The KC Scholar is a mom of two, full-time employee and dual-degree student
Leresa Cozart has always loved to learn.
She earned her associate’s degree in mathematics from Houston Community College and started on a business degree, too. The mom of two got a job with CVS Caremark, helping people get their medications. One day, Cozart heard about KC Scholars on the radio. The program offers an adult learner scholarship that provides up to $50,000 for eligible adults who do not have a bachelor’s degree. Initially, she started pursuing a business degree, but switched to pharmacy to be in the healthcare field.Cozart’s son, MJ, was born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Cozart knew first-hand that if she became a pharmacist, she could help others in a different way. “I just wanted to be able to be on the front line to help people as opposed to having to call their insurance company,” she said.
Her first semester was a tough adjustment. She felt pressure to stick with a strict study schedule and was stressed about the workload, but she soon found an approach that worked better for her, taking her schoolwork day-by-day.“My spring semester, I kind of eased up on myself,” she said. “I've learned to not be so hard on myself and to be kind to myself, knowing that this is all new for me and there's going to be ups and downs.”Her love for learning, and knack for business didn’t end there. Cozart enrolled in the UMKC Master’s of Business Administration program to finish her business degree and will start MBA courses, along with her pharmacy courses, in Fall 2024.“I'm really just moving by faith and not by sight at this point,” she said. “I don't know what God has in store for me. I know that I don't write my story. I'm just going according to His plan.”
Managing two graduate programs, full-time work and motherhood is a balancing act, but Cozart says with some determination, there’s nothing that can’t be done.“If I can do it, anyone can do it, given everything I have on my plate,” Cozart said. “So I think it's doable and pharmacy is a good profession if you want to help people and you want a high-paying job that doesn't require the residencies of doctors.”Cozart said working remotely has helped make pursuing her degrees possible because it allows her to spend time with MJ and her daughter, Mariah, who have enjoyed seeing their mom become a student. “It makes me feel proud of her,” MJ said. “And it also shows me that regardless of age, regardless of what stage you are in life, it’s never too late to do what you want to do.”
For MJ, a junior in high school, having a parent who can relate to school-related challenges helps keep him motivated.“I feel as compared to most parent-kid relationships, where the parent just doesn't know what the kid’s going through with school and everything, having a mom in school makes me feel better about asking for help, and she helps me better because we're both going through kind of similar experiences,” he said.Showing her kids what is possible is part of what motivates Cozart to keep going during challenging times. “I definitely do everything I can to try to be the best role model for my kids,” Cozart said. “I want them to know that the opportunities are endless.”
Aug 26, 2024
Diane Stephenson’s love of fencing has taken her around the world
A former UMKC physical education assistant professor has been selected as the oldest volunteer at this year’s Paralympic Games in Paris. At nearly 94, she’s the oldest in the Games’ 64-year history.
Diane Stephenson (M.A. ’67) will work alongside one of her former students, UMKC medical graduate, Sandra Katz (M.D. ’77) throughout the Games. Stephenson, great grandmother to 10 children, will be 94 in October. She coached fencing at UMKC for 14 years and was chosen among thousands of applicants from many different countries for the prestigious Games. “I feel honored, and immensely excited,” said Stephenson, who will perform a number of functions at the international fencing arena to help the competitions run smoothly. “To be a uniformed volunteer is a high point in my life, not just in my fencing career, but all the years I’ve spent in sports.”Stephenson was a tenured assistant professor in sports medicine and physiology of exercise and taught fencing beginning in 1966. She trained champion fencers and competed in tournaments in Chicago, New Orleans and Boulder, eventually earning 40 individual and team member trophies and medals. Among her students was Katz, a medical graduate of UMKC in ophthalmology. “I trained the champion of the Midwest back then and another one of my students was the first to become number one in two weapons, foil and épée, in the U.S. under-19 tournament, thus qualifying for the under-20 World Championship in Madrid,” Stephenson said. “My fencers became so renowned that when the Air Force Academy épée team was preparing for the Pan American Games, they came to Kansas City to train with my fencers and ended up winning first place after training with my team. Some members of my UMKC team are still fencing competitively all these years later.”“Diane fully deserves her selection, and we are proud to have her with us in Paris,” said a spokesperson for the Paralympics. “She has worked very hard in her life to help so many people develop a love of sports, particularly fencing, and we are sure such passion will be obvious during the Games.” “Rarely does a sport create such an inseparable bond for more than 50 years yet amazingly, even though at sword's point to each other, my group of fencers became the closest of friends, like family,” Stephenson said. “There were even several marriages among them.” To help make her training even more effective in Kansas City, Stephenson attended the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City to film specific fencing techniques to share with her students. “You can imagine how excited I am now about Paris and seeing the highest levels of the sport being played there,” she said.Stephenson, who also coached fencing at the University of Maine. She now lives in Tucson, but visits Kansas City regularly, joining her university fencing team for breakfasts. “Forty-two years ago, nine fencers had a photo taken at a team member's wedding,” she said. “Then 42 years later, at one of our reunions, we had a photo taken. The same nine fencers were there standing in the exact same positions.”
Aug 21, 2024
Charles McGraw knows the power of perseverance first-hand
There was a time when Charles McGraw didn’t think he’d ever graduate college, but now that dream is well within reach.
McGraw made several attempts at a bachelor’s degree throughout his early 20s while holding jobs in the restaurant industry, sales and marketing. Each time, he’d ended up dropping out. He’d been out of school for four or five years when he made a realization.
“If I was going to go any higher than I wanted to, I wouldn’t be able to do that without a degree,” McGraw said.
Charles McGraw (right) learned of Fast Track after seeing a social media post from his former co-worker, Ga Ji Wang (left).
He was scrolling social media one day and saw a former co-worker’s post about the Missouri Fast Track Workforce Incentive grant, a program from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development that provides grants to assist with coursework tuition, general fees or direct costs.
“I was like, ‘Well, now I don't really have an excuse not to go back to school and finish my degree,’” McGraw said.
This time, it was different. He enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration program with a renewed dedication to earn his degree.
“I'm not going to work this long for this and not try my best at it,” he said.
When he was younger, McGraw said, he was going to college because he felt it’s what he was supposed to do, but this time, he had a clear vision of what he wanted, which paid off both in his academic career and his confidence.
“Now I know what I want to do, and I'm focused and I'm here for me,” he said.
One course proved to be a particular hurdle for McGraw. He’d failed it before, but he wasn’t deterred. He dedicated time to attending three Supplemental Instruction sessions a week in addition to his class. SI is a UMKC-invented academic support program that provides optional additional instruction in difficult courses and has been used by universities around the globe.
The sessions allowed McGraw to revisit challenging topics and get support in a small setting rather than in a full class, where he wasn’t as comfortable asking questions. He ended up with an A in the course and made the dean’s list.
“If you ever have doubts about stuff that you think you can't do, you really can do it,” he said. “You just have to be willing to put in the effort and go the extra mile.”
Being a full-time student while working a full-time job has been challenging, but McGraw said it’s been worth it. “It keeps me busy and it keeps me on a schedule that I can maintain that helps me, I think, be successful in the long run,” he said. “You just have to make sure you get enough sleep, which is a big thing and it's definitely doable. You just have to prioritize.”
Now in his last year of college, McGraw is on track to earn his degree in Spring 2025. He plans to stay at his current job and knows that his degree will help him excel.
“It's just going to be a really big personal achievement because I didn't think I would ever actually graduate college,” he said. “I'm going to be happy to get it over with, but also very happy that I did it.”
Aug 19, 2024
Tori Venske credits UMKC for preparing her for a future of service and leadership
At UMKC, students write their own stories, form their own definitions of success and chart innovative career paths. Tori Venske came to UMKC to further her music, and she left with newfound leadership skills to help her reach her goal of serving in a military band.
Tori Venske
Graduation year: May 2024
UMKC degree program: Master of Music in Clarinet Performance
Hometown: Yukon, OK
From the time she was in high school, Venske knew she wanted to play the clarinet in a military band. Now that she has a Master of Music degree from the UMKC Conservatory and newfound confidence in her abilities, it’s time to make her dreams come true.
Why did you choose your field of study?
I’ve wanted to be a musician since I was a kid. When I was 4, I wanted to be a singer/songwriter. Then I started piano and eventually played clarinet in band. I’ve known since my freshman year of high school in 2014 that I wanted to be a professional clarinetist. I’ve been working hard towards that ever since.
What are the challenges of the program?
With all of the performances and presentations every semester, I’ve had to push myself to be more confident. I was really nervous at first, but the faculty inspired me to think about everything in a musical sense and embrace it.
Balancing everything has been hard, too. My first year here I was in both wind symphony and wind ensemble. It was great to be in band every day of the week, but at the same time trying to balance everything going on was hard at first. I got the hang of it though.
What are the benefits of the program?
The faculty and opportunities to perform and learn are great. I really appreciate the faculty. They’re trying to make me the best musician and person I can be.
I’ve had a lot of opportunities to perform during my time here, which has been rewarding. I went through my undergraduate degree during COVID, so I missed out on a lot of traditional performances. I’ve also had a lot of opportunities to play, learn new instruments and participate in choir. Additionally, the academic resources are great. We’re encouraged to look through the Marr Sound Archives and LaBudde Special Collections to learn more about Kansas City musicians. It’s nice having those right on campus at the library.
How has your college program inspired you?
The faculty are really inspiring, especially professors Steve Davis and Joe Parisi. They’re just really encouraging to me and have helped me be more dedicated in everything I do.
Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?
I feel like I’ve been able to face challenges better since coming here. It’s always been hard to accept when things are out of my control, even when I know that’s how life is. I’ve been able to work on that and surround myself with people that inspire and encourage me every day.
Who do you admire most at UMKC?
My friend, Beth Christensen, I see everything she does and how well she handles it all. She’s always doing so much, and always with grace and kindness. Just seeing her work every day is inspiring to me.
How does going to school in the middle of a large city enhance your experience and education?
Being in Kansas City is great. I’ve gotten to perform at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the Folly Theater. The opportunities to see different types of art makes me better at my craft. I love visual art. I’ve been to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and different art festivals around town. I love that so much is free to access. I like finding inspiration in things other than music.
What do you hope to take from your experiences at UMKC into your professional career?
I’ve learned a lot here that I’ve been able to implement. I’ve embraced my confidence and leadership skills during my time here. I want to be in a military band, and those are important qualities to have. I’ll have to audition for that, so those leadership skills are appreciated.
When I decided that I want to do clarinet professionally, military band stood out to me right away. I like the interactions the musicians have with people. Military bands tour around the country and visit schools to teach masterclasses. I think it’s important to have that community engagement. I also like the repertoire they play; they play standard and new pieces. They also play pieces by underrepresented composers, which is important to me. The variety is exciting.
There are a lot of military branches that have openings, I’ll audition throughout summer. If I’m accepted, I’ll have to enlist. Some of the branches also require going to basic training camp. My grandfather and great-grandfather were both in the Navy, so it would be cool to be accepted into the Navy band.
Aug 07, 2024
Partnership includes $10,000 scholarship award per student
The University of Missouri-Kansas City Henry W. Bloch School of Management is partnering with five top Kansas City banks to announce a new scholarship program. Banking Leaders of Tomorrow is designed to inspire future professionals to make a difference in their communities as leaders in the banking and finance industries.
Available to incoming students from Missouri or Kansas, this scholarship totals $10,000 over four years for incoming freshmen who express interest in pursuing careers in banking and finance. To provide continued support during their education, accepted students will also receive both academic and professional mentoring as well as networking opportunities.
This scholarship is made possible through generous support and close partnerships with area banks who have committed to supporting students in and out of the traditional classroom through lectures, site visits and panel discussions. They have also committed to providing internship opportunities, ensuring real-world experience throughout these students' time at UMKC.
Academy Bank
Arvest Foundation
Commerce Bank
Lead Bank
UMB Bank
“Banking Leaders of Tomorrow is much more than a scholarship and we could not launch this program without great partners,” said Jocelyn Evans, associate dean of the Bloch School. “These banks are not only committing their time here on campus, but they are also providing important opportunities for our students to explore their future in banking and finance.”
Scholarships will be awarded based upon a student’s essay describing their interest in a financial services career and how their experiences have prepared them to engage in banking relationships with individuals and businesses in low- and moderate-income areas in the Kansas City metropolitan area where many residents do not have traditional banking relationships.
“The Bloch School is committed to educating students who will improve the communities where they will one day live,” said Bloch School Dean Brian Klaas. “Banking Leaders of Tomorrow furthers that commitment, and we’re grateful to our partner banks for making this possible.”
Jul 10, 2024