I joined UM Board of Curators Chair Michael Williams and Vice Chancellor for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IDE) Maurice Gipson to welcome 48 new and returning KC Scholars to campus, along with KC Scholars Chief Operating Officer Natalie Lewis.

KC Scholars helps outstanding, Pell-eligible students from the Kansas City area attend college and receive the support they need to reach their goals. In 2018, the UM System committed to investing $30 million in the program, with a match of $30 million from KC Scholars. The outcome is impressive: KC Scholars at Mizzou have a 95% return rate, and last spring 73% were on the Dean’s List.

Achieving these strong results takes a team effort. I’d like to thank Center for Academic Success & Excellence (CASE) Director Dr. E. Andre Thorn, as well as CASE student service coordinators Ana-Maria Fernandez, Leo Medal, LeAnn Stroupe and Edwin Davis for supporting our KC Scholars. I’m also grateful to Susan Hartnagel and Cynthia Travis from Student Financial Aid and IDE Assistant Vice Chancellor for Inclusive Engagement Erika Aaron for their dedication to student success.

— Mun