UMSL alumna Israel Collier advocates for Roma minorities in Moldova

May 11, 2023

While in Moldova, she started the nonprofit ACOPERI, which advocates for Roma fleeing Ukraine and provides direct services for the displaced.

Alumni Q&A: Writer Mary Troy reflects on story inspirations, shaping UMSL’s MFA program and more

Dec 21, 2022

She taught in and helped mold UMSL’s Master of Fine Arts program for more than 20 years and also served as editor of Natural Bridge for a decade.

Photographer Myrina ‘Renaissance’ Otey-Myton tells the stories of unsung Black women

Dec 20, 2022

The UMSL alumna runs an annual project, Her Eminent Reign (H.E.R.), which highlights women of color whose achievements may be less known.

The Printery Book Arts Lab, a collaboration between UMSL and Central Print, keeps the art of letterpress alive in St. Louis

Dec 15, 2022

The facility features a comprehensive collection of letterpress equipment on loan from the St. Louis Mercantile Library.

How UMSL is investing in the growing geospatial field

Dec 8, 2022

UMSL is working collaboratively with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to prepare students for careers in the industry.

Meet Keshia Elder, dean of UMSL’s College of Optometry

Dec 5, 2022

Elder, who previously served as an associate clinical professor at UMSL from 2011 to 2016, recently became the first Black female dean of optometry in the country.

Mark Nazetta shapes his leadership roles in inaugural Online MBA cohort

Dec 2, 2022

The UMSL student is currently working as vice president of wholesale and institution at Carrier Enterprise.

In his last season at UMSL, Joel Sylven is looking to add to his national championship legacy

Dec 1, 2022

Sylven is taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted because of COVID-19 and competing for the Tritons while completing his degree in sport management.

After a pandemic hiatus, study abroad programming returns to UMSL

Nov 28, 2022

Nearly 70 study abroad programs have enriched the lives of countless students, providing transformative experiences across the globe.

UMSL embarks on a dramatic campuswide transformation

Nov 28, 2022

Plans include a more centralized north academic core, a health sciences campus to the south, a new welcome and alumni center and more.

Yolanda Alovor keeps the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in tune with new role

Nov 28, 2022

“Creating a sense of belonging starts with embracing a growth mindset and valuing the diversity of thought,” said Alovor, who leads EDI efforts for the symphony.

MSW student James Loehr uses his experience in the military to serve other veterans

Nov 17, 2022

Loehr’s life has turned a bright corner with a new purpose as a husband and new dad poised to help other veterans climb out of the dark.

UMSL Marketing and Communications wins four CASE Best of District VI Awards

Nov 3, 2022

The department was honored for its work in UMSL Magazine and UMSL Daily.

Finding their voices: Adam and Rachel Morgan work to forge paths for neurodiverse individuals

Jun 5, 2022

The mother and son duo work to provide therapeutic equipment, technology and educational resources through the Adam Morgan Foundation.

MSW student Seda Follis leaves behind big data for individual impact

Jun 4, 2022

Follis held positions in data analytics at Express Scripts and BJC HealthCare before enrolling at UMSL’s School of Social Work.

Alumni Q&A: Mac’s Local Eats Owner Chris ‘Mac’ McKenzie

May 30, 2022

The 2000 BSBA graduate prides himself on putting the very best ingredients, as well as his heart and soul, into creating his famous smash burgers.

Rajiv Banavali and the science of sustainability

May 26, 2022

The chemistry alumnus is the senior vice president of science and innovation at WestRock Corporation, where he’s developing sustainable paper packaging.

Migrantes Unidos gives voice to asylum-seekers advocating for policy changes

May 24, 2022

Associate Professor Adriano Udani and colleagues at the Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America received a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to replicate the initiative in other cities.

St. Louis Public School’s youngest board member Alisha Sonnier builds activism and advocacy at UMSL

May 20, 2022

Sonnier earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2019 and has been working as a mental health advocate since 2020.

A pitch for the future: UMSL Accelerate’s impact grows alongside new space

May 19, 2022

The new facility will be a hub for numerous UMSL-led accelerators and a gathering place for collaboration among startup founders and the UMSL community.

This is Natissia Small, vice provost for access, academic support and workforce integration

May 16, 2022

Small has helped form partnerships with corporations such as Amazon since adding workforce integration to her portfolio of responsibilities.

Infographic: Where UMSL nurses work

May 12, 2022

Thousands of College of Nursing graduates make up a large percentage of practitioners in both urban and rural areas, providing superior care and improving health outcomes in the bi-state region.

Opening doors: College of Nursing RN to BSN Program benefits area health

May 12, 2022

The program aims to increase the quantity of quality BSN-prepared nurses and speaks to the college’s vision of “shaping the future of nursing and health care in our community.”

Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center to cement late alumnus Kirk Richter’s legacy of connection, care

May 9, 2022

The late UMSL Alumni Association president and his wife Maureen gave the lead gift for the construction of the new center near Alumni Circle.

Alumnus Luke Coffey helps shape conversations about global affairs

May 9, 2022

Coffey, who earned his degree in political science, serves as the director of the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation.

On the Air: St. Louis Public Radio turns 50, celebrates history and station’s future 

May 9, 2022

Tina Pamintuan, a 20-year veteran of public media, is leading STLPR into its next 50 years after being hired last August to serve as the station’s CEO.

Brick by Red Brick: Jonathan and Willie McMiller are reviving homes, uplifting St. Louis

May 5, 2022

It all started with one home. The brothers purchased their first property to flip in 2013 when they bought a house in Spanish Lake for $7,000.

This is Chris Sullivan: The clinical director for UMSL Health, Counseling and Disability Access Services and campus health officer talks shop

Dec 22, 2021

Sullivan has been a student, faculty and staff member and now, as campus health officer, helps oversee health and safety on campus during the ongoing pandemic.

Alumni Q&A: Earl Swift, author of ‘Across the Airless Wilds: The Lunar Rover and the Triumph of the Final Moon Landings’

Dec 22, 2021

Earl Swift drafts compelling narratives on topics ranging from forensic science, to the creation of America’s highway grid, to sea-level rise and to the last three Apollo missions.

Andrea Jackson-Jennings embraces lifelong learning as regional social services leader

Dec 16, 2021

Jackson-Jennings helps create and maintain a centralized response network to help meet the social needs of residents who have been most affected by the pandemic in the St. Louis region.

A powerful partnership: A collaboration between UMSL and Ameren benefits St. Louis, industry

Dec 15, 2021

Ameren has enlisted the assistance of UMSL Supply Chain and Analytics for its Supply Chain Transformation Initiative.

Ronald Jones works to nurture St. Louis into a city of gardens

Dec 9, 2021

Ronald Jones is dedicated to helping rebuild St. Louis neighborhoods and joined the 2021 cohort
of the Coro Fellows.

Building community through language, Japanese flourishes at UMSL

Dec 8, 2021

The Japanese program has grown considerably, adding faculty members, offering study abroad programs and fostering an active presence on campus.

Emily Blackburn implements advanced tools to help St. Louis police better understand crime and protect communities

Dec 6, 2021

Blackburn, a 2001 CCJ alumna, has served as the manager of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s crime analysis unit since 2012.

Infographic: Success in six months

Dec 2, 2021

UMSL alumni have found success within six months of graduation through employment, further education, service, entrepreneurship and more.

Working for an education: UMSL students’ tales of perseverance, support, sacrifice and success

Dec 1, 2021

UMSL students often balance multiple responsibilities while striving for a college degree to kickstart careers and better lives, families and communities. 

Up and running: Cross country teams laying the foundation for future success

Nov 26, 2021

Coach Steve Picucci guided the men’s and women’s cross country teams through their first full season of competition since his hiring in 2019.

‘Build it, they will come’: Betty Van Uum makes UMSL campus her legacy

Nov 25, 2021

In her 38 years at UMSL, Betty Van Umm has helped facilitate every expansion on or off campus.

Steven Louis Brawley preserves and celebrates St. Louis’ LGBTQIA+ history

Nov 24, 2021

Brawley founded the St. Louis LGBT History Project in 2007. He also authored “Gay and Lesbian St. Louis” and has served as a trustee for the State Historical Society of Missouri.

Leader of the St. Louis Avant-Garde: Artist Brock Seals’ background fuels his ascent

Nov 23, 2021

Brock Seals is succeeding on his own terms in the worlds of art and activism, in the process creating a body of work both unique and inspiring.

Sharon Pruitt-Young showcases versatility at UMSL in writing career

Jun 8, 2021

Now an editor for National Public Radio, the English alumna got her start at UMSL with The Current and Brain Stew.

Deaf student Sunshine Miles fights through perceptions to become a nurse

Jun 3, 2021

Sunshine Miles hopes that by becoming a nurse she’ll be able to help the Deaf community feel that they can be part of the medical world.

A decade of opportunity: Opportunity Scholars Program impacts students and St. Louis area

Jun 3, 2021

The all-inclusive Pierre Laclede Honors College Program celebrates its 10th anniversary this academic year.

Dharmendra Neupane creates big solutions on a nanoscopic scale

May 27, 2021

Dharmendra Neupane’s PhD research focused on nanoporous gold’s applications in medicine and biotechnology and led to a fellowship at the FDA.

Pretend Friends: An UMSL love story blossoms into a successful design studio

May 26, 2021

Anna and Daniel Clark fell in love while studying graphic design at UMSL and have gone on to marry, have kids and form a design studio.

Infographic: College of Education’s impact by the numbers

May 21, 2021

The College of Education has played a dominant role in the regional education workforce. Graduates become leaders and champions for their students.

A science identity: A cohort of UMSL doctoral graduates benefits science education at Maplewood Richmond Heights High School

May 20, 2021

Maplewood Richmond Heights High School has the only science department in the state in which each member has a terminal degree – and all are from UMSL.

Lav Gupta part of UM System team working to bring high-speed internet to rural communities

May 6, 2021

The assistant professor of computer science worked in telecommunications in India and helped build the backbone network there before going into academia.

Better vision care in the palm of your hand

May 6, 2021

Optometrist Tareq Nabhan and computer scientist Sanjiv Bhatia are investigating a way to use smartphones to improve diagnostics.

Mercantile Library celebrates 175 years with an exhibition honoring its place as the oldest library west of the Mississippi

May 6, 2021

“A Nation, A City, & Its First Library: Americana, as a Way of Life at the St. Louis Mercantile Library for 175 Years” kicked off a year of festivities.