The University of Missouri-Kansas City recognized staff across all academic units and various programs and departments at the 2025 Staff Awards ceremony.
More than 200 employees were honored for their accomplishments as well as their contributions to the growth and success of UMKC.
“You are the heartbeat of UMKC – the people who keep things running smoothly, support our students and help drive our university forward,” said Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, whose remarks led the ceremony. “Whether you’re helping a student navigate their first semester, keeping our campus beautiful or contributing to our research and community initiatives, your work makes a real difference. And let me tell you, your impact is undeniable. Just look at what we've achieved this past year.”
UMKC received Carnegie Research 1 status, climbed 25 spots in U.S. News & World Report rankings and recognized by Wall Street Journal as one of the best investments in higher education as No. 1 in student experience and social mobility and No. 2 in best value and starting salaries among all Missouri and Kansas public universities. For the second year in a row, UMKC set records in first-time college enrollment and is on track to break records again this fall with applications and admissions rising across all categories.
“These milestones are no accident,” Agrawal said. “They’re the result of your talent, dedication and hard work. So whether or not your name is called today, please know that our university leadership and faculty see you, and so do our students. We all appreciate everything you do to make UMKC a place of excellence, opportunity and impact.”
University Staff Awards
Excellence in Student Success Staff Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to the academic, social emotional and/or overall wellness of students
Carrie Schmalz, coordinator for leadership and student organization development, Student Affairs
Excellence in Research and Creative Works Staff Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to the university’s research creativity and innovation efforts
Lora Owens, research services business services manager, Research and Innovation
Excellence in Engagement and Outreach Staff Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to the university’s engagement and outreach efforts
Casey Davison, senior coordinator of recreational sports, Student Affairs
Inclusive Opportunity and Excellence Staff Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to the university by fostering an environment of inclusive opportunity and excellence
Zachary Parker, assistant director of LGBTQIA programs and services, Student Affairs
Excellence in Planning, Operations and Stewardship Staff Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who has made significant contributions to solve long-standing problems and found new ways to collaborate across departments, develop revenue and increase enrollment
Andry Joswara, finance and budget consultant, Finance and Administration
Rising Star Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who, in their first five years of continuous service, has made significant contributions to their area of the university community
Lauren Orozco, admissions counselor, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Never Choose the Norm Staff Award
Recognizes a UMKC staff member who dares to be innovative and push boundaries to help the university achieve even greater success in its mission of serving students and our community
Mike Duah, lead design strategist, Strategic Marketing and Communications
Chancellor’s Staff Award for Extraordinary Contributions
Recognizes a high-performing UMKC staff member who demonstrates an exceptional ability to foster collaboration, communication and cooperation among colleagues and university constituents and relates their work to the mission and values of the university
Davlon Miller, director, UMKC Career Services
Living the Values Awards
Recognizes staff members who best exemplify excellence in demonstrating the university’s key values
Conservatory
Sarah Bigge, manager of admissions and outreach
Curriculum and Assessment
Annie Carr, career development specialist
Finance and Administration
Sara Hampton, manager of business administration
Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Mark Culver, director of program operations
Human Resources
Tom Bachmann, senior HR manager
Information Services
Aaron Fajen, expert network engineer
Institute for Human Development
Leisha Manning, senior office support assistant
Intercollegiate Athletics
Trish Baldwin, manager of business administration
KCUR
Clarate Heckler, manager of live events
Office of Research and Innovation
Chi Johnson, senior business support specialist
Office of Strategic Initiatives
Kara Farren, senior business support specialist
School of Dentistry
Danita Johnson, senior student services coordinator
School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
J. Michael Pragman, director of Regional Professional Development Center
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
James Utech, finance and budget consultant
School of Law
Breana Boger, law admissions director
School of Medicine
Kimberlee Kalaiwaa, senior office support assistant
School of Nursing and Health Studies
Stephanie Spitz, senior project manager
School of Pharmacy
Casey Ramsey, senior business support specialist
School of Science and Engineering
Tanya Henderson, senior business support specialist
Strategic Marketing and Communications
Sarah Dresslaer, creative services operations manager
Student Affairs
Carrie Schmatz, coordinator for leadership and student organization development
Student Success and Academic Assurance
Carrie Paulette, senior executive assistant
UMKC Innovation Center
Jennifer Starcev, senior communications and project coordinator
University Libraries
Kevin McCarrison, office support assistant
Staff Council Dedication Award
Recognizes a staff member who has made significant contributions to the Staff Council and its initiatives by enhancing communication, volunteering service to the university and community and providing opportunities to develop staff professionally and personally
Sarah Amos, senior student services coordinator, Student Success and Academic Assurance
Administrative Leadership Development Program Graduates
Recognizes staff members who have successfully completed the Dr. Elson S. Floyd Administrative Leadership Development Program, a UM System course where emerging and current leaders expand and refine their leadership skills
Ken Bledsoe
Rebecca Diemer
Shelly Doucet
Stacy Downs
Sara Hampton
Leigh Kerwin
Joanna Pohl
Janey Stephens
Supervisor Development Series Graduates
Recognizes staff members who have successfully completed the UM Supervisor Development Series, a foundational management and leadership course with university-focused content
Pamala Asher
Sadie Billings
Katelyn Chapin
Gabriel Cohen
Shay Duncan
Clarate Heckler
Chi Johnson
Jamie Locke
Timothy Maybell
Rosa Nataraj
Lauren Nelson
Emily Newton
Amanda Sanders
Chayanne Sandoval-Williams
Luke Scheil
Kristina Shultz
Paul Trana
Series on Leadership Essentials Graduates
Recognizes staff members who have successfully completed the Series on Leadership Essentials Program, a UM System course where employees can develop their skills in the areas of communication, engagement, giving and receiving feedback and navigating change
Katelyn Chapin
Casey Davison
Corynne Nixon
UMKC Graduates
Recognizes staff members who have graduated with a UMKC degree in Spring 2024, Summer 2024 or Fall 2024
Albara Al Saed
Leslie Hisman
Liz Hoffman-Shrout
Dakota Juhan
Petra Kralickova
Alyssa Lally
Adam Larson
Tyler Murphy
Kathryn Nicolaus
Brianna Portmann
Janelle Sjue
Service Milestones
Recognizes staff members who have given five or more years of service to UMKC and are celebrating a milestone in fiscal year 2025
5 Years
Michael Abel
Nate Addington
Roy Allen
Sarah Beach
Jordan Callison
Elizabeth Case
James Currie
Destiny Delgado Peterson
Alyssa Dick
Shay Duncan
Robert Durham
Jennifer Fergerson
Jill Folsom
Allen George
Eric Gormly
Erin Hassett
Cynthia Hedrick
Jon Holt
Rachel Hughes
Rebecca Ireland
Kimberley Ivany
Nathan Jacobs
Cathy Keasler
Maryann Khan
Jeina Kummer
Meghan Lamarche
Patrick Lenoir
Adam Loftin
Michele Logue
Mackenzie Martin
Rafael Martinez Rodriguez
Michael McClean
Christen Melvin
Graceann Milano
Tamara Moore-Callahan
Kathryn Nicolaus
Paul Nyakatura
Jesse Osman
Sarah Patora
Kyle Pate
Eloberto Perdomo Espinosa
Ryan Pierce
Ryan Pore
Morgan Ramsey
Chistiana Rangel
Stephen Reese
Carissa Ruf
Claire Ruhlman
Gabi Sa Teles
William Sanders
Mark Sheldon
Charity Simmons
Jessica Smith
Robert Swan
Joseph Tesoro
Linda Thornburgh
Molly Tugushi
Matthew Walker
Sharon Ward
Josh Ware
Sherrie Watkins
Leland White
Margaret Wight
Danielle Wilson
Rachel Witmer
Theresa Wright
Kristen Zucht
10 Years
Katheryn Acklin
Cynthia Beard
Christina Berg
Shaun Bernardon
Jennifer Burrus
Jamison Cochran
Connor Fender
Pola Firestone
David Fulk
Natalie Gilkison
Molly Giuliano
Latonia Gordon
April Graham
Venita Greenbaum
Rebecca Higgins
Jim Jarrett
Emily Koesterer
Lauren Newcomer
Jessica Pearson
Christopher Short
Laura Skluzacek
James Utech
Tenishia Webb
Wade Williamson
Jericho Wood
Sam Zeff
15 Years
Cheryl Adam
Petra Bricker
Angela Cottrell
Alicen Lundberg
Janelle Malik
Mary McConnell
Brianna Portmann
Barbette Roach
Crystal Simonis
Carol Still
Jacob Vollertsen
Ashley Wann
Caleb Zenitsky
20 Years
Arnold Abels
Maria Altman
Randy Banister
Katie Bast
Michael Brown
Sharon Colbert
Jeff Cooper
Jennifer Coulthard
Onekia De Leon Franklin
Matthew Eplee
Nathan Fishback
Michael Fredericksen
Sara Hampton
David Hanna
Karen Hutchinson
Ling Li
Joseph Rucinski
Michael Shannon
Kristina Shultz
Mercedes Tilman
Jonathan Young
25 Years
Curt Crespino
Mark Culver
Karen English
Matthew Gardner
D’Ramises Gatapia
Alexander Holsinger
Kristi Holsinger
Walter Jackson
James Lang
Troy Lillebo
Scott Middleton
Michelle Reynolds
Richard Thomas
Darnell Williams
Steven Wilson
30 Years
Donald Littleton
Justin Malyn
Coretta Muhammad
Ronald Ramphal
James Schonemann
Donald Simmons
35 Years
Jennifer Eigsti
Sharon Griffith
Gregory Holloway
40 Years
Mary Bunyard
Daphne Hunter
45 Years
Kevin McCarrison