College can be a challenging time, and UMKC has resources across campus to help ensure student success and wellness.
Academic Support and Mentoring
UMKC has a number of programs to help students reach their academic goals. Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction and writing assistance are just some of the programs available to students. Tutoring is available for nearly 100 courses; students can make appointments or join drop-in sessions. Supplemental Instruction, an internationally renowned program UMKC started, is an active approach to learning that supports students in historically difficult courses. SI uses small group sessions and collaborative activities to increase understanding. The Writing Studio offers consultations for students to develop their writing skills and assist with papers and presentations. Students can schedule a one-on-one consultation or join during drop-in hours.
Roo Wellness offers physical health, mental health and accessibility services and is housed in the Brookside 51 Building at the Volker Campus.
Physical health services include preventative care, illness and injury diagnosis and referral, immunizations, health screenings, women’s and men’s health services and more.
Mental health services include individual and group counseling, psychological assessment, medication referral and crisis intervention. Students can receive eight free individual counseling sessions per academic year and additional sessions with a small fee. Consultations and group counseling services are free.
Accessibility services assists in establishing accommodation plans for permanent and temporary needs. Accommodation plans can include parking and transportation, alternate text formats, service animals and more.
The UMKC Police Department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Along with crime prevention and response, campus police provide safety escorts, vehicle lockout assistance, jumpstart assistance and property registration.
The police department is involved with the operation of the university’s emergency alert system. The alert system includes an optional safety app students can download which, among other things, allows safety tip submission and text conversations with campus police.
Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center
The Care Center serves members of the UMKC community facing food insecurity. The Care Center includes a food pantry, meal donation program and information on community food assistance. Students can access the Kangaroo Pantry and select up to 20 items per week.
Student Affairs Case Management
The Division of Student Affairs provides support and crisis intervention to students facing obstacles that may impede their personal and academic achievement. Crisis intervention includes the sudden loss of basic needs such as housing, health insurance, finances and more. A case manager can advocate for students, help navigate community and campus resources and create an action plan.
The Financial Wellness Center provides education, workshops and individual coaching to help students reach their financial goals. Financial topics include planning to pay for college, creating budgets, understanding loan repayment, navigating credit, preparing for major purchases and more.
Career Services has a variety of resources to help students with career development. It can help with resumes and cover letters, interview and networking preparation, graduate and professional school applications, career-path decisions and more. Programs allow students to borrow laptops on a semester basis and shop for business wardrobe items at no charge. Career fairs and other events provide networking opportunities to connect students to area employers.
Students have access to Swinney Center, the Aquatic Center, Durwood Stadium and Hospital Hill Annex. These recreation facilities include cardio and weight equipment, indoor and outdoor tracks, multipurpose studios, racquetball courts, a swimming pool, recreational field and more. Students can participate in group fitness classes and intramural sports at no extra cost.
UMKC Libraries offer many academic resources and study spaces for students. In addition to millions of books, journals and other published academic works, the libraries have more than 330,000 sound recordings, audio-visual media, photographs, maps and more. Miller Nichols Library, the largest library on campus, houses LaBudde Special Collections and University Archives, Marr Sound Archives and Music/Media Library. Librarians are available 24/7 by online chat and can provide research assistance and help obtaining materials.
The shuttle bus provides free transportation to students around the Volker and Hospital Hill campuses. The shuttle runs between campuses with stops at residential halls and prominent campus locations.
UMKC is a vibrant community with people from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. The university has programs and resources to connect students with similar interests and backgrounds. Some of these are Multicultural Student Affairs, International Student Affairs Office, Veteran Support Services, Women’s Center, LGBTQIA programs, First Gen Roo and Transfer Student Network.