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, SpainFor 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 attending a Gilman information session, which helped prepare her for the application process.
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 will walk 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 did finish two years of law school. This weekend he’ll walk across the stage at Commencement, where he’ll be the cutest one in a cap and gown.
Nugget is a seven-year-old Golden Retriever and law student Rebekah Arwood’s 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.”
With Arwood’s graduation, Nugget’s time as a law student is coming to 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.”
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.
Interior wall framing is progressing throughout the facility. Crews have begun installing drywall and insulating piping and ductwork. Overhead mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire‑protection systems are advancing steadily. On the exterior, the installation of metal panels at the penthouse is nearing completion, and the curtain wall system is now fully in place. Remaining fire‑hydrant connections and roofing installation are nearing completion.
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 will begin late spring 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 their 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 Saturday, June 25 at Roo Plaza. 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.
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