Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy (MIDE) leads research projects to improve society
MIDE currently accounts for 20% of the University of Missouri-Kansas City research expenditures and, as of 2024, has secured more than $60 million in externally awarded grants and contracts. The increase in funding over the years has provided them with more opportunities to showcase their expertise in electromagnetic fields, cybersecurity and robotics.
For Kaitie Butler, a student studying mechanical engineering at UMKC, joining MIDE was a natural progression of her lifelong passion for aerospace and defense. Raised in a family with strong military ties, Butler was drawn to the idea of working in an industry that combined service with her curiosity for the sciences.
“MIDE is the perfect connection between these two worlds,” Butler said. “I am able to invest my skills into furthering national security for our nation and the science and technology field within the global technology base.”
At MIDE, Butler not only found the perfect platform to explore her passions but also a strong mentor who challenges her. She first met Travis Fields, Ph.D., interim director of MIDE, at a seminar.
“He has been a pivotal figure in my journey,” Butler said. “From the moment I joined MIDE, he encouraged me to explore different areas of research. Not all bosses challenge and push you but that needs to happen, especially when you're working with important stuff like we do. But he also is aware and cares about whatever you're going through.”
Fields has influenced numerous students’ research experiences, including Butler's. His leadership goes beyond academic guidance—he challenges students to think critically and prepares them for future careers.
“Students are really the backbone of the research at MIDE,” Fields said. “I'm not the one in the lab anymore. The students are the ones who are getting these experiences they cannot get anywhere else. They are the ones who really make up more than half of our workforce at MIDE. We cannot do this without them.”
Fields’ ability to create a supportive environment for students has led Butler to embrace multiple disciplines within the aerospace industry. Her research ranges from engineering tasks, like wiring autonomous vehicles, to more hands-on tasks, including flight testing and systems design. Her favorite part of working at MIDE is the flight testing, where she gets to directly see her designs come to life by testing them in real-world scenarios that demand quick thinking and adaptability.
“Flight testing includes training internal MIDE members as well as going out in the field and getting our vehicle to fly in certain formations,” Butler said.
She also loves the people she works with.
“I love working for MIDE,” Butler said. “I've worked at a couple of different places, but within MIDE, we have a great culture. We're always building each other up. We're always challenging one another.”
Butler is confident her experiences and connections at MIDE will transform her future career.
“Since we're able to go out and present our research at all these different conferences, I’m able to connect with a lot of different folks in the industry, not just aerospace defense,” she said.
Thanks to her experiences at MIDE, Butler is already making an impact.
“I got an internship through X-Force National Security Innovation Network,” she said. “We actually designed a reconfigurable drone, in collaboration with NSWC Crane, and it was published in an article. I wouldn't have had that experience if it weren't for my position at MIDE and the people who got me here.”
MIDE’s focus on applied research that ensures the work produced not only advances academically, but also delivers real-world solutions is something that also excites Fields.
“My favorite part of working in MIDE is seeing the impact, seeing that we are delivering real things,” Fields said. “We are trying to solve real problems, and we have students who are getting to see the real problems and real threat briefs now going out and having a real impact at these major organizations across the country in defense labs and with major contractors.”
MIDE staff and students get to showcase their expertise by training real operators on how to use advanced systems. Some Air Force operators even travel thousands of miles to come to Kansas City just to be trained by MIDE staff and students on how to use large, unmanned aircrafts.
The impact of MIDE’s work is evident in the high demand for its graduates. Companies from across the country are attending UMKC career fairs to hire MIDE students, recognizing their unique skill sets and preparedness for real-world challenges.
By offering hands-on research opportunities and fostering professional relationships, MIDE is molding the next generation of leaders in defense and technology to contribute to a safer, more innovative future.
Jan 28, 2025
Emily Shoemake loves the opportunities and experiences she couldn’t find elsewhere
At UMKC, students write their own stories, form their own definitions of success and chart innovative career paths. With Kansas City as their classroom, they turn dreams into reality every day.
Emily Shoemake Anticipated graduation: 2027UMKC degree program: HistoryHometown: Troy, Missouri
When Emily Shoemake was looking for colleges, she didn’t have high expectations.“I had negative preconceived notions about what college would be,” Shoemake said.As a high school student, she watched as her older sister battled cancer while trying to earn her degree, fight administrative hurdles and keep her scholarship as a student athlete. The experience left Shoemake and her family with a skeptical outlook of whether the college she chose would live up to the common promise of support and community. So, when the time came for her to decide where to go, Shoemake knew her priorities. She and her family toured UMKC, where they learned about support programs like First Gen Roo, Peer Academic Leadership, Roo Wellness and the Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center. It sounded great, but given their experience with her sister’s institution, they were skeptical. Despite her hesitation, Shoemake decided to take a leap of faith. “I chose UMKC because they offered more resources than I ever thought I would need,” Shoemake said. “It was my first week when I realized that UMKC intended on following through with their promise to care and help me succeed here.”Shoemake got involved with First Gen Roo, a program that supports students with programming designed to help them get familiar with and adjust to college. It was during a First Gen program where the realization of that support became overwhelming. She talked with the program director, Megan Elsen, who helped Shoemake get in touch with Roo Wellness and counseling services. “They made sure I was okay, which is incredibly comforting,” Shoemake said. “So after that first week and after that day, I think I was able to settle in and adjust and realize that this campus is offering everything that I'm going to need to succeed and focus on my academics.”
And she has. Shoemake said she has found support from many professors who she has found approachable, helpful and dedicated to helping her succeed. “UMKC is one of the only schools that truly delivers on its mission statement,” she said. “I’ve actually been introduced to some contacts in the history department through First Gen about some opportunities with learning more about World War I, and the potential internships, and study abroad. So there are lots of connections just based through networking and talking about my interest with history.”In addition to classes, Shoemake has joined Professional Career Escalators, where she’s learned career skills and networked with professionals. “They've been helping with resumé building and how to come off professional in interviews, whether it be a career fair or things like that,” Shoemake said. She has also taken part in the honors program and student organizations such as history club, where she knew she’d found her crowd from the day she attended the welcome back potluck. “It felt like for the first time I stepped into a room full of people like me,” Shoemake said. “That evening left me with a sense of home I was not expecting.” After working her first semester as a student support specialist for Peer Academic Leadership, Shoemake is now training to support other students by becoming a mentor herself.
She has no plans to slow down: she’s working on two papers she hopes to publish and has signed up for a study abroad trip to the Netherlands in the summer to learn about art, culture and history with an itinerary that includes stops at the Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt Music Museum, concentration camps and Anne Frank's house.With her first year having exceeded her expectations, Shoemake said she’s proud to be a Roo. “The people here are what set this apart,” she said. “And if there's one final thing I am proud to say, it's that I am a person at UMKC, and I will make a difference.”
Jan 27, 2025
Chiefs Cheer teammates pursue physician assistant, marketing degrees
Carly Hays and Laney Duchene are making the most of their college experience in their hometown. As UMKC students and cheerleaders for the Kansas City Chiefs, they’re balancing time in the classroom and gamedays in the loudest stadium in the world.
Hays and Duchene share deep connections to Kansas City, a city that has shaped their identities and ambitions. Hays, who moved to Kansas City from St. Louis at an early age, considers herself a true Kansas Citian.
“Kansas City is where I grew up and where I’ve built my life,” she said.
Duchene, a lifelong resident of Independence, Missouri, shares a similar sentiment. “I loved that UMKC was close to home,” she said. “I get the perks of living at home while attending college.”
For Duchene, the decision to attend UMKC was all about family. “My dad and sisters also attended UMKC, so it feels like a family tradition,” she said.
Hays, on the other hand, was drawn to UMKC for its strong physician assistant program in the School of Medicine, which allowed her to stay close to home after completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
Since arriving on their respective campuses, Hays and Duchene have thrived at UMKC, where they’ve found supportive communities and opportunities to grow.
Hays notes that her first year was full of both rewarding and challenging experiences.
“This was the most mentally and physically challenging thing I’ve ever done,” she said. “I had to completely relearn how to study, but the support from my cohort and faculty has been incredible.”
Duchene, a senior studying business administration with a marketing emphasis at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management, credits her professors and the course curriculum with preparing her for her future.
“My classes have been incredibly practical,” she said. “I’ve learned so much about professional communication, which has translated directly into what I do with the Chiefs.”
Both students’ experiences at UMKC have directly influenced their roles as Chiefs cheerleaders. Hays’ background as a competitive dancer and a member of the Mizzou Golden Girls dance team prepared her for the demands of professional cheerleading.
“Dance is my escape when school gets heavy, and school is my escape when dance gets heavy,” she said.
Duchene’s time on the KC Roos Dance Team helped her transition back into the dance world after taking a break to focus on academics.
“Joining the Roos team got me back in the groove and really helped prepare me for the Chiefs,” she said.
Despite both students’ having extensive dance backgrounds, they both quickly learned making the Chiefs squad would require more homework.
“We also had to participate in interviews, answer questions about Chiefs history and demonstrate our knowledge of the game,” Hays said.
Once past this stage, they advanced to in-person finals, a three-day event involving choreography, public speaking and media training. Hays is currently in her second year with Chiefs Cheer and notes some audition advantages for returning members.
“Veteran candidates skip the preliminary rounds, but every cheerleader must earn their spot back each season,” Hays said.
Duchene, a rookie, recalls how challenging the process was: “It’s not just about dancing, it’s about representing the brand with professionalism and knowledge.”
On gamedays, their routines begin long before the stadium fills with fans.
“Depending on the time of the game, we get up as early as 4 a.m. and show up to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium ready in our hair and makeup,” Duchene said. “The atmosphere is electric, and the bond with my teammates makes it all worth it.”
“Stepping onto the field at Arrowhead is an unforgettable experience,” Hays said. “It’s a mix of pride and adrenaline.”
UMKC is an official higher education partner of the Chiefs, a partnership both Hays and Duchene say they’ve loved experiencing firsthand. Hays specifically notes the significance of seeing UMKC signage in Arrowhead Stadium.
“When I’m on the field, I see the UMKC banner, and it’s like my two worlds coming together,” she said.
Duchene agrees, recalling a memorable moment when UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal walked by as the cheerleaders prepared to take the field.
“Seeing him walk on the field with other UMKC students and seeing the UMKC logo at Arrowhead during games is such an honor,” she said.
The connection between UMKC and the Chiefs is more than symbolic for Hays and Duchene, it’s engrained into their practices as well. UMKC alumna Stephanie Judah (BBA '95), who serves as the director of entertainment teams for the Kansas City Chiefs, plays a key role in guiding both Hays and Duchene in their journey with the team.
"UMKC was a huge part of my life and education. During my time at UMKC and the Bloch School, I was also a Chiefs Cheerleader," Judah said. "To now have two cheerleaders that are currently UMKC students is such a wonderful thing. It is like bringing two worlds together. It is a special bond that will connect us forever."
Hays and Duchene also take pride in representing Kansas City on and off the field. Through her clinical experiences at University Health, Carly has been able to serve the community that shaped her.
“UMKC’s partnership with University Health allows me to provide care to Kansas Citians,” she said. “It’s a great representation of giving back to the city that raised me.”
For Duchene, the sense of camaraderie within the Chiefs organization has been a highlight of her experience.
“The Chiefs team feels like a big family,” she said. “We’re so lucky to have this incredible bond.”
As Hays continues her journey in the physician assistant program and Duchene prepares to graduate in May, both students have their sights set on the future. Hays is focused on completing her degree and continuing to balance her dual passions. Duchene hopes to stay with the Chiefs while pursuing a career in marketing.
“Being part of UMKC and the Chiefs has been an unforgettable experience,” Duchene said. “It’s a privilege to celebrate both in such meaningful ways.”
Jan 23, 2025
Historic preservation projects span across the Kansas City community
The Mellon Foundation awarded the University of Missouri-Kansas City $4 million to create the Kansas City Monuments Coalition to help fund 16 historic preservation and commemorative organizations across Kansas City so visitors can enjoy them for years to come.
Locations include UMKC, the city of Kansas City itself plus classic points-of-interest local residents will recognize from childhood field trips such as Fort Osage National Historic Site, Missouri Town and the Wornall-Majors House Museums. Others are relatively unknown exhibits that can host the field trips of tomorrow.
The grant was awarded as part of the Mellon Foundation’s Monuments Projects to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, thanks to the work of Diane Mutti Burke, Ph.D., Sandra Enríquez, Ph.D. and David Trowbridge, Ph.D. from the history department, as well as Michael Sprague, coordinator for the Center for Digital and Public Humanities.
Mutti Burke explained the Mellon Foundation is expansive in how it defines monuments.
“It’s statues, of course, but also historic structures, interpretative signage, public exhibits, digital content and artistic and cultural programming,” she said.
The grant will support the historical and preservation projects of the 16 community organizations as well as public programming in partnership with the Kansas City Public Library. Examples include refreshing the Luis Quintanilla mural in Haag Hall on campus out to updates on exhibits at the Fort Osage National Historic Site. The UMKC team is excited about what support from Mellon will mean for local historical organizations.
“Our team has established relationships with our community partners and over the years we have talked about their needs and ideas,” Trowbridge said. “The most exciting part of the grant is getting them financial support and collaborating with them as they do this important work.”
The UMKC team founded the Kansas City Monuments Coalition to ensure the funding go as far as possible and to as many community organizations as possible.
“We felt if we could all work together and have ongoing conversations, we could learn from one another” Mutti Burke said. “By working together, we can be greater than the sum of our parts.”
“This transformative grant from the Mellon Foundation emphasizes the importance of inclusive storytelling and historical preservation” said Sumeet Dua, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research and economic development at UMKC. “The exceptional work of our UMKC faculty has been instrumental in securing this opportunity, showcasing their dedication to engaging with the community and reshaping how history is represented and understood.”
The work of the Kansas City Monuments Coalition will further advance the UMKC mission as a public urban research university by bridging the work of faculty, students and community partners. Enríquez explained community engagement has been a cornerstone of the history department and Center for Digital and Public Humanities and that support from the Mellon Foundation will bolster this commitment to collaborative historical interpretation.
“The work of the UMKC team and our community partners is a thrilling opportunity to leverage our strengths and collectively build a historical landscape that better reflects the experiences of everyone who calls Kansas City home,” Enríquez said.
Most of the $4 million will directly fund the historical efforts of partner organizations to support. The projects must be completed within the three years allotted by the Mellon Foundation. The UMKC team, including numerous additional faculty and staff, will also organize and deliver public programs as well as collaborate with the Kansas City Public Library’s Digital Branch on its next KC history website project. The grant includes funding for two full-time staff positions and graduate students who will aid this effort. Students who are part of the Mellon humanities internship program awarded to UMKC are also eligible to work on this project.
“The Monuments Project is an unprecedented multi-year commitment by the Mellon Foundation that is aimed at transforming the nation’s commemorative landscape to ensure our collective histories are more completely and accurately represented,” according to the foundation. “The Monuments Project supports efforts to express, elevate and preserve the stories of those who have often been denied historical recognition, and explores how we might foster a more complete telling of who we are as a nation.”
Jan 22, 2025
Mark Hoffman of Children’s Mercy is a School of Medicine professor
The University of Missouri-Kansas City now has four administrators and professors who are fellows in the National Academy of Inventors, a prestigious group of innovative researchers.
The academy recently selected Mark Hoffman, Ph.D., UMKC School of Medicine pediatrics professor and chief research information officer at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, a clinical partner of the university, for induction into its 2024 Class of Fellows this June. This recognition is the highest professional distinction given exclusively to inventors, recognizing those who have shown exceptional innovation in developing or advancing groundbreaking inventions that have made a significant impact on quality of life, economic growth and societal well-being.
Throughout his nearly three-decade career, Hoffman has made significant contributions to the field of medical technology. As a distinguished inventor and researcher, his work has resulted in 22 U.S. patents and three international patents, underscoring his commitment to enhancing healthcare through innovative solutions.
“In fifth grade, I chose to do my first formal report on Thomas Edison, sparking my lifelong interest in invention,” Hoffman said. “Being elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors is a humbling recognition of my career and I look forward to leading the ongoing, innovative work at Children’s Mercy.”
Hoffman is the first from Children’s Mercy to join this distinguished group of world-class innovators and leaders, and the fourth from UMKC. Previous winners from UMKC include:
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, Ph.D., Class of 2015
Reza Derakhshani, Ph.D., associate dean in the School of Science and Engineering, Class of 2020
Anthony Caruso, Ph.D., vice chancellor for strategic initiatives, Class of 2021
“I am grateful to Dr. Caruso for nominating me into this prestigious group,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman will be inducted at the 14th Annual NAI Conference held June 23 to 26 in Atlanta. During this ceremony, Hoffman and the other 170 exceptional inventors of the 2024 Class of Fellows will be presented with honors from NAI representatives and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
According to NAI President Paul R. Sandberg, an election to the rank of fellow, “reflects not only your accomplishments but also your dedication to advancing technology and fostering invention for the benefit of society.”
Jan 21, 2025
U.S. News & World Report ranks online master’s program No. 33
The UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies ranked No. 33 among nation’s best online nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report.
According to Dean Joy Roberts, the ranking is a testament to the continued success of the program.
“UMKC’s Master of Science in Nursing program has educated hundreds of advanced practice nurses and nurse educators since its inception and our graduates have gone on to work throughout Missouri, Kansas and the United States,” Roberts said. “We are proud of our graduates, our current students and the faculty who educate them.”
Up from No. 36 last year, this is the 13th year in a row the program has ranked in the top 50 of the 149 schools on list. For working registered nurses, the school’s many online offerings enable them to continue providing care in their communities, while preparing them for the evolving and dynamic challenges of healthcare.
Students in these programs participate in online discussions just as if they were present in the classroom. Technology offers two-way communication in real time via multiple modes. Students also receive on-site learning through summer institutes, where they attend clinical training or dissertation work sessions as well as deliver presentations to classmates and faculty.
For pediatric nurse practitioner Lori Erickson (BSN ’06, MSN ’09, Ph.D. ’20), her coursework in the Master of Science program laid the foundation for her progression as an advanced provider. Now the director of remote health solutions at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, the connections she made during clinical rotations were far reaching and the opportunities to experience different clinical and leadership scenarios in nursing were invaluable.
“My connections with faculty and staff at UMKC have continued after graduation and are part of the reason that I returned to the School of Nursing for my Ph.D.,” Erickson said. “My Doctorate in Nursing prompted my shift to focus on outcomes in a rigorous way. I would not be where I am without the Roos.”
UMKC offers a variety of online graduate nursing tracks, including Master of Science in Nursing and other options: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Nurse Educator (NE) Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Primary Care and Acute-Care (ACPNP) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Ph.D. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Jan 21, 2025
Plans for boutique hotel, spa and more could transform unique building
A local group comprised of Sunflower Development Group and hospitality veteran Jen Gulvik has secured permission to proceed with a historic redevelopment project involving one of Kansas City’s most beloved assets: the Epperson House at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
The group’s vision would maintain the rich historic heritage of Epperson House while transforming it for modern day use into a 14-room boutique hotel with a café, small library bar, full-service restaurant, intimate event space and a hydrothermal spa offering body and facial treatments, ancient European baths, hot and cold therapies, visiting practitioner workshops and retreats and other wellness programming.
“This is an exciting step forward for the future of this beloved local historic treasure,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, who has been working toward saving the distinctive Tudor-Gothic mansion on campus since he arrived in 2018. “One of the most frequent questions I get about UMKC is about next steps for the Epperson House, and now I finally can share a promising answer.”
Built in 1920 on what’s now the southern edge of the UMKC Volker Campus, Epperson House was the home of Kansas City insurance tycoon Uriah Epperson and his wife, Mary. The 24,000-square-foot, 54-room mansion at 52nd and Cherry streets is a curious blend of a castle and stately home.
1922 photograph of Epperson House
Eventually bequeathed to the university, Epperson House was used for a variety of purposes over the years but has been empty for more than a decade. Its destiny seemed uncertain with a long list of projects needed to bring it up to building code and ADA requirements. Throughout the years, Historic Kansas City Foundation has listed it on its most endangered buildings list.
In 2023, UMKC issued a request for proposals, commonly called an RFP, seeking a public-private partnership for the rehabilitation of the famed Epperson House. The university recently selected a team led by Mark Moberly (M.S. ’06) and Jason Swords of Sunflower Development Group in partnership with hospitality veteran Jen Gulvik. The design architect for the project will be Kansas City-based Generator Studio.
No university funds are being used for this project. The Epperson House will be leased and rehabilitated by the development team. All operations for the project will be funded and managed by that group. The plan is for UMKC to realize revenue from the partnership that will help support the university's mission.
In addition, the group is engaging Heritage Consulting Group to ensure the historic fabric of Epperson House is preserved throughout the rehabilitation process. Among the house’s unusual features are ornate woodwork, an indoor swimming pool, billiard room, barbershop, a custom organ and a tunnel linking the east and west wings.
Organ loft in Epperson House, a second-story space that opens into the ballroom
“There is nothing comparable to this type of spa or development in the Kansas City area, and the story of Epperson House cannot be replicated,” said Gulvik, who regularly walks in the neighborhood past Epperson House and is enchanted by its uniqueness. “A restored Epperson House will serve the neighborhood, UMKC faculty, staff and students, travelers to Kansas City and the community at large - especially given its proximity to the KC Streetcar stop at UMKC, slated to open later this year.”
The team will soon begin development efforts, which include seeking operating and financial partners as well as pursuing state and federal historic tax credits, to turn the project into a reality within the next few years.
While restoring historic buildings can be complex, the development group and its partners say they have the experience needed to overcome hurdles.
Sunflower Development Group is a real-estate development company based in Kansas City that has been involved in more than $500 million of new and historic commercial developments over the past 15 years. The group’s local historic rehabilitation projects include Ambassador Hotel, The Grand KC Apartments, Longview Mansion, Cosby Hotel building and Pershing Lofts.
Epperson House ballroom
Gulvik’s hospitality marketing experience includes revitalizing and growing Houlihan’s Restaurants, Bristol Seafood Grill and J. Gilbert’s restaurant brands nationwide, and advisory for Fairwave Coffee Collective, which owns 30 cafes.
Generator Studio’s architecture and interior design business has a focus on hospitality. Generator led design for Grand Place, a major historic preservation project transforming the former Kansas City Star building and is currently designing the Margaritaville Hotel in Kansas City, Kansas in addition to hospitality spaces for professional sports venues. Generator partner and director of interior design, Christina Franklin, has designed more than 20 boutique hotels for West Coast-based Pacifica Hotels.
“We look forward to engaging with the university, neighborhood and Kansas City preservation community in our development and historic rehabilitation plans,” said Moberly of Sunflower Development Group. “It’s an important architectural landmark in the area and bridges the university to the neighborhood. What an exciting opportunity to work on a project in partnership with my alma mater that will create a destination for which everyone in our community can be proud.”
Sewing room in Epperson House
The news is exciting to Epperson historian Chris Wolff (M.A. ’12) of UMKC who leads popular tours outside the home during Halloween season (the public is not permitted inside as it awaits rehabilitation). Wolff tells visitors about the house’s storied past and the lore of ghosts and other haunting phenomena.
“To say people are captivated by Epperson House is an understatement,” Wolff said. “I’m ecstatic that it has interested people who have a vision to restore and repurpose it so all of Kansas City can enjoy it into the future.”
Jan 15, 2025