UMKC celebrated the promotion and tenure of more than 30 members of its faculty Oct. 21 at a gala reception set against the city’s glittering skyline at the On Broadway event space.

“Each year, this promotion and tenure event is a celebration of achievement. 今天, 然而, we are recognizing and celebrating a remarkable level of academic achievement,总理毛利·阿格拉瓦尔说. “The operational and financial challenges posed by the pandemic came in tandem with enormous disruption in our personal lives.他补充说，在这些挑战中, faculty also played a key role in the development and launch of the UMKC Forward initiative.

“Making your way through all that, in one piece, is a bragging point all by itself. 但请记住，在所有这些挑战中, you have successfully pursued the path of professional growth and achievement that resulted in the promotions, 以及使用权的授予, 今晚我们一起庆祝,财政大臣说。. 想想看, 今晚你们站在这里, 2021年10月, and look back over the past several years at what you have achieved through this unique moment in history. 感到骄傲. UMKC为你感到骄傲. 我为你感到骄傲. 你们已经证明了自己是独一无二的.”

The event was set outdoors for the comfort and safety of the faculty members and their guests in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. The event also was focused solely on promotion and tenure. Other faculty awards and honors – such as new Curators’ Distinguished Professors, 和受托人, 州长和校长的研究奖, 教学, 指导, community engagement and commitment to diversity and inclusion – will be presented at a separate event in the spring semester.

“我们的目标是举办一个规模较小的活动, 但仍然很特别, 这是你们应得的,” said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jenny Lundgren. “我希望这句话能说清楚.”

The promotion and tenure process at UMKC involves a lengthy and rigorous review of academic performance in the areas of 教学, 奖学金和服务. Each of the academics recognized at the celebration has demonstrated to their peers and to the administration that they have met high standards for sustained contributions and outstanding performance.

UMKC 2021晋升和终身职位

Ekaterina Strekalova-Hughes, School of Education, tenure with promotion to associate professor

梅根·哈特，计算机学院 & Engineering, tenure with promotion to associate professor

Sue Lasiter, School of Nursing and Health Studies, tenure  

Joah Williams, College of Arts and Sciences, tenure with promotion to associate professor

Alison DeSimone, Conservatory, tenure with promotion to associate professor

LaVerne Berkel, School of Education, promotion to professor

Mike O'Connor, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, promotion to professor

Viviana Grieco, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

Shannon Jackson, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

白杨，计算机学院 & 工程学，晋升为教授

Xiaobo Chen, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, promotion to professor

Elizabeth Vonnahme,  College of Arts and Sciences,  promotion to professor

Jennifer Huberman, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

Kym Bennett, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

Jacob Marszalek, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

Toya Like, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

Jasmine Abdel-Khalik, School of Law, promotion to professor

德尔·赖特，法学院，晋升为教授

Dan McIntosh, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to professor

加里·阿伯特，音乐学院，晋升为教授

Lance Godley, School of Dentistry, promotion to associate clinical professor

Michael Murphy, School of Dentistry, promotion to associate clinical professor

Lynn Friesen, School of Dentistry, promotion to research professor

Heather Lyons-Burney, School of Pharmacy,             promotion to associate clinical professor

Lisa Cillessen, School of Pharmacy, promotion to associate clinical professor

Kendall Guthrie, School of Pharmacy, promotion to associate clinical professor

Steven Kraske, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to 教学 professor

Crystal Doss, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to 教学 professor

Rebecca Davis, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to 教学 professor

Mitchell Brian, College of Arts and Sciences, promotion to 教学 professor

Kelley Martin, University 库, promotion to librarian III

Danielle Merrick, School of Law, promotion to clinical professor

Rachael Allen, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, promotion to associate 教学 professor

Aaron Reed, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, promotion to 教学 professor