TIME recently announced its annual list of the World’s Greatest Places to visit, and two Kansas City spots with UMKC ties were recognized.
CPKC Stadium and The Rabbit hOle were named on the media company’s list as extraordinary destinations among hotels, restaurants, attractions and more.
CPKC Stadium opened earlier this year, cementing its status as the world’s first stadium built for a women’s professional sports team. The world-class facility includes FIFA-approved turf pitch and dedicated spaces for wellness, recovery and weight training for the Kansas City Current players.
UMKC is a higher-education partner with the Current, and that agreement includes Current player mentorship of UMKC women’s soccer players and UMKC educational opportunities for Current team members.
UMKC alumni serve as top KC Current leaders. Monica Ngo (B.A. ’08) is the vice president of human resources and Maggie Walters (L.L.M. ’15) is general counsel. UMKC faculty Meg Gibson, M.D., is a physician for the Current.
Current founders and co-owners Angie Long and Chris Long were named Kansas City Entrepreneurs of the Year by UMKC for their leadership roles at Palmer Square Capital Management and their work with the Current, both powerful platforms that are leading the way in making positive global change.
The Rabbit hOle is a museum experience in North Kansas City that celebrates children’s literature for people of all ages. With three floors, visitors are able to explore immersive and multi-sensory narrative landscapes from various children literature tales.
UMKC alumni also serve as significant members of the Rabbit hOle, with Iris Appelquist (B.A. '21) as the current human resources manager and Emily Hane (MPA ’15) previously serving as the development director.
The governing board of the Rabbit hOle also has a UMKC alum, Larry Taft (MBA '91).
“Knowing our alumni are making an impact that is not just recognized in Kansas City, but also worldwide, is exciting,” Kaity Woody, assistant vice chancellor of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, said. “It is a true testament to how UMKC is also a world-class university in a world-class city.”