The University of Missouri-Kansas City recognized more than 20 faculty members across the university in the 2024 Faculty Awards celebration. Awards were given for research and scholarship, teaching and mentorship, diversity, engagement, service and leadership.

The ceremony began with remarks from Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jennifer Lundgren who shared her appreciation for the faculty at UMKC.

“Your contributions and success reach beyond the classroom, lab or stage,” said Lundgren. “As involved as you are here on campus, you contribute to the community in a way that reflects our philosophy that we are ‘Kansas City’s top university.’”

Chancellor Mauli Agrawal thanked faculty for choosing UMKC.

“This is one of my favorite events because we have the opportunity to celebrate you – our outstanding faculty,” said Agrawal. “UMKC and Kansas City are fortunate that you choose to work and research here.”

The event concluded with recognizing faculty members a part of UMKC Faculty Senate and the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence, followed by a reception in the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center lobby. 

Congratulations to the 2024 awardees:

Research Awards

N.T. Veatch Award for Distinguished Research and Creativity

Timothy Cox, School of Dentistry

Trustees’ Faculty Scholar Award

Shizhen Wang, School of Science and Engineering

Mohammad Rafiee, School of Science and Engineering

Teaching Awards

Elmer F. Pierson Good Teaching Awards

John Ball, School of Dentistry

Christopher Garmon, Henry W. Bloch School of Management

Steve Leben, School of Law

Angela Myers, School of Medicine

Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching: early career faculty

Brandi Bowers, School of Pharmacy

Patrick Brayer, School of Law

Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching: mid-career/senior faculty

Paul Barron, School of Science and Engineering

Gayle Levy, School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Provost’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring

Karen Savage, Conservatory

Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Researchers, Scholars and Artists

Debra Leiter, School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Joey Lightner, School of Nursing and Health Studies

Mohammad Rafiee, School of Science and Engineering

Diversity, Engagement and Leadership Award

Chancellor’s Award for Embracing Diversity

Theresa Torres, School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Community Engagement

Alberto Villamandos, School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Fengpeng Sun, School of Science and Engineering 

Leadership and Career Contributions Awards

Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Leadership

Leigh Salzsieder, Henry W. Bloch School of Management

Chancellor’s Award for Career Contributions to the University

Yi Chen, Conservatory 

New Curators’ Distinguished Professors

Curators’ Distinguished Professor

Simon Friedman, School of Pharmacy

Clancy Martin, School of Humanities and Social Sciences