Joanna Mendoza (center), professor of viola and chair of UMSL’s Department of Music, is one of the many faculty and staff members who have felt motivated to give to the university in support of students. Their contributions provide funding for scholarships, lectures and other activities that enhance the experience of students. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)

By Kala Dunn, University Advancement

The faculty and staff of the University of Missouri–St. Louis work together to support students in every way. Whether it’s providing classroom instruction, maintaining the safety of campus facilities, keeping accurate records, or anything in between, each UMSL employee plays a vital role in helping students obtain a world-class education.

In addition to excelling in their work, many faculty and staff choose to support students in one other essential way: by providing funding for scholarships, lectures, services and other important programs.

“The more we can support students’ experiences here and the quality of their learning, the more that is an investment in their future and in the future of St. Louis for all of us,” said Professor Joanna Mendoza, chair of the Department of Music. “We’ve found in the music department that even small gifts add up. It’s about the community, and any amount contributes to the greater whole.”

For many UMSL employees, the motivation to donate comes from their deep connection to the university’s students and its community impact.

“When I first started working at UMSL, I lived in the community, just right up the block,” said Colette Dixon, associate provost for student success. “I felt like I was really connected to UMSL as an institution and the mission that it had for North County. I love how it empowers the people in the neighborhood. And so, I also wanted to give back that way.”

Some employees were once UMSL students themselves, and their own collegiate experiences shape their decisions to give back.

“Because I was educated here, I knew the staff, I knew the vision, I knew the passion,” said Evette Bean, MEd 2003, senior counselor and trainer at the St. Louis Children’s Advocacy Center. “I always tell people that the impact of being enrolled in a counseling program was profound for me because I knew I had found where I wanted to be. And UMSL created that for me. The commitment to both educating and helping is what makes UMSL a great place. Recognizing that I could pour my money into a place where I knew they would be both educating and helping was profound for me.”

They also recognize what a difference a little support can make in the life of a student.

“I remember living paycheck to paycheck as a college student,” said retired associate dean Clark Hickman, BA 1976, MEd 1984, EdD 1993. “Buying books, paying tuition, paying parking fees – sometimes I wondered whether I could do it. And I always found a way, but it was tight sometimes. Because of that experience, it was important to me that we create opportunities for students, some of whom may be struggling financially, so that they can have a path toward graduation and toward a meaningful career without going into a lot of debt while doing so.”

The generosity of UMSL employees, both with their time and with their money, makes a measurable impact for hardworking college students who want to make the most of the opportunities provided by the university. It also makes a difference for the employees who get to see the results of their gifts in action.

“Every time you see students using something you’ve donated to, you see them getting good out of it – it brings a lot of pride to what you’re doing,” said Troy Halterman, director of golf operations. “There’s no doubt that giving to an area that you work in is very rewarding because you actually get to see those gifts impact the students daily.”

And for some, making a financial gift is another way to remember the motivation behind the work that they do.

“Sometimes you will have a difficult day,” said Francesca Ferrari, MBA 1999, EdD 2022, senior director of business student success. “But then you see a student having fun in the hallway going to class, or you just talk to them. And you know you are making a difference, not only in donating some cash but also in offering them a possibility of a better career. And then you say, ‘OK, I get it. This is why we’re here.’”

This spring, UMSL employees are invited to Be Inspired by the impact they see every day and make a gift to the area that matters most to them. Whether through a one-time contribution or payroll deduction, faculty and staff giving helps expand opportunities and strengthens the university community.

Learn more about making a difference with your gift. To share what inspires your gifts, complete a faculty and staff giving survey.