In her new role, the BSBA and MBA graduate performs audits focused on the internal operations of the company, providing independent insights related to risks and improvement potentials.
Stories by Heather Riske
Search Filters
As president of the Missouri Optometric Student Association, Emerald Jones helps fellow students advocate for the future of the profession
The third-year optometry student is able to network with optometrists across the state, help out with conferences and learn more about the organization’s legislative work.
UMSL’s Community Innovation and Action Center gives local youth a voice in developing programming at the Saint Louis Zoo’s upcoming WildCare Park
The zoo tapped CIAC to help create a co-design process to source ideas for programming from students from across St. Louis.
Bethany Worrell joins UMSL Department of Music as director of vocal studies
As a longtime performer, Worrell hopes she can serve as a firsthand example to her students.
UMSL continues to play a vital role in advancing the mission of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik serves as the chair of CUMU’s Board of Directors and was among 15 members of the UMSL community in attendance at CUMU’s annual conference last week in Minneapolis.
With his debut album, ‘Drum Shoes,’ UMSL alum Tommy Wasiuta is reinforcing the idea of tap dance as music
Wasiuta studied accounting at UMSL and has worked as a professional tap dance artist in New York City since 2021.
UMSL College of Nursing unveils $7 million Nursing Learning Resource and Simulation Center
The 21,000-square-foot immersive learning center offers state-of-the-art space, equipment and technology for the College of Nursing to train the next generation of nurses.
Associate Professor Emerita Chikako Usui honored by Japanese government for outstanding contribution to Japan-U.S. relations
A former president of the Japan America Society of St. Louis, Usui has spent her career building Japanese cultural awareness in St. Louis.
UMSL Director of Percussion Studies Matthew Henry discusses the importance of music education on ‘Living St. Louis’
In his interview, Henry discussed the importance of music education, mentorship and guiding budding music educators along on their path.
2018 College of Optometry graduate Dr. Joann Adams honored at Make-A-Wish fundraiser
Adams, an optometrist at EYE-Q Vision Care in Fresno, California, helped diagnose a young patient with a brain tumor and ultimately save his life.
Music education major Alex Wurl striving to get more children involved in performing arts
Wurl, who works with St. Louis Children’s Choirs and the Des Lee Fine Arts Education Collaborative, is student teaching at Barretts Elementary in Manchester during his final semester at UMSL.
With 8 new Fellows on board, the Coro Fellows Program in St. Louis celebrates 50 years of developing emerging leaders
The program is celebrating five decades in St. Louis with multiple events on Oct. 18-19.
Fall Involvement Jamboree offers opportunities for students to get involved on campus
Representatives from 11 fraternities and sororities, 18 campus departments and over 25 student organizations connected with students at the event.
As CEO of the National Student Nurses’ Association, UMSL alum Kenya Williams supports the next generation of nursing leaders
Williams will also be inducted into the American Academy of Nursing in November.
College of Nursing Assistant Teaching Professor Marina Fischer offers accessible health care at Intentional Living in downtown St. Louis
Fischer earned her BSN at UMSL in 2009 and completed her DNP in 2022, leading to a full-time faculty position.
Nursing DNP graduate Lauren Hacker lands position as surgical nurse practitioner at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
After developing an interest in surgery while working in the OR, Hacker decided to go back to school to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Des Lee Fine Arts Education Collaborative kicks off another year of fostering accessible arts education for local students
The annual kickoff event offers an opportunity for educators to discover ways for their students to get involved with everything from ballroom dancing to classical guitar to opera.
College of Optometry and Computer Science faculty researching the use of AI for fitting orthokeratology lenses
The specialty lenses are used to slow the progression of myopia, or nearsightedness.
Department of Art and Design collaborates with John Burroughs School on interactive wall installation
The 30-foot-by-10-foot interactive mural encouraged students to reflect on their intentions for the year.
Jennifer Reynolds-Moehrle, Jennifer McKanry and Ahmad Mian receive UMSL Hero Awards
The award is presented to up to three staff or faculty members each month in recognition of their efforts to transform the lives of UMSL students and the wider community.
UMSL Department of Art and Design collaborates with newly opened Sundance Café to display faculty works
Paintings, drawings and prints from Michael Behle, Valerie Dratwick, Phil Robinson and Jeff Sippel are currently on display.
Honors College graduate Jay Gaskin pursuing career in media and entertainment, starting with internship at STL-TV
He graduated in May with an interdisciplinary studies degree combining art, business, political science and communication.
UMSL’s Community Innovation and Action Center collaborates with Saint Louis Zoo on youth co-design program for upcoming WildCare Park
The group of 25 students, ranging in ages from 13 to 18, worked together to come up with three distinct ideas for youth programming at the upcoming park.
Art and Design Professor Jeff Sippel shares different lithography techniques during exhibitions in Serbia
Sippel exhibited work alongside a former student, Nebojsa Lazić, who lives in Serbia.
Nursing graduate Olyvia VandenBrink starting position as labor and delivery nurse at Mercy Hospital St. Louis
In addition to helping moms through the labor and delivery process, she’ll also work in the antepartum and triage units, as well as the Mercy Natural Birthing Center.
Dr. Angel Novel Simmons named associate dean of student services and alumni relations for the College of Optometry
She is focused on supporting students and also building up the college’s alumni presence, including reinstating a quarterly newsletter showcasing alumni achievements and hosting the annual August Academe.
UMSL Optometry graduates Mariah Strahm and Kevin Pizarro-Miller reinvigorate passion for humanitarian work in El Salvador
The recent graduates joined Associate Clinical Professor Dr. Linda Marks for an I Care International clinic in San Alejo in March.
Mathematics graduate Afina Fayez hopes to help diversify the architecture field
An Opportunity Scholar, Fayez is headed to the College of Architecture at Washington University in St. Louis this fall.
‘Beyond the Buildings’ course encourages Honors students to connect with Hungarian, Afghan communities across St. Louis
Students developed projects for the St. Mary of Victories Catholic Church, Afghan Community Center and Afghan Chamber of Commerce including resource pamphlets, newsletters, artwork and a cookbook.
Nursing graduate Celeste Haefner starting position in hemoncology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital
She’ll be working with leukemia and lymphoma patients receiving bone marrow transplants and chemotherapy.
UMSL student-athletes recognized by Tritons United
The students participated in bystander intervention training this spring.
The College of Nursing’s new Community-Based Clinical Education program enables future nurses to deliver health care in a variety of settings
The program is designed to show students how health care is delivered in a variety of settings outside of the traditional acute care hospital experience.
Biology graduate and 2024 Women Trailblazers recipient Nora Stith heading to dental school this fall
Stith was a 2019 Opportunity Scholar and served in leadership for multiple organizations across campus.
Five questions with Monica Treviño, PhD clinical psychology student
She’s been strengthening her linguistic and clinical skills to better serve the growing Latinx community.
College of Nursing’s Spring Research Day highlights students’ efforts to engage with the community
Students shared electronic poster presentations recapping their work in the Community-Based Clinical Education Program.
UMSL names Norma Hall-Thoms new dean of the College of Nursing
Hall-Thoms, who formerly served as dean of the University of Indianapolis School of Nursing, will assume her new position on July 1.
Yuan Chen, Candace-Rae Davis and Bob Ross receive UMSL Hero Awards
The award is presented to up to three staff or faculty members each month in recognition of their efforts to transform the lives of UMSL students and the wider community.
Author David Treuer headlines 31st annual Primm Lecture
Treuer is the bestselling author of “Rez Life: An Indian’s Journey Through Reservation Life” and “The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee.”
2024 Women Trailblazer Awards celebrate ‘women who advocate for all’
This year’s awards honored Kimberly Baldus, Maria A. Ellis, Channon Peoples, Nora Stith, Kimberly Werner and Patricia Zahn.
Blake Sutter, Lynn Navin and Carol Smith receive UMSL Hero Awards
The award is presented to up to three staff or faculty members each month in recognition of their efforts to transform the lives of UMSL students and the wider community.
DNP student Stephanie Faulkingham combines her passion for karate with experience in psychiatric mental health
Faulkingham, who is studying in the College of Nursing’s DNP program, owns and operates Gateway Shidokan Karate in Maryland Heights.
Third-year Optometry student Hannah Bollig wins national scholarship from Heart of America Eye Care Congress
Bollig received a $4,250 scholarship, in addition to a $750 travel grant to attend the Heart of America Eye Care Congress last month.
Honors College’s Audri Adams named National Academic Advising Association’s Region 7 award winner for Excellence in Advising
Adams was recognized in the New Advisor category, for advisors who have been in their role for less than three years.
College of Optometry Student Services partners with vendors in Anchor Action Network footprint
The network seeks to advance opportunity and equity across the St. Louis region.
2020 Optometry grad Dr. Kelly Deering finds her passion serving those in need
Deering works as an optometrist at Premier Eyecare Associates in northern Missouri and recently traveled to Kenya to provide patients with glasses and treat eye disease.
Optometry PhD graduate Linda Fine Hunt publishes historical fiction novel about growing up in University City
Spanning from 1954 to 1966, the story follows 16-year-old Linda, a quirky individualist who sets out to learn more about the culture and history of her neighbors.
Second-year Optometry student Megan Corcoran named to Women In Optometry’s student advisory board
The online publication offers insight from licensed optometrists about their work and lives.
Assistant Professor Julie Bertram aims to help meet the mental health needs of youth in foster care through Wrap Around Wellness Program
Bertram, a faculty member in the College of Nursing, has focused much of her research and clinical work on the mental health outcomes of children and adolescents in foster care.
As practice excellence coordinator at the VA, Nursing PhD graduate Maureen Falcone combines her passions for taking care of veterans and improving patient safety
Falcone’s PhD research focused on adverse event reporting, including a comprehensive review of literature on the topic published in the Journal of Patient Safety.
Four-time College of Education graduate Howard Fields strives for inclusion and equity in schools
Fields’ work as a speaker and thought leader focuses on inclusion and student performance disparities.