Spilling highlighted the ways that the university is continuing to adapt and innovate amid a shifting landscape in higher education.
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Remington R. Williams Award recipient G Schmiedeke serves UMSL and St. Louis communities through music
Schmiedeke performs in multiple university music ensembles, serves as a tutor to fellow students and volunteers with several local organizations.
Convocation speakers urge new UMSL students to make the most of every opportunity
The fourth annual event to open the academic year was held Friday at Touhill, with nearly 1,600 new Tritons introduced to a campus filled with opportunities, support and new possibilities.
Move-In Day at Oak Hall runs smoothly thanks to streamlined process and volunteer effort
UMSL faculty, staff and students came together to help first-year students and their families get settled on South Campus.
Eye on UMSL: Triton togetherness
UMSL welcomed a group of about 1,600 first-year students to campus for the start of the new academic year.
Honors College welcomes 2026 cohort of Opportunity Scholars and St. Louis Scholars
The all-inclusive four-year program supports academically gifted first-generation college students or students who face substantial challenges in accessing a university education.
UMSL welcomes 21 new faculty members for start of the new academic year
The Office of Academic Affairs organized a daylong orientation on Tuesday to help new faculty members prepare for the new academic year.
UMSL dedicates Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center
The new space will soon begin welcoming future generations of UMSL students while giving alumni a place to return to and remain connected with their alma mater.
Institutional support advances UMSL faculty collaboration with South African colleagues
Alina Slapac, Haitao Li and Lara Zwarun conducted research, engaged in cross-cultural exchange and more with partners at the University of the Western Cape.
College of Optometry unveils new academic home in J.C. Penney Building
Alumni and supporters had the chance to tour the newly renovated teaching and collaborative study spaces during a dedication on Friday.
UMSL partnership with Cigna gives students ‘a key to the front door’ of technology careers
The NEXT summer program provided 12 students with flexible, hands-on experience working alongside Cigna professionals and developing solutions to real-world challenges.
Social Work Senior Academic Advisor Tchule Moore delivers books to school children in Malawi
Moore, a native of the country, donated more than 100 paperback books to support literacy and the creation of a children’s library.
Eye on UMSL: Smile
Jessica Hylton and the rest of the UMSL Global staff greeted more than 100 new international students from 30 countries on Monday as they kicked off Global Triton Welcome.
Shu Schiller named among St. Louis’ Most Influential Business Women for 2026
The St. Louis Business Journal honored the dean of the Ed G. Smith College of Business alongside other prominent local leaders.
Graduate counseling student Stepheon Kaiser earns competitive Roy Blunt Behavioral Health Scholarship
Kaiser is committed to giving back to the communities that shaped him and helping people create lasting change in their lives through counseling.
UMSL to provide business training to students from The Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute
A five-year agreement will ensure students can transfer credits from the BAMSI School of Business and Management and apply them toward degrees from UMSL’s Ed G. Smith College of Business.
UMSL, St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School sign deal to turn dreams into degrees for students, staff
The agreement provides education opportunities for St. Mary’s students at UMSL as well as professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.
UMSL’s Teach in Residency provides flexible path to career in education
Dennis Miller, Patryce Jackson and Erica Williams are among more than 500 individuals who have launched successful second careers through the innovative program.
College of Nursing celebrates newest graduates at Awards and Pinning Ceremony
A group of 35 students in the Accelerated BSN program and 10 students in the DNP program completed their degrees in August.
Eye on UMSL: Brick by brick
Work on the expansion of the Social Sciences and Business Building in the UMSL Quad on North Campus has progressed steadily over the summer.
UMSL’s OrthoSummit gives aspiring medical professionals confidence to pursue their dreams
Students gained hands-on experience with orthopedic surgical techniques while exploring careers in medicine and engineering through the immersive summer workshop.
Spring graduate Sara Williams lands job at Mercy with an eye on medical school
The biochemistry and biotechnology major was part of the inaugural cohort of students from The Bahamas who made their way to UMSL through a partnership with the Ministry of Education.
Associate Teaching Professor Michael Behle devotes time to creative practice during artist residency
Behle spent two weeks painting and reflecting at the Farwell House in Frederick, Illinois.
Christina Castellano chosen to participate in 2026–2027 MNRS Leadership Academy
The assistant professor will join other promising researchers and scholars from the Midwest region in the leadership development program’s sixth cohort.
Eye on UMSL: Frozen fun
Students in the Bridge Program’s Middle School Summer Academy had a chance to make their ice cream while experimenting with liquid nitrogen.
Michael Cosmopoulos’ work at Iklaina featured in National Geographic’s ‘The Lost Treasures of Ancient Greece’
The Hellenic Government-Karakas Family Foundation Professor in Greek Studies shares his expertise in the fourth episode of the documentary series, which focuses on “The Mystery of the Trojan War.”
Media Coverage: July 2026
Stories about the university, its scholars and their expertise are often covered by local and national news media. Media Coverage highlights some of the top stories.
Stacy Pearson, Jennifer Condon and Meghann Humphries 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 international partnership changed how two business students see the world
Clayton Bruce and Buchanan Pratt gained hands-on international business experience, lifelong connections and a broader global perspective through work at UMSL and in Finland and Germany.
Interim Chancellor Chris Spilling discusses new role at UMSL, World Cup fan experience during guest appearance on KTRS
Spilling joined hosts Frank Cusumano and Jill Farmer Monday morning on “The Frank and Jill Show.”
Eye on UMSL: Shaping the grounds
Photographer Derik Holtmann used a drone to capture photos of workers engaged in landscaping outside the Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center.
UMSL students Veronica ‘Mayowa’ Adewole and Adel Abudayeh participate in 2026 Gyo Obata Fellowship
The Gateway Foundation’s paid summer program connects college students to area cultural institutions, nurturing the next generation of arts administrators.
Christopher Sullivan joins ranks of American Society of Criminology Fellows
The E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Youth Crime and Violence was one of four people named fellows in 2026 for their scholarly contributions to the field of criminology.
Area youth get taste of UMSL campus through camp experiences
Programs across campus introduced participants of all ages to UMSL through creative, academic and recreational experiences.
26 faculty members receiving promotions for the 2026-27 academic year
Eleven faculty members were granted tenure and three were awarded the rank of full professor. Of the 12 non-tenure track faculty members receiving promotions, six received the rank of full teaching professor.
UMSL support turned tears of uncertainty into tears of joy for nursing graduate
The encouragement of UMSL faculty members helped Opportunity Scholar Kayla McKissack overcome early challenges and prepare to launch her career caring for pediatric patients.
From eye clinic to ER, UMSL simulation teaches teamwork in patient care
Optometry and nursing students navigated a simulated medical emergency together, gaining confidence in communication, collaboration and clinical decision-making.
Teaching Professor Maureen Quigley developing historical card game
Quigley’s new game, Dissolution, focuses on the closure of monasteries under Henry VIII and the resulting societal impact.
Eye on UMSL: Follow the leader
A Triton Leader gives a tour of campus to a prospective student and their family last week. Student ambassadors guide visitors along the university’s winding paths, stopping to visit key landmarks.
CLIMB program gives area high school students exposure to hands-on research work in UMSL labs
Seven students from Hazelwood East and University City High Schools participated in the paid internship program as it marked its 12th year this summer.
UMSL’s Sheila Grigsby set to be inducted into The Academy of Community Engagement Scholarship
The associate professor of nursing is among 24 new members of the international organization, which recognizes exceptional leaders who unite academics and communities to benefit society.
Accounting student David Farnham reaping rewards from his decision to transfer to UMSL
Farnham recently won a prize for Best Undergraduate Student Contribution at the AIS Educator Conference and was also named a recipient of a $15,000 scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
Dean Marius Boboc named to national Deans for Impact fellowship
The year-long Impact Academy provides resources and support for educator-preparation leaders to foster lasting change within their programs.
University of Missouri System Critical Materials Crossroads Engine selected for $160 million NSF award
UMSL is part of a coalition of more than 260 partners that will work to onshore and sustain production capacity for critical minerals.
UMSL Athletics enjoys unparalleled success in competition, classroom in 2025-26
The Tritons won a school-record five Great Lakes Valley Conference championships, received 17 All-America nods and saw swimmer Justice Beard capture three individual national championships during a historic year.
UMSL’s Dustin Hagens chosen by New York Mets in Major League Baseball Amateur Draft
The right-handed pitcher is the first Tritons player to be drafted since Joshua Morgan was chosen in the 27th round in 2005.
UMSL earns National Recognition from International Literacy Association
The organization honored the College of Education for its exemplary preparation program for literacy professionals.
Assistant Professor Zori Paul serving as president-elect of North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
Paul was part of the organization’s Emerging Leaders Program as a doctoral student at UMSL.
Alum Randy Sanderson has served in unexpected ways with accounting skills developed at UMSL
The 1977 graduate has also continued to give back to his alma mater through his support of scholarships.
Geospatial Summer Camp gives area high school students hands-on experience with emerging technology
More than 30 students, hailing from 20 area high schools, took part in the four-day camp organized for the fourth straight year by UMSL’s Geospatial Collaborative.