, from scratch. The small details people shared in these oral histories can breathe a lot of life into the work.”
Hawkins is excited to see what final form the project will take, and his fellowship will allow him time and resources to make it exactly what he wants.
“It’s a long process,” he said. “This project will take years, but I’m excited to see where it leads.”
May 04, 2026
From alumni leadership to citywide impact, UMKC is helping shape Kansas City’s moment in the global spotlight
When the FIFA World Cup arrives in Kansas City in 2026, it will bring more than matches, it will bring the world. As one of 16 host cities, Kansas City is expected to welcome more than 650,000 visitors, placing it squarely on an international stage defined by billions of viewers and unprecedented attention.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is deeply embedded in this moment, with its students, alumni and leadership contributing to the planning, logistics and storytelling that will define how the region is experienced globally. That connection is perhaps most visible in community engagement efforts like the UMKC Family Soccer Fest 5 p.m. Saturday, June 27 at Roo Plaza and Durwood Stadium on the Volker Campus. This family-friendly, community event will celebrate our place in the Soccer Capital of America with our nationally ranked D1 men’s soccer team preparing for their next season and our soccer partnerships with Sporting KC and KC Current in the spotlight as visitors from around the world come to Kansas City. “It’s important for UMKC to showcase how we’re part of the fabric of this city,” said Rachel Waller, chief marketing strategist at UMKC. “Kansas City is on the map and hosting the World Cup only further cements that, so this gives us such a tremendous opportunity to further align ourselves as KC’s premier university.”Less visible though, are the Roos who have been quietly working in the background to put on Kansas City’s greatest show yet.
Esther George (MBA '00) was part of the Kansas Citty World Cup Committee
Bringing the World to Kansas City
UMKC alumna Esther George (MBA ’00) was a key member of the team that brought the World Cup to Kansas City. The former president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, served as treasurer for the 2026 World Cup host committee. With a career rooted in overseeing complex financial systems and ensuring fiscal accountability, George’s role highlights how strong leadership can shape the region and help turn a global moment into a well-executed reality.
Lesly Romo (BBA ’25) got help for her soccer-themed business, Golazo, through the Regnier Venture Accelerator
Jumping on Opportunity
With an estimated $653 million in potential economic impact, Kansas City business owners are looking for the best way to seize the opportunity not only for the duration of the event, but beyond. The UMKC Regnier Venture Accelerator supports early-stage entrepreneurs with mentorship, resources, and community. Founded by UMKC alum Lesly Romo (BBA ’25) Golazo is a Regnier Venture Accelerator- backed fan engagement company. It offers mobile sports activations and inclusive, community-driven programming to create welcoming spaces for players of all backgrounds and skill levels. Golazo is creating a citywide scavenger hunt experience to help support local businesses during the games. “My time at the Bloch School helped me develop the foundational pieces I needed to grow as an entrepreneur,” Romo said. “Being a three-time Regnier Venture Accelerator student took me from an idea to a real venture in just a few months. The mentors, the program and the connections I made gave me the confidence to prove my concept early on.”It’s not just student and alumni entrepreneurs seeing value from UMKC’s resources. KCSourceLink has been helping small businesses navigate both the opportunities and the challenges of the event and the UMKC Innovation Center has developed a Business Readiness Assessment through the Missouri Small Business Development Center to help entrepreneurs evaluate their preparedness from cybersecurity to inventory and cultural awareness. The tool also connects them with workshops to help position their business for success.
Keeping Kansas City Moving
With hundreds of thousands of visitors, KC 2026 has its own dedicated transit system in place, but the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is making its own game plan to enhance its service for residents and visitors during the World Cup. Kiona Sinks (MBA ’21), director of marketing and communications for KCATA, is excited about this opportunity.“I’m excited to combine my love for Kansas City with the opportunity to help communicate KCATA’s enthusiasm for this once-in-a-lifetime moment,” Sinks said. “KCATA already plays a vital role in connecting our community every day, and it will be incredible to see that role elevated as the region relies on us to move people efficiently and reliably throughout the city during the event.”
Major Abigail Martinez (B.A. ’02) is leading security organization for Kansas City during the matches
Goal One: Keep KC Safe
While the rest of Kansas City is preparing for the fun, the Kansas City Police Department has been working for years to make sure safety is the absolute top priority. Led by UMKC alum Major Abigail Martinez (B.A. ’02), the Kansas City Police Department is the lead law enforcement agency for World Cup in the Kansas City region. As the events and special projects coordinator for KCPD, Martinez is in charge of the planning and coordination of Kansas City’s safety plan, which includes more than 50 agencies at the local, county, state and federal levels. She attended a Union of European Football Associations championship games so she could see firsthand what to expect, and has game planned with law enforcement from other host cities. “We have our own separate law enforcement meetings where we can talk freely and get ideas from each other,” Martinez said. “We have those ongoing meetings in the same way that we've set up our regional meetings here in Kansas City. Everybody is involved, and everybody is at the table.”Together, these Roos are turning opportunity into impact, helping Kansas City not just host the world, but leave a lasting impression on it.
Learn more about these alumni and others in UMKC Perspectives Magazine.
May 01, 2026
Recognized for decades of excellence in academic medicine, research leadership and service to University Health and Kansas City, Sabates will recei...
Each year, the UMKC School of Medicine’s Take Wing Award honors an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated excellence in his or her chosen field and exceeded the expectations of peers in the practice of medicine, academic medicine or research. This spring, that distinction belongs to Nelson Sabates (B.A. ’83/M.D. ’86), whose four decades of dedication to UMKC, University Health and the Kansas City community have helped shape the university’s present and future.
“I’m tremendously honored and humbled to receive this award,” Sabates said. “I’ve spent many years walking into the medical school and seeing the Take Wing monument and looking at all the incredible people who have received this award, and for me to be now one of them is a tremendous honor.”
Sabates will receive the School of Medicine’s highest alumni honor while delivering the E. Grey Dimond, M.D., Take Wing Lecture at noon on May 14 at the School of Medicine. He will also make a speech to the graduating class during the hooding ceremony later that evening.
“To say that Dr. Sabates has ‘exceeded the expectations of peers in the practice of academic medicine’ would be an understatement,” wrote Charlie Shields, president and chief executive officer of University Health, in his nomination letter. “Through the years, his passion and energy have never waned. He is just as committed to advancing eye care, research, UMKC, University Health, the Health Sciences District and a wide variety of nonprofit organizations locally and nationally as he was decades ago.”
Few people have had such a longstanding front row view of Sabates’ work as Dean Alexander Norbash (B.A. ‘85/M.D. ’86), who was classmates with him in high school and through medical school, graduating the same year.
“He has been an incredible leader at UMKC and University Health, a brilliant physician-surgeon, and a successful entrepreneur,” Norbash said. “Nelson is the shining example of a Take Wing awardee: He has flown far and added immeasurable luster to our beloved school."
Sabates’ connection to UMKC runs deep, beginning even before he entered the university’s prestigious six-year accelerated B.A./M.D. program. His father, Felix N. Sabates Sr., M.D., who founded the UMKC School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology, was also a professor.
“He was thrilled when I got into the medical school,” Sabates said. “I kind of followed in his footsteps. He started the Department of Ophthalmology, and I came in and joined the department 36 years ago, and have been chairman there for 20 years, and have continued the legacy of involvement at the medical school and at University Health.”
Nelson’s enrollment at UMKC in the mid-1980s marked the continuation of a family legacy that now spans three generations of UMKC alumni and students.
“I had an uncle and a cousin who went to the dental school, and my son just got his MBA at the Bloch School of Management,” Sabates said. “We've always had a very strong connection with UMKC, with the Health Sciences District, and I'm hoping that that all of my children, in one way or another, get involved with UMKC, because UMKC is truly a gem for the city. It's gratifying to see that the community is finally realizing what we have and what we can build upon.”
Sabates maintains his engagement with the university through professional commitments, including in his role as a professor and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, president of the UMKC Research Foundation and director of the UMKC Vision Research Center.
In his nomination letter, Mark Steele, M.D., executive chief clinical officer of University Health and UMKC School of Medicine associate dean, remarked on Sabates’ instrumental role in founding the Vision Research Center — the Department of Ophthalmology’s research arm — in 2007.
“Under his leadership, it has grown to an interdisciplinary center focused on both basic science and translational eye research,” Steele said. “The center has received millions of dollars in extramural funding, and Dr. Sabates has served as principal investigator and co-investigator of several important multicenter clinical trials. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, books and book chapters, all of very high quality, and many with significant clinical impact on the field.”
Not only has Sabates influenced the field of ophthalmology during his career, but he has also poured back into the school that helped him get where he is now. Most recently, he has taken on the role of co-chair of the UMKC Blue & Bold fundraising campaign committee along with his wife Rachael.
“I have always been somebody that if you've been fortunate enough to be successful, you should give back to either the people or the institutions that helped you be successful,” he said. “UMKC has always been a very big part of who I am. And still to this day, many of the things that I learned in medical school I still use, many years later. The teachers that I had, the training that I had, it prepared me to be successful.”
This mindset of generosity is what led to Sabates and his family pledging a multimillion-dollar contribution, the largest alumni donation the UMKC School of Medicine has received, to the university’s largest capital project to date: the $145 million, five-story, 160,000-square-foot Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building in the UMKC Health Sciences District.
The building will include UMKC School of Medicine simulation labs, UMKC School of Dentistry patient clinics, a UMKC biomedical engineering collaboration space, the UMKC Health Equity Institute and the NextGen Data Science and Analytics Innovation Center, also known as dSAIC.
“I was very excited to help out and fulfill that vision of what we want to do,” Sabates said. “And the new building is hopefully just the first of many in the Health Sciences District.”
Sabates holds a vision for a future where the district continues to expand and solidify the university’s impact in the area.
“We are a big academic medical center, and we are Kansas City's university,” he said. “What I want to see for the future is that the new building will be the engine, the catalyst, for continuing development in the Health Sciences District and will bring in other research initiatives, other medical buildings and new entrepreneurial activity, and make the whole Health Sciences District just one big academic and professional healthcare center.”
While Sabates hopes his donations will help grow the presence of the School of Medicine in the city, he is also hoping his contributions can help inspire other alumni to donate as well.
“I think it's important for all of us to pay it forward,” Sabates said. “All of us who have graduated from the medical school, pharmacy school, law school and everything else — we've been successful because of where we started. And I think we should all give back to the university, because that's why we've been able to succeed. This was our launching pad, this is where we started and what gave us the skills to be successful.”
Be Blue. Be Bold.
To learn more and get involved, visit go.umkc.edu/bold
May 01, 2026
Taylor Trudell will earn a master’s degree through the prestigious program
Earth and environmental science student Taylor Trudell (Class of 2026) is one of just three students in the United States to receive the Fulbright France Award through Fulbright–Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA).
Taylor TrudellAnticipated graduation: 2026UMKC degree program: Earth and environmental scienceHometown: Knob Noster, MissouriThis award will support Trudell in a master’s program focused on hydrology at one of Europe’s most internationally focused research institutions.Situated on the western edge of the French Alps, Université Grenoble Alpes offers unmatched access to a broad and diverse set of water sources including rivers, snowpack, glaciers and caves with underground streams, springs, water tables and aquifers. And on top of all that, it’s just two hours from the Mediterranean Sea.“Even though I have a pretty clear idea of what I want to go into, I like having options,” Trudell said. “They have quite a few world-class labs that you could only get there because Grenoble is at the confluence of two rivers.”As a requirement of the program, Trudell will complete two internships, and has already applied for a position to work on drinking water systems throughout Grenoble and on the university’s campus.This incredible achievement didn’t come by chance, but from years of hard work and making opportunities. Before receiving one of the most prestigious awards in the country, Trudell was a first-year college student. “I was excited and scared, and neither of my parents went to college, so I didn't really know what to do,” Trudell said.
As a UMKC Trustees' Scholar, Trudell was paired with mentor Patti Phillips. Photo by Brandon Parigo | UMKC
A UMKC Trustees’ Scholar and Honors Program student, Trudell quickly found community that would shape the next four years. “I had a group of built-in friends that helped me, and we became close,” Trudell said. “My closest friends are a couple people in my class of scholars that I'm graduating with soon.”
Trudell served as president of the UMKC Concrete Canoe team. Photo courtesy of UMKC Concrete Canoe
Having already decided on earth and environmental science as major, a trip to Denver shortly before starting college helped narrow that interest into a specialty. Trudell knew a career in hydrology could protect an important lifeline for communities. “Spending time up in the Rockies and up on Pikes Peak and just in Colorado Springs, the Manitou Incline; it was stunning,” Trudell said. “As I got further along in my education, finding out nearly a billion people are sustained by mountains and streams, that's when that focus narrowed in for me.”Through the Trustees’ Scholar program, Trudell was matched with Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.“I'm so glad I was paired with her,” Trudell said. “It's really cool to have somebody who can give you a more objective reading how you've grown... that's been invaluable.”
As a mentor, Phillips has watched Trudell's confidence and abilities grow throughout the past four years.
"I am so very proud of Taylor!" Phillips said. "Honestly, I’m blown away. Taylor is an incredibly hard worker, and I’m thrilled to see that dedication and effort rewarded in such a meaningful way."
In addition to mentorship, Phillips included Trudell in networking opportunities throughout college. “I had never had professional experience, or been in those kind of settings,” Trudell said. “Now, four years down the road, I've met with some of the most influential people in Kansas City.”Trudell also found mentorship with faculty, particularly in the Honors Program and in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department.
While on a study abroad trip, Trudell was part of a team that identified three previously unrecorded seismic events. Photo courtesy of Taylor Trudell
Seeking out practical field experience, Trudell signed on to the Guatemala IRES GeoHazards with Alison Graettinger and Tina Niemi in December 2024. The group camped in a field for three weeks, all the while forming connections and conducting research. During that time, they discovered three previously unrecorded seismic events.
As part of the Environmental Student Council, Trudell helped conduct a trash audit in collaboration with the UMKC Chancellor to help inform sustainability efforts. Photo by Brandon Parigo | UMKC
Back on campus, Trudell continued environmental work as a board member of the Environmental Student Council, organizing events and collaborating with campus leadership on sustainability efforts.
A long time artist, Trudell's work is on display at a local business. (From left to right: Taylor Trudell, Jennifer Trudell, James Trudell) Photo courtesy of Taylor Trudell
Ever curious, Trudell maintained a broad set of academic and extracurricular interests including serving as president of Concrete Canoe and joining the UMKC rock climbing club. Trudell also found time to complete a studio art minor, and even had work featured at a local business.
Trudell studied abroad in South Korea Summer 2025. Photo courtesy of Taylor Trudell
In Summer 2025, Trudell went on a study abroad trip to South Korea. “It's the coolest thing I've ever done,” Trudell said. “It was beautiful to wake up, roll out of the dorm, walk to class and walk right past a Buddhist temple that was lit up. I now consider myself relatively well-versed in Korean politics, current and past, and their history.”
Taylor is set to graduate with a bachelor's dree in earth and environmental science and a minor in studio art in May 2026. Photo by Brandon Parigo | UMKC
When Trudell got an email that applications for the Fulbright award were open, it was easy to activate the network that had been building for the past four years. Graettinger and Niemi wrote letters of recommendation. UMKC Manager of Nationally Competitive Awards Misty Vaughn helped Trudell navigate different parts of the process and provided feedback on drafts. Gayle Levy, director of the UMKC Honors Program and French faculty member, helped improve Trudell’s language skills and cultural understanding. “Taylor is the rare student who combines limitless curiosity, intelligence, kindness and leadership skills,” Levy said. While Trudell is determined and hardworking, the support was crucial.“I mean, these are the people that helped me get the Fulbright.” Trudell said. Trudell hopes to someday work to protect water resources at the policy level. “I see the good that public science does, and I want to contribute to that,” Trudell said. “I want to work in these places that are water scarce.”
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Apr 29, 2026
UMKC Law team bested more than 300 other teams from around the country
The UMKC School of Law mock trial team went undefeated and won the Texas Young Lawyers Association, or TYLA, National Trial Competition – one of the preeminent mock trial competitions in the country. More than 300 teams from more than 150 law schools around the country competed in regional and national rounds of the competition.
The championship team is made up of law students Karima Burns, Bethany Halstead and Kaleb Miller. The director of the mock trial program is L. Michaelle Tobin, and they were coached by faculty member Alexandria Serra with assistance from Pace Jarowski and Jackson Elder (J.D. ’25).
Their journey to the championship started at the regional tournament at Washburn University School of Law, where they went 5-0 and won, earning their spot in the national rounds. The top two teams from each of the 15 regional tournaments advanced to the national rounds held in Dallas.
At the national rounds, the UMKC Law team went 7-0 to win the championship and a $10,000 prize. The final round was judged by more than 20 seasoned trial attorneys, many of whom are members of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
“Winning the championship was surreal,” Halstead said. “After competing in seven rounds we were exhausted, and it took a few days to really sink in. So many people supported us along the way, including the rest of the mock trial team at UMKC. It’s such an amazing community.”
In addition to the team win, Karima Burns was named Best Advocate in the Nation at the tournament.
“Being named Best Advocate, to be considered the best in the nation, blew my mind,” Burns said. “While it is an individual award, I owe it all to my teammates. They took me to gladiator school every week and poured love and belief into me. It’s their award as much as it is mine.”
Remarkably, this is the first competition for the team of Burns, Miller and Halstead. While Burns and Miller competed together before, this was the first competition in which Halstead joined them.
“Karima is remarkable, I have never seen an advocate quite like her,” Miller said. “Truly, the greatest privilege I’ve had during my time in this program is standing next to Karima Burns. And we couldn’t have won without Bethany. The last competition required her to compete multiple times a day, she has such endurance that I envy.”
“We all have such distinct styles that complement each other well,” Halstead added. “It allows each of us to lean into who we are and work to our strengths. Competing is much more fun when you like the people you are with, and Kaleb and Karima inspire me to be better every day.”
The success of the mock trial team is a testament to the successful trial advocacy program at the UMKC School of Law. Recently named #21 in the country by U.S. News and World Report, the trial advocacy program prepares students to counsel, negotiate and litigate in and out of the courtroom.
“UMKC has a great mock trial program, and it’s good to finally see our school get the recognition we have been working toward,” Miller said. “Professor Tobin built the program, and none of it would be possible without her. Professor Serra is also instrumental, much of what I am as a student can be traced back to her. I can’t thank the both of them enough.”
Apr 28, 2026
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal and Provost Jenny Lundgren present awards
The University of Missouri-Kansas City celebrated the people behind its momentum during the 2026 Faculty Recognition Celebration, honoring faculty members whose teaching, mentorship, research and leadership continue to shape student success and strengthen the university’s growing impact. Hosted at the Linda Hall Library, the annual event served as both a celebration of achievement and a reminder that UMKC’s rise is built on faculty who challenge ideas, create new knowledge and transform lives.
Provost Jenny Lundgren framed the evening around the evolving role of higher education and the central role faculty play in leading through change.
“We are, of course, at another point of knowledge transition, with technological advances and AI that are impacting all of us,” Lundgren said. “As faculty, the process of discovery, disruption of long-held beliefs or practices and the dissemination of new knowledge is familiar to us. It is at the heart of what we do.”
Lundgren noted that the event offered a chance to pause amid a demanding academic year and recognize the work happening across campus every day.
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal connected the university’s progress directly to the faculty experience students encounter.
“When I’m out meeting with partners or alumni, people almost always ask about the student experience — what it’s like to learn here, what makes UMKC stand out,” Agrawal said. “And the answer is pretty straightforward. It’s you.”
He continued by underscoring the lasting impact faculty members have on students.
“A student realizes they’re capable of more than they thought. An idea from class turns into something real — a project, a research path, a career,” Agrawal said. “That’s what stays with people.”
Throughout the evening, UMKC recognized faculty achievements spanning teaching, mentorship, research, innovation and lifetime contributions to the university community.
2026 Faculty Recognition Award Recipients
Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Xiangping Chu, School of Medicine
Elmer F. Pierson Good Teaching Awards
Sara Cox, School of Medicine
Rachel Hochstein, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
John Kiesendal, School of Dentistry
Mikah Thompson, School of Law
Provost’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching
Early Career Teaching — Tenure-Track/Tenured
Tempe Ostergren, Conservatory
Early Career Teaching — Clinical and Teaching Faculty
Stewart Duncan, Conservatory
Mid-Career/Senior Career Teaching — Tenure-Track/Tenured
Julie Kline, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Mid-Career/Senior Career Teaching — Clinical and Teaching Faculty
Greg Vonnahme, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Provost’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring
Mary Walker, School of Dentistry
Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Researchers, Scholars and Artists
Stefan Lohfeld, School of Dentistry
Maria Spletter, School of Science and Engineering
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
Department of Political Science and Philosophy team:
Rebecca Best
Bruce Bubacz
Debra Leiter
Mona Lyne
Clancy Martin
Antonio Molinar
Edith Nally
Beth Vonnahme
Greg Vonnahme
Jennifer Wargen
Ben Woodson
Faculty Research and Innovation Awards
Research Catalyst Award
RaeAnn Anderson, School of Nursing and Health Studies
Chancellor’s Award for Transformative Research Leadership
Diane Mutti Burke, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Innovation and Societal Impact Award
Peter Koulen, School of Medicine
N.T. Veatch Award for Community Impact
Mei-Ling Shyu, School of Science and Engineering
Trustees’ Faculty Scholar Award — STEM
Hichem Guerboukha, School of Science and Engineering
Trustees’ Faculty Scholar Award — Non-STEM
Elizabeth Neilson, School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Trustees’ Faculty Fellowship Award
Ted White, School of Science and Engineering
Patent Innovation Award
Anthony Caruso
Alexander Usenko
Kun Cheng
Inventor’s Achievement Award
Stefan Lohfeld
Bart Patenaude
Curators’ Distinguished Professorships
Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professorship
Jannette Berkley-Patton, School of Medicine
Gerald Wyckoff, School of Pharmacy
Curators’ Distinguished Professorship
Timothy Cox, School of Dentistry
Thomas Jefferson Award
Chen Yi, Conservatory
Additional Faculty Recognition
Provost’s Endowed Teaching Professor
Antonio Byrd
Faculty Development Engagement Recognition
Theresa Brown
Wajeb Gharibi
Viviana Grieco
Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Leadership
DeeAnna Hiett, Conservatory
Chancellor’s Award for Career Contributions to the University
Tom Mardikes, Conservatory
Closing the evening, Lundgren reminded faculty that the impact of their work extends beyond accomplishments listed on a résumé.
“What makes UMKC special isn’t just what shows up on a CV,” she said. “It’s the extra time you give a student who’s struggling. It’s the colleague you check in on. It’s the way you keep showing up, day after day.”
Apr 28, 2026
Gift will transform flagship venture creation challenge and enhance Bloch Consulting Lab
Bob Regnier (MBA ’76), of the Regnier Family Foundation, and the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation have partnered to expand programming at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation with a $3 million gift. The gift will create new opportunities for students and the Kansas City entrepreneurial community.
Kansas City has a long history of entrepreneurship, from river trade to today’s startups, and it has earned a strong regional reputation for supporting new ventures. For generations, families in the city have helped foster this entrepreneurial spirit. The Bloch and Regnier families continue that tradition by championing entrepreneurship and community impact in the region with a $3 million investment in the Regnier Institute.
“It’s inspiring to see the Regnier Family Foundation and Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation continue their legacy of supporting entrepreneurship in Kansas City,” said Brian Klaas, dean of the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. “Their investment will expand opportunities for our students while strengthening support for entrepreneurs in the Kansas City community.”
Their generosity will elevate the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge, which has empowered student and community entrepreneurs as a startup pitch competition and innovation hub for more than a decade.
“We are proud of the history of the Regnier Institute and appreciative of the partnership with the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation to increase its reach and impact,” Bob Regnier said.
The venture creation challenge offers competitive tracks in technology, health, consumer products and services, arts and a non-student track for community entrepreneurs. The gift will further position this annual Bloch School tradition as a premier platform for partnerships, funding and collaboration across the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“This generous gift represents a powerful investment in the future of entrepreneurship,” said Jeff Hornsby, executive director of the Regnier Institute. “By strengthening the long-term sustainability of impactful programs in the Regnier Institute including the Regnier Venture Accelerator and the Regnier Venture Creation Competition. It ensures that the next generation of innovators has the resources and mentorship to thrive for years to come.”
The investment will also expand the Bloch Consulting Lab, where expert faculty and highly trained students provide pro bono business services to local entrepreneurs.
This spring, 31 UMKC students from the lab partnered with 28 local businesses to provide expertise and strategies for long-term success.
"The Henry W. Bloch School of Management is Kansas City’s business school, and the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation is proud to partner with Bob Regnier to expand the impact of the Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation," said David Miles, president of the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation. "This shared investment reflects confidence in the Bloch School’s ability to prepare talent, strengthen businesses and help shape the future of entrepreneurship in our region. Together, this philanthropic commitment will further position the Regnier Institute and the Bloch School as the leading resource for entrepreneurs across Greater Kansas City."
The Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the UMKC Bloch School serves as a hub for entrepreneurial learning and venture development, connecting students and community members to the resources, mentorship and experiences needed to bring ideas to life. To learn more or get involved, connect with the Regnier Institute.
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Apr 24, 2026
Graves will focus on community-centered approach to support student success
Daniel Graves has been named the UMKC chief of police. Graves was hired following a national search and has deep ties to Kansas City.
Over nearly 30 years in law enforcement, Graves has served in multiple roles at the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department including the narcotics unit, property crimes division, violent crime division, tactical unit and special investigations unit. Separately, Graves also led a law enforcement team for the Kansas City Chiefs organization for nearly a decade and served as a consultant for the Institute for Intergovernmental Research. An experienced law enforcement leader, Graves plans to focus on supporting a high-performing team that promotes a culture of integrity and community-focused policing. “We are pleased to welcome Chief Graves to UMKC,” said Troy Bruun, vice chancellor of finance and administration at UMKC. “His focus on leadership, accountability and community building made him stand out in the interview process, and we know he will be a committed professional in ensuring student and campus safety.”
Graves said he is committed to building upon campus engagement and supporting students.
“What stands out about UMKC is its commitment to collaboration — where public safety is truly a shared responsibility across students, faculty and staff,” Graves said. “My goal is to foster a police department culture rooted in trust, accountability and service, while advancing proactive, community-based policing strategies that enhance safety, support student success and position the police department as a valued partner in the university’s mission.”
Graves will be sworn in Monday, April 27 by 16th Judicial Circuit Judge Kenneth R. Garrett III (B.A. ’99, MPA ’00, J.D. ’02).
Graves has bachelor’s degree from Park University, and attended the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration in Plano, Texas. He is married to Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves (BLA ’97). Graves will replace interim chief Jay Johnson, who has served UMKC since September 2025.
Apr 24, 2026
You might also call Provost Jenny Lundgren the chief faculty-and-student-experience officer
Provost Jenny Lundgren, Ph.D., has helped shape the trajectory of the University of Missouri-Kansas City for nearly two decades, bringing a rare combination of faculty experience, research insight and institutional leadership to her role as chief academic officer.
Since taking this important leadership role in 2020 at UMKC, she has helped drive the university’s transformation into a more coordinated, student-centered and research-intensive institution, supported by expanded faculty resources like the Diane Filion Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE), which integrates teaching, research and community engagement, along with yearlong new faculty orientation and leadership development programs.
Lundgren’s own collaborative leadership and deep understanding of the academic enterprise have earned her recognition beyond campus. On Aug. 28, the Kansas City Business Journal named her among its 2026 Women of Influence honorees and earlier this year, Ingram's Magazine named her an Icon of Education, a reflection of both her impact across Kansas City’s higher education landscape and in the community. We sat down and talked to her about UMKC and its forward momentum.
You started in 2006 at UMKC. How have you seen the university change?
Over the past two decades, the most significant changes have been in infrastructure and intentionality. Early on, many processes were decentralized, even something as basic as class scheduling lacked standardization. Today, we are far more coordinated as a campus, with systems and support structures that elevate the experience for students, faculty and staff.
Equally important is how our identity has evolved. UMKC has always been strong, but today there is a clearer, shared understanding of who we are: an urban situated research university, that serves the broader region in meaningful ways. That clarity has helped build a stronger sense of school spirit and pride. Achieving Carnegie Research 1 status is a major milestone, but just as impactful has been the cultural shift toward a more unified and energized campus community. ‘Roo up’ wasn’t a broadly recognized thing until Chancellor Agrawal arrived on campus and now everyone is doing it, students, staff, faculty, alumni and even our curators ‘Roo up!’
Provost Jenny Lundgren speaks at Spring Commencement 2025.
A provost is the chief academic officer of a university. What does that mean to you at UMKC?
At its core, the provost is responsible for the quality of academic programs and the success of both students and faculty. At UMKC, that role extends even further. Because student success and student affairs report to the provost, I also think of this position as the chief student experience officer.
To me, the role is about connection and alignment. I work to ensure that faculty, academic programs and student support systems are not operating in silos, but in collaboration. It’s also about facilitating the university’s broader vision, helping align the goals of individual schools and units with UMKC’s strategic priorities. Ultimately, my job is to remove barriers, strengthen partnerships and create an environment where both students and faculty can thrive.
Tell us about your background in research. What does it mean to you that UMKC achieved Carnegie R1?
My research background is in clinical psychology with a focus on eating disorders, weight management and conditions like night eating syndrome: studying the intersection of sleep, eating behavior and circadian rhythm. I spent the early part of my career building that research portfolio, including clinical and neurobiological work, before transitioning into administrative leadership.
Carnegie R1 is an important milestone; it raises expectations. It reinforces a culture of striving for excellence in research and scholarship. It challenges us to be creative in how we support faculty and to continue building the infrastructure needed to sustain high-level research. In that sense, R1 is both recognition and responsibility.
Provost Jenny Lundgren and Chancellor Mauli Agrawal celebrate UMKC's Carnegie Research 1 milestone.
What do you hope for the future of UMKC?
I see two priorities that are happening more and more. First, I want UMKC to be a first-choice institution for students, not simply a place of convenience, but a destination where students intentionally choose to come because of the high-quality academic programs and co-curricular opportunities we offer.
Second, I want UMKC to be an institution of choice for employees. While higher education faces challenges nationally, we offer a mission-driven environment with strong community connections and great people. There is something special about working here, and I want that to be widely recognized.
The chancellor has painting as one of his hobbies. What are yours?
Right now, my primary focus outside of work is my family. My husband and I have two children who are 16 and 11; they have grown up with UMKC as a second home. Some of our favorite family memories are of my son’s high school soccer team attending the UMKC soccer games each fall and my daughter attending “Take Your Child to Work Day.” As they have become older, we’ve entered the busy stage of soccer games and gymnastics meets.
I do make time for CrossFit and running, which are important parts of my routine. Looking ahead, I’d love to spend more time in nature. I enjoy container gardening in the spring and summer, and our family spends a lot of time at the lake. As I have more time, I’d love to explore creative pursuits like pottery, though that one has definitely tested my patience.
What’s the last good book you read?
I enjoy author Kristin Hannah’s work. The last book I read was “Night Road,” although my favorite book by Hannah is “The Great Alone.”
What do you like about Kansas City?
What stands out most is how much the city has grown and evolved. Over the past 20 years, Kansas City has developed a vibrant identity, especially downtown, with incredible energy, culture, food and arts.
At the same time, it remains accessible and easy to navigate. It offers many of the amenities of a much larger city, but with a scale that makes it feel livable and connected.
Most important: what’s your favorite barbecue?
I tend to enjoy the sides more than the meat, especially cheesy corn. That said, if I had to choose, I’d say Q39 or Jack Stack.
Apr 21, 2026
Inaugural event honors faculty impact across all disciplines
The University of Missouri-Kansas City formally introduced a new campus tradition with the inaugural Research and Innovation Excellence Awards, recognizing faculty whose work is advancing discovery, improving lives and shaping the future of the region and beyond.
Held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza, the evening brought together faculty, university leaders, partners and community members to celebrate the depth and momentum of UMKC’s research enterprise, momentum that recently culminated in the university’s designation as a Carnegie Research 1 institution.
“This evening is about making that work visible and celebrating the people behind it,” said Sumeet Dua, vice chancellor for Research and Innovation. “Behind every grant, every discovery, every publication and every partnership, there are people. Faculty who bring curiosity, persistence and creativity to their work every single day.”
University leadership framed the event not only as a celebration, but as a signal of UMKC’s trajectory.
“One of the great privileges of serving as provost is having a front-row seat to the incredible breadth of scholarship happening across this university,” said Provost Jenny Lundgren. “That connection between scholarship and student learning is one of the defining characteristics of a great research university.”
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal emphasized the broad impact of faculty work.
“Universities are built on ideas,” Agrawal said. “But what truly defines a great university is the people who pursue those ideas—with persistence, creativity and a willingness to take risks. Their discoveries are advancing fields, their innovations are creating solutions and their scholarship continues to elevate UMKC’s national and international reputation.”
Recognizing Excellence Across Research, Innovation and Impact
The awards highlighted faculty at every stage of their careers and across disciplines, reflecting the full scope of UMKC’s research mission.
Research and Innovation Excellence awardees Elizabeth Neilson and RaeAnn Anderson stand with their awards.
Research Catalyst Award
This award celebrates faculty who secure their first major external research grant as a principal investigator at UMKC. Crucially, it looks beyond federal funding to recognize support from the full spectrum of sponsors. Recognition also includes a $1,500 monetary award.
RaeAnn Anderson, assistant professor, nursing and health studies Recognized for securing her first major external grant, Anderson received nearly $2 million from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to study how survivors of sexual violence move from screening to care.
Her work addresses a critical gap in support systems, focusing on how to ensure survivors are not only identified, but meaningfully supported through recovery.
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal speaks at the inaugural UMKC Research and Innovation Excellence Awards event.
Chancellor’s Award for Transformative Research Leadership
This is the premier honor celebrating the remarkable leadership, strategic vision and collaborative mastery required to assemble and lead a winning team for a large, complex and often interdisciplinary research grant. Recognition also includes a $2,500 monetary award.
Diane Mutti Burke, history professor Mutti Burke was honored for securing two Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grants totaling $9 million, work that exemplifies large-scale, interdisciplinary leadership.
Her initiatives include:
A $5 million paid internship program placing more than 180 students in community-based roles
The Kansas City Monuments Coalition, a $4 million effort to reimagine public history through inclusive storytelling
Together, these efforts expand workforce pathways, strengthen community partnerships and redefine how institutions engage with public history.
Innovation and Societal Impact Award
This award is an honor focused on real-world results. It recognizes faculty whose research moves from the lab to the community, creating tangible social or economic benefits that embody UMKC's mission as an urban-serving university. Recognition also includes a $1,500 monetary award.
Peter Koulen, Felix and Carmen Sabates Missouri Endowed Chair in Vision Research and professor of ophthalmology and biomedical sciences
Koulen’s research bridges discovery and application, particularly in vision science and regenerative medicine.
His work includes:
Advanced cryopreservation technologies for cells and tissues
Innovations improving corneal transplantation access
Microperimetry-based approaches for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease
His research reflects a commitment to ensuring scientific breakthroughs translate into real-world care and improved patient outcomes.
UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal and Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation Sumeet Dua stand next to awardee Mei-Ling Shyu.
N.T. Veatch Award for Community Impact
This prestigious award honors a faculty member whose distinguished research, scholarly or creative work has been successfully translated into a tangible and positive impact on the community. Recognition also includes a $3,500 monetary award.
Mei-Ling Shyu, professor of electrical and computer engineering
Shyu’s work applies artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics to real-world challenges in healthcare, environmental systems and public health.
Her innovations include:
AI-driven models to improve glaucoma testing efficiency and accuracy
Technologies that translate complex data into usable tools for practitioners
With more than 300 publications, her research demonstrates both scale and direct community impact.
Trustees’ Faculty Scholar Award (STEM)
This award serves as the university's premier "Rising Star" recognition, honoring early-career faculty who show exceptional promise and are on a clear trajectory toward becoming leaders in their fields of research, scholarship or creative work. Recognition also includes a $2,500 monetary award.
Hichem Guerboukha, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering
A rising leader in wireless communication, Guerboukha’s work focuses on terahertz technologies for 6G connectivity and medical imaging.
His research includes:
“Airy beams” that bend around obstacles to improve signal reliability
“Wavefront hopping” to enhance wireless security
In just a few years, he has secured nearly $3 million in funding and established a growing global research network.
Trustees’ Faculty Scholar Award (Non-STEM)
This award serves as the university's premier "Rising Star" recognition, honoring early-career faculty who show exceptional promise and are on a clear trajectory toward becoming leaders in their fields of research, scholarship or creative work. Recognition also includes a $2,500 monetary award.
Elizabeth Neilson, assistant professor, education and social sciences
Neilson’s research explores the intersections of sexual violence, substance use and reproductive health.
Her work:
Examines real-time decision-making and risk factors
Informs prevention and intervention strategies
Focuses on populations most at risk
With more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, she is already shaping the direction of her field.
Trustees’ Faculty Fellowship Award
As the university's honor for a senior faculty member, this award recognizes an established scholar whose sustained body of work has earned significant international recognition and impact. It celebrates the pinnacle of a research career and acknowledges those who elevate UMKC's profile on the world stage. Recognition also includes a $7,500 monetary award.
Ted White, Marion Merrell Dow Endowed Professor of Biological and Biomedical Engineering
An internationally recognized leader in microbial pathogenesis and antifungal drug resistance, White has nearly 20,000 citations.
His work includes:
Sequencing fungi responsible for common infections like athlete’s foot
Advancing understanding of drug resistance
Contributing to global health strategies
His research has helped define the field while influencing treatment and drug development worldwide.
From Discovery to Application: Innovation Awards
The ceremony also highlighted faculty translating research into real-world applications. Recognition also includes a $500 monetary award for each person.
Patent Innovation Award Recipients
Anthony Caruso, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and Alexander Usenko, research professor. One patent introduces an advanced diode design, along with a corresponding fabrication method. The innovation focuses on improving device performance and manufacturing efficiency, contributing to more reliable and scalable semiconductor technologies for electronic and optoelectronic application. The other patent presents a novel diode stack architecture and its manufacturing process. This technology enables enhanced integration and performance of layered semiconductor devices, supporting advancements in high-efficiency electronics and next-generation device engineering.
Kun Cheng, Sperry Family Fund Endowed Chair and Curators’ Distinguished Professor of pharmacy. This patent, awarded to Cheng and his previous graduate students, covers the identification and development of novel PD-L1 peptides designed to enhance cancer immunotherapy strategies. By targeting immune checkpoint pathways, these peptides have the potential to improve the body’s immune response against tumors, offering promising applications in next-generation cancer treatments.
Inventor’s Achievement Award
Stefan Lohfeld, associate professor of oral and craniofacial sciences and Bart Patenaude, associate medical professor — minimally invasive tympanostomy tube technology, licensed to a startup advancing toward commercialization
Closing the evening, Dua reinforced that the awards are only the beginning of a larger vision.
“This is our first Research and Innovation Excellence Awards ceremony — and it’s just the beginning,” Dua said. “While our R1 designation is a historic milestone, the real story is the relentless curiosity and collaborative energy that will define our next chapter of discovery.”
Apr 20, 2026
The five-year study addresses food insecurity and physical activity through church-based diabetes prevention programs
The National Institutes of Health recently awarded the University of Missouri-Kansas City $4 million to focus on food insecurity, physical activity and diabetes with African American churches in socially vulnerable Kansas City areas. The principal investigators are Jenifer Allsworth, Ph.D., and Jannette Berkley-Patton, Ph.D., both of the School of Medicine.
Using the grant money, Allsworth and Berkley-Patton will partner with 12 to 16 community churches over the next five years to conduct Centers for Disease Control-recognized diabetes prevention programs. The programs focus on losing 5% to 7% of body weight through healthy eating, increased physical activity and community resources to cut the risk for type 2 diabetes in half.
Historically, diabetes prevention programs have been less effective in African American populations, so that’s why Allsworth and Berkley-Patton’s work focuses on partnering with churches to reach these communities.
“There's a lot of benefits to delivering interventions in churches,” Allsworth said. “You've got trusted people. Having an engaged pastor is incredibly important. People really listen. They adhere to what they have to say and are just much more receptive.”
Additionally, working within churches increases success rates for participants because of the already established community.
“The participants are either from that congregation or go to that church for specific services, so they have stronger senses of community within the course, which helps,” Allsworth said. “You know, if your friend Mary is like, ‘Where were you last night?’ They've got that sort of accountability. And then I think it makes it more fun. It’s not just a class; it’s connecting with a friend.”
This is not the first time Allsworth and Berkley-Patton have partnered on this work. They’ve been collaborating on diabetes prevention programs and other health initiatives for several years through UMKC Community Health Research Group, and this will be their fifth National Institutes of Health clinical study together.
Allsworth and Berkley-Patton plan to use this grant to run a diabetes prevention program like they’ve done in other studies, but this time they are interested in addressing food access issues as well as bringing culturally tailored physical activity to the group.
“We've been doing diabetes prevention now for over a decade,” Berkley-Patton said. “We got our first grant that allowed us to focus on diabetes based on what our faith community said was the priority, and we just keep iterating.”
As the founding director of the Community Health Research Group, which started in 2008, Berkley-Patton has had a long history of doing church-based interventions, oftentimes guided by initiatives identified by KC Faith Community Action Board, a group consisting of around 25 church leaders, health professionals and community members interested in health.
“Jannette would chat with KC Faith, and the marching orders always come from the community and these representatives,” Allsworth said. “I think that's one of the reasons why things have been so well-received and we've been in a position to establish trust. This isn't us thinking of ideas to bring to the community. It's really the community saying, ‘this is what's important to us.’”
According to the CDC, in the United States, more than two in five adults have prediabetes, which can develop into type 2 diabetes within five years. As the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and a disease linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, blindness and kidney failure, it’s no surprise the Community Action Board has urged Allsworth and Berkley-Patton to help with diabetes prevention.
“When you talk to our pastors, they say, ‘I'm so tired of going to funerals where people have been living with diabetes for the longest time, living with heart disease or hooked up to dialysis, and then they pass away, and then we go back to the church and we eat the same food that put them there in the first place,’” Berkley-Patton said.
The grant’s study will have two arms: one providing standard diabetes-prevention education and resources tailored for their church populations, and another providing an enhanced diabetes-prevention program, which will include exercise classes and food delivery to participants on the spot.
“So you come to class, you get education, you get a bag of healthy perishables, you have an opportunity for a Zumba or other fun exercise class for 30 to 40 minutes, and then you go about your way,” Allsworth said. “What we're testing to see is if promoting those resources are going to improve people's success with both weight loss and also food security.”
Allsworth and Berkley-Patton have found that usually 40% of their participants are “definitely” to “somewhat definitely” food insecure, which is double the national average. Compounding the issue in these communities is both the stigma associated with accepting food assistance and the unhealthy options sometimes provided. That’s why they will be partnering with University Health’s Healthy Harvest Mobile Mart food delivery service to provide fresh food to the churches randomly selected for the enhanced diabetes-prevention program.
“One of the challenges with food pantries is a ton of the food is super unhealthy,” Allsworth said. “Food pantries are amazing, but they tend to have a predominance of shelf-stable foods. There’s a lot of carbs, refined sugars. It's super unhealthy, and it's particularly unhealthy for people that are trying to prevent diabetes.”
In addition to healthy eating, the study will also include culturally relevant activity classes to make movement feel fun, social and familiar.
“We’re going to do 30 minutes of fun stuff like Zumba or line dancing, which is huge in the Black community,” Berkley-Patton said. “You really can’t go to a wedding without knowing how to do the boot stomp or the wobble. So to be able to bring all of those kind of dance forms into the church, I think it's going to be another really cool thing.”
Now that the grant has been awarded, Allsworth and Berkley-Patton plan to start the trials right after the holidays, in January 2027, when people are ready to accomplish a New Year’s resolution or turn over a new leaf. In the meantime, they’ll be using their time to promote the study, hold interest meetings, and interview, select and train participating churches.
Once they start their trials, each church will host the programs for about one year, holding educational classes once a week for the first six months and once or twice a month for the remaining months. Impact data will be tracked via a variety of methods, including questionnaires, health measurements, healthy eating interviews, Wi-Fi-enabled scales and fitness trackers.
Allsworth and Berkley-Patton look forward to the start of this new grant-funded study, but more importantly, they are energized by the impact this will have on the community.
“If you can change somebody's lifestyle to move more, eat more healthily, lose a small percentage of weight, then we really could make a dent,” Allsworth said. “Each one of these studies tries to build infrastructure and change the environment in Kansas City.”
Apr 20, 2026
The Critical Language Scholarship Program is designed to support U.S. global engagement
Two students from the University of Missouri-Kansas City have earned one of the nation’s most competitive international awards.The Critical Language Scholarship Program is a prestigious initiative that supports immersive language study abroad. UMKC students Candy Sarres and Ava Aslinia were chosen from more than 4,500 applicants to participate in program, which provides intensive instruction in languages critical to U.S. global engagement. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the scholarship enables students to spend eight to 10 weeks abroad building advanced language skills and cross-cultural understanding. Mark Daly, UMKC director of International Affairs, praised their accomplishments and the impact of the award. “We are so proud of these exceptionally bright and talented students,” Daly said. “Their curiosity, discipline and global mindset underscore the power of language and cultural exchange to shape future leaders.”
Candy Sarres
Sarres is a senior in psychology with a minor in bioethics and medical humanities. She is also part of the UMKC Honors Program and co-secretary of Lucerna. This most recent award is her second from the Critical Language Scholarship Program. In 2025, Sarres received the CLS Spark award, which provided intensive online Mandarin language and cultural classes. Her new 2026 CLS award will allow her to travel to Taiwan to continue her studies this summer at National Cheng Kung University in Tainan. “I look forward to putting into practice all that I have learned, growing in fluency and deepening my knowledge of traditional Chinese,” Sarres said. “I am especially excited to study in Tainan because of its history and food culture, and I hope this next step will continue to strengthen my understanding of Mandarin-speaking communities and the relationship between the United States and the Mandarin-speaking world.”
Ava Aslinia
Ava Aslinia is in the 6-year B.A./M.D. program. She will be studying Persian in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. “As a future physician interested in the intersection of medicine, diplomacy and health policy, I’m especially excited to continue strengthening my critical language skills and developing a broader global perspective,” Aslinia said. “I hope this experience will further equip me to engage thoughtfully with medical challenges and collaborate internationally to ameliorate health disparities.”The Critical Language Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the American Councils for International Education.
Apr 14, 2026
First Gen Network Champion Designation recognizes universities that have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing student o...
The University of Missouri-Kansas City has been named a Network Champion by the national organization, FirstGen Forward.
UMKC is the only university in Missouri to hold the Network Champion status, which is the organization’s highest designation. The Network Champion designation recognizes institutions that are leading the nation as models in advancing first-generation student success through evidence-based practices, leadership engagement and scaling student support. “I’ve seen firsthand how much a welcoming support network matters for our students, and that’s why this work is so important to me,” said Megan Elsen, associate director of Academic Support and Mentoring at UMKC. “I’m honored to have our university recognized, but at the heart of it all, it’s about the support we are able to provide to our students. I’m excited to keep learning alongside colleagues across the country, building on what’s working at UMKC, and sharing what we’ve learned to help other institutions strengthen their support for first-generation students.”
First Gen Roo has put on nearly 150 events this year for first-generation students across campus.
Nearly 60% of UMKC students do not have a parent or guardian who graduated from a college in the United States. The university founded the First Gen Roo Scholars program in 2019 to build an inclusive first-gen community where students receive direct support. What started as a pilot program for 29 first-time college students has grown to more than 100 students per year in the First Gen Roo Scholars program, and consistent, university-wide programming for all first-generation students including events with first-generation professionals and first-generation professors. This past year, First Gen Roo has hosted 147 campus events, totaling more than 3,000 event check-ins.That expansion to first-generation students across the university was key to receiving the latest designation.“It’s been incredibly meaningful to see what began as a small pilot in 2019 grow into a university-wide commitment to first-generation student success,” said Kristi Holsinger, Ph.D., senior vice provost for student success. “From the beginning, this work was grounded in the belief that our students deserve not only access to resources, but a true sense of belonging and community. The continued dedication of our staff, and the leadership of our students themselves, has been essential in shaping First Gen Roo into what it is today. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and remain deeply committed to expanding this work so that every first-generation student at UMKC has the support they need to thrive.”
First Gen Roo hosted a faculty and staff first-generation summit.
First-generation students who participate in First Gen Roo Scholars show strong success in GPA, persistence and four-year degree completion. In 2025, graduating seniors who participated in First Gen Roo had a four-year degree completion rate of 49.06%, a 35% greater degree completion rate than the overall first-time college Class of 2025. “The success of our First Gen Roo program is a powerful reminder of the importance of our commitment to putting students first,” said Jenny Lundgren, Ph.D., provost and executive vice chancellor. “By engaging with students, deeply understanding their unique needs and connecting them with dedicated resources, our First Gen Roo program has shaped the success of hundreds of students.”While moving to this phase is an important progression, UMKC will continue to grow its first-generation student programming and contribute to a professional knowledge base with colleagues in the FirstGen Forward network. “As one of only 32 institutions in the country to have been recognized as Network Champions, UMKC has displayed a commitment to actively adopt the continuous improvement model and align their efforts with institutional priorities to guide first-generation students to completion,” said Martina A. Martin, Ed.D., vice president of FirstGen Forward. “Not only is UMKC doing excellent work to support their own first-generation students, but they continue to provide support and add to evidence-based practices that serve as a model for all those working to support this population in higher education.”
Apr 14, 2026
Amanda Davis, UMKC advancement leader and alumna, shares how Blue & Bold is transforming the university, empowering students and strengthening regi...
The University of Missouri-Kansas City launched the largest campaign in its history: Blue & Bold. The university is six months into this transformative effort at UMKC. We sat down with alumna Amanda Davis (MPA ’07), the university’s chief advancement officer and UMKC Foundation president to learn about milestones and momentum in the campaign so far. She shared her journey, her love for UMKC and her thoughts on what Blue & Bold means to students, employees, the Kansas City community and beyond.
You’re a UMKC alumna. What first brought you here?
Honestly, it was happenstance. I’m from a small town outside Kansas City and went to Mizzou for undergrad. After earning two degrees in four and a half years while working full time, I was exhausted. I came home just planning to take a breather and figure out grad school later.
I got a job at Genesis, one of Missouri’s first charter schools — an incredible organization focused on helping at-risk kids through art therapy, counseling and education. That experience changed me. I’d always believed in service, but I didn’t know you could build a career around it. When the executive director promoted me to development director, he also encouraged me to enroll in UMKC’s MPA program.
Once I got here, I was amazed by the quality and practicality of the education — how deeply connected it was to Kansas City’s nonprofit community. UMKC was like a living lab for public service. Everything I learned here later guided me through my time with the Red Cross in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Those lessons truly shaped who I am and why I felt called to come back.
What makes UMKC special to you?
UMKC is a place where excellence is accessible to everyone. There’s so much human talent in this community, and wasting that potential is a true tragedy. Here, you can come in unsure of your path but full of ambition — and this university gives you the tools to do almost anything. That’s a rare and powerful gift.
Amanda Davis sits as a member of the platform party at Spring Commencement 2025.
The Blue & Bold campaign is a major milestone. How is it impacting UMKC?
A comprehensive campaign like this touches every corner of the university — every student, faculty member and staff member. It’s about uplift. We’ve made incredible progress under Chancellor Agrawal’s leadership, and now we have a chance to take UMKC to the next level. When the campaign ends, we want people to look around and see a campus — and a community — transformed.
The campaign is built around three pillars. Can you tell us about them?
They reflect who we are as a university:
Student success — preparing students not just to graduate, but to lead.
Research and innovation — solving real-world challenges.
Community engagement — serving and strengthening the region we call home.
Amanda Davis stands next to Chancellor Mauli Agrawal and Kansas City Roos Dance Team to kick off the Blue & Bold campaign for UMKC.
How much has been raised so far, and what partnerships have been key to the campaign’s success?
So far more than half has been raised, more than $360 million. Our philanthropic community is extraordinary. Kansas City’s families, foundations and companies don’t just give — they understand the impact of the university’s work. Our alumni have also stepped up like never before, giving at record levels across the country. And then there are our volunteer leaders — our Foundation Board, our school-based foundations, our trustees — all advocates who’ve helped us get to this point and who will be essential as we reach for our $700 million goal.
Is there a moment that captures the spirit of this campaign for you?
Every commencement. Sitting on stage and watching students cross that platform — especially those who bring their children with them — it’s overwhelming. The pride, the joy, the sheer possibility in that moment reminds me why this work matters. Everything we do — every gift, every scholarship, every program — leads to that.
Any final thoughts?
Just that UMKC is Kansas City’s top university — and Kansas City’s future depends on it. Blue & Bold is our opportunity to make sure that future is as bright as it can be.
Be Blue. Be Bold.
To learn more and get involved, visit go.umkc.edu/bold
Apr 13, 2026
Kansas City celebrates return of Roos’ head coach
On a Roo Blue Friday, Swinney Center simmered with spirit as campus leaders, alumni, faculty, staff and students welcomed back the incoming UMKC women’s basketball head coach, Candi Whitaker.
In 2006, Whitaker became a first-time head coach of the Kansas City Roos, at the age of 26. She led the team for six seasons. Today, 20 years later, UMKC heralded Whitaker’s triumphant return in a celebratory pep rally complete with the university’s mascot KC Roo, the Mob Pep Band and Roo blue and gold balloons and confetti.
"We put a premium on mentoring and developing our players," Whitaker said. "We believe in Kansas City, and we're the city's team. We're creating a winning culture for the university and Kansas City."
Whitaker brings with her a new coaching staff: former NAIA Coach of the Year Jon Lewis, former Roos assistant coach Sandra Abston and Kansas City native Chayla Cheadle. Whitaker comes back to Kansas City as the third-winningest coach in program history, tallying 41 wins during her first tenure with the Roos. Since 2012, she has spent time as the head coach at Texas Tech, Missouri Western State and North Alabama. During her time at Missouri Western State she qualified to the 2022 Elite Eight and was named the 2024 MIAA Coach of the Year.
“When someone chooses to return, it tells you this place still matters,” Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said at the event. “It tells you there is more to do — and a belief in what this program can become. Coach Whitaker has built a remarkable career. She has led teams to post-season success and developed student-athletes who succeed on the court and beyond it. And just as importantly, she knows what it takes to win.”
Agrawal presented Whitaker with a Disney-drawn print of the UMKC kangaroo mascot. Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation and Visit KC, presented Whitaker with a silver Roo brooch designed by renowned jewelry artist and Kansas City native Robyn Nichols.
“As one of Kansas City’s top cheerleaders for sports, I’m excited to see Candi Whitaker added to UMKC’s roster,” Nelson said. “With the March announcement of Coach Turgeon and today’s welcome for Candi Whitaker, we’re ushering in a new season of excellence in UMKC basketball. And when UMKC wins, the whole city wins.”
Whitaker recruited and mentored Eilise O'Connor (BHS '14, DDS '18), NCAA Division I Academic All-American and former Roos women's basketball player and captain, who returned and spoke at the event.
Eilise O'Connor, pictured here in 2012, played for the Roos 2010-2014.
"I can tell you, firsthand, she's the perfect person in this job," O'Connor said. "Not just the perfect coach, but the perfect person. A good coach can change a game, but a great coach change a life."
Candi Whitaker, pictured here in 2012, was the Kansas City women's basketball head coach 2006-2012.
Brandon Martin, vice chancellor and director of athletics, may not have been at UMKC for Whitaker's first stint with the Roos, but he knew that, two decades later, she was still the right person for the job.
"Candi has coached at the highest levels," Martin said. "She's a teacher, a mentor, a leader, a champion and she has left an indelible mark everywhere she's been. Candi is passionate about UMKC and Kansas City and I'm excited about the future of our Roos and what Candi has in store for our program."
Kansas City men's basketball coach Mark Turgeon and women's basketball coach Candi Whitaker.
The Big Leap
Take the Big Leap with us and support the Roos! With new head coaches Candi Whitaker and Mark Turgeon, it's a new era for Kansas City basketball. Find out how you can make a difference.
Apr 10, 2026
Scott S. Bethune’s generous gift establishes a scholarship for students from Southeast Missouri
The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law received a $1 million gift from Scott S. Bethune (J.D. '88). His gift will be used to create an endowed scholarship fund, the Scott S. Bethune Scholarship, dedicated to students from Southeast Missouri.
“Scott sets the standard for alumni leadership,” said Lumen Mulligan, dean of the UMKC School of Law. “He is selfless with his time, having served the law school and foundation in nearly every capacity. He is generous with his wisdom, acting as wise counsel for law school leaders for years. And, as this most recent gift illustrates, he is strategic with his gifts. This fund will benefit future UMKC Law students for generations.”
Bethune, a native of Portageville, MO, hopes the scholarship will create more awareness of the UMKC School of Law in Southeast Missouri and encourage students to begin their legal careers here.
“When I came to Kansas City in 1985, I knew one person,” Bethune said. “I had only been to Kansas City a few times, it seemed so far away back then. But it’s not really, and there are great opportunities to practice whatever type of law you’re interested in by going to law school here. I feel very fortunate to have attended UMKC Law.”
When Bethune arrived in Kansas City for law school, he had every intention of returning to New Madrid County to practice law. The connections and opportunities he found while in law school kept him in Kansas City, where he is a pillar of the legal community.
Bethune is a founding member of Davis, Bethune & Jones LLC. He and the other founding members – Grant Davis (J.D. '87) and Tom Jones (J.D. '88) – became fast friends while law students, thanks in part to the 1985 World Series.
“The part of Missouri I grew up in was all St. Louis Cardinals territory, but of course Kansas City has the Royals,” Bethune said. “In 1985, the Cardinals and Royals both had great playoff runs and made the World Series. A lot of the friends I’m still in touch with today are people I met during that playoff run when we watched games together. Tom and Grant are both from St. Louis and we got to know each other watching the World Series. Baseball gave us a common connection, and now we’ve been law partners for a very long time.”
Before founding Davis, Bethune & Jones LLC, Bethune worked as a clerk and trial attorney for several other firms in Kansas City, including under notable UMKC Law alumnus Lantz Welch. Welch’s groundbreaking work in plaintiff’s personal injury law and a fateful elevator ride led Bethune to establish a successful career in personal injury/wrongful death and complex litigation.
Working for a defense firm at the time, Bethune was in an elevator with Welch, Davis and Tim Brake (J.D. '73). They asked if he had ever considered doing plaintiff’s work, a question Bethune thought may have been a joke at first. He soon realized it wasn’t, chose to miss his stop and stayed on the elevator for another 10 floors to have a life-changing conversation.
After joining the firm with Welch, Davis and Brake, Bethune discovered how fulfilling plaintiff’s work could be.
“I saw the opportunity to really help people in their most dire times of needs,” Bethune said. “People don’t have us on retainer, they come to us when tragedy occurs, when something really bad has happened. When we meet with clients, 95% of them tell us that they’ve never had to hire a lawyer. But they also never anticipated being harmed through no fault of their own, or due to someone else’s recklessness. Doing this kind of work, you have a bond with folks that you represent. We become partners with our clients, and we’re invested in what’s best for them.”
Bethune has been recognized with numerous awards for his work, including being named a Lawyer of the Year five times by Best Lawyers, earning the Super Lawyer recognition by Thomson Reuters and being named a fellow with the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial lawyers, the International Society of Barristers and Litigation Counsel of America.
As immediate past president of the UMKC Law Foundation Board of Trustees and longtime supporter of the law school, the Scott S. Bethune Scholarship is an extension of much of the work Bethune already does.
“This scholarship will support students far into the future,” said Marie Dispenza, executive director of the UMKC Law Foundation. “In addition to this scholarship, he and his partners have long supported the trial advocacy program through their firm. This is part of Scott’s legacy and long-term commitment to supporting the UMKC School of Law as an alum.”
When asked about what he hopes this scholarship will accomplish, Bethune reflected on the opportunities he’s been given and hopes to pass those along to others. He was the first member of his family to become a lawyer and, since he attended law school, has had two cousins and a son who also attended law school.
“Coming to UMKC opened up opportunities not just for me, but also for my family,” Bethune said. “It gave the viewpoint that becoming a lawyer was a possibility. I hope this scholarship will provide the same for students and their families. Opportunities are only limited by how you apply yourself; don’t be afraid to pursue what’s offered to you.”
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Apr 09, 2026
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Education, Law, Pharmacy and part-time MBA programs among best in nation
U.S. News & World Report released new graduate school rankings, featuring five University of Missouri-Kansas City schools among the best in the nation.
Programs ranked in top 100 of their kind include the Doctor of Nursing Practice, education graduate programs, law, pharmacy and the part-time MBA program. In addition to these rankings, the School of Medicine was recognized for the number of graduates practicing in health professional shortage areas and rural areas.
U.S. News and World Report is just the latest publication to recognize UMKC with top honors. The Wall Street Journal ranked UMKC as the No. 1 in student experience and mobility among all universities in Missouri and Kansas, and Princeton Review described the university as “academically outstanding” in its 2025 Best Colleges: Midwest Region ranking.
Pharmacy: No. 38
The School of Pharmacy received a No. 38 ranking. The Pharm.D. program serves students across the state, with campus sites in Kansas City, Columbia and Springfield.
“This reflects the hard work of our community that earns this recognition for the clinical knowledge and skills of our students and graduates and the research driven by our faculty and graduate students,” said Russell Melchert, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “Recently, our chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists was recognized as one of the Top 7 chapters in the country at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Pharmacists Association. With more than 140 chapters, that’s quite an accomplishment and no doubt contributes to the great recognition of our program.”
The UMKC School of Pharmacy also includes a Pharm.D./MBA program, graduate certificate in pharmaceutical sciences and Pharmacy Assurance Program for high school seniors.
Doctor of Nursing Practice: No. 51
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program secured No. 51 in the nation. Specialty tracks include adult-gerontology nurse practitioner; family nurse practitioner; primary and acute care pediatric nurse practitioner; women’s health nurse practitioner; psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner; and Master of Science in nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice.
“We’re so pleased our DNP program is No. 51 out of 164 programs across the country,” said Joy Roberts, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Studies. “We commend our excellent faculty and high-achieving students for their work and credit them for the continued success of the program.”
The School of Nursing and Health Studies is familiar with these high achievements, receiving a No. 22 ranking for the online graduate nursing program earlier this year.
Education: No. 64
The UMKC School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences was ranked No. 64 in Overall Best Education School, up one spot from last year’s ranking.
“This ranking affirms the direction we are headed,” said Sara Helfrich, dean of the UMKC School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences. “We are continuing to adapt how we prepare educators and professionals for the field and our efforts are reflected in our students making real-world impact."
The school houses graduate programs in educational administration; higher education administration; teaching; curriculum and instruction; and language and literacy, as well as undergraduate and doctoral programs and specialist and certificate programs.
Master of Business Administration, part-time: No. 85
Designed for working professionals and housed in the Henry W. Bloch School of Management, the part-time MBA program earned the No. 85 spot. Students can complete the program fully online, fully in person or a hybrid of both options.
“It is great to see that our part-time MBA program is being recognized for how it is serving working professionals and our business partners in this region,” said Brian Klaas, dean of the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. “We designed it to provide flexibility and convenience for learners with demanding work responsibilities and to provide impactful experiences with simulations, case studies and projects engaging business leaders from the region.”
It’s been consistently voted among the Kansas City area’s best MBA programs by the Kansas City Business Journal.
Master of Public Administration: No. 120
Earning the No. 120 spot, the Bloch School offers Kansas City's only MPA program with NASPAA accreditation, preparing the next generation of public service leaders to address complex challenges across nonprofit, public and civic sectors.
Students develop core competencies in policy analysis, program evaluation and budget management while benefiting from strong community connections throughout the Kansas City region and learning from faculty with extensive public service experience.
Concentrations in health leadership, nonprofit management and innovation, and urban policy and management further allow students to tailor their studies to their career goals while preparing for impactful roles in public service.
Law: No. 100
The UMKC School of Law was ranked in the top 100 law programs for the second year in a row.
“Recognition as a top 100 law school in back-to-back years, for the first time in our history, is a sign that we have great momentum as a team,” said Lumen Mulligan, dean of the UMKC School of Law. “Our J.D. and LL.M. students are excelling in first-time bar pass rate and employment and we have welcomed new cohorts of students to our Master of Legal Studies program. Our faculty are renowned instructors and world-class researchers, and our staff are leaders in their fields.”
In addition to the overall ranking, the UMKC School of Law ranked at #21 for trial advocacy and #22 for legal writing and is the only law school from Missouri or Kansas to have a top-25 ranking in these specialty areas.
Apr 07, 2026
How UMKC, internships and the public transport shaped Henry Sowell’s path to politics
Henry Sowell is soaking in everything UMKC and Kansas City has to offer before he graduates in May. The university’s easy access to the KC Streetcar is making that all possible, whether he’s clocking in to his City Hall internship or grabbing a bite in the city’s historic River Market.
Why did you choose to study political science?
I kind of grew up around it. My mom also went to UMKC for political science, and I’d tag along to events with her. One of my core memories was going with her to the 2016 election night watch party at Pizza 51. That night really sparked my interest in politics and civic engagement. Everything came full circle when I got to help host a watch party for the 2024 election night.
Have you had internships while you were a student?
Yes, my first internship was at City Hall last fall. I worked with Councilwoman Andrea Bough (J.D. ’00), who chairs the finance committee. One of the funnier moments to me was when she asked me to give transportation staff a kind of “review” of the streetcar, just based on my daily rides.
So, I’d ride up front, watch how many cars blocked the tracks, how smooth the route was and pay attention to anything transportation-related. It made my commute feel like field research, honestly.
My second internship was in Jefferson City with Missouri Senator Barbara Washington, who represents the UMKC area. I loved working with her and her chief of staff, Brian Farmer. I learned a lot about communicating with constituents and figuring out how to talk to all kinds of people.
How else did KC Streetcar access factor into your student experience?
The streetcar is amazing. I’d work at Swinney in the morning, hop on the streetcar and head straight to City Hall. Even though I technically had a parking pass, I preferred not to drive downtown.
The streetcar made the city feel more accessible. Riding it every day made me more aware of how people move around KC. It also helped me see firsthand how public transit connects people, especially students who don’t have cars.
What’s the biggest benefit of going to college in an urban setting like Kansas City?
Being around people, simple as that.
There’s a lot of talk in political science about declining civic engagement in the U.S., and a big part of that is how isolated people can be when everything revolves around cars. The streetcar changes that. It makes it easier for students to explore downtown or hang out in the River Market. Anything that brings people together is good for the city.
What skills will you carry into your future career?
I want to be a chief of staff or a legislative assistant, basically the work I did during my internships.
The biggest skills I’ve developed are communication and research. In Jeff City, I talked to so many different people. I learned how to read someone quickly, adjust my language and make the conversation work for both of us.
That’s something UMKC helped me refine.
Apr 07, 2026
Support will focus on programming and degree attainment
The University of Missouri-Kansas City has received support from the Kauffman Foundation to support two student success initiatives.
The first is a new program led by the Missouri College and Career Attainment Network to increase degree attainment for students who graduate from the Kansas City Public School district. The second is a $400,000 grant to expand two existing student success programs.
Expanding Men of Character Academy (MoCA) and First Gen Roo
UMKC Men of Character Academy (MoCA) and First Gen Roo Scholars programs are high impact initiatives that increases college access and degree completion for first generation and underrepresented students through mentoring, academic coaching and paid learning experiences. The grant from the Kauffman Foundation will allow UMKC to increase program capacity and sustain services previously supported by expiring grants.“Both First Gen Roos and Men of Character Academy have demonstrated strong results in improving student retention, persistence and career readiness,” said JaVon Hill, Director of MoCA. “This award from the Kauffman Foundation builds upon that success and allows us to continue to strengthen Kansas City’s talent pipeline.”Men of Character Academy was launched in 2023 and serves more than 70 students. Since it began, MoCA students have achieved more than a 90% persistence rate, including a 100% persistence rate from Fall 2023 to Spring 2024 and a 99% persistence rate from Fall 2024 to Spring 2025.Nearly 60% of first-time college students at UMKC are first-generation. The First Gen Roo Scholars program was created in 2019 to support the unique needs of first-gen students. It has since grown to more than 100 students per year in the First Gen Roo Scholars program, and has expanded its programming to include events for first-generation students campus-wide. First-Gen students who participate in First Gen Roo Scholars also show strong success in GPA, persistence and four-year degree completion. In 2025, graduating seniors who participated in First Gen Roo had a four-year degree completion rate of 49.06%, a 35% greater degree completion rate than the overall first-time college Class of 2025. The First Gen Roo program has gained national recognition for its success. It is currently designated as a FirstGen Forward Network Champion by the national FirstGen Forward organization.
Kansas City College and Career Attainment Network
The Kansas City College and Career Attainment Network (KCCAN) Completion Project is a three-year project led by Missouri College and Career Attainment Network (MOCAN) to increase degree completion for Kansas City Public School graduates. It is funded thanks to a $1.4 million grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.Only 30 percent of Kansas City Public Schools graduates earn a postsecondary degree, the KCCAN project focuses on college completion, not just access, by strengthening how colleges support students once they enroll. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to not only helping KCPS students access college, but ensuring they successfully complete a degree,” said Kristi Holsinger, vice provost for student success at UMKC. “KCPS students bring tremendous potential, and this work challenges us as an institution to continuously improve how we support them. Through this partnership with MOCAN, we are strengthening advising, first-year supports and the transition from high school to college, while using data more intentionally to identify where students face barriers and improve our practices. This is about aligning our people, processes, and systems so more students can persist, graduate, and contribute to Kansas City’s future.”As part of the KCCAN project, UMKC will receive $50,000 per year for three years to support planning that will increase degree completion for students from the school district.The multi-pronged strategy will focus on professional development for UMKC faculty and staff shared learning with other KCCAN university partners, and data and evaluation support resources to track student progress.UMKC is one of three project partners. Additional participants are Metropolitan Community College and Northwest Missouri State University. Together, these institutions account for nearly two-thirds of Kansas City Public School students who attend college.
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Apr 06, 2026
Miguel Mostafá will strengthen research ecosystems and elevate student success
Miguel Mostafá, Ph.D., has been named the new dean of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Science and Engineering. He will begin June 1.
Mostafá comes from Temple University, where he has served as dean of the College of Science and Technology since 2023. His professional background includes academic and leadership appointments at Pennsylvania State University, Colorado State University and the University of Utah.
As dean, Mostafá will play a key role in elevating the growing research portfolio of Kansas City’s only Carnegie Research 1 university. The School of Science and Engineering is UMKC’s largest academic unit, serving more than 3,000 students across science, engineering, architecture and its newest degree program in artificial intelligence. It is also the largest contributor of research funding with $72 million in ongoing research in fields such as electromagnetic fields, cybersecurity and robotics.
“I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next Dean of the School of Science and Engineering at UMKC,” Mostafá said. “As I think about the path forward, my vision is grounded in both continuity and ambition. The School of Science and Engineering is already home to significant strengths, and our aim is to amplify them. We will work to expand research productivity and impact, deepen partnerships with industry and the broader community and further strengthen our commitment to student success at every level.”
UMKC Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jenny Lundgren, Ph.D. said Mostafá’s academic enterprise background, from student success and faculty development to research development, external partnerships and long-term strategic planning, will position him to successfully lead the next phase of the school.
“Throughout his campus visit and interview process, Mostafá demonstrated a deep understanding of best practices for supporting both the academic and career success of our students,” said Lundgren. “He brings valuable experience as a dean and understands the responsibilities and opportunities inherent in leading a school with broad and interdisciplinary programs across science and engineering. Also, his strong track record as a federally funded scientist positions him well to support faculty in developing and sustaining impactful research programs.”
Mostafá has a bold vision for the future of the School of Science and Engineering.
“It is a privilege to step into a role that aligns so closely with my core professional calling: creating environments where others can succeed and thrive,” Mostafá said. “We will be intentional about growing philanthropic support to ensure we have the resources needed to sustain and accelerate this progress. Together, I believe we have an extraordinary opportunity to position the School of Science and Engineering as a national model for STEM education and research.”
Mostafá earned his M.S. in Nuclear Engineering and Ph.D. in Physics from the Instituto Balseiro at the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo in Argentina. He then completed postdoctoral research and progressed through faculty promotions before advancing into leadership positions as a director and most recently dean.
He will succeed Dean Kevin Truman, who is retiring after 17 years of leadership at UMKC.
Apr 03, 2026
Bill and Marilyn Taylor support study abroad opportunities to build confidence, empathy and global perspective for UMKC students
Many college students dream of studying abroad. The chance to experience different cultures, be immersed in a new language and connect with people whose experiences are different from their own can be a life-changing opportunity, but finances can often stand in the way of these transformative experiences.
Bill and Marilyn Taylor know the impact of travel for building confidence, encouraging empathy and understanding, and changing lives not just for travelers, but for the people they encounter on their journey. That’s why for decades the Taylors, who are from the Kansas City area, have provided that opportunity for hundreds of students through the Megan Taylor Memorial Scholarship, in devoted memory of their daughter, Megan, whose life was cut short in a bicycle accident while she was on a high school trip in Germany.“Even before we got home, we decided we had to do something positive because we knew she would have done a lot of positive things,” Marilyn said. To say that their gift has had a positive impact would be an understatement. Over years, their gifts have expanded from a single high school scholarship to study-abroad scholarships and funding multicultural initiatives. As the reach of their gifts have grown, they’ve lost count of the students who have benefited, but through it all, they’ve sought to help students like Megan, who was curious and bright, kind, empathetic and had a heart to serve others.
Marilyn and Bill Taylor
“We just knew in our hearts that there was a lot she would have done and so we just had to try to replicate that as much as we can,” Marilyn said. The Taylors look for students who might otherwise go unnoticed. Students who, like Megan, are capable and dedicated, but not always recognized with top honors or accolades. They believe strongly that young people just need an opportunity and that travel can help them build important skills for life. “It gives young people the ability to develop confidence,” Bill said.“It’s eye opening,” Marilyn said. “We need more understanding in the world. I just think to get kids out of their environment and think about other people, they realize they're really very much like we are.”The Taylors say they don’t often think about expanding their philanthropy, but they’re always open to opportunities to help young people expand their understanding of the world.“Something will come along, like UMKC, and then it’s like, ‘Oh, well, yeah, I definitely want to do that.” Marilyn said.“UMKC was just another opportunity, another conduit to do this sort of thing,” Bill said.The Taylors were particularly interested in expanding their philanthropic efforts to UMKC because of its location in the Kansas City metropolitan area and because of leadership from UMKC Director of International Affairs Mark Daly. The Taylors say they’ve been impressed by ideas to expand study abroad for both UMKC students and international students visiting UMKC through new exchange programs, teaching programs and short North American trips to help build students’ comfort in traveling.“He's really trying to innovate,” Bill said. “He’s an impressive guy with a strong background.”The Taylors, along with other funders, have supported UMKC students traveling abroad, sometimes for the first time in their lives. They’ve been to countries like Serbia, Peru, Italy, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, Argentina, South Korea, Morocco and more. They’ve made lasting friendships, learned new languages and experienced new cultures.While they love hearing how travel has expanded students’ understanding of the world and impacted their lives, they don’t often take stock of how broad their impact has grown since they began. When they think about how their decades of willingness to help out has grown their impact, it does make them feel good, but that’s not all.“It inspires us to do more,” Marilyn said.As for their beloved daughter, who inspired all this good, the Taylors say, they like to think she’d be glad of the legacy they’ve built for her.“We think she'd be happy about it,” Bill said. “We don't know for sure, but we think she would, and it feels good thinking she would,” Marilyn said.
Meet UMKC’s Megan Taylor Memorial Study Abroad Scholarship Recipients
The Taylors, along with other funders, have supported UMKC students traveling abroad
Aron Shep, Serbia “Giving students the opportunity to study abroad should be the priority of every school across the world. There is nothing more important than cultural exchange. I know I'm irreversibly enriched for it.”
Emmanuel Fabian, Peru“Living in Cuzco has allowed me to see and learn things which I otherwise would have not.”
Reece Farley, Italy“It was such an amazing experience to go alone and branch out to find these new relationships while seeing different parts of the world.”
Lewa French, France“You realize how different and similar you are to people all over the world. You pick up on little habits of locals and adopt a new part of yourself that you otherwise wouldn’t have discovered.”Jordan Green, the Netherlands“Studying abroad in the Netherlands lived up to every expectation! Between the friendships, culture and personal growth, it’s an experience every student should have.“
Brianna Hardesty Biondo, the Netherlands“It was the experience of a lifetime and allowed me to see the world through a different lens.”Em Hudnut, the United Kingdom“Going abroad to London for 3 weeks, studying a subject of business that is still in its infancy, and getting to explore England is an opportunity that shouldn't be passed up.”Gabriella Martinez, Spain“Studying abroad in Malaga, Spain was an unforgettable experience. I got to meet different people from around the world and have many enriching experiences that allowed me to grow as a person and gain a different view of the world.“Hunter Miesner, France“My experience was both educational and unforgettable. Plus, I made lasting friendships with fellow students! Like them, I will cherish this experience forever.“McKayla Moy, Serbia “As this was my first experience out of the country, it was lifechanging. I am so happy I got to experience countries in the Balkans, I will never forget it!“Bree Murphy, Argentina “Living in Buenos Aires, Argentina was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will forever cherish. I loved learning Spanish, exploring the country and making lifelong friends.“Keren Par, South Korea“I had the opportunity to learn many things I had never imagined before and immerse myself in Korean life. I made numerous friends, enjoyed a variety of Korean foods and gained a deep understanding of Korean culture. My experience was so enriching that I wished I could have stayed longer.“
Olivia Rubio, the Netherlands“This trip was incredible, it will have a place in my heart forever. I am so grateful that I was given this chance to explore the Netherlands. I got to meet so many people and grow fond of a place that felt so much like home.“
Jacob Vanzant, Argentina“Stepping into a bigger world gives me the confidence and perspective to return to my small local arena and share what I've learned.”Brayden Wenta, Spain“From the first day in Málaga, I felt switched on and ready to absorb everything… . I feel open, equipped and ready for more. My study abroad friends are now just friends. I am bold enough to say that I am conversationally fluent.”Alexander Wildt, Spain “Studying abroad in Spain was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I am glad I took it. Before this I had never been out of the United States, so being able to explore a new country and culture with other UMKC students made it less intimidating... The scholarships from UMKC, like the Megan Taylor Memorial Scholarship, helped me to afford this trip that otherwise would have slipped by. I am grateful for the chance I had to meet new people and make incredible memories."Taylor Trudell, South Korea“My travel to another hemisphere, experiencing daily life in a place where English isn't the primary language, was astounding. My travel has even been the topic of a job interview I recently completed. Studying in Seoul is the coolest thing I have ever done, and I don't see that changing for a long time!”Mahmoud Diallo, Morocco“Studying abroad in Morocco transformed the way I see the world. From learning Arabic, visiting the medinas of Meknes, Fèz, Marrakech, hiking in the Azrou mountains, feeding monkeys at the Ouzoud water falls or just sharing mint tea with new friends, every moment challenged me to grow, adapt and appreciate the beauty of cultural exchange.“
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Apr 03, 2026
Sports management emphasis area prepares students to play at the next level
The University of Missouri-Kansas City Henry W. Bloch School of Management announced a new sports management emphasis within the Bachelor of Business Administration program, beginning in Fall 2026. The program prepares students for careers in the global sports industry.
UMKC is Kansas City’s only Division I university with higher‑education partnerships that benefit students with all four major professional sports teams: the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City and Kansas City Current.
Today, the broader industry is expanding nationally and globally, creating new opportunities for college graduates. According to a 2025 report, the global sports market has grown 5% annually since 2020, demonstrating market resilience amid economic uncertainty, and is projected to increase 8% annually through 2030 to exceed $600 billion in revenue.
Nationally, sports remain a dominant draw and accounted for 46 of the 50 highest‑rated primetime telecasts in 2025.
“The sports industry is growing and, of course, Kansas City is a great sports town,” said Brian Klaas, dean of the Bloch School. “That is why we are excited about offering UMKC students the opportunity to study the business of sports and build a career in areas like sports management and sports marketing.”
Industry revenue streams are evolving as sports gaming becomes a major growth engine alongside traditional revenue sources such as intellectual property commercialization and matchday experiences. This expanding sector now spans sports‑themed video games, fantasy sports, sports betting and esports.
These industry shifts are already shaping career trajectories for Bloch graduates. Three time founder Sam Kulikov (BBA ’18) serves as chief marketing officer for the Kansas City Pioneers, the largest gaming and professional esports organization in the Midwest. Under Kulikov's leadership, they have achieved remarkable scale: 2 billion impressions and approaching $3 million in revenue.
Kulikov leads sponsorship marketing initiatives for DoorDash, QuikTrip, Army National Guard, Price Chopper and Logitech, helping major brands enter the gaming space thru in-game experiences, content campaigns and live-events driving over $50 million in earned media value. He has led collaborations with a variety of brands including the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, NASCAR and Sporting KC to spearhead first-of-their-kind traditional sports and esports crossover activations across the region.
Another Bloch graduate, Tyler Kirby (MBA ’11), demonstrates how these same industry forces continue to influence traditional sectors of the sports industry. Now the executive vice president and chief revenue officer of the Kansas City Chiefs, Kirby has built a career that began in ticket sales and progressed into senior leadership overseeing major initiatives for one of the NFL’s most prominent franchises.
“The Bloch School of Management at UMKC gave me valuable tools to succeed in the professional sports world,” Kirby said. “This new sports management emphasis will allow students to gain practical experience while learning the business skills necessary to thrive.”
As these trends accelerate, career pathways for sports management students are widening. Graduates can pursue roles with professional or collegiate teams, media and broadcasting organizations, marketing and sponsorship agencies, event and facility operations, sporting goods and licensing companies, sports technology firms and emerging sectors like sports gaming.
The Bloch experience follows a 4 + 3 structure, which allows students to combine a four-course emphasis area, such as sports management, with a three-course interest area tailored to their career goals. This flexibility helps graduates stand out to employers in a competitive sports industry.
Students also stand to benefit from the economic impact and rising popularity of large sporting events driven by the FIFA World Cup 2026™ coming to Kansas City.
This summer, the city will host six FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, drawing more than 650,000 visitors and generating substantial economic activity. Adding to the excitement, Argentina, England and the Netherlands have selected Kansas City as their official base camps.
UMKC is also elevating its own athletic profile.
In 2024, the Kansas City Roos men’s soccer team returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008 and followed it up in 2025 with the program’s first back-to-back qualification.
UMKC also strengthened its basketball programs with two major hires. In February, UMKC named Mike Turgeon, one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, head coach of the men’s basketball team. In March, Candi Whitaker, who led the Roos to 78 victories from 2006 to 2012, returned as head coach of the women’s basketball program.
“It has been a pleasure working with Dean Klaas and his leadership team to help establish this sports management emphasis,” said Brandon Martin, UMKC vice chancellor and director of Athletics. “As Kansas City Athletics builds momentum, it is imperative to deepen our connection with the campus and greater Kansas City communities, and this addition will allow us to do just that. This will create new opportunities for aspiring sports professionals to engage with hometown Division I athletics and will create a recruiting edge for prospective student-athletes with an interest in sports administration."
Applications are open now for the Fall 2026 semester.
Apply today.
Apr 02, 2026
Undergraduate biology and chemistry degrees at UMKC prepare students for success in professional health programs
Choosing a major is one of the biggest decisions a student will make. At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, biology and chemistry degrees are popular choices for students planning to pursue graduate professional health programs. These degrees offer rigorous academic training and hands‑on experiences that go far beyond just fulfilling prerequisite coursework.
Medicine
Kylie Cushing (B.S./B.A. ’23) pursued a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in chemistry while also earning a Bachelor of Arts in French through UMKC’s study abroad program. She chose UMKC for her undergraduate education because she wanted the “best of both worlds”: the opportunity to compete as a Division I soccer player while receiving a top-tier STEM education.
“UMKC was the perfect fit because the coaching staff truly value academics; they gave me the flexibility to chase my medical dreams while competing at a high level, which is a rare find in collegiate sports,” Cushing said. “The culture of mentorship at UMKC is also unmatched. The professors aren't just passionate about their research, they were also invested in our success. Even though the coursework can be difficult, UMKC resources such as Supplemental Instruction and student-led workshops create a collaborative environment for students to learn from each other.”
Cushing’s interest in medicine solidified during her undergraduate years at UMKC through two very different but equally formative experiences in both the lab and the clinic.
In Ryan Mohan, Ph.D.’s laboratory, she researched neurodegeneration and gained a deeper appreciation for the science behind disease. At the same time, she worked as an emergency room scribe during the COVID‑19 pandemic, witnessing patient care firsthand during a global health crisis.
“Those two experiences in the lab and the clinic showed me both the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of medicine,” Cushing said. “Together, they made it clear that medicine was the path I wanted to take.”
Cushing is now in her first year of medical school at the UMKC School of Medicine, and credits UMKC with more than just academic preparation.
“UMKC’s core curriculum focus on critical thinking and understanding various perspectives was invaluable,” Cushing said. “Anyone can become a doctor, but a great doctor is one who can create a safe space for any patient to open up. UMKC gave me the cultural competence to understand and advocate for my community and that perspective will shape the kind of physician I become.”
Dentistry
For Chamberlain Brownsberger (B.S./B.A. ’25), his interest in dentistry started in elementary school after he had undergone dental work. The experience left a lasting impression and inspired him to one day help others regain their confidence and health.
He pursued a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry because the coursework aligned directly with dental school requirements. He also graduated with a minor in film studies.
“UMKC was the natural choice for me to pursue my undergraduate degrees because of the UMKC Dental Reserved Admission Program, which provides a structured pathway into UMKC School of Dentistry,” Brownsberger said.
He quickly became involved in the biology and chemistry programs, serving in more than 20 undergraduate teaching assistant roles across general chemistry, organic chemistry and biology courses. He was also involved in the pre-dental and biological science societies. Those experiences were instrumental in preparing him for dental school.
“Teaching forced me to truly understand the material,” Brownsberger said. “I relied on those same building blocks during my early dental school exams. Also, pursuing chemistry and biology degrees rewired how I approach problem‑solving. They taught me how to slow down, think critically and work through complex situations.”
Beyond academics, Brownsberger valued the opportunities to explore interests outside of science at UMKC.
“One of the biggest benefits of attending UMKC was being able to gain more of an appreciation for the life in Kansas City,” Brownsberger said. “The courses I took for my minor in film studies allowed me to interact with the local communities to understand my surroundings and the people within it. For example, I created a documentary with a graduate from Kansas City Art Institute to uncover his methods in creating all the Worlds of Fun Haunt Vehicles.”
Brownsberger is now in his first year of dental school at the UMKC School of Dentistry, continuing the family legacy with his father and two brothers being alumni of the UMKC School of Dentistry. The relationships he built at UMKC have made all the difference in his career.
“The support from faculty, mentors and peers was tremendous and instrumental in my success,” he said. “UMKC gave me the tools and confidence to succeed in dental school.”
Physician Assistant
Manal Younes (B.S. ’23) began her undergraduate journey with a different goal in mind: pharmaceutical research. She chose UMKC due to its close proximity to her home, smaller class sizes that allowed for more networking opportunities with faculty and the welcoming campus environment. She pursued dual Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry and biology, a path she says strengthened both her endurance and problem‑solving abilities.
“Biology and chemistry are very different disciplines,” Younes said. “Biology taught me how to absorb large amounts of information in a short amount of time while chemistry taught me how to think critically and navigate complex challenges.”
After completing laboratory work at UMKC, she realized that she wanted a career with more direct patient interaction.
"I liked laboratory work, but it was not fulfilling in ways I thought it would be. I wanted more face-to-face interaction and to pursue medicine in a way that I could witness my work impacting others,” Younes said.
Encouraged by her sister who was in nursing school, Younes shadowed physician assistants working in interventional radiology. This exposure reshaped her career goals and led her toward physician assistant (PA) school.
During her time at UMKC, Younes worked as a tutor for chemistry, math, Spanish and biology courses and also served as a tutoring coordinator for several years. These leadership roles helped bolster her professional school application and reinforced her commitment to collaboration and lifelong learning.
“These experiences helped strengthen my application by demonstrating my professionalism, leadership and ability to commit to responsibilities over time,” Younes said. “I think it also reflected my dedication to lifelong learning and my desire to work closely with peers to achieve better team outcomes while supporting students’ growth. I believe these same intrinsic values will translate well into clinical practice and guide how I support patients and collaborate with other clinicians.”
Younes is now a third year PA student at the UMKC School of Medicine. When asked if she had any advice for students considering a professional degree, Younes draws from her own personal experiences.
“I would encourage students to shadow as much as they can to gain a realistic understanding of their aspirations,” Younes said. “So many things are different in real life and aren’t always what they’re made out to be online, where narratives are often shaped by other people’s individual experiences. It’s also important to consider the lifestyle you want to have and to figure out what type of person do you want to be and which paths will allow you to become that person.”
Roo Advising’s Pre‑Professional Health and Law Program academic advisor Demari Johnson notes that biology and chemistry degrees provide students a strong and flexible foundation regardless of if they are certain about professional school or still exploring their options in healthcare, like Younes initially did.
“When students are deciding on a major, biology and chemistry come up often because of the transferable skills they provide,” Johnson said. “Students learn how to problem‑solve, analyze information and interpret data, skills valued across many professions. At UMKC, students also gain early exposure to labs and research, which helps prepare them for the next stage of their career, regardless if it is professional school, graduate study or industry work.”
Whether preparing for medicine, dentistry, PA or any other professional healthcare degree, these students show that a biology or chemistry degree at UMKC can open doors and prepare students to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare field.
Apr 01, 2026
Staff Awards 2026 recognizes people who elevate the university and Kansas City community
The University of Missouri-Kansas City recognized staff across all academic units and various programs and departments at the 2026 Staff Awards ceremony.
More than 200 employees were honored for their accomplishments as well as their contributions to the growth and success of UMKC.“When people talk about UMKC’s progress, they often point to the visible milestones: new buildings, new programs, research growth, higher rankings and enrollment,” Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “But what those milestones don’t always show is the steady daily work behind them – the conversations, the problem-solving, the planning, the long hours and the consistent care that staff across this campus bring to their roles every single day. You are the people who turn ideas into action.”
University Staff Awards
Excellence in Student Success Staff Award Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to the academic, social emotional and/or overall wellness of studentsTodd Wells, Dean of Students, Student Affairs Excellence in Research and Creative Works Staff AwardRecognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to the university’s research creativity and innovation effortsMichael R. Sprague, Digital and Public Humanities Coordinator, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Excellence in Engagement and Outreach Staff Award Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to the university’s engagement and outreach effortsJeffrey D. Blackwood, Director, Office of Commercialization, UMKC Innovation Center Excellence in Planning, Operations and Stewardship Staff Award Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to solve long-standing problems and found new ways to collaborate across departments, develop revenue and increase enrollmentCory Kinder, Associate Director, HR Operations, Human Resources Rising Star Award Recognizes a UMKC staff member who, in their first five years of continuous service, has made significant contributions to their area of the university communitySarah Siebert, Professional Development Advisor, Henry W. Bloch School of Management Never Choose the Norm Staff Award Recognizes a UMKC staff member who dares to be innovative and push boundaries to help the university achieve even greater success in its mission of serving students and our communityMelvin J. Tanner, Director of University Analytics and Institutional Effectiveness, Institutional Research Chancellor’s Staff Award for Extraordinary Contributions Recognizes a high-performing UMKC staff member who demonstrates an exceptional ability to foster collaboration, communication and cooperation among colleagues and university constituents and relates their work to the mission and values of the universityMousami Mohanty, Senior Human Resources Business Partner and Instructor, Human Resources
Living the Values Award
Recognizes staff members who best exemplify excellence in demonstrating the university's key values.
Conservatory Katie Motter, Event Scheduling Coordinator External Relations and Constituent Engagement Joe A. Constantino, Director of Program/Project Operations Faculty Affairs & Faculty Support Alexis Petri, Director of the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE) Finance and Administration Wade Williamson, Maintenance Supervisor Henry W. Bloch School of Management Daniel Folk, Director of Career Services Information Services James Schonemann II, Director Network Architecture Institute for Human Development Janelle Andrus, Early Childhood Team Lead Intercollegiate Athletics Jerod Fox, Strategic Communications Consultant Senior KCUR Ron Jones, Director of Programming and Community Engagement Office of Research Services Melissa Hirt, Compliance Manager Sr Office of Strategic Initiatives Spencer On, Engineer I School of Dentistry Tara Lane, Dental Services Supervisor School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences Amanda Caruso-Yahne, Program/Project Support Coordinator Sr School of Humanities and Social Sciences Rachel L.R. Forester, Office Support Assistant IV School of Law Nancy Kunkel, Student Service Coordinator II School of Medicine Connor Fender, Manager II Student Support Services School of Nursing and Health Studies D. Ashley, Executive Assistant Senior School of Pharmacy Jane Poe, Executive Assistant Senior School of Science and Engineering Sarah Beth Schulz, Executive Assistant to the Dean Strategic Marketing and Communications Anthony Pellettiere, Academic Web Editor Student Affairs Harvey Phillips, Manager II CSM Operations Student Success and Academic Assurance Daniel K. McDonald II, Senior Enrollment Advisor-Admissions Processing Center UMKC Innovation Center Jen Spilker, Program Support Coordinator University Libraries Chayanne Sandoval-Williams, Library Information Specialist Senior
Staff Council Dedication Award
Recognizes a staff member who has made significant contributions to the Staff Council and its initiatives by enhancing communication, volunteering service to the university and community and providing opportunities to develop staff professionally and personally.
Amanda Campbell, Senior Student Services Coordinator, School of Law
Administrative Leadership Development Program Graduates
Recognizes staff members who have successfully completed the Dr. Elson S. Floyd Administrative Leadership Development Program, a UM System course where emerging and current leaders expand and refine their leadership skills.
James Bradley Roland Hemmings Jr. Laura King Michele Logue Hannah Martin Jessica Pearson Rachel Waller Robert Wren
Series on Leadership Essentials Graduates
Recognizes staff members who have successfully completed the Series on Leadership Essentials Program, a UM System course where employees can develop their skills in the areas of communication, engagement, giving and receiving feedback and navigating change.
Kayla Channell Jacqueline Eiben Drew Hemeyer-Johnson Shelly Janasz Melissa Johnson Solveig Klarin Alisha Langham Danielle Marx Ashley Morency Emily Newton Drake Summers Mercedes Tillman Molly Tugushi Tabitha Varvil
Organizational Perspectives and Leadership
Shaun Bernardon Krystal Brier Kenneth Brooks Elizabeth Case Jordan Davis Katheryn Diemler Megan Dougherty Sarah Dresslaer Robert Durham Natasha El-Scari Tanna Engle Scott Ezzell Connor Fender Jennifer Frenzel Chante Green Kathryn Grindstaff Jill Grotzinger Sydney Hamilton Michelle Heiman Phillip Humphrey Michelle Kroner Tara Lane Nathan Lonngren Sarah Major Krista Markley Steven McDonald Sharlyn Mills Mousami Mohanty Laura Moore Latoya Muhammad Cassandra Nedblake Lauren Nelson Corynne Nixon Amelia Reighard Brandy Roberts Melinda Rose Carrie Schmalz Janelle Sjue Ashley Swanson-Hoye Linda Thornburgh Elizabeth Valle Jacob Vollertsen Natalie Ward Melissa Wharton Shannon Wheeler Wade Williamson
UMKC Graduates
Recognizes staff members who have graduated with a UMKC degree in Spring 2025, Summer 2025 or Fall 2025.
Jaylen Cook-Gibson Keichanda Dees-Burnett Rebecca Hartman Haley Herzberg Bridget Jones Kimberley Kushner Grace Lotz Lyndsey Magrone Julia Merino Curby Piehl Christiana Rangel Sarah Richardson Glen Vaughn-Petersen
Service Milestones
Recognizes staff members who have given five or more years of service to UMKC and are celebrating a milestone in fiscal year 2026.
5 Years
Sarah Adams Puja Adhikari Ricardo Agrela Moniz Amber Andrews William Angles William Burns Karen Campbell Austin Carter Jordan Davis Elizabeth De La Rosa Megan Dougherty Carl Drowns Herman Duckworth Emma Fahrlander Sean Firulli Jennifer Frenzel Valerie Gonzalez-Cordova Manon Halliburton Meri Janssen-Bond Bridget Jones Lorena Juanez Brian Kanoy Stephen Koranda II Noah Kramer Kelly Larson Byron Love Traci McDonald Tamara McMahon Carlos Moreno Serra Morgan Latoya Muhammad Hannah Pham Denise Phelan Deqelidi Pointer Christi Rice Brizhana Ricks Dana Roberts Shannon Roberts Gabriel Rosenberg Rayna Rucker Elizabeth Savidge Karl Schneider Sarah Schulz Benaud Shirley Eric Van Horn Layne Viets Gary Wesche Gregory Williams Zachary Wilson Hilary Yager Anna Zimmerman
10 Years
Charles Bradford Maury Brown Andrea Carr Johanna Comes Diana Delaney Marjory Eisenman Shaun Ferguson Megan Gonzalez Scott Guerrero Phyllis Gunnels Monica Johnson Kimberlee Kalaiwaa Kathleen Moburg Jayasheela Perumalla Laura Peterson Lisa Rodriguez Emerald Scott Alexandria Spenner Suman Suman Ashley Swanson-Hoye Alexa Troyer Stan Viebrock Robert Williams Alane Wilson Tammy Woods
15 Years
Philip Albert Amy Anderson Gerald Blanton Belkis Cabrera Rodriguez Amy Carlson Katey Collins Christopher Crowell Christina Davis Sheri Gormley Sharon Lindenbaum Deanna Marx David Murray Christine Popoola Christia Posey Lauren Ragan Steven Siegel Jodi Troup Marilyn Turbush
20 Years
Arminta Brown Amy Cole Sally Daily Amber Daugherty Chante Green Shawn Harrel Diana Jones Donald Ledford Sarah Linder Valorie Moore-Porter Denise Owen Jameson Rinehart Jennifer Roberts Jeremy Schliesman Carol Sholy Stella Szymanski Erin Williams
25 Years
Christopher Boyce Kimberly Johnson Suzette Marchbanks Adam Shoemaker Janet Stebbins Daniel Stegner
30 Years
Janet Dexter Tanya Henderson Christopher Hickman Kathryn Houston Dennis Nedblake
35 Years
Linda Fox Danita Johnson Julia Moore Roy Potter
45 Years
Leisha Manning
Apr 01, 2026
Psychology student Key’Rra Moore found community and purpose at UMKC through meaningful experiences
Key’Rra Moore didn’t just come to UMKC for a degree — she grew into herself here. From taking on-campus leadership roles to pursuing meaningful research, Moore’s story is one of growth, belonging and purpose.
A Welcoming Campus That Felt Like Home
Choosing UMKC was intentional for Moore, shaped by family influence and a deep desire to stay in her hometown of Kansas City. Her mother, a UMKC alumna who returned to college as a non-traditional student, often spoke highly of the support she received from her alma mater. That history, combined with the university’s welcoming community, made Moore feel immediately at ease. “I didn’t expect to feel this included, not just welcomed but truly seen,” she said.Moore’s campus involvement reflects that sense of belonging. She leads as president of the Student Justice Alliance, serves as secretary of Sisters Circle and holds leadership roles in Psychology Club, Psi Chi, Emerging Research Scholars and is involved with Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship. Her footprint on campus is deep and so is her impact.
Turning Personal Motivation Into Academic Purpose
Moore’s academic path is grounded in personal experiences with mental health challenges in her family. “I saw how those challenges affected people I love,” Moore said. “I wanted to understand why and how we can do better.”That drive led her to psychology, not just as a major but as a calling. She is passionate about mental health advocacy, especially in communities where it is still stigmatized and underserved.Her coursework, leadership and interactions with like-minded peers helped her see psychology as a mission instead of subject. That mission now propels her toward graduate school, where she plans to continue her journey toward becoming a therapist or psychologist.“I would love to continue my education at UMKC,” she said. “It’s such a supportive community and the education is great and affordable. The university does such a good job to propel us, and they really put their students on the right track with all the resources they have.”
Finding Research and Confidence Through Initiative
Moore’s research journey did not begin with an automatic invitation. It started with initiative.After completing an independent project, she wanted more research experience. She reached out directly to faculty in the psychology department seeking opportunities. When she emailed Jacob Marszalek, Ph.D., expressing her interest and willingness to learn, he kept her in mind and eventually connected her to a meaningful research project.“That experience taught me that sometimes you don’t wait for the door to open, you find the door and knock,” Moore said. “By doing so, I got to find a project I’m aligned with and interested in.”Before this, Moore joined Emerging Research Scholars, a program directed by Kimberly Johnson, Ed.D., that prepares students for research through cohort discussions and reflection activities. She also serves as a research ambassador with the Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Office, advocating for research access, tabling at events and building confidence in presenting her work.This exposure strengthened her professional readiness and her belief in what she can contribute to the research community.“The Undergraduate Research Office is fantastic,” Moore said. “They advocate for undergraduate students to have more resources and opportunities for research. They also help students with their research presentations and find ways to let them go to conferences to present their research. It’s really special because there are not many opportunities for undergraduate students in research but there are at UMKC.”
Research With Real-World Impact
Moore’s current research goes beyond theory. She collaborates with Synergy Services, a community partner supporting families affected by domestic violence.Under the mentorship of Sara Brammer (M.A. ‘99, Ph.D. ‘06) and with statistical support from Marszalek, Moore’s role centers on conducting literature reviews to help build a foundation for a program aimed at reducing repeat domestic violence offenses among male perpetrators. While she is not leading the project, she plays an essential role in shaping its direction.“What motivates me most is knowing that this work can help real people,” she said. “Not just in academic journals but in the lives of families and local communities.”
Mentorship That Transformed Her Experience
For Moore, mentorship has been transformative in her academic journey. She points to Toya Like, Ph.D., as a pivotal figure. When Moore reached out asking for guidance, Like responded quickly with genuine encouragement. “She is so impressive and has done so much,” Moore said. “Seeing a Black woman researcher who is also an author really made me feel close to her. At the time, I just emailed her to see if she was willing to mentor me, and she was so enthusiastic and encouraging. She really wants all her students to do well and reminded me that I belong in this space.”She also reflects on the influence of Brammer and Marszalek, and how their impact is going to help her in graduate school. “I had a little bit of imposter syndrome when I first started doing my research,” she said. “But they’ve been so great with offering support while giving me opportunities and guiding me through everything. It’s really going to help me in my academic career.”
Preparation for Life Beyond College
Looking ahead, Moore is applying to UMKC graduate programs in counseling and social work, a natural continuation of her academic and professional journey.She credits her readiness to UMKC’s support systems, including mentorship, cohort experiences, scholarships such as Professional Career Escalators that teach career skills like negotiation and workplace navigation, and a community that meets students where they are.“UMKC prepared me not just academically but personally for life beyond college,” she said. “I learned to advocate for myself, work with a variety of teams and show up confidently in places where I once felt uncertain.”Her journey is more than spotlight of individual achievement. It is a testament to the impact a supportive university with meaningful mentorships and opportunities can have on a student’s life and future.“I came here looking for a place to belong and grew into someone I’m proud to be,” Moore said. “I’m now someone with a voice, a purpose and the confidence to keep growing in every aspect of my life.”
Mar 31, 2026
Radiologist drives statewide policy change and advances women’s health
Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association recognizes the achievements of outstanding alumni with an awards celebration. For her advocacy efforts in expanding access to lifesaving breast imaging and reducing disparities in women’s healthcare, the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the UMKC Alumni Association are honoring Amy K. Patel (BLA ’10/M.D. ’11) as the 2026 Alumna of the Year.
Patel is a board-certified radiologist specializing in breast imaging. She is the medical director of The Breast Care Center at Liberty Hospital, an associate member of The University of Kansas Cancer Center and clinical associate professor at The University of Kansas School of Medicine.
Raised in Chillicothe, Missouri, a small rural town with limited access to women physicians and subspecialized care, Patel saw firsthand how much difference a single dedicated physician could make.
“I realized early that I could make a difference in the lives of patients in the region, those who played an integral role in my upbringing and who I am today,” Patel said. “The sole woman physician in my hometown was a trailblazing inspiration and mentor to me even to this day, and I saw how hard she worked to take care of so many. ‘If I didn’t step up, who would?’ was always my mentality.”
Patel’s interest in women’s health and health policy led her to specialize in breast imaging and cancer care, a field facing a national shortage of subspecialists particularly in rural and underserved areas. When she returned to Missouri after being an attending physician for only a year, Patel was tasked with building a comprehensive breast imaging program that had yet to exist.
With her leadership, Liberty Hospital’s breast cancer services grew exponentially. Clinical volume increased by nearly 40 percent in two years, even leading to the opening of a new breast center that was double the size of the original in June 2021. In 2022, the center earned national accreditation as an American College of Radiology Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center. Patel also spearheaded the establishment of genetics and breast surgery programs at Liberty Hospital and served as chair of the Liberty Hospital Cancer Committee from November 2018 through April 2025.
“I am immensely proud of the impact, but I certainly cannot take all the credit,” Patel said. “It was a team effort for these things to occur, and I am grateful to everyone who has played a role in improving the lives of Missouri women and in the area in which I practice.”
Patel is also a staunch patient advocate for expanding access to standard radiological care at the legislative level, particularly annual mammography screenings beginning at age 40. In Missouri, she helped advance landmark legislation ensuring insurance coverage for both 2D and 3D mammography for women at average risk, expanded coverage for above-average-risk women and supported the passage of diagnostic breast imaging legislation that eliminated co-pays and deductibles.
As a result of her advocacy efforts, she was the 2021 recipient of the Kansas City Medical Society's Patient and Community Advocate Award. She was also named a 2022 Lamar Hunt Legacy Honoree and the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs Fan of the Year due to her community impact to close the gap between breast care disparities and her love for the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I am deeply honored to receive some incredible recognitions in the Kansas City area, which were certainly not on my radar,” Patel said. “I just have a passion for the work that I do and ensuring patients have the highest quality access-to-care that they can. A patient living in an urban area should be receiving the same care as one who is rural, and although we know disparities exist, I will continue to work tirelessly to close that gap. For me, it’s simply a life’s calling. For community members to recognize this type of work that I am doing truly means the world because to me. This demonstrates they also care, and the more people who care about these important issues, the more likely we will be able to spur positive change.”
Patel’s other professional achievements include serving as past president of the American Association for Women in Radiology Board, the youngest president in the organization’s 44-year history, and as the inaugural associate editor of digital media for the Journal of the American College of Radiology (ACR). She is the first woman, and youngest radiologist, to receive the ACR Howard Fleishon, MD Advocate of the Year Award. In 2024, she was recognized by The Freedom Wall Commission of Jackson County on the Monument to Freedom, Justice, and Courage Wall for her efforts to close gaps in breast care disparities. That same year, she was named Ingram’s Magazine Kansas City 40 Under 40 and Radiology Business Magazine 40 Under 40.
Patel serves as chair of the ACR Radiology Advocacy Network RADPAC, where she leads more than 40,000 radiologists and radiation oncologists in advocating for equitable access to patient care. She also serves on the steering committee of the American Cancer Society’s National Breast Cancer Roundtable as part of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative and is a former ACR Rutherford Lavanty Fellow in Government Relations.
Patel credits UMKC for laying the groundwork for all her career success.
“Being in the six-year BA/MD program propelled me to mature faster,” Patel said. “We had to quickly learn the art of time management. I think that has significantly helped me juggle everything I do professionally and personally while calmly staying the course. UMKC also prepared me to understand the importance of professionalism, teamwork, compassion and commitment to life-long learning. I owe so much to UMKC and will always be grateful with the pay-it-forward mentality that the School of Medicine engrained in us.”
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Mar 30, 2026
For more than 20 years, IUE has helped educators succeed in Kansas City classrooms
Across Kansas City, schools face persistent challenges recruiting and retaining teachers, especially in the neighborhoods where teacher stability and representation matter most. High turnover disrupts learning and makes it harder for students to build trust with educators, impeding student achievement.
“If we want a thriving economy and healthy communities, effective teachers are critical,” said Jennifer Waddell, Ph.D., director of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Urban Education (IUE). “No other profession carries the future of our society the way teachers do. Teachers shape not only academic success, but who our children become.”
For 20 years, IUE has addressed these needs by preparing aspiring teachers for urban classrooms across the region. Through scholarships, mentorship and hands-on experience, the program supports students committed to serving high-need communities. Many participants come from the same neighborhoods and school systems they will return to teach in, bringing lived experience and deep understanding. Many are also first-generation college students building pathways to opportunity.
When Martha Delatorre first learned about IUE, she immediately knew this was something special. As a shy student who didn’t like to speak up, she was nervous how she’d handle the classrooms. But the continued attention and care provided by the IUE helped her flourish to the teacher she is now.
UMKC IUE student Martha Delatorre works with elementary school students.
With small seminars of 15 to 20 students where conversations centered on theory to practice and future teachers talked through real classroom situations together, Delatorre gradually found her voice with academic preparation grounded in practice. That learning carried directly into schools, where she spent three days each week in classroom settings rather than just one, giving her time to understand classroom routines, support students and gradually lead lessons until standing at the front of the room felt natural. As a senior, she is ready to lead her own classrooms after she graduates. Even for the first two years after graduation, when many new educators feel uncertain, IUE checks in, offers advice and visits classrooms to provide guidance, ensuring Delatorre continues to prosper in classrooms with confidence.
“It’s so important to know I’m not alone during those first two years,” said Delatorre, a current IUE student. “The first year or two can feel very overwhelming and knowing that you always have someone to depend and lean on when you need support or advice, someone who wants to help you grow, is huge.”
IUE plays a critical role in strengthening the region’s teacher pipeline and long-term retention:
• 100% job placement rate for graduates in urban school districts
• Nearly 90% of graduates remain in the profession for five years or more compared to less than 50% nationally and 34% in Missouri
• More than 50% of graduates identify as teachers of color
• 100% retention rate among graduates of color and those from urban communities for five years or more
Supporters, alumni, students and community partners gathered for Lighting the Way, a celebration of the institute’s impact and future. Co-chaired by alumna Patty Reece (M.A. ’71) and honorary alumnus Jerry Reece, her husband, the event took place on April 11 at the Zhou B Art Center. It featured a fireside chat with John Sherman, a longtime IUE advocate and supporter, as well as owner of the Kansas City Royals and founder of the Sherman Family Foundation that funds the IUE’s Sherman Scholars program. Alumni Harrison Neal Sr. (B.A. ’11, M.A. ’14) and current student Clarissa Astorga, class of 2027, gave heartfelt speeches of how IUE affected their lives.
Harrison Neal Sr. hugging Jennifer Waddell
“I entered UMKC as a freshman in 2006 and was accepted into IUE. And I can say without hesitation, it changed my life,” Neal said. “It didn’t just prepare me to teach. It shaped me as a man. It challenged me to think beyond myself. It gave me purpose. I remember being part of a cohort, walking into schools weekly, learning in real classrooms, not just from textbooks but from lived experiences. By the time we graduated, we had spent over 1,400 hours in schools. That’s not just preparation, that’s immersion. That’s transformation.”
For school leaders, that impact is tangible.
“Who I put in classrooms matters,” said Jennifer Collier (Ed.S. ’08, Ed.D. ’18), superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools. “Partnering with IUE has helped secure a strong teacher pipeline.”
For students, the program offers more than financial support — it provides access to a profession that might otherwise feel out of reach.
“The importance of scholarships means everything to me as a first-generation college student,” Delatorre said. “Finding IUE changed everything.”
Participants gain mentorship, professional development and real-world experience while completing their degrees. Their success reflects the program’s impact. In recent years, two IUE students received the Milken Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow Award, a national honor recognizing leadership and potential in education.
Many graduates remain in Kansas City classrooms, serving as educators and community role models.
“Our students commit to teaching in Kansas City for four years,” Waddell said. “But most stay longer because they want to give back.”
The program’s continued success is fueled by donors who believe in preparing educators for urban schools. Their support helps address one of the region’s most pressing challenges: ensuring every classroom has a well-prepared teacher who understands the community they serve.
“IUE teachers are change agents,” Waddell said. “They are leaders who are passionate about improving their communities — and they pass that on to their students.”
Two IUE alumnas with Jennifer Waddell
A recent gift from Harold Frye (B.A. ’66, M.A. ’77, Ed.D. ’77) reflects that commitment. A three-time UMKC graduate and one of IUE’s founding supporters, Frye made a $50,000 gift to support students. The Sherman Family Foundation will match the contribution, creating a $100,000 investment in future educators.
“Equipping teachers for urban schools is essential,” Frye said. “Educators trained in these environments are adaptable, skilled and deeply impactful. When communities invest in them, students benefit profoundly.”
As IUE marks more than two decades of impact, its mission remains clear: prepare educators who inspire students and strengthen Kansas City classrooms. With continued support from students, alumni and donors, the institute will continue lighting the way for the next generation of teachers.
Lighting the Way raised $148,000 dollars in one night, and inspired many new donors to make their impact in Kansas City’s educational future.
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Mar 27, 2026
New research suggests our daily conversations are shrinking, with people speaking 300 less words each day
With loneliness declared an epidemic in the United States, researchers are taking a closer look at how much we actually talk to one another. In a recent study published in Perspectives on Psychological Science, Valeria Pfeifer, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Matthias R. Mehl, Ph.D., professor at the University of Arizona, analyzed conversational trends and found that each year, between 2005 and 2019, we speak about 300 fewer words per day than the year before.
The findings come from an analysis of audio data collected from more than 2,000 participants whose daily lives were sampled through short recordings of their natural environments. Together, the datasets represent 22 studies conducted across 14 years and include participants ranging from ages 10 to 94.A loss of roughly 300 spoken words per day may initially not seem significant, but the decline adds up quickly. The study estimates the drop equals more than 120,000 fewer spoken words each year compared to the year before. Because spoken words usually occur in conversations with other people, the change may represent thousands of everyday interactions that are no longer taking place.
While yes, spoken words have shifted to written formats like texting, verbal conversations have characteristics that written communication does not always capture. Spoken language involves tone of voice, timing, emotional cues and immediate social feedback. Pfeifer suspects those elements play an important role in social relationships and well-being, but more research is needed to fully understand the differences.Pfeifer has a background in linguistics and psychology, receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona and worked as a postdoctoral researcher there for three years. Her research primarily focuses on the psychology of language and language behavior in everyday life. She runs the Language and Cognition lab at UMKC, where she studies how language shapes human emotion, cognition and social connection.
Assistant Professor Valeria Pfeifer, Ph.D.
In discussing her recently published research, Pfeifer explained how her research explores the role language plays in daily social life and what the findings may mean for how people connect with one another.
What does speaking less mean for loneliness and health?
Speaking less means spending less time connecting with others. Research has consistently linked loneliness with negative outcomes for both mental and physical health. At the same time, everyday conversation is associated with greater well-being. If people are having fewer conversations, they may be losing both the immediate emotional benefits of social interaction and the long-term benefits of maintaining strong relationships.
If speaking 300 more words per day could help, what might that look like?
It does not require a long conversation. Small interactions can make a big difference. It could be chatting briefly with the barista making your coffee, stopping by a colleague’s desk to ask about their weekend or calling a family member to check in. These small moments of conversation help maintain social bonds and may help slow or reverse the loss of everyday spoken interaction.
Is technology responsible for the decline?
Our study cannot directly determine why spoken words are declining. However, the timeframe we examined, from 2005 to 2019, coincides with the rise of texting, email and social media. It is possible that some spoken conversations have shifted to digital communication. Whether typed conversations provide the same social benefits as spoken conversations is still an open question and one that future research needs to address.
Are younger people driving the decline?
Younger people did show somewhat steeper declines in spoken words. When we divided the sample into participants younger than 25 and those older than 25, we found that younger participants lost more spoken words per year. However, both age groups showed a clear decline in daily conversation. That suggests that age, or technology use alone, does not fully explain the trend.
Are there broader social implications of your findings?
Small changes in daily behavior accumulate over time. A gradual decline in spoken conversation might not be obvious from day to day, but over many years it could change how people connect with one another. Humans have relied on spoken language for more than 200,000 years, and we do not yet know whether a shift toward more digital communication comes with social costs. Our findings highlight the need to better understand how both spoken and written communication affect loneliness, health and well-being.
Mar 26, 2026
Viral Eras Tour dancer Kameron N. Saunders and breast health advocate Amy Patel, both UMKC alumni, will honor graduates
Mar 26, 2026
Calvin Flemons blends faith, pharmacy and Black excellence to inspire future healthcare leaders
Through his podcast, “PharmaSoul,” UMKC School of Pharmacy student Calvin Flemons blends faith, healthcare and cultural identity to create conversations about perseverance, purpose and representation.
Flemons, who is set to graduate this spring with his Pharm.D./MBA through UMKC’s dual‑degree program with the Henry W. Bloch School of Management, launched the podcast in August 2024 after one of the most personally and academically challenging years of his life, the podcast reflects Flemons’ belief that visibility and voice can shape both individual lives and the future of the profession.
“I decided I've overcome a lot, and in August I just started getting myself back together,” Flemons said. “I wanted to start something that would not only inspire me and help me, but also help others.”
His podcast centers around three pillars — faith, pharmacy and Black excellence — areas Flemons says encompass the most important parts of who he is.
“Every piece of content that I post is for others, but it's also for me,” Flemons said. “It can be something that I'm currently battling, something that I'm going through, a good piece of advice that I need to hear myself. I kind of look at it like — if I need to hear it, then I'm sure someone else probably needs to hear it too.”
To highlight his experience in pharmacy, Flemons produces episodes focused on the profession, recaps of recent rotations he’s completed and educational content about medications and patient care.
“As a pharmacy student, that's a big part of my life,” Flemons said. “So I really want to push pharmacy to bring more light to the profession, but also to educate others about what we do about their medications, the importance of pharmacists in general and how we contribute to every aspect of healthcare.”
When Flemons brings guests on his podcast, he often uses these episodes to highlight his Black excellence pillar. He has interviewed a variety of Black professionals who excel in their fields, including lawyers, politicians, teachers, entrepreneurs and pharmacists.
“This piece is really important for me, because everyone wants to be seen. Everyone wants to be heard,” Flemons said. “And if I can find some way to show the good work people are doing, whether it's in their career or community, I really want to showcase that and highlight that.”
Flemons is passionate about creating representation, especially for younger individuals who are deciding on careers and might find inspiration in seeing someone who looks like them in a career they had never considered.
“Representation is important simply because a lot of people don't know what's possible if they've never seen it or they never heard about it,” Flemons said.
The same concept applied to Flemons when he participated in the BESt Pharmacy Summer Institute while in high school. The BESt Pharmacy Summer Institute is a four-week program for St. Louis high school students, collaborating with Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Express Scripts, and University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis to prepare multicultural students for a future in healthcare. Flemons recalled the experience as eye-opening in terms of representation, but also in the way it exposed him to so many pharmacy career possibilities.
“I was interested in pharmacy, but besides Walgreens and CVS, that's really all I knew,” Flemons said.
Pursuing a career in pharmacy is what led Flemons, a St. Louis native, across the state to UMKC — a decision that has shaped him positively.
“I’m so grateful I came to UMKC,” Flemons said. “Whether it's the professors, different staff members, leadership positions, school…I think all of it has come together to pour into me and shape who I am today.”
One of the faculty members who has impacted Flemons is Steven Stoner, Pharm.D., associate dean for student affairs and clinical professor.
“Dr. Stoner not only poured into me, but he's poured into every single student there,” Flemons said. “And he really makes sure that we're all seen, we're all heard and that we're also supported.”
Stoner has also enjoyed mentoring Flemons and sees his podcast as a reflection of his strengths.
“I really got to see that he possessed an incredibly creative side and that he was often thinking outside of the box, or at least two steps ahead,” Stoner said. “The podcast he has developed is just one example of his creative side, and it also exemplifies how strong of a leadership voice he has.”
Flemons, who is also completing his MBA concurrently with his pharmacy degree, hopes to use his leadership capabilities toward future career opportunities. His long-term goals include becoming a clinical pharmacy professor or obtaining a leadership role at a hospital or within a pharmaceutical company.
“My goal is to be a mentor, kind of like our current professors are now,” Flemons said. “Pouring into students, leading them, improving on those clinical skills and then really just leading the next generation of pharmacists.”
Mar 26, 2026
UMKC School of Law alumnus Mark Edelman will fund 10 annual $10,000 theatre scholarships over the next decade
Mark Edelman’s (J.D. ’75) strong bond with UMKC is rooted in his family’s history at the university. His parents met as UMKC students after his mother fled Nazi Germany. He later followed in their footsteps, earning his law degree, and now continues the Edelman legacy with a $1 million commitment to fund 10 annual $10,000 scholarships for theatre students over the next decade.
Edelman founded Theater League Inc., a nonprofit that has brought Broadway productions to Kansas City for more than 40 years. His path to becoming a champion for the arts began with a law degree from UMKC. He initially planned to pursue entertainment law and spent time in New York volunteering with an office at the Bar Association of the City of New York that provided services for artists.
After graduation, he studied for the New York bar exam but soon found himself on a different path when he accepted a position running the Bucks County Playhouse in suburban Philadelphia.
That unexpected opportunity launched a lifelong career in theater and arts leadership.
In addition to founding Theater League Inc. and supporting productions across the country, he helped establish the Mark Edelman Theater Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, which supports professional theater companies in Kansas City and beyond.
“A steady stream of talented, well-educated actors is the lifeblood of our theater community,” Edelman said.
The $1 million commitment on behalf of the Mark Edelman Theater Fund marks continued investment in the UMKC Conservatory and the region’s arts community, strengthening its ability to recruit top graduate talent and sustain Kansas City’s vibrant cultural landscape.
“Mark Edelman’s remarkable gift demonstrates the lasting connection our alumni have to UMKC and the impact they continue to make in our community,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal.
By supporting advanced training in performance, design and arts leadership, Edelman’s gift prepares the next generation of artists and arts administrators to contribute to the city’s creative economy.
“We are deeply grateful to Mark Edelman for this extraordinary investment in our theatre students and in Kansas City’s cultural future,” said UMKC Conservatory Dean Courtney Crappell. “His generosity brings stability to our graduate programs and lays a strong foundation for the next generation of artists and arts leaders.”
Edelman’s support comes as the UMKC Conservatory advances on a major expansion of the Olson Performing Arts Center – a 35,000-square-foot addition featuring new performance, rehearsal and classroom spaces, including a large ensemble rehearsal hall, two dance studios and an accessible black box theatre. The expansion will create a cohesive performing arts hub alongside White Recital Hall, Spencer Theatre and the McIlrath Lobby, while renovations to existing facilities will add flexible learning environments and a centralized student resource center.
“Mark Edelman’s generosity celebrates the arts and the extraordinary talent within our UMKC Conservatory,” said Amanda Davis (MPA '07), UMKC Foundation president and chief advancement officer. “Gifts like this inspire the entire UMKC community, showing what is possible when we support students pursuing their passions. This gift not only benefits our students and UMKC programming but also the cultural vitality of Kansas City.”
Scholarships from the Mark Edelman Theater Fund will begin supporting UMKC Conservatory students this fall. Eligible students include those pursuing one of three academic paths: a Master of Fine Arts in technology and design, a Master of Fine Arts in acting and a graduate certificate in performing arts management.
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Mar 25, 2026
Faculty researcher Brent Never is teaming up with students and a local developer to address the region's housing shortage
As costs climb and supply shrinks, thousands of Kansas Citians are struggling to find affordable places to live. At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Brent Never and students are partnering with local developer VanTrust Real Estate to map redevelopment opportunities and craft investment strategies to expand affordable housing across the metro.
The U.S. housing market is a paradox. Even in a buyer's market with 44% more sellers than buyers, supply is low, demand is high and affordability is slipping. Goldman Sachs reports the country is short an estimated 3 million to 4 million homes, and the average mortgage payment now eats up more than a third of a typical buyer’s income.
“We need to think about an everything solution,” Never said. “Build big scale out in the suburbs. Build infill here in Kansas City. Build multifamily, build single family. Everything and above.”
“Affordable housing is something we all feel when we have to pay our rent or our mortgage,” said Brent Never, associate professor of public affairs at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management and director of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership. “But there's an official definition from the federal government. It's 30% of your income.”
For Kansas City, these national trends translate into very real challenges, where the region faces an estimated deficit of 64,000 affordable units and holds the highest rate of unsheltered homelessness per capita in the country. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas responded with new initiatives including the Housing Gateway Program and expanded funding for emergency shelter and eviction prevention, but the scale of the challenge demands coordinated, research‑driven solutions.
Under Never’s direction, students analyzed redevelopment potential across the metro for VanTrust Real Estate, evaluating factors such as transit access, walkability, job proximity, neighborhood amenities and existing infrastructure.
“Everybody needs a home,” said Celeste Carlson (MBA ’25), who joined the project as a graduate student. “Everybody needs a place to live that is safe, well-maintained and has running water and heat.”
Carlson found more than 100,000 households are severely cost-burdened, spending over half their income on housing. While affordable housing is often framed as a wage issue, Never and Carlson argue that the true barriers are complex and deeply interconnected.
“Collaboration is going to absolutely be necessary,” Carlson said. “All entities that can should be working on addressing this issue.”
“We have zoning issues where we can't put in new housing,” Never said. “We have issues where we have a mismatch of where people work and where they live. If you think about the Panasonic plant in DeSoto, we really have to think about greenfield development out in the suburbs, and then we also have to think about developing here in town.”
Carlson added that demographic and market shifts are compounding those structural challenges.
“It is now typical for a family starting out to buy a home and grow into it, instead of buying a home and building on or adding on to fit as you grow,” Carlson said. “Retirees are staying in their homes longer. Housing stock is not becoming available, which drives up the price of homes that do become available.”
Never and his team of graduate students including Celeste Carlson, Wajeeha Gilani (B.A. ’23, MBA ’25) and Samar Rao (M.S. ’25) recommended top contenders for investment in affordable housing. With these recommendations, VanTrust Real Estate created a nonprofit to put that investment in the Kansas City metro.
“We need to think about an everything solution,” Never said. “Build big scale out in the suburbs. Build infill here in Kansas City. Build multifamily, build single family. Everything and above.”
To get to this solution, Never and Carlson believe the answer lies in collaboration and new development.
“There's a lot of great examples of places where this housing would be a wonderful aspect of creating community but also creating economic development for these cities,” Never said. “We need to clear the decks from a zoning standpoint in order to have communities really move on this vision of housing for everybody.”
Carlson adds Kansas City’s vacant lots, former schools, underused hotels and abandoned churches could emerge as promising sites for adaptive reuse with the right partnerships and policy support.
“Collaboration is going to absolutely be necessary,” Carlson said. “All entities that can should be working on addressing this issue.”
As the project moves from analysis to action, Never says the work reflects UMKC’s mission as Kansas City’s only Carnegie Research 1 university.
“One of the best things about UMKC is bringing students into the research process and then moving those research findings out into the community,” Never said. “Research to practice is what an urban public university does. Our region looks to us to have answers that are not only important but current.”
For Carlson, the experience has been both academically valuable and personally meaningful.
“Research like this helps me know who the players are in the city,” Carlson said. “When somebody has affordable housing, there is something that happens in their bodies that allows them to be better at being themselves. They have healthier lifestyles. They are not so stressed out. They can enjoy their kids, they can be better employees and better citizens.”
Together, the team hopes their work will help Kansas City move toward a future where safe, stable and affordable housing is within reach for every resident.
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Mar 24, 2026
Students at UMKC School of Medicine celebrate Match Day with partners, parents and growing families by their side
When Hunter Campbell opened his Match Day envelope Friday, he wasn’t just thinking about residency programs.
He was thinking about his newborn daughter and where she would grow up for the next few years.
Campbell and his wife welcomed their first child, Leila, on Feb. 19, just weeks before Match Day at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, making the stakes of the national residency placement process feel especially real.
“It’s pretty darn nerve wracking, especially because I’m going to possibly uproot my entirely new family,” he said. “It’s a good nervous though, because it’s so exciting.”
Match Day is often emotional for graduating medical students, but for several members of the Class of 2026, family has played a particularly powerful role in shaping their journeys to medicine and their hopes for where they will train next.
Cheers erupted across the auditorium as students opened their envelopes, embracing family members and classmates as they learned where they would spend the next chapter of their training.
Hunter Campbell: Starting a Family While Starting a Career
For Campbell, family is something he is building right now, alongside his medical career.
He and his wife were high school sweethearts who went to the University of Missouri-St. Louis together for undergraduate school and then came to Kansas City when Campbell started medical school at UMKC.
Now, with a new baby, Campbell considers Kansas City his home more than ever.
“We are pretty established here,” he said. “We've already got day cares picked out here, and so I really want to match at UMKC.”
Opening the envelope with shaking hands alongside his wife and daughter, Campbell was excited to find out he did indeed match at UMKC.
“I’m doing unbelievably well,” Campbell said. “We were manifesting. This is the exact specialty and the No. 1 place I wanted.”
Campbell will train in a combined internal medicine and pediatrics program — another goal come true, as the specialty is not widely offered.
“It's a pretty niche specialty,” Campell said. “Most people will either pick pediatrics, internal medicine or family medicine, where you also see adults and children. Internal medicine pediatrics offers you a bunch of inpatient and intensive care time.”
Mohamed Refaat and Tahsin Schwartz: Matching as a Couple
For couples in the Match, priorities often look different. B.A./M.D. students Mohamed Refaat and Tahsin Schwartz weren’t just hoping for a good match — they were hoping for the same one.
Refaat and Schwartz met during the first few weeks of medical school at UMKC, and have been together ever since. They married in June 2024 and are looking forward to celebrating with family and friends at a reception this May.
Refaat and Schwartz entered the Couples Match, a process designed to place partners at the same institution. Because they are applying to different specialties — anesthesiology and internal medicine — that can mean compromising on top program choices.
“We interviewed all throughout the country,” Schwartz said. “I think it was across 10 states. Pretty much everywhere in the Midwest and two places on the East Coast. But we honestly just want to be together, so any place that will take us both we'll be happy with.”
Although Couples Match prioritizes placing the couple together, it is not guaranteed, which means Refaat and Schwartz faced the possibility of spending their first few years as newlyweds apart from one another.
“Some of the states we apply to are, like, 20 hours apart,” Refaat said. “It's kind of little bit of faith and trust God.”
So, when Refaat and Schwartz opened their envelopes on Match Day to learn that they were both placed with the University of Kansas, Refaat picked Schwartz up and spun her, overcome with happiness.
“We’re together, so we could not ask for anything more,” Refaat said. “We’re very happy.”
Their story isn’t the first like it in their family. Schwartz’s parents also met in medical school while attending the University of Kansas in Kansas City, Kan. — a connection the couple came to appreciate during their own time in medical school.
During medical school, Refaat conducted research at KU and invited Schwartz to study with him in the KU library, the very same place Schwartz’s parents had studied as medical students. The parallels didn’t stop there.
“A lot of the same restaurants that they went to when they were dating, we went to,” Schwartz said. “Our stories align a lot, which has been really cute.”
Gaby Thornton: Following in Her Parents’ Footsteps
Schwartz isn’t the only one with parents who met in medical school. B.A./M.D. student Gaby Thornton’s parents met at UMKC while studying medicine.
“They were in the same year and docent team, years three through six, with Dr. Salzman, who is still a docent actually,” Thornton said. “They both graduated in ‘94 and they didn't start dating until about a year after, but they were good friends all throughout the program.”
Now, 32 years later, Thornton’s parents Shilpa Thornton (B.A. '92/M.D. ’94), an ophthalmologist, and Chris Thornton (B.A. '92/M.D. ’94), a radiologist, returned to their alma mater to support their daughter on her Match Day.
Alongside her parents, brothers and grandpa — who is also an ophthalmologist — Thornton opened her envelope to learn that she matched at UMKC for OB-GYN, a specialty she is passionate about.
“Before coming to UMKC, I loved women's studies. That was definitely something I think I would have pursued had I not gone into medicine,” Thornton said. “But it was my OB-GYN clerkship, where I realized, ‘Wow, this is the place for me.’ They're not just physicians, but they're also advocates for their patients. They're consolers, they're cheerleaders, they're educators. It's just a really special kind of relationship they have with patients, and that drew me even more so to the field.”
Despite selecting a different specialty than her parents, Thornton does acknowledge the influence her parents had on her choosing medicine as her career and UMKC as her medical school.
“They influenced me in a very natural, not pressured way,” Thornton said. “Growing up, I was constantly surrounded and exposed to medicine because of them. And then as I got older, and I realized I love science and I loved helping people, it just became like a very natural career path for me that I wanted to go into. And I knew UMKC had always been their special place.”
Samir Mehta: A Friendship That Started Before Day One
Thornton’s family isn’t the only one with deep ties to the UMKC School of Medicine. Samir Mehta’s father, Sacheen Mehta (B.A. '93/M.D. ’94), was a classmate of Thornton’s parents — a connection that would unexpectedly shape Mehta’s own experience at UMKC.
“When it came to the interview day for UMKC and we got to the Student Union, my dad kind of just took a quick scan around the room. And literally within two seconds, spotted Gaby's mom, who was there with her,” Mehta said. “So that's when I first met Gaby. We spent the whole day together, and our parents were catching up while we were doing the interview and everything like that.”
And the friendship grew from there. Coming from Dallas, Mehta didn’t know anyone else at UMKC besides Thornton.
“We kind of became good friends from day one,” Mehta said. “And from that point on, we've been in the same friend group and everything and have been friends for six years now. We actually ended up in the same docent unit as well, so she's been my peer in my docent for four years as well.”
Mehta and Thornton are even traveling to Europe together with their friend group after Match Day to celebrate graduation and spend time together before they head their separate ways for residencies.
Mehta will be heading to St. Louis, where he will be training in internal medicine at Washington University.
“I feel good,” Mehta said. “I think I will have a good experience there.”
One Class, One Community
As the envelopes were opened and celebrations unfolded across the room, the Class of 2026 marked a major milestone in their medical training.
“Your future is inside the envelope that you will hold,” said Dean Alexander Norbash (B.A. ‘85/M.D. ’86). “Cherish the moment and cherish all that you leave behind that has made you all that you are and all that you will be. You have a long and spectacular adventure ahead of you. One giant step forward takes place here we will be watching you always, from afar, with pride and with joy.”
According to Norbash, UMKC’s Kansas City and St. Joseph campuses combined for a 97.4% match rate, higher than the national average. Over 57% of the class matched with a primary care specialties, while other students will be training in specialties ranging from anesthesiology to ophthalmology, dermatology to neurology and more.
While 31.3% matched within the state of Missouri, others are headed across the country. Notable residency program matches included UCLA, Northwestern, Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente and Duke.
While their residency programs will take them to different cities from coast to coast, the connections built during their time at UMKC will remain.
“Being together for the past six years, we kind of watch each other grow up, and it's very special,” Thornton said. “I've loved that about UMKC. You get to see your peers go off and become doctors, and I would say that it's definitely close-knit community.”
Mar 20, 2026
Through UMKC community clinics, Kassandra Estrada is giving back and gaining real-world experience
For UMKC pharmacy student Kassandra Estrada, learning happens where care is delivered.
A Kansas City native, Estrada serves her hometown in clinics, hospitals and neighborhoods across the metro. UMKC’s close connection to the community has provided the opportunity to gain hands-on experience without leaving home, and that connection now shapes her education as she completes clinical rotations throughout the metro.
Learning in Action at Saint Luke’s
Estrada recently completed an ambulatory care rotation at Saint Luke’s Hospital, where she applied what she learned in the classroom to work directly with patients as part of an interdisciplinary care team.
Estrada reviewed medication lists and spoke with patients about access to their medications and adherence to their treatment plan. Additionally, she collaborated with medical students and physicians to help care for patients as a comprehensive care team.“This is super valuable as a pharmacy student,” Estrada said. “You get to learn how to work collaboratively and provide the best care for patients.”
Side-by-Side Training
At UMKC, pharmacy students learn alongside other healthcare profession students early in their training.According to Maureen Knell, clinical professor of pharmacy practice at UMKC, this model prepares students for real-world practice.“Students learn they are part of the team,” Knell said. “They work together in real-world situations with patients.”
For Estrada, working alongside medical students, physicians, nurses and social workers has expanded her understanding of how different disciplines contribute to patient-centered care.“The physicians at Saint Luke’s are great,” she said. “They're very aware and inclusive of us during the conversations, so we never feel like we're left out. We're always contributing to the conversation somewhere or another.”
A City That Expands Opportunity
Kansas City’s location offers UMKC pharmacy students access to a wide range of clinical experiences including rotations in both Missouri and Kansas.“Being in Kansas City gives you more options,” Estrada said. “You get to explore different settings and see what pharmacy careers can look like.”
Those experiences have included retail pharmacy, inpatient hospital care and ambulatory clinics, exposing her to the full scope of the profession.
Giving Back Where It Matters Most
After graduation, Estrada plans to remain in Kansas City and pursue a career in community pharmacy.“I want to give back to my community,” she said. “My community is here.”
Mar 16, 2026
Daniel Wildcat has spent decades advancing tribal education and building national partnerships in environmental science and policy
Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association recognizes outstanding alumni achievements with an awards celebration. Daniel Wildcat (Ph.D. ’06) is the Class of 2026 Spotlight Award recipient.
For nearly four decades, Daniel Wildcat, Ph.D., has dedicated his career to advancing Indigenous education, environmental research and cross-cultural collaboration. A professor at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, Wildcat is an internationally respected scholar whose work explores the intersection of Indigenous knowledge, climate science, public policy and education.
Wildcat, a Yuchi member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, said his teaching and research journey was shaped by recognizing the deep connection between Indigenous identity and the natural environment.
“Once I started teaching at Haskell, I began to really recognize that for American Indians and Alaska Natives, their tribal cultures and identities were inseparable from the natural environments they called home,” Wildcat said. “Indigenous tribal knowledges and wisdom offered real insight into the challenges humankind faces today, especially in ecology, environmental science and global climate change.”
Wildcat founded the Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center in partnership with Kansas State University’s Center for Hazardous Substance Research, creating research opportunities for tribal colleges and advancing environmental science initiatives that directly benefit Indigenous communities.
His leadership extends to national and international climate initiatives. Wildcat helped form the American Indian and Alaska Native Climate Change Working Group, a tribal college-centered network addressing climate change challenges. He also played a key role in organizing the Planning for Seven Generations climate conference and serves as a leader in the National Science Foundation-funded Rising Voices, Changing Coasts Research Hub, one of the largest NSF awards ever received by a tribal college.
“Leading the Rising Voices, Changing Coasts Hub fulfills my desire to see Indigenous knowledge and methodologies recognized as science,” Wildcat said. “It opens humanity’s understanding of the world in ways Indigenous worldviews compel us to consider.”
Wildcat is also a prolific author and thought leader. His books, including “Red Alert! Saving the Planet with Indigenous Knowledge” and “On Indigenuity: Learning the Lessons of Mother Earth,” demonstrate the need for Indigenous perspectives in addressing global environmental challenges and advancing sustainable solutions.
Throughout his career, Wildcat has built strong partnerships across tribal, academic and federal institutions. He credits relationship-building and trust as central to his work.
“Success builds at the speed of trust,” Wildcat said. “Creating spaces where people can share knowledge and collaborate is essential to addressing complex challenges like climate change.”
Wildcat’s commitment to mentoring students and supporting Indigenous youth remains a defining part of his legacy.
“Youth are hungry for meaningful relationships and determined to make the world a better place,” Wildcat said. “Sometimes the best thing we can do is give them the tools, knowledge and wisdom to be creative, then stand back and support them as they lead.”
Wildcat earned his doctoral degree from the Henry W. Bloch School of Management, where he said the interdisciplinary learning environment strengthened his leadership approach and commitment to public service.
“The Bloch School helped deepen my awareness of my strengths and weaknesses as a leader and reinforced the critical importance of public service and policy-making,” Wildcat said.
Reflecting on his career and impact, Wildcat hopes his legacy centers on service, collaboration and care for future generations.
“Maybe they will say he was a good relative, a mature human being and he tried to lead with love in everything he did,” Wildcat said.
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Mar 12, 2026
Maria Meyers has made a lasting impression on entrepreneurs in Kansas City and beyond
Maria Meyers, UMKC Vice Chancellor of Commercialization and Entrepreneurship and leader of the UMKC Innovation Center has announced her retirement.
An accomplished astrophysicist, Meyers found an unexpected passion helping support entrepreneurs, which defined her career. She is one of the early founders of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kansas City. In the collaborative spirit of the region, she joined in pulling together the disparate pieces of support that entrepreneurs needed to start and grow businesses, creating a base for economic growth through company creation.Her work, thought pieces and speaking influenced the trajectory of the development of ecosystems across the country, setting a pattern for other communities in the United States and globally to build better environments for entrepreneurship.UMKC will launch a search for a successor to continue Meyers’ work in entrepreneurship and commercialization, with the goal of filling that position by late summer. Meyers will stay in her role during the search.Meyers’ celebrated career will leave a lasting mark on the UMKC community and the world of entrepreneurship. Under her leadership the UMKC Innovation Center has changed the lives of many individuals, helped grow many businesses and positively impacted economic development across the region. She has been one of the region’s key visionaries in taking innovative business and research ideas and turning them into valuable enterprises that change our communities for the better.“UMKC is fortunate to have benefitted from Maria’s talent and dedication for many years,” Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “Our university and Kansas City communities are stronger, more vibrant and more successful because of Maria’s contributions.” One of her earliest successes, KCSourcelink, created a resource network that helps entrepreneurs find the right resources at the right time, serving entrepreneurs in the Kansas City region. That success led to Sourcelink affiliates across the country, creating a road map for other communities to build supportive environments for entrepreneurs.
"Long before phrases like, 'entrepreneurial ecosystem' were common, Maria understood the power of connecting community resources and, through her leadership at KCSourceLink, helped make those supports more visible, accessible and effective for entrepreneurs," said Wendy Guillies, former president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. "I’ve seen firsthand how her steady, quiet leadership has amplified the work of countless organizations and earned the trust and respect of entrepreneurs, civic leaders, CEOs and colleagues alike."
Meyers’ impressive career has included accomplishments in science, community service and economic development including serving as vice chancellor of commercialization and entrepreneurship at UMKC, serving more than 6,000 clients per year as director of the UMKC Innovation Center, creating KCSourceLink and expanding it to be a national model of small business development, serving as chief operating officer at Nature Technology Corporation and helping open and manage Science City at Union Station as its vice president and chief operating officer. Meyers, along Guillies, also led efforts to establish capital funds in the region.
"I am very thankful for the leadership Maria provided at a time of need in our community," said Terry Dunn, (MBA ’73), president and CEO of JE Dunn. "The entrepreneurial community is flourishing as a result of her vision and commitment. She has built a tremendous legacy for both UMKC and herself."
Her longstanding community service contributions and awards include being named a Kansas City Business Journal Woman of Influence, serving on the Edward Lowe Foundation Entrepreneurial Support Organization Advisory Board, serving as a board member for Wonderscope, serving as a member of the U.S. Small Business Association’s National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board and serving as chair of the board of Beyond the Book. Despite these successes, what most strikes those close to her is her humility.
"One moment that perfectly captures Maria’s character was when she and SourceLink received the Global Entrepreneurship Network’s Ecosystem Champion Award last summer," said Guilles. "She was genuinely shocked because she never seeks the spotlight, even though she so deeply deserves the recognition. I’m proud to call Maria both a colleague of nearly two decades and a friend, and I hope she takes time to savor this moment and feel proud of the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind.”
Mar 11, 2026
A powerful day of generosity brings record participation, unprecedented momentum and transformative impact
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is celebrating a record-breaking Giving Day. Over 700 UMKC supporters across 32 states, as well as France and Latvia, gave nearly $4.8 million in just 24 hours. The historic total quadrupled the previous record, more than doubled this year’s goal and marked the most successful Giving Day in UMKC history.
“This year’s Giving Day was truly extraordinary,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. “Together, our Roo community surpassed every previous benchmark and set a new historic record. Alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends came together in a powerful show of generosity that reflects our shared commitment to student success and opportunity. I am deeply grateful for the support and belief in our mission to open doors and power what is possible for current and future Roos.” This time of year has become a defining moment for UMKC. It’s a day when alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents, friends and community members come together to power the university forward. That collective spirit once again translated into unprecedented participation and momentum.
“Giving Day represents the very best of our university community,” said Amanda Davis, UMKC chief advancement officer and president of the UMKC Foundation. “The extraordinary participation and record-setting generosity we saw this year demonstrate that we can power what’s possible when we come together around a shared vision.” Donors directed their generosity toward the areas that matter most to them. From university wide causes to our Alumni Association to our School of Humanities and Social Sciences, these investments create opportunities for students while strengthening UMKC’s long-term impact in Kansas City and beyond. A number of supporters allowed UMKC to publicly share details about their commitment. Mark Edelman, through the Mark Edelman Theater Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, committed $1 million to support the UMKC Conservatory’s Division of Theatre and live theater in Kansas City by establishing the Edelman Theater Scholarship Fund to provide 10 $10,000 scholarships every year for the next decade. Another generous donor, Robin Onikul (DDS ’89, GRCT ’92), made two gifts totaling $775,000, to support the Oboe Studio at the Conservatory. In addition to donors, advocates were a crucial part of this year’s Giving Day success. There were 79 unique advocates this year spanning all across the UMKC community.
This year’s top advocates by dollars raised, in order, are Gayle Levy, Jesse Osman and Payton Covert. Top advocates by donors brought in, also in order, are Gayle Levy, Payton Covert and Rocky Simmons. Students also played a direct role in shaping Giving Day through Roos Choose, an initiative that empowers them to vote on a funding priority most meaningful to their campus experience. This year, students selected First Gen Roo as their top choice with 159 votes. Giving Day 2026 is a powerful demonstration of what happens when the Roo community unites behind student success to propel the future of UMKC.
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Mar 10, 2026
Austin Cutler values his family legacy while finding his own distinct place in it
When second-year law student Austin Cutler talks about his journey to UMKC School of Law, the word that comes up most often is legacy.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Cutler is a third-generation student at the UMKC School of Law. His grandfather, James Tippin (J.D. ’73), and both of his parents, Dana Tippin Cutler (J.D. ’89) and Keith Cutler (J.D. ’89), are UMKC Law alumni. Dana and Keith Cutler preside over the television show “Cutlers Court,” and previously led the show “Couples Court with the Cutlers.” While he doesn’t aspire to join his parents on television, Austin Cutler is proud of the legacy he carries on.
“I don’t think about it often, but it does mean a lot to be a third-generation law student,” Cutler said. “I carry it with pride. I see their names on plaques on the wall and people who know my parents will stop and tell me they’re great people. I try to have the same standard of excellence.”
In addition to being a legacy student at UMKC, Cutler followed in his father’s footsteps by attending Morehouse College in Atlanta. His experiences at Morehouse influenced the way he approaches community and balance in his life.
“The culture at Morehouse means that almost everyone is involved on campus somehow,” Cutler said. “Whether it was a student organization, mentorship, community service – everyone I know there was always doing something. So when I started law school, I started looking for ways to get involved. It didn’t feel like I was doing anything extra, it was the standard that Morehouse had set for me.”
Cutler is president of the UMKC School of Law chapter of the Black Law Student Association, a 2L Class representative of the Student Bar Association, student emissary and a member of a committee updating the law school curriculum. These and other social activities on campus are an important part of his life, even as he balances them with the academic demands of law school.
“I try to play basketball every Friday with some other law students, I exercise regularly, I spend time with my fiancée, I like to study with others when I can,” Cutler said. “I’m a really social person and feel like a better version of myself when I’m around people regularly. I’ve learned to build that time into my schedule and make sure that I have a life outside of school and studying. It’s possible to do it, it just has to be a priority.”
His early involvement within the UMKC law community helped him quickly develop a network of friends and colleagues. As a non-traditional law student, and having lived in Atlanta for eight years, Cutler wasn’t sure what to expect when he moved back to Kansas City and began law school. Although he originally chose UMKC due to his family legacy and familiarity with the city, he found a supportive community that affirmed his place in it.
“My journey has not been linear, and as I’ve met more and more people who are connected to UMKC, many of theirs weren’t either,” Cutler said. “It’s really validated that it’s okay to change careers and keep finding new ways to challenge myself. Professors and students come from all sorts of backgrounds. People have lived a lot of lives before starting their legal careers.”
A legal career was always an appealing option for Cutler, but he explored other paths first. After earning a biology degree from Morehouse, Cutler taught high school biology for several years. Biology and law may not seem related on the surface, but that experience put Cutler on the path to law school and patent law in particular.
“My godfather knew I majored in biology and recommended that I look into patent law, because it requires a science or technical background,” Cutler said. “The patent bar exam is different from the general bar exam, and you can’t even sit for it unless you have a background in a technical subject. Like almost every law, patent law has two sides: prosecution and litigation. Patent prosecution is the process of proving a patent claim is valid and that a person should have the rights to their idea. Patent litigation is defending those rights if someone infringes on it. I like that I can pursue either side and be practicing law in a different way.”
When asked about the challenges of law school, Cutler is honest about the academic challenges. But he also encourages people to believe that they can do it, because he knows it’s possible. He is active on TikTok and uses his online presence to show that law school is attainable.
“I want to be a positive representation of what being in law school is like, especially for Black people because there aren’t a lot of us,” Cutler said. “Black people only make up about 5 percent of the legal profession. I wanted to show others, especially those that look like me, that getting into law school and being a law student is completely attainable. You can do this, and you can have a life and enjoy it while you’re here.”
Mar 10, 2026
Kansas City celebrates the Turgeon Era
Kansas City’s Union Station roared with Roo Blue spirit as hundreds of people came out to welcome incoming UMKC men’s basketball coach, Mark Turgeon.
People from across Kansas City joined a strong contingent of campus leaders, faculty, staff, students and alumni from the University of Missouri-Kansas City to welcome the arrival of one of college basketball’s winningest coaches as head coach of the Kansas City Roos. The UMKC Dance Team, mascot KC Roo and the Roo Mob pep band brought a lively spirit to the day’s events.
"We're trying to be the best basketball team that Kansas City has ever seen," Turgeon said. "That's our goal. Expect us to win, to have great players, to be well-coached."
Family of Coach Turgeon also turned out in force to bring a personal welcome, filling a few rows close to the stage. "It's great to be back in the Midwest and among family," Turgeon said. "I'm back here because of my family, but also because I believe in this city. Kansas City is a championship town. The town means a lot to me, but even more than the town, I believe in the people. I know what people in the Midwest are about, and I need everyone to come support our team."Kansas City and UMKC leaders were among those who turned out to show their support and celebrate this moment for Kansas City’s only Division I university. Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission; UMKC alum Mario Vasquez (MSERE ’14), Kansas City City Manager; UMKC alum Terry Dunn (MBA ’73), president and CEO of JE Dunn and Brandon Martin, UMKC Athletics Director were there as UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal laid out his vision for the Turgeon Era. “We want to go to the Big Dance,” Agrawal said. “That’s the expectation. That’s the standard, and Coach Turgeon is the right person to help us get there.”Anticipation for Coach Turgeon’s impact is well-earned. A Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Coach, Turgeon is among the top 30 active Division I coaches. With a career record of 476-275 across 24 years of coaching, Turgeon has led teams to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and built a reputation for turning programs into consistent contenders. He has coached at some of the biggest programs in college basketball, bringing experience, credibility and a deep recruiting network to Kansas City.“Coach Turgeon understands what it takes to compete at that level of excellence,” Agrawal said. The expectation of building a prominent basketball program is in line with the expectations of a world-class university. From achieving Carnegie Research 1, increasing graduation and retention rates, building the university’s largest capital project in its history in the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building and expanding programs across the state and winning Summit League championships in men’s soccer and men’s golf, UMKC has achieved each bold goal it has set. Now, Agrawal said, it’s time to extend that winning streak to the basketball program.“Our faculty and staff have been building excellence across this institution; now it's time to do that in basketball,” Agrawal said. To symbolize the start of a historic moment for UMKC, Chancellor Agrawal presented Turgeon with a gift representing the shared history of UMKC and Kansas City, a framed print of the UMKC kangaroo drawn by Kansas Citian Walt Disney, signifying the pride, innovation and competitive spirit that has defined UMKC and Kansas City.
UMKC Director of Athletics Martin was central to this game-changing hire. Martin said Coach Turgeon’s accomplishments are energizing to Roo fans and UMKC athletes alike.
"We wanted someone with a championship pedigree and had competed at the highest level and won games at the highest level," Martin said. "A champion and ambassador to our program who will generate excitement for our alumni, our families, donors and stakeholders throughout the city. A coach will bring national prestige to UMKC. We knew that he was answer and best fit for the job."The importance of Coach Turgeon’s hiring extends beyond UMKC. Turgeon has a long history in the Kansas City region. A native of Topeka, Kansas, Turgeon played for the University of Kansas, taking the team to four NCAA Tournaments and making a Final Four run in 1986. His success as a coach includes a historic turnaround for the Wichita State Shockers, taking them to their first NCAA tournament in 20 years. His deep Kansas City roots and coaching excellence further elevates the city’s status as a basketball epicenter. “I have spent a big part of my career working to bring high-caliber sports teams and sporting events to Kansas City,” Nelson said. “We have experienced great success, but this moment for UMKC, hiring Coach Mark Turgeon, is certainly on my list as one of the highlights.”City Manager Vasquez presented Turgeon with a framed print of the iconic Norman Rockwell painting Kansas City Spirit, which Rockwell created after a devastating flood in 1951 to symbolize the community’s reliance, optimism and unity. The gift felt especially fitting for a coach who is, “to Kansas City always true.”“Coach Turgeon’s return to Kansas City is more than a coaching decision; it’s a homecoming,” Vasquez said. “Strong cities need strong universities, and strong universities benefit from strong city partnerships. We’re proud to support UMKC as it continues to elevate its athletic programs and its national profile.”Vasquez says he’s excited to be working with UMKC on a plan to return men’s basketball to play at Municipal Auditorium.Roo fans and alumni were excited to welcome Coach Turgeon home. Dunn said Coach Turgeon is the right person to lead the fight for the gold and blue, and encouraged all Roo fans to stand up and show their pride for their Kangaroos."What I'm seeing is a number of people stepping forward donating time, talent, treasure," Dunn said. "There are a number of business leaders in this community that brand their institutions and businesses with UMKC. We want this community to really understand this is our university, it's our time."
Following the event, fans, alumni and community leaders attended a reception welcoming UMKC’s newest Roo and a future for UMKC men’s basketball that — as the school’s fight song goes — is onward, forward, upward rising.
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Mar 09, 2026
Adams visited the School of Medicine for the milestone event, sharing insights on the nation’s mental health challenges and the future of equitable...
The UMKC School of Medicine marked a milestone and a full-circle moment last week when it welcomed former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, M.D., for the 20th annual Dr. Reaner and Mr. Henry Shannon Endowed Lectureship in Minority Health.
Adams, who served at U.S. surgeon general from 2017 to 2021 and is now on the faculty at Purdue University, spoke about mental health in America. The lectureship’s inaugural speaker in 2006 was Joycelyn Elders, M.D., the first African American surgeon general of the United States.
“This is truly a full circle moment,” said Tyler Smith, M.D., the School of Medicine’s associate dean of inclusive excellence. “The lectureship continues a tradition of hosting dynamic speakers who are leaders in medicine, including UMKC School of Medicine graduates and faculty members, as well as leaders in government health agencies and professional medical organizations.”
The lectureship — started in 2006 by Reaner Shannon the first associate dean of what was then the Office of Minority Affairs, and her husband, Henry Shannon, — “was created to promote continued learning and education, as well as to bring awareness about medical issues and health disparities impacting people and communities of color,” Smith said.
Adams exemplifies that tradition. As former U.S. surgeon general, Adams championed mental health, health equity, opioid overdose prevention, maternal health and access for underserved communities. During his time serving the role, he also led the nation through the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, something he reflected upon in his 2023 published book, “Crisis and Chaos.”
Currently, Adams serves as a professor, presidential fellow and executive director of health equity initiatives at Purdue, allowing him to stay connected with the issues that matter most to him – mental health and health equity.
“How are we doing in terms of mental health in America? The truth is, not well,” Adams said during his lecture. “Think about your day. One in five people who you're encountering has clinically diagnosed depression. And it's not just our adults. Our youth mental health is in crisis. One in three high schoolers report their health was not good for most or all of the past 30 days.”
In his lecture titled “The Current State of Mental Health in America,” Adams explored the issues contributing to the rise of mental health issues throughout the nation and argued that mental health must be treated like physical health.
“No one would say, ‘why don't you just fix your broken ankle?’ But gosh, when we say their heart is broken or their mind is broken, people think completely differently,” Adams said. “I often say you wouldn't go to a provider who refused to treat high blood pressure or diabetes, but we're perfectly fine with our doctors refusing to treat mental health. We have to change that mindset. We have to really own this and say that mental health is part of primary care.”
Adams not only urged doctors and individuals to fight the mental health stigma, but to also recognize other barriers in place preventing treatment.
He pointed out the disparities existing in our country among racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ communities and incarcerated populations — groups that often experience more persistent or severe symptoms yet have less access to care.
“What's driving these disparities? Structural barriers, limited access to affordable and culturally competent care and provider shortages,” Adams said. “There are geographic and transportation barriers, discrimination and minority stress, criminal justice system factors and broader social determinants. Poverty, economic stability and community violence drives mental health disparities. And insurance often doesn't pay for mental health.”
One data point Adams kept a close eye on while surgeon general was the rise in suicide, which led to him putting out a suicide call to action during his term. Adams continues to track this data and shared some alarming statistics affecting children of color.
“For Black children aged five to 12, rates are two times that of white children,” Adams said. “That tells you a lot about our society right now and the stresses that our young people are facing, and particularly young people of color.”
One of the societal issues impacting mental health, Adams said, is social media use, which he pointed out has been shown in studies to be as addictive as heroin.
“It's linked to higher risk of anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior amongst adolescents,” Adams said. “And surveys show 86% of the public feels social media platforms contribute to addiction and mental health harm.”
Adams talked about the risks and rise of gambling addictions, an issue he said we are not talking enough about as online platforms are making it more accessible than ever.
“The shocking statistic is gambling is the addiction that is most likely to lead to suicide,” Adams said. “Two to 4 million Americans may experience gambling disorder in their lifetime with links to additional mental health harms.”
Another societal issue Adams highlighted was substance misuse. Access to addictive substances has become much more prevalent for young people, he said. E-cigarettes, Zyn and other nicotine delivery options have drastically risen in popularity in recent years, reversing hard-won gains in reducing tobacco use in previous decades.
When it comes to substance misuse, Adams has a deeply personal connection to this issue.
“While I was in the White House, my brother was in a prison cell about 50 miles away,” Adams said. “My brother has substance use disorder, and I share his story with his permission, because stigma kills, and stigma is when we separate ourselves into us and them. That happens to them, that doesn't happen to us. Well, substance use disorder impacts everybody.”
So as surgeon general Adams focused on the opioid epidemic, because he not only saw how it was affecting the nation, but because he was also experiencing its impact firsthand.
Adams said the two things he was most proud of in his time in public health was working on the bipartisan efforts to increase syringe service program legislation and his surgeon general’s advisory on Naloxone.
“When I put up my Naloxone advisory, we saw Naloxone dispensing increased nationwide by about 400%,” Adams said. “I'm a trauma anesthesiologist, and when I was working full time, I probably saved 10 to 15 lives a year. But by using my voice and increasing naloxone dispensing nationwide by 400%, that's tens of thousands of lives potentially saved. And I don't say that to brag. I say that so that everyone here understands the power of policy making, the power of systemic change, the power of getting upstream.”
Delivering that inspiration was exactly the goal of the lecture. For Smith, Adams’ visit reflected the purpose of the Shannon Lectureship itself — to expose future physicians to the broader social forces shaping health care.
“It's a big deal, especially for our medical students, residents, fellows and other trainees, to be able to see someone who was sitting in a seat like theirs is now doing these things on the national and global level,” Smith said.
Mar 04, 2026
A multi-school strategy expands rural education, training and career pathways to address statewide healthcare shortages
In many parts of rural Missouri, a doctor’s office can be hours away, and a growing number of regions have no hospital at all. These healthcare gaps aren’t just inconvenient; they’re dangerous. Whether it’s chronic disease, childbirth or emergency care, rural residents face worse health outcomes simply because there aren’t enough physicians nearby. UMKC is working to change that.
The new, $14.5 million education building on UMKC School of Medicine’s St. Joseph Campus, unveiled in August 2025, represents the university’s major investment in expanding and supporting rural healthcare.
“Almost any disease you can list has a higher prevalence and a worse outcome in a rural area,” said Mike Wacker, Ph.D., senior associate dean for rural and medical pathway programs at the School of Medicine. “There just aren’t as many physicians, or healthcare facilities, for people to go to.”
According to the American Medical Association, 136 rural hospitals closed between 2010 and 2021, and about 65% of rural areas have a shortage of primary care physicians. To address this rural healthcare shortage, the School of Medicine has created opportunities to guide future physicians toward serving rural communities by establishing a premedical school program, a satellite education site and a rural residency program. All are aimed at preparing students for a career in rural medicine while immersing them in rural settings.
The School of Medicine opened the St. Joseph Campus in 2021, with the first cohort of 14 students graduating last December and participating in the first Match Day for the campus this March. In 2022, the St. Joseph Campus launched its Rural Pathway Program, designed to offer guidance, clinical exposure and academic support to rural-dedicated students preparing for medical school. And to round out the pipeline, UMKC is now in its inaugural year of a 1+2 Maryville Rural Track Program for residents interested in rural practice after their residency.
“UMKC has spent the past decade formulating a wholehearted commitment to addressing rural care,” said Dean Alexander Norbash (B.A. ’85/M.D. ’86).
A University-Wide Approach to Rural Health
Rural healthcare expansion is a collaborative effort at the university. The School of Pharmacy paved the way, adding rural program locations in Columbia 20 years ago and Springfield 10 years ago.
“Our satellite campuses provide access to high quality pharmacy education for those that otherwise wouldn't be able to move to Kansas City,” said School of Pharmacy Dean Russell Melchert, Ph.D.
Southwest Missouri has already seen dramatic improvements in pharmaceutical shortages in the area thanks to the School of Pharmacy’s presence in Springfield.
“We've graduated 206 pharmacists through that expansion and nearly 80% of them are practicing pharmacy in Missouri, and of those, almost 64% are practicing in southwest Missouri,” Melchert said. “So, the impact of our expansion has been tremendous.”
The UMKC School of Dentistry also recently announced a proposal to build a rural satellite campus at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, adding to its efforts already in place with over a dozen rural rotation sites throughout Kansas and Missouri available to fourth-year dentistry students.
“The students always value this opportunity,” said School of Dentistry Dean Paul Luepke, DDS, M.S., FACD. “They get to work in maybe a different population than they're accustomed to. And that's the idea, getting them used to this so that they can envision themselves being in that kind of a community.”
The School of Medicine also recently expanded its physician assistant program to a second location — in Columbia, Missouri — this January, bringing another healthcare degree option to students in mid-Missouri.
Building a Rural Pipeline: Rural Pathway Program
The new Rural Pathway Program, led by Kathleen Spears, Ph.D., the school’s associate dean for student success, is a year-long program supporting about 10 participants annually. The initiative is comprised of undergraduate students and post-bac professionals from rural areas, primarily in Missouri, who hope to apply to medical school and return to their communities to practice.
“The pathway program is designed to find those people who have that passion and give them the support they need to be successful in healthcare,” Spears said.
According to Spears, students from rural areas are more likely to understand the unique needs of those communities and return to serve them after medical school.
“You have to be a part of the community to understand what's going to happen when certain decisions are made,” said Andrew Sass (Pharm.D. ’15), a second-year M.D. student at the St. Joseph campus who entered UMKC as a result of participating in the Rural Pathway Program. “Since you are boots on the ground, you understand what's going to happen to your patients, and why they need to be advocated for.”
Additionally, the program helps students overcome access barriers, like a lack of local hospitals for shadowing physicians.
“If your nearest hospital is 50 miles away, how are you going to shadow?” Wacker said.
Pathway participants get hands-on clinical experience from day one, nightshift shadowing, monthly seminars and peer mentors from the St. Joseph Campus. Topics range from community leadership and MCAT prep to financial aid education.
Despite having nearly a decade of healthcare experience from his pharmacy career, Sass was nervous about making the transition to medical school, but felt like UMKC provided the resources he needed.
“If the Rural Pathway Program wasn't here, or UMKC didn't put the medical school in St. Joseph, I wouldn't be able to do this,” Sass said.
Similarly, Mikalah Brock, another program graduate, returned to her hometown of Maysville, Missouri, after earning an engineering degree. She joined the pathway program to prepare for medical school and is now enrolled at UMKC’s St. Joseph Campus.
“This rural community is my home,” Brock said. “These are my people, they're very important to me in my life and I would like to give back to them.”
Brock plans to finish medical school in 2028, and her choice to attend UMKC was an easy one.
“I was really serious about wanting to go to a rural campus,” she said. “And the program showed me how much UMKC was also invested in developing rural students."
A Permanent Home for Rural Medical Education in St. Joseph
When UMKC opened the St. Joseph Campus, it partnered with Mosaic Life Care to train students in rural care settings. Students attended classes at Mosaic until this past August, when the new education building opened across the street from the hospital.
“If we want to have any kind of relief for the physician shortage, we have to train people who are passionate about the communities they serve,” Spears said.
That commitment came full circle this past year, as the first St. Joseph cohort graduated and matched into residencies across the state.
“A third of the class specialized in family practice, and many of those expressed interest in coming back, specifically to Mosaic, if not the northwest,” Wacker said.
While the need for family medicine physicians is especially high in rural areas, Wacker also celebrated the students matching into a wide range of specialties.
“These areas don't need just primary care,” he said. “They need every specialty. So, we're excited by the diversity of matches,” which, in addition to family medicine and internal medicine, included radiation oncology, psychiatry, emergency, otolaryngology, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology, orthopedic surgery and interventional radiology.
Training Doctors to Stay: A New Rural Residency Model
Additionally, when it comes to residency programs, UMKC is developing solutions to help promote the rural healthcare path to new doctors.
UMKC’s new 1+2 residency program allows recent medical school graduates to spend one year at the University Health Lakewood Medical Center in Kansas City followed by two years at Mosaic Medical Center in Maryville, Missouri, so they can gain experience in a large hospital setting as well as a rural one.
“Primary care doctors in rural areas are called upon to do more,” said Lane Wilson, M.D., family medicine residency director for the 1+2 rural family medicine residency. “Training in a broad scope is super important for family docs in rural areas so they can offer a comprehensive range of services.”
Looking Ahead
With a pipeline that includes early support, rural training and dedicated residencies, UMKC is taking long-term steps to address the rural shortages.
“It is my hope that our St. Joseph medical school will flourish and help populate rural Missouri with outstanding practitioners,” Norbash said. “I genuinely hope that our model is one that is successful and is duplicated. Hopefully, someday in the not-too-distant future, I see rural satellite medical schools in all four corners of the state of Missouri, producing outstanding graduates who choose to stay in our beautiful state, and serve our beloved citizens. If our vision were realized, we would be able to educate and graduate the physicians we need to completely address our physician shortage in rural locations.”
As UMKC looks to expand its rural impact even further, faculty and students are already seeing the payoff — rural residency programs taking root, permanent medical school home in St. Joseph and rural students finding their path to medicine.
“We have started something that’s going to pay big dividends to this region,” Wacker said.
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Feb 25, 2026
With more than 100,000 followers across social media platforms, Marteen Redman documents studio journey to inspire next generation of architects
When UMKC architecture student Marteen Redman settles into her workstation in the Katz Hall studio, she has to prepare one extra thing before she goes heads-down on her latest architecture project: a makeshift tripod so her phone can stay propped up, documenting every moment. Redman often shares her architectural journey with her 102,000 TikTok followers and 26,000 Instagram followers. What most people don’t see, however, is the unique path that led her to architecture.
Before enrolling at UMKC, Redman was pursuing a tattoo apprenticeship. The experience helped her discover how much she enjoyed creating and visualizing designs. Around the same time, she found another surprising source of inspiration: architect Ted Mosby from How I Met Your Mother. His character sparked her interest in returning to school to pursue a creative field. Having already earned her associate’s degree, she wanted a program that felt both challenging and meaningful.
“Architecture stood out as the perfect way to combine my passion for design with a strong academic and professional foundation,” Redman said.
So, why UMKC?
“I chose UMKC because Kansas City is a major hub for architecture, with many respected firms located in the area,” she said. “Studying at a university with strong ties to the local architectural community allows me to stay close to home while preparing for my future career.”
It’s safe to say Redman is happy with her decision.
“The most exciting part of studying architecture so far has been how much I’ve learned about design and the way I approach it,” she said. “My studio professors Christopher Spaw and Dominic Musso have challenged me to think about architecture from perspectives I had never considered before. Spending extended time in the studio has also allowed me to build strong relationships with my classmates, creating a collaborative and supportive learning environment that has made the experience even more rewarding.”
The numerous hours spent in the studio also led Redman to start filming her architecture journey. What started as a simple way to document her work and create a personal portfolio eventually led to her online presence significantly growing, with some of her videos receiving over 20,000 likes and 100,000 views.
“I never expected the account to grow as quickly as it did, but it has opened opportunities to collaborate with architectural firms, companies and professionals in the field,” said Redman. “I now create content centered around my projects, studio life and design process. Being able to get paid to share my architectural work feels like a privilege, and I enjoy knowing that the content not only supports me but also inspires and educates others who are interested in architecture.”
Redman mentioned that one of the most rewarding parts of the experience has been receiving messages from students who are interested in pursuing architecture.
“Being able to share the realities of architecture school and help others understand what the path looks like has been incredibly fulfilling,” Redman said.
When asked to share some of the advice she often shares with future architects, Redman honestly answers.
“My biggest piece of advice for students considering architecture is to understand how much time and dedication the program requires, especially outside of scheduled studio hours,” said Redman. “I didn’t fully realize how many hours would be spent working on projects in the studio, but that extra time is where my passion and motivation have really grown. If you are passionate about learning, open to being challenged and willing to put in the work, architecture can be an incredibly rewarding path.”
Despite only being in her first year, Redman is grateful for the numerous opportunities studying architecture has provided.
“I am extremely happy with my decision to study architecture, and the studio has truly become my second home in the best possible way,” Redman said.
Feb 18, 2026
For 24 hours, Roos everywhere unite to power student success at UMKC
UMKC Giving Day brings our community together for 24 hours to raise critical funding that directly supports students and expands opportunities. Rally behind the programs and causes that matter most to you and choose exactly where to direct your gift. Every contribution you make drives progress and helps build a brighter future for our Roos.
Since launching in 2020, Giving Day has grown from 70 donors raising just over $6,700 to more than 1,100 donors contributing more than $1.2 million in 2025. Giving Day returns March 3 to 4 with causes that uplift every corner of our campus community. No matter your connection to UMKC, you play a vital role in fueling the momentum that moves our university forward. Alumni, students, faculty, staff, retirees and friends of the university are all invited to take part in this celebration of generosity and Roo pride.
“Our students are at the heart of everything we do,” said Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. “Giving Day raises the funds that make transformative opportunities possible for our students, and it’s inspiring to see our community come together to support their success.”
Become an Advocate
Are you ready to join fellow Roos in supporting your favorite cause and spreading the word?Advocates use their voices to inspire others and help raise funds for UMKC. A gift of any amount can help turn today’s support into tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
All first-time UMKC donors who give at least $5 will receive a pair of Roo blue knit unisex socks. Donors who contribute $250 or more will receive a limited-edition UMKC‑branded mini Bluetooth aluminum speaker as a thank‑you for their generosity.
Registered advocates can also earn rewards for helping drive support. Those who generate at least five gifts or raise $100 or more will receive a limited‑edition plush Roo keychain, and anyone who generates a gift of $25 or more will be entered into a drawing for a UMKC and Kansas City-themed gift basket. The registered advocate who raises the most dollars and the advocate who secures the most gifts of $25 or more by noon on March 4 will receive a UMKC swag bag.
Advocates can amplify their impact by sharing causes with their networks, creating matching gifts or challenges and telling their own stories through personal videos that encourage others to give.
“Our community shows up for UMKC in extraordinary ways,” said Amanda Davis, UMKC chief advancement officer and president of the UMKC Foundation. “When Roos unite around the causes they care about, the impact reaches far beyond these 24 hours.”
Campus Participation
Roos Choose launched in 2023 and has become a signature Giving Day tradition, putting the power directly in the hands of our campus community. By voting from a list of causes, participants can use their voice to champion and help direct critical support where it matters most. The cause with the most votes will receive an additional $500 bonus to support its mission.
“As students, we see firsthand how support makes a difference,” said Andrew Tracey, UMKC Student Government Association president. “Giving Day makes you feel connected to something bigger, and it lets us play a role in creating opportunities for each other.”
Students, faculty and staff can vote, sign up as advocates and sign thank‑you cards for first‑time donors at the Student Participation Station from noon to 2 p.m. on March 3 and 8 to 11 a.m. on March 4 in the Student Union across from the UMKC Bookstore.
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Feb 17, 2026
Anne Alaniz’s vision is reshaping access to care for an entire region in Malawi, Africa
Growing up, Anne Alaniz, M.D., considered childbirth a matter of life and death.
In the rural village in Malawi where she spent her childhood, women sometimes left for the hospital and never returned. By the age of 10, Alaniz had been taught how to care for her younger siblings in case her mother died during delivery.
Today, as a UMKC-trained gynecologic oncologist practicing in Houston, Texas, Alaniz is working to change that reality for the women and children of Malawi through Pothawira International, a healthcare organization she founded with deep roots in Kansas City. And she has the support of other UMKC School of Medicine doctors, especially alumna and faculty member Stacey Algren (B.A. ’00/M.D. ’01).
A Path Paved by Education
“Watching my dad, the inspiration to become a physician started there,” Alaniz said. “My dad worked in the medical field as a clinical officer, which would be like the equivalent of maybe a nurse practitioner here. But over there, they basically function like family-practice doctors, because in Malawi the doctor patient ratio is like one to 50,000.”
That inspiration turned into action after a chance meeting with a U.S. emergency room physician, Donna Ivey, who had come on a mission trip to Malawi, located in southeastern Africa. Ivey offered to bring Alaniz to the United States to complete high school and pursue a medical career.
“She brought me a little bit early so I could do one year of high school here and live with her while I kind of adjusted to what was a huge transition from growing up in a small little village where electricity, running water and plumbing was not existent, to coming to what was the first world country,” Alaniz said.
During that year, Alaniz also observed Ivey in the ER, gaining her first exposure to healthcare in the United States.
“I witnessed what was like the miracle of medicine in the United States,” Alaniz said. “I couldn’t believe there were medications, they would put chest compressions and bring people back from the dead. It was nothing I'd ever seen before.”
An Epiphany That Defined a Mission
While attending Dallas Baptist University as a pre-med student, Alaniz remembers returning to Malawi during a break in school to visit family and join her dad in the clinic again, this time observing through new eyes.
Alaniz remembers the patient that changed everything for her during this visit. A mother had walked 10 to 15 miles to the clinic with her 5-year-old suffering from dehydration after drinking contaminated water, but there was nothing the medical team could do.
“Watching a 5-year-old die from dehydration was unbelievably devastating to me,” Alaniz said. “And then I watched my dad take the baby and put it on the mother's back. And she now had to walk 10 to 15 miles back home with a dead baby on her back. I remember that baby was my epiphany.”
After that trip, Alaniz said she entered medical school with a clear goal: to build a healthcare center for women and children in Malawi.
Building a Dream
During medical school at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Alaniz and a group of medical school friends raised $3,000 through a garage sale and a donor match, which was enough to purchase the property that would eventually become Pothawira, which means “safe haven” in Chichewa, the native language of Malawi.
But it was during 2008, her third year of residency at UMKC when a moment of serendipity helped propel the project forward. While completing a C-section on a patient, the attending doctor asked Alaniz what she wanted to do after residency.
“I have this property in Malawi, and I would love to start implementing a children's healthcare center there some day,’” Alaniz remembers telling the doctor.
The patient’s husband was in the room and happened to be involved with Global Orphan Projects, which is based in Kansas City and establishes clinics and homes for orphaned children in countries such as Haiti and Malawi. He spoke with Alaniz after the surgery, and from there helped connect her with partners who could help bring the clinic to life.
With support from Global Orphan Project and additional donors, Pothawira took root within six months of this chance encounter. First with a school, orphan homes and an outpatient clinic, and a few years later, Pothawira added a birthing center. Construction of a surgical center is now underway.
“One of the things that we realized is that while we were able to offer these women routine deliveries, when an emergency happens and they need a C-section, there was no place to send them except this tiny, little district hospital where they have a very small operating room, no cautery and no electricity,” Alaniz said.
The addition of the surgical center will be transformative for the Salima district of Malawi, which has a population of 560,000 and only one operating room. When construction of the surgical center is complete, the district will have four ORs.
Support Rooted at UMKC
Pothawira’s growth has not happened in isolation. From the earliest days, Alaniz’s vision has been supported by a network of UMKC-trained physicians, including Algren, who trained Alaniz during her OB/GYN residency.
While at UMKC, Alaniz regularly shared her long-term vision for improving women’s health in Malawi with Algren and other faculty members. That openness led to years of continued support. Since 2017, Algren has volunteered with Pothawira almost every other year, traveling to Malawi for approximately two weeks at a time to provide obstetric and gynecologic surgical care.
During those trips, Algren and the team work from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. most days, typically performing as many as 70 surgeries under extreme conditions, often with limited supplies, inconsistent electricity and shortages of basic resources.
“Sometimes we have to be creative,” Algren said. “We don't have the instruments or supplies we need. So we end up maybe stretching ourselves a little bit more to do cases that we would send to somebody else here, just because there is nobody else.”
On multiple occasions, blood shortages became so severe that Algren donated her own blood so patients could undergo surgery — then operated on them herself.
“To literally give, and then two hours later, operate, and you see your blood hanging, going into the patient — that's kind of weird,” Algren said. “That's wild.”
Taking the Mission to New Heights
That steadfast commitment extends beyond the walls of the clinic, even to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Each year, Alaniz leads a fundraising climb of Africa’s highest peak to support Pothawira’s growth. This year’s climb helped fund the construction of the new surgical center.
Among the climbers were Algren, Mary Thaxton, a former UMKC resident and classmate of Alaniz, and Jimmy Sandham, a former Pothawira orphan who came to the United States for high school and college.
Sandham recently earned his bachelor’s in healthcare administration and is headed back to Malawi in March to become the new surgery center’s manager.
“Jimmy was also given the gift of education, and that's why education is really important for us,” Alaniz said. “Somebody gave me the gift of education, so if there's anything that I can do other than just provide care, it is educating children of Malawi so they can be my successors.”
Although Alaniz visits Malawi two to three times a year, she has made education and training a priority to ensure care continues when visiting teams are not present.
“Now that we have more space, we're really going to ramp up the educational piece and try to teach them to be able to do the surgeries themselves,” Alaniz said. “Because ultimately, the goal is even when we're not there, we want them to be able to do it.”
As a gynecological oncologist, Alaniz has also been enhancing the clinic’s overall efforts toward women’s healthcare with increased oncology treatments, cervical cancer screenings, preventative vaccinations for cervical cancer, maternal care and more.
“Taking care of women while they’re younger and in their reproductive years so they get to live longer and get to continue taking care of their children is what we’re striving for,” Alaniz said. “I want our orphanage to close because women are living longer and can take care their own children, because children should grow up with their family in their home.”
Since establishing a medical presence in the country, Pothawira has already contributed to a dramatic improvement on the life expectancy in Malawi. According to the World Health Organization, the life expectancy has increased by nearly 18 years since 2000, from an expectancy of approximately 45 to 63 years.
Knowing the impact this work is having on this country has been rewarding for both Alaniz and Algren and has reminded them of their original purpose as physicians.
“It kind of renews your passion in medicine because it can get a little daunting practicing today,” Algren said. “And there, we just treat people.”
Alaniz also remains thankful for the connections she made in Kansas City and the impact it has had on Pothawira.
“I'm forever grateful for my experience in Kansas City with UMKC,” Alaniz said. “I'm definitely a product of them. And being able to go out into the world and participate in this way has been really incredible.”
Feb 17, 2026
UMKC Alumni Association honors the Spartan/Haerer family with 2026 Legacy Award
Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association recognizes outstanding alumni achievements with an awards celebration. UMKC is honoring the Spartan/Haerer family with the 2026 Legacy Award.
Two generations of the Spartan/Haerer family have spent more than a collective half a century at UMKC working and earning degrees. It started with Steve Spartan, Ph.D. (B.A. ’70, M.A. ’74, M.A. ’76) and Karen (Haerer) Spartan (B.A. ’70). They met on campus while working at and attending UMKC, both graduating with bachelor’s degrees in economics. Both first-generation Roos, they encouraged their siblings to choose UMKC as well. Thanks to Steve and Karen Spartan, Joanne (Spartan) Zicarelli (attended ’72-’73), Susan Haerer-Deatherage (B.A. ’79) and Christina (Spartan) Seneff (B.A. ’80) followed in their footsteps.
Many of their children and relatives would join the Roo mob, too. William Haerer (B.A. ’95), son of Susan Deatherage; Vanessa Spartan (B.A. ’06), daughter of Steve and Karen Spartan; Anastasia Spartan (attended ’08), daughter of Steve and Karen Spartan; and Paige (Messina) Zicarelli (Pharm.D ’17), daughter-in-law of Joanne Zicarelli, are all alumni of UMKC.
Left to right: Joanne Zicarelli, Paige Zicarelli
Together the Spartan/Haerer family not only has nine alumni of UMKC, six of the family members also worked at the university. Their legacy and impact on campus is undeniable, but it also extends past the borders of campus far into Kansas City and beyond. In addition to UMKC, family members have had successful careers at Park University; Webster University; Donnelly College; St. Mary’s University; University of Kansas; Kansas City Kansas Community College; Kansas City Art Institute; KU Medical Center; George Washington University; the Federal Reserve of Kansas City the Veterans Administration; State of Kansas; City of Tempe, Arizona, Bonner Springs School District; BJ’s Restaurant Group; and more.
We asked Spartan/Haerer family members to reflect on their time at UMKC, careers and the impact of family values.
What originally drew your family, or you personally, to UMKC as the place to pursue higher education?
Karen Spartan: I was living at home and UMKC was an easy commute. I could access a part-time job nearby and tuition was affordable. UMKC was a developing university that had until recently been a renowned private university (University of Kansas City). It was a beautiful urban campus located near the Plaza.
Anastasia Spartan: Both of my parents attended and worked at UMKC. A position at UMKC in University Communications became available and I applied. I was living close and loved the drive, it felt like it was meant to be. While I was working, I was able to take advantage of the discounted graduate courses as well.
Vanessa Spartan: I was in my first year of college and was interested in design and social sciences. My mom came home one day and had heard about a new program at UMKC called urban planning and design. I set up a visit and met with the department’s advisor, and he opened my eyes to a career I didn’t even realize existed.
How would you describe the role UMKC played in shaping your career path or professional identity?
Steve Spartan: UMKC really laid the foundation of me learning how to observe, think and communicate, which helped me throughout my education and my career.
Karen Spartan: There was outstanding faculty committed to their departments and students. Many faculty were informed about the important issues of the day. I attended during the late 1960s and early 1970s; this was a time of social change and awakening of new hopes and latent possibilities.
William Haerer: It was deeply formative. Faculty in the psychology department reinforced discipline, accountability and understanding of people that have stayed with me throughout my career.
Your family has created a multi-generational legacy at UMKC. What do you think kept bringing family members to the university?
Susan Haerer-Deatherage: UMKC has a strong presence in our community. It was a natural choice for me because of its reputation, location and affordability.
Anastasia Spartan: My parents always pushed us to explore higher education. They spoke fondly of their time at UMKC and around the Midtown, Plaza and Brookside areas. When opportunity presented itself to attend and work where my parents and so many family members have, it just felt right.
William Haerer: My mother obtained her degree at UMKC, as did other family members. As a result, connections to UMKC run deep. It's been especially meaningful to be part of a family whose educational journeys are closely tied to UMKC.
Many of you built careers in education, public service, government and community-focused fields. What inspired you to pursue work that impacts the public good?
Paige Zicarelli: I’ve always been drawn to helping others. I have several family members in the healthcare field, and my grandfather owned a pharmacy. This career just seemed like the perfect fit.
Susan Haerer-Deatherage: I wanted a career that would serve a purpose and help make life better for others. My parents set this value by their involvement in my education and in their church, and by their pride in the service they provided in their own careers. My dad used to drive us around and show us the projects he was proud to have worked on as an electrician.
Karen Spartan: My generation came of age at a time people often referred to as the “golden years” of possibilities. However, there was also a lot of tragedy including assassinations of young national leaders and young men’s lives and futures being disrupted by the Vietnam draft. All of this occurred while I was at UMKC. It put a different meaning to what I was learning inside and outside the classroom.
What’s a pivotal moment in your career when you felt a deep sense of purpose or clarity about the path you were on?
Christina Spartan Seneff: In healthcare, real-life situations provide pivotal moments of clarity every day. Working as a member of a care team in the ICU felt very purposeful and provided a variety of emotional experiences.
Susan Haerer-Deatherage: In the 1980s, I was working at the discount window during my career at the Federal Reserve Bank. I served financial institutions by lending them funds to help farmers during planting season and to support them in their concerns for their customers as their bank failed and transitioned to new ownership. These people would be emotional and wanted to do good by their customers, and I was proud to be part of helping them to do just that.
Vanessa Spartan: Currently I work in transportation safety, which is all about preventing injury and death from traffic crashes. It can be grim work, but the partners I have the honor to work with keep me inspired. They all care so deeply about the topic, and they are working so hard, individually and collectively, to truly make a difference. In 2024, Kansas had the lowest recorded traffic fatalities in state history with tracking going back to 1947. In addition, we are on this continuous downward trendline of less lives lost each year. Knowing that I’m a central part of bringing these partners together and saving dozens of lives every year is both humbling and inspiring
Can you describe a challenge you faced in your professional life and how your upbringing or family values helped you navigate it?
William Haerer: While taking 18 hours a semester at UMKC, I also worked in the psychology field at Western Missouri Mental Health and the Kansas Institute. I recognized that I did not want to continue in the psychology field. In discussions with my mother, I told her I always enjoyed working in the food booths at the Renaissance Festival with my family. I chose to pursue my passion in the restaurant industry. This led to an exciting and rewarding career.
Vanessa Spartan: I had a short stint of living, working and going to school in New York City in my upper 20s. Ultimately, I decided that it wasn’t for me and packed up and headed back to Kansas City. At the time, this was tough for me because I typically see things through; it felt like failure. My mom’s wisdom was ‘This is your career and your story to tell. It's up to you to decide the path you want to chart going forward, so do it with confidence that you’re making the best decision for you at this moment in time.’ While I’m thoughtful in my decisions, I also know that sometimes you have to just make the decision, move forward and pivot when necessary, and it's not the end of the world when life presents you with something you weren’t expecting to happen.
Anastasia Spartan: Throughout college, and even as an adult, I struggled to find the right fit. Some might see that as a negative. I know at various times, I was frustrated and overwhelmed with myself. But my parents always encouraged me to keep seeking and would sit with me as I would rattle all my thoughts and facts and nuances. I’ve now realized how fortunate I have been to be in this position, and how perfect a fit I am for my role as a library media specialist.
Looking back on your career, what are some of the most memorable milestones or moments that stand out to you as defining your journey in the profession?
Steve Spartan: I completed several graduate degrees and a Ph.D., but more importantly I gained respect and admiration for my peers and for students I worked with throughout my career.
Paige Zicarelli: Deciding to pursue a post-graduate pharmacy residency and obtaining my current position as an ambulatory-care clinical pharmacy practitioner after aspiring to be in this role for years.
Christina Spartan Seneff: I never had a specific career goal. After receiving my bachelor’s degree in psychology and failing to find suitable employment, I moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. On my mother’s advice, I entered a respiratory therapy program. I passed certification two years later and worked as a staff therapist for 10 years at the George Washington University Hospital in DC. To finally feel self-sustaining and that I was helping people was very satisfying
If you had to describe your family’s professional legacy in a single word or phrase, what would it be and why?
Steve Spartan: We have done well for others and ourselves.
Karen Spartan: Pride – in effort, decision-making and academic and career accomplishments.
Vanessa Spartan: Purposeful. Beyond this group of UMKC alumni in our family, we also have others who have really purposeful academic and career experiences.
What advice would you give to today’s students who are starting out in a rapidly changing world? And to follow that, what’s one piece of wisdom you’ve learned along the way that you wish someone had told you at the beginning of your career?
Susan Haerer-Deatherage: Focus on your education, develop mentors and friendships. Keep an open mind, be flexible and value learning.
Christina Spartan Seneff: Don’t be afraid to change your mind. Tolerate imperfection in yourself and others.
Steve Spartan: The only things you can control are your abilities and your attitude. Work on both.
What is your favorite UMKC memory?
Paige Zicarelli: Being exposed to ambulatory-care pharmacy practice during my second year of pharmacy school in a general medicine rotation. This opened my eyes to a whole new world of pharmacy and I’m very grateful for that!
Vanessa Spartan: Late night work in Epperson House for the urban design studio courses. We were all running on fumes, but I have so many lifelong friends because of those experiences. I also had the opportunity to work in post-Katrina New Orleans with my studio class; I have so many memories from that experience. Through these times together I was exposed to different cultures, traditions and cuisines. Had I not gone to an urban university like UMKC, I may have never had these experiences.
Susan Haerer-Deatherage: Pursuing a degree in economics and math can be a bit intense. I decided to take some literature classes. I became friends with a woman in those literature classes, who had daughters about the same ages as my sons. This chance meeting, in a class not in my degree field, turned into a lifelong friendship. You never know what amazing people you will meet at UMKC.
How did UMKC prepare you for and contribute to your success?
Christina Spartan Seneff: For me, UMKC provided a positive and stimulating environment for intellectual growth. I gained self-confidence and interpersonal skills that stayed with me and serve me still.
William Haerer: It profoundly shaped how I approach leadership, communication and problem-solving.
Paige Zicarelli: UMKC provides students with amazing academic and clinical staff who set great examples for the students and challenge them. It also provides various opportunities for our clinical rotations.
How do you think opportunities for young professionals have changed since you graduated?
Karen Spartan: We are living in an ever-changing world. Careers and work skills will change multiple times in your life. Stay up to date on future trends. Continue to learn and take the opportunities to develop training and education along the way.
Christina Spartan Seneff: Right now, it feels like “tech” is king. It’s necessary now to be somewhat adept at navigating within that world.
Susan Haerer-Deatherage: Young professionals now face challenges that I didn’t experience. Yet, I have seen a tendency in young professionals to be more environmentally conscious and to be more flexible in seeking opportunities and being open to challenges.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from the older generation?
William Haerer: My mother was a single parent of two sons, who worked while pursuing her degree at UMKC. I learned from her how to balance responsibility, perseverance and determination that made it possible to envision a future of choices and opportunities.
Anastasia Spartan: Understanding is an art, character is destiny, don’t fret over the trivial.
Vanessa Spartan: Very little is a true or false dichotomy, there are many shades of gray. Ask questions and pursue improvement.
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Feb 16, 2026
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal’s paintings and photography featured in local exhibition
Starting late February, a different side of UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal will be on view at Englewood Arts, where a curated selection of his paintings and photographs will be exhibited as part of “Impressions, Seen and Felt,” on view Feb. 20 through April 18.
The free exhibition at Englewood Arts, 10901 E. Winner Road in Independence, follows Agrawal’s recent public showing of his work last spring at Second Presbyterian Church in Brookside and offers a curated look at a creative outlet he has cultivated quietly over many years.
Since coming to UMKC in 2018, Agrawal has led Kansas City’s only public research university through a period of significant growth — advancing student success initiatives, improving campus facilities and, most recently, guiding UMKC to Carnegie Research 1 status. An engineer, researcher and former academic leader at the University of Texas at San Antonio, he now oversees a vibrant academic community where the arts play a visible role in campus life.
A self-taught painter and photographer, Agrawal uses art as a personal, restorative counterbalance to his professional life in higher education and engineering. The works featured at Englewood Arts reflect that sensibility: paintings that unfold through exploration rather than rigid planning, and photographs that pause on fleeting, easily overlooked moments. Together, they trace a life shaped by movement, observation and reflection – from India to the Carolinas, Texas and now Missouri.
Ahead of the exhibition’s opening reception on Feb. 20, Agrawal sat down to reflect on how his art has evolved and why creativity matters — not just in galleries, but in leadership, learning and daily life.
This isn’t your first time sharing your work publicly, but this exhibit represents a specific moment in time for you. When you look at the work being shown at Englewood Arts, are certain pieces more representative of where you are now as an artist?
The gallery curator selected the pieces, which ended up being about 14 or 15 paintings along with a group of photographs. Some of the photographs have been shown before, but many haven’t. The gallery will be selling the photographs, and any net proceeds will go directly to the UMKC Student Emergency Fund. I’ve never sold my work before, so I honestly don’t know if even one piece will sell — but whatever does will support students, which I appreciate.
I do think my approach to art has changed over the years. Early on, I was very focused on technique — on making something look ‘right.’ Now, I’m much more comfortable letting the work go where it wants to go, rather than starting with a fixed idea or a firm plan.
I usually begin with a concept, but as the painting develops — either because the idea evolves in my head or because the painting itself seems to ask for something else — I adjust. Maybe it needs more balance, more color, or something that gives it more meaning. It’s never fully planned. It just evolves.
I’ll give you an example. I have a painting that features poppies and a hummingbird. The hummingbird was never part of the plan. I was just painting flowers, but when I stepped back, it felt like the composition needed something more. The painting was calling for it.
That led me to start reading about hummingbirds, and they’ve taken on more meaning for me. They’re really vibrant and colorful — they represent the vibrancy of life. Their wings flap at something like 60 times per second, and the movement of the wing tips makes the shape of an infinity symbol. That sense of the Infinite has found its way into some of my recent work.
Some of the pieces invite viewers to write down what they see or feel. Why was that important to you?
On a few paintings, I shared a word scramble — words that came to mind while I was painting or as I look at the work now. I asked the gallery to provide paper and pencil so viewers could write down what they see.
It’ll be interesting to see whether their impressions line up with mine. But ultimately, it doesn’t matter if they match or not. Art shouldn’t prescribe meaning. It shouldn’t tell you what to think or feel. How we experience art lies in the interaction between the piece and the viewer.
The same is true of poetry, or music. A poem or a song might resonate deeply with one person and not at all with another. That doesn’t make either response wrong. It’s interpretive. If my work has changed over time, it’s moved from technique toward meaning — toward that interpretive space.
Your professional life is highly structured and fast-paced. How does your creative practice fit into that reality?
It’s my quiet time. My meditation time. I paint mostly on weekends, but not every weekend. You have to feel it. I can’t say, ‘I have two hours, I should paint.’ If the urge isn’t there, I don’t force it.
Sometimes months go by where I don’t feel like painting at all. Then all of a sudden, I want to paint all the time — for weeks. It comes in waves. But I’m not doing this professionally. I do it because it brings calm and focus.
How do you know when a piece is finished?
Sometimes I think I’m done, and I’ll hang the piece somewhere and live with it for a while. Over time, I’ll go back and make small changes.
I recently revisited a couple of paintings that were almost 30 years old. The technique wasn’t quite right — the light source in one corner, a shadow that was off. Nobody else noticed it. My wife said, ‘Mauli, that’s been hanging there for 30 years.’ And I said, ‘Yes, and it’s been bothering me for 30 years.’ So, I fixed it.
Most of the time, finishing is about stepping back — literally and figuratively — and deciding whether to leave it alone or return to it later.
Both painting and photography depend on close observation. Has making art changed how you move through the world?
It’s all about observation — taking the time to truly see something. Not always following the beaten path.
Most of the photographs in this collection are very ordinary scenes. Places hundreds or thousands of people pass by every day. But something catches my eye — the way the sky and clouds interact with a house, or how colors and shapes come together in a frame.
A barn, for example, is just a barn. It’s falling apart, decomposing. But if you stop and really look at it, there’s beauty there — even in the rotting wood in the middle of a field. It says something about time.
Those moments are fleeting. You could walk past them and never notice, and nothing would really change. But for me, they matter. Capturing them makes a transient moment permanent.
As an engineer and scientist by training, does your analytical instinct show up in your creative work?
It does. My favorite period in art history is Impressionism. I’m still amazed by how artists used tiny brush strokes and colors — dots that don’t look like much on their own — and your mind assembles them into something whole. Water shimmers. A tree appears at the edge of a lake. It’s abstract, but your brain fills in the gaps. It’s a mind trick.
I used to try to do that more directly. But my training as an engineer made me want everything to be precise. Straight lines. Perfection. Over time, I’ve learned to let that go. When you look closely at paintings in a museum, nothing is perfectly straight. A tree isn’t a straight line. It’s all over the place – almost alive.
I’ve gotten better at not letting precision pin me down.
Many people know you primarily as a university leader. What do you hope viewers understand through this exhibit?
It’s not really about what they should understand about me. It’s what they might understand about themselves.
All of us are multifaceted. At UMKC, I play a leadership role, and I expect excellence from my team. But once I find people who share that commitment, I think of them as friends. I care about who they are beyond their job titles.
We’re too eager, as a society, to put people in boxes. Chancellor. Painter. Engineer. But none of us are one-dimensional.
When I taught first-year biomedical engineering students, I used to show them images of my patents — and then images of my artwork. They were like, ‘What is this?’ And I’d challenge them: the core inventive part of your brain is the same, whether you’re creating technology or art. You need to work to develop both. The more you embrace your creative side, the better you’ll be at everything else you do.
I was told early in my academic career that I’d burn out if I didn’t have another outlet. For me, painting is that outlet. Sometimes I go to my basement studio with a cup of coffee, turn on music and disconnect from everything else. It’s my happy place. And sometimes, we all need that.
Kansas City has a strong arts and cultural community. How has living here influenced you?
I love how deeply Kansas City is invested in the arts — both the visual and performing arts. I don’t think people realize how rare that is. In many major metropolitan cities, you sit in traffic for hours to get to a museum or theater. Here, we have access, depth and quality.
When my wife Sue and I moved here, I didn’t expect that. It was a great surprise. It’s an incredibly inspirational place to be. We’re very lucky.
“Impressions, Seen and Felt” opens with a public reception 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb.20, at Englewood Arts, and will remain on view through April 18. Works for sale benefit the UMKC Student Emergency Fund.
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Feb 16, 2026
RooMentum Pathways expansion reflects UMKC’s growing role in building the region’s future workforce
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is expanding its investment in regional workforce development in Kansas by adding Kansas City Kansas Community College as a new partner institution in the university’s RooMentum Pathways program.
RooMentum Pathways creates a seamless transfer experience for students at partner community colleges, providing clear academic pathways, advising support and guaranteed transfer options for students who plan to continue their education at UMKC. By reducing barriers and increasing access to four-year degrees, the program helps students move more efficiently from education to high-demand careers that fuel the regional economy. UMKC Assistant Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Doug Swink said the expansion of RooMentum to include KCKCC strengthens the university’s commitment to supporting education access and workforce development for the region.
“RooMentum reduces barriers to completion while preparing graduates to contribute immediately to the Kansas City economy,” Swink said. “We are grateful for KCKCC’s partnership in aligning the workforce pipeline with high-demand careers,”KCKCC joins Johnson County Community College and Metropolitan Community College as RooMentum partners in Kansas and Missouri. The expanding program reflects UMKC’s continued commitment to building strong, cross-state education and workforce pipelines that meet the region’s evolving talent needs, including in Kansas, and aligns with broader initiatives such as Critical Materials Crossroads, a National Science Foundation-finalist effort to strengthen innovation, industry collaboration and workforce readiness in advanced and emerging sectors. In addition to the RooMentum Pathways program, UMKC also participates in industry partnerships, like Amazon’s Career Choice program, to align education with workforce needs across the region. By investing in multiple career advancement pathways, cross-state collaboration and workforce-aligned education, UMKC is helping ensure students in Kansas are prepared to meet the demands of the economy today while driving future growth of the Kansas City region.Students in the RooMentum Pathway program have access to advising and degree planning services at UMKC even before they transfer, ensuring every credit counts toward earning a bachelor’s degree. In addition, once students complete an associate degree, they will be guaranteed to receive a merit-based scholarship of $2,500 or $3,500, reserved for transfer students. “We are proud to partner with UMKC in creating more seamless transfer pathways for our students,” said Brady Beckman, director of Student Success and Retention at KCKCC. “Together, we’re building a stronger bridge between our institutions and opening doors to new opportunities for KCKCC graduates.”
Feb 11, 2026
UMKC Student Emergency Fund helps students overcome unexpected financial hurdles and stay in school
For many college students, persistence and hard work aren’t enough to guarantee stability. Even with scholarships, jobs and careful budgeting, one unexpected expense can put years of hard work at risk.
The Student Emergency Fund at UMKC exists for those moments. A broken lease. A delayed paycheck. An emergency expense that can’t wait. When these short-term financial crises could otherwise force a student to pause or abandon their dream, the emergency fund helps students navigate those emergencies so they can stay focused on their education and continue building their future. Anna Zimmerman is manager of the UMKC Financial Wellness Center. Her office provides individualized financial coaching to students. She’s seen the fund help students in a broad array of situations including security deposits for safe living arrangements, car repairs, emergency room visits, critical medications, even academic-related expenses, like board exams and musical equipment. “I love this fund because we give students the space to tell us what is happening in their lives and to share what support would be most helpful for them,” Zimmerman said. “In some cases, students only need $100 or $200 to stay in school. In other cases, it can be more. In every case, students come to us with legitimate concerns and fears.”
A Lifeline During Sudden Setbacks
Track athlete and master’s student Shavelle Shaw (B.B.A. ’24, B.A. ‘24) is no stranger to adversity or perseverance. Shaw came to UMKC from Jamaica to pursue an ambitious path: dual degrees in business and computer science while competing as a student-athlete on the track team. She balanced coursework, training, leadership roles and campus jobs until an unexpected housing crisis threatened to derail everything. Just weeks into the semester, Shaw learned her landlord was turning her home into a short-term rental property. She would have to leave her apartment with little notice. Shaw had academic and athletic scholarships, and was working, but all of that simply wasn’t enough to get her through this unexpected obstacle. All her careful planning and budgeting was turned on its head because of a circumstance that was both unforeseeable and outside her control. As an international student far from home, the uncertainty was overwhelming. Thankfully, Shaw learned about important resources that could help. She reached out to Roland Hemmings, assistant director of student support services. “He didn't even hesitate to try to help me. He was just on it,” Shaw said. Hemmings led her to Taylor Blackmon, basic needs coordinator at UMKC, who helped Shaw access emergency resources. She was connected to immediate support, including temporary housing solutions and access to the Student Emergency Fund, giving her stability when she needed it most. “One thing I love most about UMKC is they have a lot of resources,” Shaw said. “There are so many hidden resources that I, myself, didn't even know about before. I definitely have found a community here, which is really helpful to just getting through finding that path to success.” Shaw thrived in her undergraduate program, working multiple jobs on campus, completing an internship with Community America and working for the bank as a seasonal loan servicing specialist, all while competing for the UMKC track team. But as it often does, life dealt another blow. Shaw’s car quit working and expenses for the track team hit around the same time. She was lucky enough to have a roommate who could give her a ride on occasion, but the Uber fees piled up when she couldn’t. Limiting Shaw’s ability to earn income, her student visa limited the number of hours she was allowed to work. “Everything was just starting to rack up,” Shaw said. “I realized even if I maxed out my hours on campus, I would still not be able to clear the balance, so I reached out and requested some funds, and thankfully I got them.”
Why Emergency Support Matters
Financial emergencies don’t wait for a convenient time. Through the individualized financial coaching her office provides, Zimmerman sees first-hand that for students already stretching their resources, even a short disruption can have long-term consequences. For those students, the support is as emotional as it is practical. “These students are resourceful,” Zimmerman said. “They’ve done their research, they’ve budgeted and they still run into situations that would throw anyone’s financial plans off. Our emergency fund tells them, ‘We see how hard you’re working. We’re glad you’re here. Let us take a turn.’” Zimmerman said while the emergency fund is an incredible resource, there are times when the need exceeds the funds available. “In these cases, a student has shared an immediate need, we’ve reviewed and confirmed that need is legitimate and yet we don’t have the funds to fill the request,” she said. That’s where donors make a big impact. “We are so incredibly grateful to the donors who share our desire to support these students and hope to be able to continue and expand this work to meet the evolving needs of our student community,” Zimmerman said.
“These students are resourceful. They’ve done their research, they’ve budgeted and they still run into situations that would throw anyone’s financial plans off. Our emergency fund tells them, ‘We see how hard you’re working. We’re glad you’re here. Let us take a turn.’” —
Anna Zimmerman, manager, UMKC Financial Wellness Center
An Investment in Student Success
For Shaw, timely support meant staying enrolled, continuing her training and moving forward to graduate with two bachelor’s degrees. She is now completing her Master of Finance degree at the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management. Recently, her laptop that she needs for school broke. While it’s still stressful, Shaw now knows she doesn’t have to sweat the small stuff. The student emergency fund is there to help.
“To have a resource like that available makes me feel secure,” Shaw said. “I'm going to try all of my other options first, but worst-case scenario, I have this to rely on.” Shaw is on track to graduate with her master’s degree in May. She remains deeply involved in campus leadership and is committed to paying forward the support she received, including referring other students she knows to support resources like the emergency fund. “There are students out there who are trying their hardest to find ways to make ends meet,” Shaw said. “They're extending themselves to find that finance or just the funding in general, and sometimes just that little help goes a far way.” To the donors who make the emergency fund possible, Shaw has just one message. “I would just say thank you,” she said. “I have someone who is supporting me, someone who is investing in my education and just having that thought goes a long way.”
Give to the Student Emergency Fund
Feb 06, 2026
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.
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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 Fame 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 (B.A. '25) 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 (B.A. ’04, M.A. ’06), 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 (Ed.S. ’82), 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 RailsbackArchi 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 BradshawXavier BrandhorstLacey BraunCaleb BridgesJoshua BrinerShafter BriscoeBen BrownRand BrownNathan BrownKam BryantKaiden BryantGarrett BryerAbigail BuckLily BuckendahlEthan BuiKayla BurbachBk BurkaJoel BurkartJack BurnosMallory BurtonMarcus ButlerKyle ButlerCooper BuzbeeBenjamin CalcaraEsteban CalderonJoshua CanadyJudi CavenderNoah ChapmanMuhammad ChaudhryXingyu ChenMichael ChesterGuillermo ChinchillaJediael ChinthaRuth ChowCatherine ChrobakCameron CiancioloJordan ClappDominic ColbertTanisha ConyersJuan Corral-Galindo.Liv CourtneyElmer CristobalConnor CroninPrincess CullomAndrew CustisChristina CuttsMuzan DaffaallahMohammed DaghmoushMichael D'AgostinoEthan DangJohnny DaoAri DaskaleasCaitlyn DavisTanner DavisReagan DavisSafae DbaibiRJ DedertJenifer DelgadoMiguel DeltoroNoah DevlinOpjeet DhanoaAashi DhariaJohnny DiepKyla DinhJohnson DinhSavannah DitzfeldKhoa DoJenny DoanMakenzie DobbinsTaylor DreschLogan DudleyKyra DunfordDuy DuongCharlotte DuttonReed EasonTyler EavesSarah EbenezerBhavana EdigaAlice EggenMaryam El-DemerdashMohamed ElgasimNouran ElhiweejAnthony EppelheimerKatelyn ErceIsabel EsauChristian Farfan-CentenoArsala FatimaElizabeth FeldkampChristopher FernandezSienna FickenKariana FisherKellyanne FlahertyIsaac FleerIlse Flores HernandezAdamaris Flores ValadezAlex Fonseca VarelaEthan FordEmilie ForrestLogan FortnerKylan FosterClaudia Frances SerranoGissel Frias FraireDantae FrileyPeyton FryRemica FunderburkJohn GachSaivi GadiKrishna GandhamShreeya GandhiWill GannanWilliam GarayBella GarciaAntonia GarciaChad GardnerAustin GeiseElaina GenovaLogan GeorgeAdrina GeorgeAlex GhasemiClaire GiettCesar GinerCody GlassbrennerAislee GonzalezMirka GonzalezAllie GraceAngel Gracida-BasurtoMichael GreenMaura GrijalvaEthan GrossBen GroweNeha GuruswamyElla GuyearJosh HafnerSophia HaiCarter HallMathias HamSara HamidNik HamiltonCharlene HansenEli HansenZach HardeeAxaveon HardinCierra HarrisAela HartnettKadence HarveyMahmood HassanTaiba HayadMuskaan HayerDominic HeaterSaghar HekmatpourBen HelusEmily HendersonEmma HendricksElbert HenriquezCaleb HenzeSam HermanTroy HermannChris HernandezLisset Hernandez VazquezAlexander HerrSelena HerreraJennifer HerreraKatarina HertellNasma HijazCassidy HillAnna HoangTrenton HoeflickerIzzy HogelinTobias HoldenIsabel HolthouseMcKenna HoodAnisha HoqeClement HorlanderMadhav HotaDanny HowardMaung HtooSydney HubbardCameron HuddlestonKona HudsonTimothy HuffAidan HughesAustin HughesDalton HuntleySarah HuskeySalman HussainBawaan HussainDaniel HuynhAisha IbitoyeWesley IdahosaAshlyn ImanSufyan ImranUmaiyyah ImranAaliyah IngramSaid IsakovHeer IshanparaIbrahim IssackJason JacksonJailyn JacksonConnor JacoberLillie JacobsKate JacobsenAaditya JadhavKamron JafariAkerth JainSteven JalinskyNatasha JamaIsabella JanuarySai Sindhu JavvajiClaire JenkinsonNikita JohnAshli JohnsonMark JohnsonCaleb JohnsonKate JohnstonJacob JonasKevin JonesKate JonesOliver JonesAikim KabaMalak Kamil QastomaPavan Krishna KarriReagan KastnerAbhinav KatyalDavid KeltnerMatt KentRahhaf KhalilShree KhambekarSean KhanHannah KhanZawni KhineWei Shen KhooLuke KilgoreKendall KingeryBraeden KingsolverCaitlin KirkendollAlyx KlementElijah KlineKat KnightZach KnuthBrylie KovarKai KowalczewskiHudson KropKwasi KwakyeLizzy LaffoldBrandon LaingJade LambertzBrooklyn LandwehrCalvin LarisonGentry LarsonAlex LeLoc LeChristina LeLance LeAusten LeckbeeEmanuel LefeboDeming LeiMick LeinbachCurtis LemkeSamantha LetourneauCat LewinBrett LewisJack LewisAlex LiPerry LiangDevin LinTroy LitleBenjamin LiuAnthony LopezAlana LopezJuan LopezNatalia LopezThomas LopezTiffany LorShuang LuoDel LutsenhizerVivian LyAbdullahi MaalimAndrew MaaloufMaximiliano Macias BustillosChinmayee MageshZack MagnusonAnvitha MakkenaIhor MalanchukLeher MalhotraAtlas MallamsNikitha MandlaRylan MansfieldEvan MantonyaChandi MarshMatthew MarszalekSidney MartinAlexia Martinez ArambulaJanet Martinez DimasHannah MathewAlexa MatoushekJulian MatrasWyatt MatthewsAleena MazharJosh McAnerneyAndrew McDanielKoby MckindryHayden McnallanKeegan McRobertsLeah MengAbreham MesfinNick MilesChase MinnickBranden MitchellJaxen MitchellJonathan MitchellDevin ModdeNihal ModuguAbdul MohammedDarko MohammedSumaiya MohamudJackson MontaigneFatima Montoya ValdezKyle MoorKatelyn MooreWesley MooreGrace MoppinAlexander Moreno PerezPeter MorganEthan MorickDenny MosbyTaylor MosleyMaria Eduarda MottaAnoosha MubashirManaf MubaslatJordan MuellerMousa MusalletPrithvi NagarajanTiffany NdauwaJack NeerMitul NeerubaiLiam NeidigAlly NeidlingerJaden NelsonJake NelsonJimmy NgoTommy NgoTommy NguyenJennifer NguyenVincent NguyenNhat NguyenEthan NguyenBrandon NguyenCindy NguyenMason NguyenChristine NguyenKevin NguyenThuan NguyenCecilia NguyenNick NguyenThy NguyenBrian NguyenScott NguyenNatalie NguyenGretschen NicholNoah NicholsRumesa NisarBaktash NooranySpencer NormanEthan NorrisMicah NovakAndrew O'DellDemilade OgunleyeSemire Olatunde-SalawuDreyton O'LaughlinMary OldhamSergio OlivasCaden OllarVictoria OlusanyaJocabed Olvera-SantosNatalie OwensGunner PaceVaishali PadarthyBrayton PalmaWilliam PalmerJazmin ParraWill ParrishGavin ParuchAna PastoraJai PatelPari PatelAnika PattonBarrett PaulsonChristian PazosEllie PeisterNoah PersonRyan PetersKendall PetersonHallee PhamHanson PhanHuynh PhanHieu PhanAvery PhelpsJuan Pineda GomezCarter PittsAudrey PlunkettAnshu PodarallaAnjie PopoolaNicholas PorterSai Praneeth PothuriIan PowellOliver PowellTyler PrinceCamille ProssOlyvia PughBreckynn PughWylie PutnamRage PutzlerAmari QuinlanNachiket RajinikanthRiya RajputDiana RamirezMarteen RedmanAlexis ReedRuben RenteriaIsabel ReyesLexi RickerDonald RieadMitchell RiegerixSokly RinEric RizoHenry RobertsKiley RobertsKenzi RobinetteNevaeh RobinsonBen RobinsonDaisy Rocha GonzalezCarson RocheMadeline RockwoodViger RomoTimothy RonoTyler RossFargol RozatiTyler RufAnthony RuizEmery RuliffsonKenna RyalsBrice SagnonNoore SaharBrian SaladinoRamiz SalamounDelan SalehJinan SalemGabbi SanchezDori SandritterMadhava SangarajuPreston SantoSofia SarrisSamantha SaunsaucieEthan SchaeferRyan SchaeferAshland SchaumannBrooks SchererLogan SchmoeMakayla SchulzJason SchumacherLogan SchwartzSyed ShahPayton ShanahanQuinten ShanksParanjay SharmaBailey SharpRiyana SheikhnoorUliana ShulunovaRainy ShweAbeeha SiddiquiWilliam SikorskiSofia SilvaTheo SimpsonAtlas SizemoreJared SmentkowskiLarry SmithKendal SmithJadan SmithKatie SmithKaleb SmithAlex SmithermanOwen SneadTheo SnyderJose SosaGabriel SousouJulia SponenbergVarun SridharDecker StarrPeter SternAlex StinsonAlex StoreyJaiden StottsAndrew StrickSebastian Strong-HuffIsaac StuckGeorge SullivanAndrew SwopesEd Szczuka JrDaniel TafesseAlex TangJunior Tanyi BateJeremiah TesfayeAurora TheilenAnnie TheneDiyana TialMady TiptonVignesh TiruvannamalaiMichelle TranVincent TranChau TranRyder TranBen TranaMegan TruongAbby TruongMya TurnerLevi TurnerShruthika UduthuriLauren UkenaSebashton UnderhillJoseph UrassaJordy Urbina-GuardadoCaroline UrioNathan ValencicTheodore Van SickleMaria VanBockernAkshaj VariathJovany Velasquez FloresJanani Venkat RamananMichael ViermannLukas ViskovicKevin VoBrian VoEthan VolkerMyati VonziahHaseeb VoraGracie WagnerHay WahJoe WalkerLucas WallaceZihao WangKuoCheng WangLily WarnerBlake WarnerNoah WatkinsFinley WatsonMia WeaverNico WeberJoe WeeksJacob WeidleApollos WeissenfluhJuice WildeLevi WilhelmLandon WillardIsaac WilliamsTomie WilliamsFaith WilsonCole WiseAlyssa WoodSavannah WoodyIzaak WorkmanGracie WrightJohn WuJosue XilojVincent YangEllie YuLeilany Zarco-AguirreKevin ZhangRuixi ZhangYuchen ZhangPresley Ziegenbein
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.”
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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.”
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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