Alexis Petri, EdD, is the Director of the Diane Filion Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence. In her role, Dr. Petri collaborates with the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs to orchestrate a broad array of faculty development initiatives. Her responsibilities include facilitating, designing, coordinating, promoting, implementing, evaluating, and documenting the outcomes of UMKC’s faculty support programs.

Central to her role, Dr. Petri ensures that the Center’s activities align with the ongoing needs of UMKC faculty while advancing the university’s mission. This includes delivering evidence-based professional learning and resources that enhance teaching effectiveness, research and creative success, career development, and impactful service, engagement, and leadership.

With over two decades of experience in faculty support and professional learning, Dr. Petri has been a pivotal member of the CAFE leadership team for the last three years. She initially joined as a pillar lead at CAFE's inception in the summer of 2021 and more recently took on the additional role of Director of the Office of Research Development. Additionally, Dr. Petri holds an appointment as Associate Research Professor in the Division of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Foundations at the School of Education.