UMKC

Kansas City, meet your first Carnegie R1 university: UMKC! This designation places us among the top 6% of research universities in the country—right here in the heart of KC. From finding solutions to critical healthcare challenges to exploring advancements in technology and the arts, our work impacts the community we proudly call home. R1 status means more resources, more opportunities and more innovation right here in Kansas City. 🔗umkc.edu/news/posts/202…

We had a ball with our partner @SportingKC at our TeamSmile event. Students from the UMKC School of Dentistry provided much-needed dental care at Sporting Park.⚽💙

Congratulations, Class of 2026! We're proud of every Roo who graduated and can't wait to see what's next. Learn more about Commencement: umkc.edu/news/posts/202…

From CPKC Stadium to UMKC, the @kcstreetcar Riverfront extension is officially open! Now, you can ride from the Volker Campus all the way to the riverfront to cheer on the @thekccurrent.

Happy Commencement to all of our grads! It's our favorite day to celebrate our Roos🎓

It's our favorite day of the year! We love watching our Roos walk across the stage at Commencement. Watch the second ceremony live: vimeo.com/event/5933272/…

Every semester, outstanding graduating students are named UMKC Dean of Students Honor Recipients. This semester, 20 students were recognized for their academic achievements, service and leadership. Congratulations to all! Learn more about the students: umkc.edu/news/posts/202…

The Roos are heading back downtown! Joined by @MayorLucasKC and City Manager Mario Vasquez (MSERE '14), we announced today that @KCRoosMBB and @KCRoosWBB will return for games at Municipal Auditorium. This partnership marks a new era for Kansas City Athletics and a defining moment for the city. 🏀 Learn more about the Roos' return to downtown Kansas City: umkc.edu/news/posts/202…

We hosted students from Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, St. Teresa's Academy and Raytown High School for Pigments and Politics, a National Humanities Center 2026 Being Human Festival event. Students learned about the history and significance of paint and color, explored the story of the UMKC Quintanilla murals, and then painted a “mural” of their own. #BeingHumanFestUS

Congratulations to Media, Art and Design adjunct professor Brian Hawkins (B.A. ’11) for being selected as a 2026 Guggenheim Fellowship! Hawkins is one of only 223 recipients across the United States and Canada to receive this year's fellowship. He joins only seven other UMKC faculty members to have received the Guggenheim honor. As an alumnus, UMKC supported his journey in a way that may differ from students who attended a stand-alone arts school. Learn more about Hawkins' journey: umkc.edu/news/posts/202…

Join us in celebrating the Class of 2026 May 16 at the T-Mobile Center. Choreographer and performer Kameron N. Saunders (B.F.A.) will speak at our 10 a.m. ceremony. Nationally renowned breast health advocate @amykpatel (BLA ’10/M.D. ’11) will speak at the 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. ceremonies.

The UMKC Conservatory's facility expansion will 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 on the east side of building that will stretch toward Volker Boulevard. Learn more about the Conservatory’s transformative expansion: umkc.edu/news/posts/202…

We had so much fun cheering on the @Royals during UMKC Day at The K. Roo, Roo, Root for the Royals! ⚾

The UMKC School of Law mock trial team just became national champions! The team of Karima Burns, Bethany Halstead and Kaleb Miller bested more than 300 teams from around the country, going undefeated in the process. In addition to the team win, Karima Burns was named Best Advocate in the Nation at the tournament. Read more about the team's win: umkc.edu/news/posts/202…

Meet UMKC Chief Academic Officer and Provost Jenny Lundgren, Ph.D., a 2026 Icon of Education by Ingram's Magazine! This recognition reflects both her impact at UMKC and her influence across Kansas City’s higher education landscape. We sat down and talked to her about UMKC and its forward momentum. Read more: umkc.edu/news/posts/202…

The inaugural Research and Innovation Excellence Awards recognized UMKC faculty whose work is advancing discovery, improving lives and shaping the future of the region and beyond. Congratulations to the awardees! Learn more about the awards and awardees: umkc.edu/news/posts/202…

UMKC School of Medicine faculty researchers Jenifer Allsworth, Ph.D., and Jannette Berkley-Patton, Ph.D., have received $4 million in funding from the @NIH to partner with Kansas City churches on a community-based study aimed at preventing diabetes in African American communities. Read more about the grant: umkc.edu/news/posts/202…

@amykpatel @KUcancercenter @KUMedicine We're proud to call you a Roo and our Alumna of the Year 💙💛

Words cannot express how honored I was yesterday to receive The @UMKC Alumna of the Year Award. UMKC really laid the foundation of who I am today, and I am so appreciative of the University and all that it’s given me and continues to give. Like I said in my speech, “I don’t take lightly that I’m only the third person chosen from @UMKCmedschool in the history of this award and the first female physician. I may be the first female, but I most certainly won’t be the last.” Thank you, UMKC, and I will continue to strive to pay-it-forward to patients, my profession, and the community-at-large as you engrained that mentality in all of us. #RoosDo

UMKC launched the largest campaign in its history: Blue & Bold. The university is six months into this transformative effort, so 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. Read the full Q&A: umkc.edu/news/posts/202…

UMKC is a FirstGen Forward Network Champion, and the only university in Missouri to achieve this designation! With nearly 60% of our students identifying as first-generation, this top honor recognizes our commitment to their success and places UMKC among a select group leading the nation as model institutions. Learn more about our Network Champion status: umkc.edu/news/posts/202…

The Future Starts Today. #ROOUP