UMKC Top Choice for 2023 Hispanic Development Fund Scholarship Recipients

The University of Missouri-Kansas City is the No. 1 choice for 60 high school students and 50 current students who received Hispanic Development Fund scholarships for the next academic year.

The event recognizing the scholarship recipients was both informational and a celebration. Continue reading “UMKC Top Choice for 2023 Hispanic Development Fund Scholarship Recipients”

Donor Support Expands UMKC Teacher Education Programs

SchoolSmartKC funding accelerates student recruitment and program development

Funding from SchoolSmartKC supports the UMKC School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences in growing programs to further meet the critical need for educators, particularly in the urban core. Continue reading “Donor Support Expands UMKC Teacher Education Programs”

Counseling Student Establishes Scholarship to Honor Professor

A new profession led to mentoring relationship, gift

Martha Childers, M.A. ‘08, EDSP ‘13 decided to become a counselor after working in libraries for 38 years. An influential relationship with Johanna Nilsson, Ph.D., a professor in counseling psychology, led to a gift to UMKC to establish the Johanna E. Nilsson Scholarship for Diversity and Courage in Psychology. Continue reading “Counseling Student Establishes Scholarship to Honor Professor”

Berkley Establishes Literacy Award for Educators

Focus on kindergarten through third grade literacy has long-term impact

Moved by the ramifications of children’s inability to read at grade level by third grade, Kansas City civic leader and dedicated education donor, Bert Berkley, has established an endowed fund of $50,000 to support the Bert Berkley Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Literacy at UMKC. Continue reading “Berkley Establishes Literacy Award for Educators”

Sherman and Sunderland Gifts Amplify Education Program Success

Foundation support accelerates Institute for Urban Education growth, progress

Despite the challenges of the last year, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Urban Education (IUE) in the School of Education is successfully affecting student success and teacher retention through its programming in urban schools, thanks in part to significant and steady support from major donors. Continue reading “Sherman and Sunderland Gifts Amplify Education Program Success”

Scholarship and Determination Lead to Success

by Patricia O’Dell

Ka Baw Say immigrated to the United States with his older brother and sister when he was 19 years old.  The Thomas and Theresa Sullivan Scholarship he received in 2018 enabled him to improve his education and his life.

“We wanted a good future,” says Say of him and his siblings.  “Our parents did not come with us.  They were worried, but they didn’t want to stop us.  They wanted us to have a good life.” Continue reading “Scholarship and Determination Lead to Success”

Honoring an Educational Visionary

UMKC remembers longtime friend Hugh Zimmer

The University of Missouri-Kansas City celebrates the impact of a longtime friend, generous donor and educational visionary, Hugh J. Zimmer (1930-2019).

Zimmer was the retired chairman of Zimmer Companies. His impact on Kansas City, and on UMKC, would be difficult to overestimate. Continue reading “Honoring an Educational Visionary”

Eric Camburn Named Chair Urban Research Center

The UMKC School of Education has appointed Eric Camburn, Ph.D., as the Sherman Family Foundation Endowed Chair and Director of the Urban Education Research Center, holding the appointment of professor in the Division of Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations. Continue reading “Eric Camburn Named Chair Urban Research Center”