The University of Missouri-Kansas City

First Gen Proud Faculty and Staff

��ӽ紫ý defines a first generation college student as any student whose parents or guardians did not receive a bachelor's degree in the United States.

We invite First Gen Proud faculty and staff to join the First Gen Proud directory, and encourage adding FIRST GEN PROUD to your email signature.

Benefits of joining the First Gen Proud directory:

Foster Connections with Colleagues
- Join a network of faculty and staff dedicated to supporting first gen college students, providing opportunities for collaboration and professional growth.
Mentorship Opportunities
- Inspire and empower first gen college students by sharing your experiences, offering guidance, and serving as a trusted resource at Pizza with a First Gen Professor, National First Generations Celebration events, Mentoring workshops and MORE!
Access Exclusive Professional Development Opportunities
- Participate in workshops, events, and resources to enhance your understanding of first gen college student needs and impact.
Promote Student Success and Retention
- Make a meaningful impact by guiding first gen college students through their academic journey, helping them feel a sense of belonging and achieve academic success.
Strengthen Campus and Community Engagement
- Help create a more cohesive, supportive campus environment that celebrates the contributions and achievements of first gen college students.

Nate Addington

Senior Director, External Relations and Constituent Engagement
Email: naddington@umkc.edu

(He/him/his)

Tamara Alvarado

Career and Professional Development Manager, Business Administration
Email: talvarado@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

RaeAnn Anderson

Assistant Professor, Health Sciences
Email: raeann.anderson@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Amber Andrews

Senior Access Coordinator, Roo Wellness - Student Accessibility Services
Email: Amber.Andrews@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Becky Bergman

Manager, Roo Advising
Email: bergmanr@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Sadie Billings

Academic Success Coordinator, Summer Bridge
Email: sadie.billings@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Jacob Blegen

Welcome Center Event Coordinator, Admissions
Email: jblegen@umkc.edu

(He/him/his)

Lee Braden

Pre-Award Manager, Office of Research Services
Email: cbraden@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Krystal Brier

MAP Manager, Business and Management, Roo Advising
Email: krystal.brier@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Jared Brooks

Assistant Residential Life Coordinator, Residence Life
Email: jkb8nm@umkc.edu

(He/him/his)

Wendy Bross

Senior Advisor in Arts & Cultural Studies, Roo Advising
Email: wendy.bross@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Gina Campbell

Education Program Coordinator III
Email: campbellgn@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Aubry Carpenter

Project Manager/Writer/Editor, Strategic Marketing and Communications
Email: acarpenter@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Liz Case

Senior Assistant Director - Hospital Hill, Financial Aid
Email: eacase@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Amber Daugherty

Director, ��ӽ紫ý Central
Email: daughertyad@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Jordan Davis

Senior Manager of Admissions, ��ӽ紫ý Conservatory
Email: davisjorda@umkc.edu

(He/him/his)

Richard Delaware

Teaching Professor, Mathematics
Email: delawarer@umkc.edu

(He/him/his)

Crystal Gorham Doss

Teaching Professor, English
Email: dosscr@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Kalyan Durbhakula

Assistant Research Professor, School of Science and Engineering
Email: kalyandurbhakula@umkc.edu

(He/him/his)

Natasha Ria El-Scari

Women's Center Director
Email: elscarin@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Tanna Engle

Assistant Director - Fitness, Wellness, Marketing, Campus Recreation
Email: tmempz@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Sandra I. Enríquez

Associate Professor and Director of Public History Emphasis
Email: enriquezs@umkc.edu

(She/her/ella)

Connor Fender

Manager, Student Evaluation & Progression, School of Medicine
Email: fenderco@umsystem.edu

(He/him/his)

Carlen Fidler

Food Assistance Coordinator, Office of Student Involvement
Email: cfidler@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Daniel Folk

Director, Director, Bloch Career Center
Email: folkd@umkc.edu

(He/him/his)

Chainy Folsom

Senior Advisor HBEJ MAP, Roo Advising
Email: folsomc@umkc.edu

(He/him/his)

Onekia Franklin

Senior Office Assistant, Nursing
Email: deleono@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

N'ninah Freelon

��ӽ紫ý | KC Scholars Program Director, Division of Student Success
Email: nefreelon@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Brian Frehner

Professor, History
Email: frehnerb@umkc.edu

(He/him/his)

T'Keaya Gaines

Senior Staff Counselor, Student Affairs
Email: gainestl@umsystem.edu

(She/her/hers)

Kelsey Gardiner

Associate Teaching Professor, School of Nursing and Health Studies
Email: kgardiner@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Eric Gormly

Director, Student Veteran Support Services
Email: gormlyea@umkc.edu

(He/him/his)

Scott Guerrero

STAHR Program Director | School of Medicine
Email: guerreros@umkc.edu

(He/him/his)

Ile Haggins

Teaching Professor/Director of Field Education, Social Work
Email: hagginsi@umsystem.edu

(She/her/hers)

Michelle Heiman

Student Services Coordinator II, ��ӽ紫ý School of Graduate Studies
Email: heimanm@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

JaVon Hill

Program Director, The Men of Character Academy
Email: jmhd49@umsystem.edu

(He/him/his)

Jenny Ho

Project Coordinator, The Collaborative to Advance Health Services at the ��ӽ紫ý School of Nursing and Health Studies
Email: hoj@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Kendra Holliday

Adjunct Professor
Email: kdr9b7@umsystem.edu

(She/her/hers)

Teresa Huff-Pomstra

Interim Director & Training Director, Counseling Services, Roo Wellness, Student Affairs
Email: huffpomstrat@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Tracey Hughes

Director of Inclusive Engagement; Teaching and Learning Librarian
Email: hughest@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers; They/them/theirs)

Jamie Hunt

Associate Teaching Professor, Health Sciences
Email: huntja@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Sarah Jones

Assistant Teaching Professor, Communication and Journalism
Email: sarahljones@umkc.edu

(She/her/hers)

Lorena Juanez

Admissions Counselor
Email: lorenajuanez@umkc.edu

Spencer Keralis

Head of Digital Scholarship Services; Co-Director of the Center for Digital and Public Humanities, University Libraries
Email: spencer.keralis@umkc.edu
(They/them/theirs)