University of Missouri-Kansas City Chancellor Mauli Agrawal delivered his annual State of the University address on Sept. 24, highlighting the momentum that has positioned UMKC for what he called an "era of big leaps." From record research growth and transformational campus projects to student success and bold new initiatives, Agrawal outlined how the university is building on years of progress to reach new heights.

“UMKC has been riding high on a huge wave of momentum for the past few years,” Agrawal said. “But I wonder each year, how do we go even higher? What should be the driver? The goal should be simply the chase of excellence, the mindset that each of us does our job a bit better than we did yesterday.

“That’s how we have been gaining momentum – and that’s exactly how and why we are ready for what I believe will be an era of big leaps for UMKC.”

Research

Research remains one of UMKC's fastest-rising areas of excellence. UMKC’s projected research expenditures for the upcoming year are about $95 million, an increase of 20% over last year's record of $79 million and a dramatic jump from the $55 million recorded when UMKC received Carnegie R1 research status. The university also doubled its grant success rate, increasing from 17% to 33% of submitted proposals, while continuing to grow invention disclosures that help move discoveries toward commercialization.

The chancellor specifically highlighted a few faculty members driving that momentum:

• Peter Koulen, director of research at the UMKC Vision Research Center, who was recently named a Curators' Distinguished Professor. Koulen has secured more than $65 million in research funding from major agencies, including the National Institute of Health and the U.S. Department of Defense.
• School of Nursing and Health Studies researcher Joey Lightner, whose work earned a Fulbright Award and a new $3 million Health Resources and Services Administration grant.
•  Jeff Johnson of Henry W. Bloch School of Management, who studies the effects of small glitches in video calls. In research published in Nature, Johnson and colleagues found that brief freezes or distorted images can subtly reduce social connection and make people appear less trustworthy, credible or likable — even when communication remains clear.
• Valeria Pfeifer, assistant professor in the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences, whose published study suggests our daily conversations are shrinking, with people speaking 300 less words each day. Her work received widespread international and national media coverage.

Transformative Projects Reshaping Campus

Major construction and renovation projects are changing both the look and functionality of UMKC's campuses. Just one day before the address, the university broke ground on a $41 million Conservatory expansion designed to provide modern spaces that match the quality of its nationally recognized performing arts programs.

The renovated Atterbury Student Success Center will have a grand re-opening on Oct. 20 and will serve as the new hub for student services and a front door for prospective students and families. The largest facilities project in university history, the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building, is expected to open in February 2027. The building will house dental clinics, advanced medical simulation labs, the UMKC Health Equity Institute and other academic and research programs that support both education and community health.

Community Engagement and Impact

UMKC continues to strengthen partnerships throughout the region and create new ways to deepen ties with the community. The university recently launched its Corporate Concierge Services, a new initiative designed to help businesses and organizations in the community connect more easily with UMKC for expertise, programs, talent and resources.

“As the community’s higher education anchor, we are here to serve not just our students, but also our community,” Agrawal said.

The upcoming launch of the Chancellor Distinguished Lecture Series will bring world-renowned thinkers to campus while creating opportunities for community engagement and public dialogue. The inaugural speaker on Nov. 5 will be Nobel Prize-winning physicist Kip Thorne, who also served as executive producer and consultant for Christopher Nolan’s popular movie “Interstellar.”

Kansas City Athletics is also making big moves in the community, with NCAA Division I basketball returning to Municipal Auditorium this fall.

Student Success

For the first time in more than a decade, UMKC is celebrating year-over-year enrollment growth. Undergraduate enrollment increased nearly 3%, while the university is on pace to enroll more than 1,000 transfer students for the first time since Fall 2020. First-generation students continue to make up a majority of the undergraduate population, and first-year freshman retention is projected to exceed what was seen last year.

Agrawal also showcased several examples of students whose accomplishments embody the “why” of UMKC.

• Sarah George, a B.A./M.D. student at the School of Medicine. George is one of only seven recipients of the prestigious 2026 Remington R. Williams Award and is founder of UMKC’s first medical student-led Days for Girls chapter.
• Andrew Bonnett, a fourth-year School of Dentistry student. Bonnet was celebrated for showcasing resilience and perseverance as he returned to the classroom after undergoing cancer treatment.
• Tiko Tamiru, a business student at the Bloch School. Tamiru was recognized for combining academic excellence with entrepreneurial success, building a growing business while maintaining a perfect GPA.

“Nothing makes my day more than visiting with one of our incredible students or hearing them talk about how we helped one of them achieve their dreams,” Agrawal said. “After all, that’s why they are here. To make their own big leaps in life.”

Next Big Leaps

While the chancellor’s speech focused on recent accomplishments, Agrawal spent considerable time discussing opportunities that could define UMKC's future. Chief among them is the National Science Foundation's Critical Materials Crossroads Engine award, that UMKC recently secured, worth up to $160 million. The initiative is projected to bring together hundreds of partners while helping generate economic growth, investment and jobs across the region.

Agrawal also highlighted the momentum behind UMKC's Blue & Bold campaign. Less than one year after its launch, the university is already well past the halfway point toward its ambitious $700 million fundraising goal. The campaign’s momentum reflects confidence from alumni and donors who are investing in the university's future and helping fuel its next era of growth.

The chancellor also pointed to some exciting opportunities the university has coming up.

• AI Academy, a credential system outside of course credit that students can use to become more familiar with AI and its responsible use. Faculty and staff will also have corresponding modules for training.
• The Student Affairs division at UMKC has a plan to reimagine Residential Life, calling for a refresh to both the physical look-and-feel of buildings and programming to better serve students living on campus.
• A new faculty industry sabbaticals pilot program will be implemented in Spring 2027, giving faculty opportunities to share their knowledge with area companies and refresh their expertise with industry exposure.
• UMKC will seek Board of Curators’ approval for its first shorter duration bachelor’s degree in social work, to speed the time from college to career. This offering would allow students to obtain their degrees in 94 hours instead of the traditional 120.

“We cannot predict the future, but we should forever be that anchor university that this city and region can always count on, steady but always looking to innovate and lead,” Agrawal said. “And that’s why I need all of you to dream big, decide on the next big leaps and take them with confidence.”

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