This month’s Hero Award recipients are Lauren Stumpf, an HR partner in Human Resources; Ann Kauffman, a school certifying official in the UMSL Veterans Center; and Elijah McCoy, the coordinator of student activities. (Photos by Derik Holtmann)

University of Missouri–St. Louis Chancellor Kristin Sobolik and her cabinet continue to recognize the exemplary efforts of staff and faculty members from across campus by bestowing the UMSL Hero Award on up to three individuals each month.

This month’s honorees are Lauren Stumpf, an HR partner in Human Resources; Ann Kauffman, a school certifying official in the UMSL Veterans Center; Elijah McCoy, the coordinator of student activities in the Office of Student Involvement.

Lauren Stumpf

When Stumpf was earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri–Columbia, she wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to do in her career. To help figure out her next steps, she decided to complete a program for students to help determine the top three fields that she’d be interested in. First was information technology, followed by human resources and graphic design. Two years later, she’s able to combine all three of those fields in her work as an HR partner at UMSL.

Stumpf, who earned a bachelor’s degree in information technology from MU, started working in HR at Target at the encouragement of her store director, who felt it would be a good way for her to grow in her career. She then moved to UMSL and, while she’s only been at the university for a year, has already progressed in her role. She originally started in Human Resources as an office assistant, was promoted to HR specialist after just six months and was then encouraged to apply for her current role of HR partner.

“I didn’t think I would progress so quickly, but my teammates were my cheerleaders,” she said. “They did everything they could to cheer me on and be the biggest supporters and go-getters that they could for me. I appreciate that so much because I don’t think I would have gotten nearly as far if it weren’t for them.”

As an HR partner, much of Stumpf’s work centers around employee relations, including assisting different departments with hiring, onboarding and resolving any issues that may arise. She sees herself as a resource for supervisors and employees and enjoys getting to know so many different people around campus and help them navigate stressful or overwhelming situations. Having worked in retail for many years, she loves having the ability to build those connections but also appreciates that her role involves creative and technical sides, too. She’s able to leverage her interest in graphic design by creating newsletter graphics, posters and other memorabilia. Likewise, she frequently leans on her IT background to implement new software such as Kuali to improve workflow processes and make things run more smoothly.

“It fills all of my buckets,” she said. “It’s very satisfying.”

Heather Floden, a senior human resources consultant in Human Resources, said Stumpf consistently embodies UMSL’s core values, particularly with regard to trust, innovation and access.

“Her innovative mindset drives meaningful change, transforming complex procedures into user-friendly solutions,” Floden wrote in her nomination of Stumpf for the Hero Award. “Beyond her technical skills, Lauren fosters a culture of trust through her positive attitude, reliability and authentic connections with colleagues. Her stellar sense of humor brightens our workdays, creating an environment where people feel supported and motivated. Hardworking and dedicated, she doesn’t just meet expectations – she exceeds them, consistently seeking out ways to improve, adapt and inspire. Lauren is not only a valued team member but also a driving force behind our team’s continuous growth and success.”

Ann Kauffman

Kauffman didn’t necessarily envision a career working with student veterans and service members. While she was working as assistant registrar at Fontbonne University a few years back, the university was in need of a school certifying official – a role required by the VA for any school that offers educational benefits to veterans. Kauffman took on the role in addition to her regular duties, as the small university lacked its own Veterans Center to assist its 50 or so military-connected students with GI Bill advising and certification. Working with those students was just a small part of her job, but it quickly became the most rewarding.

When Kauffman decided to leave Fontbonne, she kept her eye out for a role that would allow her to fully focus on working with military-connected students, which is how she landed at UMSL four years ago. Kauffman started working at the Veterans Center in a contract role as it was going through a period of transition. She was promoted to a part-time position after six months and became a full-time employee this past November. The students, she said, are still the best part of the job.

“Seeing them complete a degree – and have it very well funded as a direct result of their dedication to having been in the military in the first place – is incredibly gratifying,” she said. “A lot of our population is first-generation college students, so we get to really help guide them through in a variety of ways. They’re a real, dedicated group of people that really support each other.”

In her role as a school certifying official, Kauffman works with about 300 military-connected UMSL students – whether active duty, veterans, spouses or children of veterans – to help them utilize their educational benefits. She acts as a liaison between the VA and students, certifying their courses each semester so that they can use their benefits toward tuition, fees, books and other expenses, and sees her work as a way to thank these students for their service.

“Most importantly, it’s an opportunity to give back to people who have clearly put a lot on the line for our country,” she said. “They earned their benefits, and so I most enjoy making sure they make the most out of what they’ve already worked so hard for. There is a lot of navigating when working with the VA – helping them sort out what’s available to them and how to best use those benefits so that they can maximize their potential is the goal.”

Martina Meng, the manager of the UMSL Veterans Center, said Kauffman’s dedication to supporting military-connected students by ensuring students are certified for their GI Bill benefits has had a transformative impact on the university.

“Her commitment to this complex process has not only minimized delays but also ensured students could access the financial support they need to pursue their education successfully,” Meng wrote in her nomination of Kauffman for the Hero Award. “Ann’s efforts have extended beyond helping individuals; her meticulous work has safeguarded the university’s financial stability, contributing up to $3 million annually. By streamlining the certification process and addressing challenges proactively, she has fostered a welcoming environment that has increased the enrollment and retention of military-connected students. Through her leadership, Ann Kauffman has left an indelible mark, ensuring the university remains a place where military-connected students thrive and where their contributions are recognized and supported.” 

Elijah McCoy

Years ago, as an undergraduate student at a university six hours away from his family, McCoy realized that getting involved on campus helped him feel more at home. Student involvement became an important part of his college career, helping him to meet new friends, build a community and develop his leadership skills.

As McCoy was nearing graduation, he wasn’t entirely sure what he wanted to do with his life. When one of his mentors in the student involvement office suggested he pursue a path in student affairs or higher education, a lightbulb went off. McCoy went on to earn his master’s in higher education and has chosen each of his roles in student affairs strategically, seeking to learn more about different aspects of student involvement in each position. As a graduate assistant at Western Carolina University, he worked with clubs and organizations before moving into orientation. His first job out of grad school was overseeing student organizations at Loyola University Chicago, followed by his first programming role at the College of Charleston. In 2023, his interest in programming and event planning drew him to a role in the Office of Student Involvement at UMSL, which allows him to develop programming aimed at commuters and families, such as Tiny Tritons.

“I enjoy my work because I’ve always wanted to make sure that students discover their passions,” McCoy said. “And I think one of the things that drew me to UMSL was the mission statement of our student involvement here, which is helping students discover their passions and find their sense of purpose. I love working with students and being able to serve as a mentor. I know it’s not always easy, but at the end of the day, I think being able to connect with students and just making sure that they have an outlet and a support system, and they do discover those passions, is something that I really enjoy.”

As coordinator of student activities, McCoy oversees large-scale and traditions programs and events, including the fall Welcome Bash and Homecoming. He also advises the University Program Board and oversees the Commuter Cash Program and the Student Activity Budget Committee. He’s enjoyed getting to put his stamp on different events, including introducing new traditions such as Tritons Got Talent during Homecoming, and working closely with student leaders who share his passion for creating memorable events for the student community. From his own experience as a student to his current work in the Office of Student Involvement, McCoy knows that the co-curricular experience is a crucial component of any college campus.

“Even when the going gets tough, student leadership is always needed,” he said. “We need more student leaders on campus because that is how you make UMSL, or any college, home. If I wasn’t an involved student leader when I was an undergrad or even in grad school, I don’t think my experience would have been as fruitful or as holistic. There are also a lot of skills that you gain for the real workforce – you gain conflict resolution skills, you gain time management skills, you gain event planning skills. There’s so much that you can gain from being a student leader.”

Myron Burr, UMSL’s program manager for strategic initiatives, said McCoy has provided stability and structure to the Office of Student Involvement during a period of transition, particularly at the onset of the school year.

“He has worked meticulously behind the scenes to ensure a successful start to the semester for our students,” Burr wrote in his nomination of McCoy for the Hero Award. “Even in the midst of transition and construction, OSI has done a wonderful job welcoming students to campus and life at UMSL without missing a beat. The MSC buzzes with excitement from various beginning of the year programming efforts, much due to the work provided by Elijah and team to deliver a solid foundation to the start of a new academic year for campus and our students.”