View source for University of Missouri–Kansas City

{{Short description|Public research university in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = University of Missouri–Kansas City
 | image                  = University of Missouri-Kansas City logo.svg
 | image_size             = 250px
 | former_name            = Kansas City School of Law (1895-1938)<br />Kansas City Dental College (1881-1919)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lostcolleges.com/kansas-city-dental-college|title=Kansas City Dental College}}</ref><br />Western Dental College (1890-1919)<br />Kansas City-Western Dental College (1919-1941)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lostcolleges.com/355-western-dental-college|title=Western Dental College}}</ref><br />Kansas City College of Pharmacy (1885-1943)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lostcolleges.com/369-kansas-city-college-of-pharmacy|title=Kansas City College of Pharmacy}}</ref><br />Kansas City Conservatory of Music (1906-1959)<br />Horner Institute for Fine Arts (1914-1926)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://conservatory.umkc.edu/about-us/conservatory-history.html|title=UKMC Conservatory - Our History}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umkc.edu/about/history.html|title=UKMC - Our History}}</ref><br />University of Kansas City (1933-1963)
 | motto                  = ''[[Salus populi suprema lex esto]]'' ([[Latin]])
 | mottoeng               = "{{nowrap|Let the welfare of the people}} be the supreme law"<ref>https://www.umsystem.edu/about-us/history {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326211739/https://www.umsystem.edu/about-us/history |date=March 26, 2019}} umsystem about us</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=UM Seal Guidelines and History| publisher= Curators of the University of Missouri |url=http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/departments/ur/resources/index.shtml| access-date=November 19, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129112506/http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/departments/ur/resources/index.shtml |archive-date=November 29, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="style_guide_2018">{{cite web |title=University of Missouri System Style Guide |publisher=Curators of the University of Missouri |date=September 7, 2018 |url=https://www.umsystem.edu/media/ur/UMSYSStyleGuide-Digital.pdf |access-date=February 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228191831/https://www.umsystem.edu/media/ur/UMSYSStyleGuide-Digital.pdf |archive-date=February 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | established            = {{start date and age|October 1, 1933}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umkc.edu/about/history.html|title=History|work=umkc.edu}}</ref>
 | type                   = [[Public university|Public]] [[research university]]
 | accreditation          = [[Higher Learning Commission|HLC]]
 | parent                 = [[University of Missouri System]]
 | academic_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities|CUMU]]|[[Great Cities' Universities|GCU]]|[[Coalition of Urban Serving Universities|USU]]|[[National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program|Space-grant]]}}
 | endowment              = $204.14 million (2023)<br />(UMKC only)<ref name=Endowment>As of June 30, 2023. {{cite web |url=https://www.umsystem.edu/sites/default/files/media/fa/investments/endowment-profile.pdf |title=Quarterly Performance Report |date=October 2, 2023 |publisher=[[University of Missouri System]] |access-date=July 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103111225/https://www.umsystem.edu/sites/default/files/media/fa/investments/endowment-profile.pdf |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |url-status=deviated }}</ref><br />$2.24 billion (2023)<br />(system-wide)<ref name=NACUBO>As of June 30, 2023. {{cite web |url=https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2023-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-FINAL.xlsx |title=U.S. and Canadian 2023 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2023 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY22 to FY23, and FY23 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student |date=February 15, 2024 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) |access-date=July 12, 2024 |format=XLSX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523180252/https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2023-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-FINAL.xlsx |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | budget                 = $457.46 million (FY 2024)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umsystem.edu/sites/default/files/media/fa/budget/fy2024-operating-budget-book.pdf |title=Operating Budget |publisher=University of Missouri System  |access-date=May 5, 2024}}</ref>
 | chancellor             = [[C. Mauli Agrawal]]
 | provost                = Jennifer Lundgren
 | total_staff            = 3,576 (2023)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umkc.edu/data/dashboards/faculty-staff-reports.html |title=Faculty/Staff Reports |publisher=Umkc.edu |access-date=April 26, 2024}}</ref>
 | students               = 15,327 (fall 2023)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umkc.edu/data/dashboards/student-headcount.html |title=Term Enrollment Student Headcount and FTE  |publisher=Umkc.edu |access-date=April 26, 2024}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 10,197 (fall 2023)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umkc.edu/data/dashboards/student-headcount.html |title=Term Enrollment Student Headcount and FTE  |publisher=Umkc.edu |access-date=April 26, 2024}}</ref>
 | postgrad               = 5,130 (fall 2023)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umkc.edu/data/dashboards/student-headcount.html |title=Term Enrollment Student Headcount and FTE  |publisher=Umkc.edu |access-date=April 26, 2024}}</ref>
 | administrative_staff   = 661 (2023)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umkc.edu/data/dashboards/faculty-staff-reports.html |title=Faculty/Staff Reports |publisher=Umkc.edu |access-date=April 26, 2024}}</ref>
 | city                   = [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]]
 | state                  = [[Missouri]]
 | country                = [[United States]]
 | campus                 = Large City
 | campus_size            = {{convert|157|acre|sqmi ha|1|adj=on}}
 | colors                 = Blue and gold<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.umkc.edu/mcom/docs/visual-identity-guidelines.pdf |title=University of Missouri–Kansas City Visual Identity Guidelines |access-date=August 23, 2022}}</ref><br />{{color box|#0066CC}}&nbsp;{{color box|#FFDD00}}
 | nickname               = [[Kansas City Roos|Roos]]
 | free_label             = Other Campuses
 | free                   = {{hlist|[[Springfield, Missouri|Springfield]]|[[St Joseph, Missouri|St. Joseph]]}}
 | free_label2            = Newspaper
 | free2                  = ''Roo News''
 | mascot                 = Kasey the Kangaroo
 | sporting_affiliations  = [[NCAA Division I]] – [[Summit League]]
 | website                = {{URL|umkc.edu}}
}}

The '''University of Missouri–Kansas City''' ('''UMKC''' or '''Kansas City''') is a [[Public university|public]] [[research university]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri]], United States. UMKC is part of the [[University of Missouri System]] and has a [[UMKC School of Medicine|medical school]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umsystem.edu/|title=University of Missouri System|website=www.umsystem.edu|language=en|access-date=February 23, 2017}}</ref> For the 2023-2024 academic year, the university's enrollment was over 15,300 students.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Term Enrollment Student Headcount and FTE {{!}} Planning, Analysis and Decision Support {{!}} University of Missouri - Kansas City |url=https://www.umkc.edu/data/dashboards/student-headcount.html |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=www.umkc.edu}}</ref> It is the largest university in the Kansas City metro area. Among all postsecondary institutions (including community colleges), it ranks among the top three by enrollment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/subscriber-only/2017/12/01/largest-colleges-and-universities-in-kc.html|title=Largest Kansas City-Area Colleges and Universities|last=Diaz-Camacho|first=Vicky|date=December 1, 2017|website=Kansas City Business Journal}}</ref> It offers more than 125 degree programs over 12 academic units.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Academics {{!}} University of Missouri–Kansas City |url=https://www.umkc.edu/academics/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=www.umkc.edu |language=en}}</ref> UMKC now holds a [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|Carnegie]] “R1: Very High Research Activity” designation, making it the only R1 university in Kansas City.<ref>{{Cite web |last=City |first=Strategic Marketing and Communications {{!}} University of Missouri Kansas |title=R1 Designation |url=https://www.umkc.edu/research/r1.html |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=University of Missouri Kansas City |language=en-US}}</ref> UMKC is also home to the [[University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry|School of Dentistry]], Missouri’s only public dental school.<ref>{{Cite web |last=City |first=Strategic Marketing and Communications {{!}} University of Missouri Kansas |title=Our History |url=https://dentistry.umkc.edu/about-us/history.html |access-date=2025-10-02 |website=University of Missouri Kansas City |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
===Lincoln and Lee University===
{{Main|Lincoln and Lee University}}
The school has its roots in the [[Lincoln and Lee University]] movement first put forth by the [[Methodist Church]] and its Bishop [[Ernest Lynn Waldorf]] in the 1920s. The proposed university (which was to honor [[Abraham Lincoln]] and [[Robert E. Lee]]) was to be built on the [[Missouri]]&ndash;[[Kansas]] border at 75th and State Line Road. Proponents of the school said it would be a location "where North met South and East met West."

In 1930, after the Methodists had brought the Kansas City Dental School into their fold, the two plans were merged. The new school was to be called "'''Lincoln and Lee, the University of Kansas City'''."<ref>Link Names for Schools – ''[[The Kansas City Star]]'' – December 16, 1930 – Page 1</ref> and plans were underway to develop it into a four-year school.

The university was built on a {{convert|40|acre|ha|2|adj=on}} plot, southeast of the Nelson mansion. [[William Volker]] had purchased and donated this land for the University of Kansas City. The original Volker purchase did not include the Dickey mansion itself. Dickey died unexpectedly in 1931 and Volker acquired it to be the first building.

===University of Kansas City===
{{For|the defunct school in Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City University (1896–1933)}}
The two groups were to squabble back and forth, with Ernest H. Newcomb attempting to mediate. The Church did not maintain its ties, and the Lincoln and Lee name was abandoned. The school announced that it would start if 125 students enrolled. The target was met, and the '''University of Kansas City''', or "KCU" for short, held its first classes in October 1933 with a faculty of 17 and a student enrollment of 264.

The campus (now expanded to {{convert|90|acre|ha|1|disp=or}}) is called the Volker Campus. The Dickey mansion is now Scofield Hall. The second building on the campus, the library, was named for Newcomb. A [[Carl Milles]] fountain on Brush Creek opposite the Nelson Gallery is called the Volker Fountain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=William Volker Memorial Fountain {{!}} KC Parks {{!}} City of Fountains |url=https://kcparks.org/places/volker-william-memorial-fountain-2/ |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=kcparks.org}}</ref>

The University of Kansas City grew quickly, and soon incorporated other existing local private institutions of higher learning. The [[University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law|Kansas City School of Law]], which was founded in the 1890s and located in [[downtown Kansas City]], merged into the university in 1938. The Kansas City-Western Dental College followed in 1941 and the Kansas City College of Pharmacy merged in 1943. This was followed by the Kansas City Conservatory of Music in 1959. During this period, the university also established the School of Administration in 1953, the School of Education in 1954, and the Division for Continuing Education in 1958.

===University of Missouri–Kansas City===

[[File:UMKC Nima 25.jpg|thumb|Grant Hall]]
On July 25, 1963, at the urging of alumnus [[Hilary A. Bush]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121020074450/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=0EAF3DC326BD8AFF&p_docnum=1&s_orderid=NB0109081715312923076&s_dlid=DL0109081715315323152&s_ecproduct=DOC&s_ecprodtype=&s_trackval=&s_siteloc=KC&s_referrer=&s_username=americasroof&s_accountid=AC0108122400392400643&s_upgradeable=no ''The Kansas City Star'' – May 22, 1992]</ref> the university became part of the [[University of Missouri System]] and $20 million of assets including 23 buildings were transferred to the University of Missouri. At the time, KCU had 3,300 students (2,000 full-time) and 175 full-time faculty.<ref>K.C.U., M.U. Plan a Merger – ''Kansas City Times'' – February 26, 1963</ref>

At the time Missouri already owned the campuses in [[Columbia, Missouri|Columbia]] and [[Rolla, Missouri|Rolla]]. Accordingly, the university's name was changed to the University of Missouri–Kansas City. After this, UMKC established the School of Graduate Studies in 1964, the School of Medicine in 1970, the School of Nursing in 1980, the School of Basic Life Sciences in 1985 (which was renamed the School of Biological Sciences in the mid-1990s), and the School of Computing and Engineering in 2001.

In 2012, the school conducted studies on whether to rename the school back to the University of Kansas City (while still remaining in the University of Missouri system). In November 2012, the school decided against the change noting at the time, "while prospective students and the community at large had strong interest in the name change, several other important groups — current students, faculty/staff, and alumni — do not favor a name change at this time."<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2012 |title=UMKC Says No to Name Change |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/02/3898418/umkc-says-no-to-name-change.html#storylink=cpy |website=www.kansascity.com}}</ref>

In the mid and late 2010s, UMKC came under fire for corruption and cover-ups that alleged a pursuit of outside money above all else.<ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article231135763.html "After hiding details about student’s death, UMKC needs to change its cover-up culture"]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sentinelksmo.org/still-another-umkc-prof-accused-of-exploiting-foreign-students/|title=UMKC Prof Accused of "Modern Slavery"|first=Jack|last=Cashill|date=November 19, 2018}}</ref> Critics highlighted examples in the management school and pharmaceutical school, including a faculty member who required international students to perform personal tasks for him and false information used to rank the business school.<ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article221876590.html "UMKC widens investigation after Star found professor used his students as servants"]</ref><ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article220872325.html "Professor used students as servants"]</ref><ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article9640337.html "UMKC chancellor apologizes for use of flawed data in pursuit of rankings"]</ref><ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article9463514.html "Bloch School leader: No. 1 ranking lacked credibility"]</ref><ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article811481.html "A deceptive jobs claim keeps cropping up at Bloch School"]</ref>

==Academics==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: University of Missouri-Kansas City|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school?178402-University-of-Missouri-Kansas-City|website=College Scorecard |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=June 23, 2025 }}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|48|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|16|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|14|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|11|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|5|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|4|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:grey}} 
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|39|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|61|%|2||background:black}}
|}
[[File:UMKC Nima 31.jpg|thumb|Bloch School of Executive Management]]Today, the academic divisions of UMKC are as follows:
* the College of Arts and Sciences
* the Conservatory of Music and Dance
* the [[Henry W. Bloch School of Management]]
* the [https://sse.umkc.edu/ School of Science and Engineering]
* the [[University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry|School of Dentistry]]
* the School of Education
* the [[University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law|School of Law]]
* the [[University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine|School of Medicine]]
* the School of Nursing and Health Studies
* the School of Pharmacy
* the School of Graduate Studies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/academics/ |title=Schools and Departments |publisher=Umkc.edu |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref>

The [[University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine|School of Medicine]] is known for its six-year post-secondary program, wherein a student spends only six years obtaining both a [[Bachelor of Arts]] and [[Doctor of Medicine]] degree. The school operates two campuses, one in [[Kansas City, Missouri]], and one in [[St. Joseph, Missouri]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=UMKC's School of Medicine To Open New Campus in St. Joseph With a Focus on Rural Health Care – UM System Community Connect |url=https://umsystem.cares.missouri.edu/engagements/umkcs-school-of-medicine-to-open-a-new-campus-in-st-joseph-with-a-focus-on-rural-health-care/ |access-date=2024-06-05 |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine|School of Medicine]] in Kansas City, Missouri, is known as the Health Sciences District campus or HSD. It is situated away from the main campus on [[Hospital Hill]], where it is connected to [[Truman Medical Center-Hospital Hill|University Health Truman Medical Center]], an extensive research hospital. The St. Joseph campus (STJ) is based in St. Joseph, Missouri. Students initially trained within Mosaic Life Care hospital facilities, but in August 2025 UMKC opened a new 22,000-square-foot, $14.5 million medical education building. The facility houses classrooms, simulation labs, and clinical training spaces, and serves as a hub for expanding rural health education.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Marketing |first=Strategic |last2=Communications |date= |title=UMKC Celebrates Grand Opening of New St. Joseph Medical School Building |url=https://www.umkc.edu/news/posts/2025/august/umkc-celebrates-grand-opening-of-new-st-joseph-medical-school-building.html |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=www.umkc.edu |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:TRUMAN 58-766-06 (cropped).jpg|thumb|180px|[[Harry S. Truman]]]]
The [[University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law|School of Law]] is one of four law schools in Missouri ([[St. Louis University School of Law]], [[University of Missouri School of Law]], and [[Washington University School of Law]] are the others). It is one of only seven American law schools to have educated both a [[President of the United States]] ([[Harry S. Truman]]) and a Justice of the [[Supreme Court of the United States]] ([[Charles Evans Whittaker]]). Truman attended but did not graduate from the law school and never practiced law. The schools that actually have had President-Supreme Court graduates who practiced law are [[Yale Law School]], [[Harvard Law School]], [[Columbia Law School]], the [[University of Virginia School of Law]], the [[William & Mary Law School]] and the [[University of Cincinnati College of Law]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lsac.org/LSACResources/Publications/2011OG/lsac6872.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=September 22, 2011 |archive-date=November 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106021521/http://lsac.org/LSACResources/Publications/2011OG/lsac6872.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The university is the home of [[New Letters]], a [[literary magazine]], as well as the nationally syndicated public radio program ''New Letters on the Air''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newletters.org/ontheair.asp|title=New Letters|work=newletters.org|access-date=July 18, 2006|archive-date=April 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430022335/http://newletters.org/ontheair.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> For over 50 years, UMKC has broadcast live, taped, and syndicated programming over [[KCUR]], the university's radio station and [[NPR]] affiliate.

In 2004, the [[Fungal Genetics Stock Center]] moved to UMKC where it is in the School of Biological Sciences. The FGSC was founded in 1960 and is supported by the US [[National Science Foundation]]. The FGSC distributes research materials around the world, and is part of the [[World Federation for Culture Collections]]. Collaborators include researchers at the [[Broad Institute]] and the US Department of Energy [[Joint Genome Institute]].

[[UMKC Theatre]] is considered to have one of the stronger M.F.A. programs in acting in the country. In 2017, 2018, and 2019 the MFA costume design program was ranked in the top 10 best costume design schools in the country by ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''.

The university is the site where the [[Supplemental Instruction]] program was established and developed.<ref>Burmeister, S. L. (1996). Supplemental Instruction: An interview with Deanna Martin. Journal of Developmental Education, 20(1), 22-24, 26</ref>

== Rankings ==
As of the 2026 ''[[U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking|U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges]]'' rankings, the University of Missouri–Kansas City was ranked:
* #232 (tie) in ''National Universities''
* #129 (tie) in ''Top Public Schools''

Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last= |first= |title=University of Missouri–Kansas City |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/umkc-2518 |access-date=September 29, 2025 |website=[[U.S. News & World Report]]}}</ref>

{{Infobox US university ranking
<!-- US rankings -->| Forbes = 265
| USNWR_NU = 232
| Wamo_NU = 372
| THE_WSJ = 257
<!-- Global rankings -->| ARWU_W = 801–900
| QS_W = 1001–1200
| THE_W = 501–600
| USNWR_W = 681
}}

==Athletics==
{{Main|Kansas City Roos}}

UMKC's mascot is Kasey [[Kangaroo]] (originally drawn by [[Walt Disney]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://info.umkc.edu/unews/a-pouch-of-roo-history-umkc-mascot-was-born-in-walt-disneys-studio/ |title=A pouch of 'Roo history: UMKC mascot was born in Walt Disney's studio – University News &#124; |publisher=Info.umkc.edu |date=October 22, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2015 |archive-date=September 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922060248/http://info.umkc.edu/unews/a-pouch-of-roo-history-umkc-mascot-was-born-in-walt-disneys-studio/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Historically, UMKC athletics had used the identity of "UMKC Kangaroos," but the short form "Roos" was widely used both within and outside of the program. On July 1, 2019, the athletic program officially rebranded itself as the Kansas City Roos.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.umkckangaroos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18300&ATCLID=211806301 |title=UMKC Athletics Completes New Brand Identity |publisher=Kansas City Athletics |date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=July 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704184701/http://www.umkckangaroos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18300&ATCLID=211806301 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The school's colors are old gold and [[royal blue]]. It is a member of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]'s [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] [[Summit League]], having rejoined that conference on July 1, 2020, after seven years in the [[Western Athletic Conference]].<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://www.umkckangaroos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18300&ATCLID=211805709 |title=Kansas City Roo Athletics Rejoins Summit League |publisher=Kansas City Athletics |date=June 20, 2019 |access-date=June 21, 2019}}</ref>

The men's soccer team won the Summit League men's soccer championships in [[List of Summit League champions#Soccer|1996, 1999, 2001, 2003, and 2010]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.argusleader.com/story/sports/college/2019/06/21/university-missouri-kansas-city-roos-rejoining-summit-league-tom-douple/1524748001/|title=Welcome back: University of Missouri-Kansas City Roos rejoining the Summit League|first=Brian|last=Haenchen|website=Argus Leader}}</ref>  The team set an NCAA record on October 12, 2001, with the fastest trio of goals scored in Division I soccer during the MLS era, by scoring three times in 1:46 against [[Valparaiso University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/nikbusch/docs/2012_umkc_men_s_soccer_media_guide|title=2012 UMKC Men's Soccer Media Guide by Nik Busch|website=issuu.com|date=August 24, 2012 }}</ref> Notable Roos soccer players have included goalkeepers [[Kevin Corby (soccer)|Kevin Corby]] and [[Connor Sparrow]], defenders [[Roberto Albuquerque]] and Coady Andrews, forwards [[Levi Coleman]], [[Eric McWoods]], and [[Jordan Rideout]], and midfielders [[Manny Catano]], [[Jony Muñoz]], and [[Bryan Pérez]].

UMKC sponsors 16 sports for both men and women at the intercollegiate level. The department sponsors: men's basketball and women's basketball, men's soccer and women's soccer, men's tennis and women's tennis, men's golf and women's golf, men's indoor and outdoor track & field and women's indoor and outdoor track & field, men's cross country and women's cross country, softball, and volleyball. The men's and women's basketball teams play at [[Swinney Recreation Center]]. In April 2007, the school dropped its Co-Ed Rifle Program in order to add women's soccer and men's baseball. Women's soccer was added to the institution for the 2009–10 school year.

==Campuses==
UMKC is spread across multiple locales; the main Volker Campus, home to the majority of university operations, is located in Kansas City, Missouri's Rockhill neighborhood, east of the [[Country Club Plaza]], and adjacent to both the [[Stowers Institute for Medical Research]] and the [[Linda Hall Library]]. In 2017 the university, in collaboration with [[Truman Medical Center-Hospital Hill|University Health Truman Medical Center]], [[Children's Mercy Hospital]], the Missouri Health Department, the Jackson County Medical Examiners Office, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health Behavioral Medicine, formed the UMKC Health Sciences District on [[Hospital Hill]]. This district is a first-in-the-nation partnership between local and state governments, the university, and these nationally recognized healthcare faculties, designed to promote collaboration in research, innovation, education, grant funding, and community outreach, for the advancement of health and wellness in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.trumed.org/about/umkc-health-sciences-district|title=Truman Medical Centers - UMKC Health Sciences District|website=med.umkc.edu|access-date=February 23, 2017}}</ref> Also in 2017, the university announced plans to expand its metropolitan identity with the construction of a downtown Campus for the Arts, located near the [[Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://info.umkc.edu/artscampus/|title=Downtown Campus for the Arts {{!}} Exploring the feasibility of a UMKC Campus for the Arts in downtown Kansas City|website=info.umkc.edu|language=en-US|access-date=February 23, 2017|archive-date=February 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227220623/http://info.umkc.edu/artscampus/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Volker Campus===
[[File:UMKC Nima 02.jpg|thumb|Durwood Stadium is located in the middle of campus. The Plaza is in the background.]]

UMKC has two campuses in Kansas City. Most of UMKC's main campus (Volker campus) is inside a square formed by Volker Boulevard (north), Oak Street (west), 53rd Street (south), and Troost (east). The Health Sciences District campus houses the health sciences academic departments. Directly across Troost from UMKC is [[Rockhurst University]], a Jesuit university.

===Health Sciences District Campus===
The Health Sciences District campus houses the [[nursing|School of Nursing]], the [[UMKC School of Medicine|School of Medicine]], the [[University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry|School of Dentistry]], and the [[pharmacy|School of Pharmacy]].

=== St. Joseph Campus ===
[[File:University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine St. Joseph Campus.jpg|thumb|September 2025. University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine St. Joseph Campus]]
The UMKC School of Medicine–St. Joseph campus opened a new 22,000-square-foot, $14.5 million medical education building in August 2025. Located in [[St. Joseph, Missouri]], the facility includes classrooms, simulation labs, and clinical training spaces designed to expand rural health education.<ref name=":2" />

===Buildings===

==== Biological Sciences Building ====
Built in 1972, the Biological Sciences Building is located north of the Spencer Chemistry Building and east of Katz Hall. The building houses offices, classrooms, and research laboratories of the School of Biological Sciences. The school offers undergrad, grad, and doctoral degrees in the [[life sciences]].  The Biological Sciences Building and Spencer Chemistry Building are connected on four of its floors; in addition to this, the south stairwell on the basement floor of the Biological Sciences Building is the north stairwell of the Spencer Chemistry Building.

==== Fine Arts Building ====
The Fine Arts Building was built in 1942 and remodeled in 1975. Currently, the Art and Art History departments use the building. Student works are often displayed in the building's UMKC Gallery of Art.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/finearts.asp|title=Fine Arts Building|date=December 11, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211092317/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/finearts.asp |archive-date=December 11, 2005 }}</ref>

[[File:UMKC Nima 45.jpg|thumb|Spencer Chemistry]]

==== Spencer Chemistry Building ====
The building, located at 51st & Rockhill, was built in 1972 using funds donated by Helen Spencer. The purpose of the building was to nurture scientific advancement at UMKC. It currently houses the main office of the Chemistry Department, as well as several chemistry laboratories and classrooms. Spencer Chemistry Building and the Biological Sciences Building are connected on four of its floors.

==== The Quad ====
The majority of UMKC's students regularly attend classes in buildings on the Quad. These buildings are Flarsheim Hall, Newcomb Hall, Manheim Hall, Royall Hall, Haag Hall, and Scofield Hall.

==== Cockefair Hall ====
Cockefair, (pronounced coke-fair), is located on Rockhill across from Flarsheim Hall. It was built in 1950 and is named for former faculty member Carolyn Cockefair, who was a humanities professor at UMKC. The building currently houses the departments of History, English, and Philosophy.

==== Flarsheim Hall ====
Flarsheim Hall was built in 1999, and is the largest building on UMKC's campus. The Chemistry, Physics, and Geosciences departments, as well as the School of Computing and Engineering, are located in Flarsheim Hall. The hall was named after Robert H. Flarsheim, who left a $9 million endowment to the university in his estate. Flarsheim Hall is located on the northeast corner of the Quad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/flarsheim.asp |title=Flarsheim Hall |website=www.umkc.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211092251/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/flarsheim.asp |archive-date=2005-12-11}}</ref>

[[File:Haag Hall, located on the UMKC Quad.jpg|thumb|Haag Hall]]

==== Haag Hall ====
Haag Hall (pronounced Hāg), built in 1937, contains offices and classrooms including the departments of mathematics and communication studies. Its most recognizable features are large murals stretching along the main stairwell. Haag Hall is connected to both Royall and Flarsheim Halls. Haag Hall is located on the southeast corner of the Quad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/haag.asp |title=Haag Hall |website=www.umkc.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051220152725/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/haag.asp |archive-date=2005-12-20}}</ref>

==== Katz Hall ====
Completed in 1965, Katz Hall is named in honor of Isaac and Michael Katz, founders of a major Kansas City drug store chain. The building currently houses the Department of Architecture, Urban Planning + Design's offices and classrooms, and was once the location for the School of Pharmacy. The Pharmacy School has moved to the Health Sciences Building on UMKC's Hospital Hill campus, approximately four miles north of the Volker Campus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/katz-hall.asp |title=Katz Hall - UMKC Virtual Tour |website=www.umkc.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527193634/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/katz-hall.asp |archive-date=2010-05-27}}</ref>

==== Manheim Hall ====
Manheim Hall, along with Newcomb Hall were the first two buildings originally built for the university. It is named for [[Ernest Manheim]], a professor of sociology, who taught at the university and founded its sociology program. Currently, Manheim Hall houses offices. It is connected to Royall Hall by a second-floor walkway. Manheim is located on the southwest corner of the Quad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/manheim.asp|title=Manheim Hall|date=September 3, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903151615/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/manheim.asp |archive-date=September 3, 2006 }}</ref>

==== Newcomb Hall ====
Newcomb Hall (built in 1936) was named after the first manager of the university, Ernest H. Newcomb. Originally designed to house the library, Newcomb Hall is now home to offices, the University Archives, the Western Historical Manuscript Collection and the Edgar Snow Collections. Newcomb Hall is located on the extreme west edge of the quad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/newcomb.asp|title=Newcomb Hall|date=September 3, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903151655/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/newcomb.asp |archive-date=September 3, 2006 }}</ref>

==== Royall Hall ====
Royall Hall was built in 1968 and is almost exclusively classrooms. Two large lecture halls are on the ground floor, and an astronomical observatory is on the roof. Also on the ground floor is a lounge area with an [[Einstein Bros. Bagels]]. Royall Hall is connected to both Manheim and Haag Halls, and to a five-level parking structure across the street. Royall Hall is located on the south end of the Quad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/royall.asp |title=Royall Hall |website=www.umkc.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211092904/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/royall.asp |archive-date=2005-12-11}}</ref>[[File:UMKC Nima 13.jpg|thumb|Scofield Hall at UMKC]]

==== Scofield Hall ====
Scofield Hall was built in 1912, and was originally a private residence. In 1931, William Volker acquired it and donated it to the university. It was named after Carleton Scofield, who was chancellor of the university when it merged with the [[University of Missouri System]]. The Arts & Sciences advising office as well as the Language Resource Center and the Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures are located in Scofield Hall. Scofield Hall is located on the north end of the Quad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/scofield.asp|title=Scofield Hall|date=December 11, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211092924/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/scofield.asp |archive-date=December 11, 2005 }}</ref>

[[File:Epperson House.jpg|thumb|Epperson House]]

==== Epperson House ====
{{Main|Epperson House}}
Epperson House is located south of 52nd St. between Oak and Cherry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://info.umkc.edu/perspectives/features/house-on-the-hill/ |title=House on the hill &#124; |publisher=Info.umkc.edu |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> The [[Tudor Revival architecture|Tudor]]-[[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] structure was completed in 1923 at a cost of $450,000. Originally built as a private residence, Epperson House contained 48 rooms, six bathrooms, elevators, a swimming pool, and a billiard room, spread through four floors. The residence was built by Uriah S. Epperson, who was a banker, industrialist, and philanthropist who amassed significant wealth from insurance and meat-packing industries. The building was donated to the university in 1942 for use as a men's dormitory until 1956. Epperson is well known for its apparent hauntings, which earned it a spot on [[Unsolved Mysteries]] as one of the top five haunted houses in the United States. The house now sits vacant and unused, awaiting incite from the chancellor on what it will be used for next.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/epperson.asp|title=Epperson House|date=May 24, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524125004/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/epperson.asp |archive-date=May 24, 2006 }}</ref><ref>[http://media.www.unews.com/media/storage/paper274/news/2004/10/25/News/Epperson.House.Shrouded.In.Haunted.History-780629.shtml Epperson House shrouded in haunted history] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331221511/http://media.www.unews.com/media/storage/paper274/news/2004/10/25/News/Epperson.House.Shrouded.In.Haunted.History-780629.shtml |date=March 31, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Halloween Flash spooky house |url=http://www.kansascity.com/static/Entertainment/halloween/HalloweenFLASH//spookyhouse.swf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029185203/http://www.kansascity.com/static/Entertainment/halloween/HalloweenFLASH//spookyhouse.swf |archive-date=October 29, 2008 |access-date=February 24, 2024 |website=www.kansascity.com }}</ref>

==== University Center and Atterbury Student Success Center ====
The University Center (known as the "U-Center") was built in 1961. The student dining hall is located here, as is Pierson Auditorium, an often used site for career fairs or luncheons. In 2012, the University Center underwent renovations and was rededicated as the Atterbury Student Success Center. It was designed to promote student academic success.

[[File:UMKC Nima 03.jpg|thumb|Swinney Recreation Center]]

==== Swinney Recreation Center ====
Swinney Recreation Center was built in 1941, and was gifted to the university by E. F. Swinney. There are five basketball courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, racquetball and squash courts, weight-training center, soccer field, and indoor and outdoor tracks at the recreation center. Along with the [[Kansas City Club]] and the [[Pembroke Hill School]], Swinney is one of only three locations in Kansas City containing squash courts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Squash District: Missouri Squash |url=http://www.ussquash.com/ssm/pages/Club_information.asp?orgid=127 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717181246/http://www.ussquash.com/ssm/pages/Club_information.asp?orgid=127 |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |access-date=February 24, 2024 |website=www.ussquash.com}}</ref> University students, faculty and staff have access to the center, and paid memberships are open to others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/swinney.asp|title=Swinney Recreation Center|date=December 11, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211093057/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/swinney.asp |archive-date=December 11, 2005 }}</ref>

==== James C. Olson Center for the Performing Arts ====
Known on campus simply as the PAC (Performing Arts Center), this building partially houses the Conservatory of Music and Dance and the Department of Theatre, as well as the [[Kansas City Repertory Theatre]]. The PAC, designed by [[Kivett and Myers]], opened in 1979 and contains White Recital Hall, [[Helen F. Spencer]] Theatre, and a black box theatre space, Studio 116.

==Student activities==

===Greek life===
Greek Life at the University of Missouri–Kansas City includes some 24 Greek Letter Organizations. Although the Greek population is relatively small, it maintains a proud heritage, and several chapters have received awards from their organization's international offices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greek Life {{!}} Student Involvement {{!}} University of Missouri - Kansas City |url=https://www.umkc.edu/get-involved/programs/greek-life/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=www.umkc.edu}}</ref>

===Traditions===

==== Hobo Day and Bum Friday ====
One of the best known traditions in the history of UMKC was Hobo Day, later known as Bum Friday. The campus-wide event was created as Hobo Day, and it first occurred on May 8, 1935, to celebrate the end of the spring semester. Students dressed as hobos throughout the day, and various events and competitions took place. In 1982, the Student Life Office put a stop to Bum Friday and replaced it with "Roo Fest", which lacked many of the activities and traditions of Bum Friday and its predecessor, Hobo Day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://info.umkc.edu/unews/hobo-day-a-tradition-of-the-past/ |title=Hobo Day: a tradition of the past – University News &#124; |publisher=Info.umkc.edu |date=October 15, 2013 |access-date=August 27, 2015 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016232650/http://info.umkc.edu/unews/hobo-day-a-tradition-of-the-past/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://info.umkc.edu/perspectives/campus-news/2606/ |title=Birth and death of a tradition &#124; |publisher=Info.umkc.edu |date=May 8, 1935 |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref>

==== The Bounder Bells ====
Alumni members of the former Bounders Fraternity raised nearly $30,000 in donations for the purchase of a Van Bergen 49-bell [[carillon]]. The Bounder Bells was dedicated on the UMKC campus in May 1989. The carillon is located in the tower of the Swinney Recreation Center. The bells controlled by an electronic keyboard, and they ring on the hour. The bells can also be programmed to play melodies.<ref name="umkc.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/commencement/content.cfm?id=20 |title=UMKC Commencement |publisher=Umkc.edu |date=May 12, 1989 |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://info.umkc.edu/news/congratulations-graduates-2/attachment/8650/|title=Ringing of the Bounder Bells|work=UMKC Today}}</ref>

==Notable alumni and faculty==
{{main|List of University of Missouri–Kansas City people}}

===Chancellors===
Presidents (when the school was independent)/Chancellors (when the school became part of the University of Missouri system) of the school are:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umkc.edu/chancellor/former-umkc-chancellors.asp |title=Historical listing of all UMKC Chancellors |publisher=Umkc.edu |access-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref>

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}

<li>[[Ernest H. Newcomb]], executive secretary, 1933–36
<li>[[John Duncan Spaeth]], president, 1936–38
<li>[[Clarence Decker]], president, 1938–53
:Roy Rinehart, interim, 1953
<li>[[Earl J. McGrath]], president, 1953–56
<li>[[Richard M. Drake]], president (initially interim), 1956–61
<li>[[Carleton F. Scofield]], president 1961–63, chancellor 1963–65 (becomes part of University of Missouri System)
<li>[[Randall M. Whaley]], chancellor, 1965–67
:Hamilton B.G. Robinson, interim, 1967–68
<li>[[James C. Olson]], chancellor, 1968–76
:Wesley J. Dale, interim, 1976–77
<li>[[George A. Russell]], chancellor, 1977–92
<li>[[Eleanor Schwartz]], chancellor, 1992–99
:Gordon Lamb, interim, 1999–2000
<li>[[Martha Gilliland]], chancellor, 2000–05
:[[Elson Floyd]], interim via system president capacity, 2005
:Steven Lehmkuhle, interim, 2005
<li>[[Guy Bailey]], chancellor, 2006–08
<li>[[Leo Morton]], chancellor (initially interim) 2008–17
:[[Barbara A. Bichelmeyer]], interim, 2017-18
<li>[[C. Mauli Agrawal]], chancellor, 2018–present

{{Div col end}}

==Notes==
{{noteslist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|University of Missouri–Kansas City}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://kcroos.com Kansas City Athletics website]

{{Coord|39.033547|-94.575578|region:US_type:landmark|display=title}}
{{University of Missouri–Kansas City}}
{{Navboxes
|titlestyle = background: #0066CC; color: white; border: 2px solid #FFDD00
|list =
{{University of Missouri System|state=autocollapse}}
{{Colleges and universities in Missouri}}
{{Summit League navbox}}
{{Kansas City, Missouri}}
{{Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Missouri-Kansas City, University Of}}
[[Category:University of Missouri–Kansas City| ]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1933]]
[[Category:1933 establishments in Missouri]]
[[Category:Public universities and colleges in Missouri|University of Missouri-Kansas City]]