Faculty members granted sabbaticals and teaching releases during 2025-26 academic year 

Apr 21, 2025

Amber Candela, Jennifer Chen, Lon Chubiz, Lara Kelland, Jerome Morris, Lee Slocum, Leighanne Heisel, Waldemar Rohloff and Kate Watt have been granted time to devote to research or course development.

Digging up the past: Michael Cosmopoulos helps students explore archaeology and culture in Greece

Dec 4, 2024

Cosmopoulos has spent nearly two decades leading an archaeological excavation in Iklaina, Greece, unearthing evidence of the origins of a two-tiered system of government.

Community members gather to celebrate 30 years of Greek Studies at UMSL

Sep 30, 2024

More than 250 people attended the Sept. 22 event commemorating the history of the professorship and its impact preserving and promoting Greek culture and identity in the St. Louis region.

History Professor Minsoo Kang publishes debut novel, ‘The Melancholy of Untold History’

Sep 16, 2024

The postmodern saga interweaves the mythical and historical past of a fictional country, The Grand Circle, and the story of a grieving history professor in the present.

New school year starts by honoring faculty, staff with Chancellor’s Awards at State of the University Address

Aug 26, 2024

Chancellor Kristin Sobolik presented the accolades to exemplary faculty and staff members Friday.

UMSL welcomes 21 new faculty members as fall semester begins

Aug 19, 2024

There are nine new faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences, four each in the College of Business Administration and the College of Nursing, two in the College of Optometry, one in the School of Social Work and one in UMSL Libraries.

Professor Susan Brownell discusses ‘panda diplomacy’ with PBS News Hour

Aug 12, 2024

The Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Anthropology shared her expertise on U.S.-China relations in a news report that coincided with the arrival of two new pandas at the San Diego Zoo.

History graduate Nancy Stiles investigates kidnapping case that rocked St. Louis society

Jul 22, 2024

Stiles’ master’s thesis examines the life of socialite Nellie Tipton Muench and her roles in kidnapping and blackmail schemes during the 1930s.

Michael Cosmopoulos celebrates induction into Academy of Athens, receives honorary professorship from University of Peloponnese

Jun 24, 2024

Cosmopoulos, the Hellenic Government-Karakas Family Foundation Professor in Greek Studies, has been celebrated for the excavation he’s led of the ancient Peloponnesian village of Iklaina in southwestern Greece.

Bringing history to life: In partnership with UMSL, the new Living Arts Pathway enlivens lessons at historic Sumner High School

May 22, 2024

In the new elective museum studies course, students research history, create public exhibits and learn museum and cultural heritage career skills.

History, philosophy graduate Ashley Maempa set to pursue PhD in Iowa

May 13, 2024

Maempa plans to study under noted historian Colin Gordon, author of “Mapping Decline: St. Louis and the Fate of the American City.”

Adam McBrady honored with Friendship Award from Japan America Society of St. Louis

May 9, 2024

The history alum helped drive collaboration between Urban Chestnut Brewing Company and Masumi Sake on a beer to commemorate JASSTL’s 50th anniversary.

Author David Treuer headlines 31st annual Primm Lecture

Apr 8, 2024

Treuer is the bestselling author of “Rez Life: An Indian’s Journey Through Reservation Life” and “The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee.”

Honors College’s Audri Adams named National Academic Advising Association’s Region 7 award winner for Excellence in Advising

Feb 26, 2024

Adams was recognized in the New Advisor category, for advisors who have been in their role for less than three years.

History and French graduate Jeannette Memmer sets her sights on PhD, museum industry

Dec 15, 2023

Memmer, who will serve as a student marshal for the College of Arts and Sciences, plans to study early modern European history in graduate school.

Eye on UMSL: Behind the scenes at the History Museum

Nov 27, 2023

Alum Sam Moore, managing director of public history for the Missouri Historical Society, talks with UMSL history students about the future World’s Fair exhibit, scheduled to open in the spring.

Whitney and Anna Harris Conservation Forum examines urban heat islands, their impact and mitigation strategies

Oct 2, 2023

The event featured presentations from UMSL History Professor Andrew Hurley, AECOM Principal Steven Duong and Living Earth Collaborative Postdoctoral Fellow Kaylee Arnold.

Susan Brownell, R. Rocco Cottone named Curators’ Distinguished Professors

Sep 25, 2023

The Board of Curators of the University of Missouri recognized the professors, elevating them to the most prestigious ranks in the UM System.

Recent graduate Elijah Braswell serving as Valley Park alderman while eyeing law school

Aug 23, 2023

Braswell, who completed his bachelor’s degree in history in May, is one of two representatives of Ward 4 and is serving on the Police Committee and Public Works Committee.

New graduate Natalie Krauss set to pursue PhD in Medieval European History 

May 30, 2023

Krauss’ first time in college ended in failure, but she returned more than a decade later with a renewed focus and graduated summa cum laude with degrees in English and history.

Adam Presswood helps fans connect with the St. Louis Cardinals from a new perspective

May 17, 2023

Presswood, who earned a graduate degree in museum studies, now serves as the supervisor of stadium tours and museum operations for the St. Louis Cardinals.

University of Missouri–St. Louis names Andrew Balkansky new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

May 11, 2023

Balkansky, a longtime faculty member and administrator at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will assume his new position on July 1.

Six faculty members granted sabbaticals for research and other creative works

Apr 17, 2023

Deborah Cohen, Lea-Rachel Kosnik, Nathan Muchhala, Rebecca Rogers, Eric Wiland and Gaiyan Zhang will spend either a semester or one full academic year on sabbatical.

Historian Brian Mitchell shines light on Elaine Massacre during 30th annual Primm Lecture

Mar 24, 2023

Nearly 100 people attended the annual lecture, named in honor of late UMSL Professor James Neal Primm, on March 16 at the Missouri History Museum.

UMSL Global celebrates internationally engaged faculty members during Touhill reception

Mar 20, 2023

Faculty members described the impact of the support they’ve received from the university, and UMSL Global honored others for efforts leading study abroad trips.

Anthropologist Susan Brownell joins National Committee on U.S.-China Relations

Jan 30, 2023

The committee aims to promote understanding and cooperation between the U.S. and China with the belief that a productive relationship serves both American and global interests.

Christina Karam preparing for medical school after leaving behind turmoil of Lebanon, earning biology degree at UMSL

Jan 17, 2023

Karam got an inside look at health care while participating in the Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program last summer in Milan, and she graduated summa cum laude last month.

New York Times features Iklaina Archaeological Project, directed by UMSL Professor Michael Cosmopoulos

Oct 3, 2022

Writer and photographer Matt Stirn visited the Bronze Age capital site and spoke to Cosmopoulos about its significance in the modern world.

UMSL celebrates exemplary faculty, staff with Chancellor’s Awards

Sep 6, 2022

Twelve faculty members and four staff members received Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence and the Gerald and Deanne Gitner Excellence in Teaching Award.

Faculty members receive sabbaticals to develop new scholarship

May 25, 2022

Steve Bruce, James Campbell, Vanessa Garry, Kara Moskowitz, Lauren Obermark and Gualtiero Piccinini were granted sabbaticals in the 2022-23 academic year.

UMSL historians, political scientist offer insight into Ukraine crisis during webinar

Mar 7, 2022

Peter Acsay, Kevin Fernlund and Stephen Bagwell lent their perspective to the webinar, titled “The Ukraine Crisis and the Future of War.”

Ask an Expert: Anne Austin explores historical impact of epidemics and pandemics and lessons for COVID-19

Mar 4, 2022

The assistant professor of history discussed how outbreaks of infectious disease have shaped medical innovations, public health policies and social bonds.

Black Faculty and Staff Association panel explores past, present and future of struggle for racial equality and justice

Feb 28, 2022

Associate Professor Priscilla Dowden-White, Assistant Teaching Professor Thomasina Hassler and Associate Professor Matthew Taylor shared their expertise.

Professor Susan Brownell’s expertise in demand with Olympics underway in Beijing

Feb 10, 2022

Brownell has shared her insights on the Games with The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bloomberg TV and St. Louis Public Radio, among other outlets.

Student veteran William Redden excited to begin his future after earning degree in history 

Jan 24, 2022

Redden landed a full-time position in human resources at Patriot Machine in St. Charles before graduation and recently got engaged.

UMSL celebrating 2020 and 2021 graduates with six in-person commencement ceremonies this weekend

Dec 13, 2021

The university is expected to confer nearly 1,000 new degrees as it holds its first in-person commencement ceremonies since 2019.

Professor Susan Brownell lends expertise to news outlets covering diplomatic situation ahead of Olympics in Beijing

Dec 13, 2021

The UMSL professor of anthropology has authored multiple books about Chinese sport and the Olympic Games.

Black Futurity Group hosts discussion about social justice

Oct 25, 2021

Nearly two dozen faculty, students and staff attended the event, which focused on ways to support Black students and amplify their voices.

NGA, UMSL partnering to develop STEM professionals and educators

Oct 6, 2021

NGA Director Vice Admiral Robert D. Sharp and UMSL Chancellor Kristin Sobolik signed an Educational Partnership Agreement on Wednesday.

Women’s History Month event highlights prominent women in colonial St. Louis

Mar 22, 2021

Amanda Clark, the community tours manager for the Missouri Historical Society, presented “Lives on the Edge: St. Louis Colonial Women.”

Political science, history and accounting programs receive top-50 rankings from Study.com

Mar 8, 2021

The online education platform weighed factors such as school affordability and accessibility, academic offerings and available supports for students.

Alumna Terry Freerks featured on HEC Media’s Spotlight program for career impacting young swimmers

Jan 28, 2021

Freerks has used coaching as a platform to expand opportunity and encourage education, things she’s also done through her support of UMSL.

Provost Marie Mora announces 34 faculty promotions for the 2020-21 academic year

May 8, 2020

Eleven received tenure and promotions to associate professor, nine earned the rank of full professor and 14 non-tenure track faculty members also received promotions.

Able-Disable Partnership aims to make UMSL more inclusive for students with disabilities

Jan 13, 2020

The organization, founded in the fall of 2018, has pushed for changes that improve the experience for students with physical and developmental disabilities.

Ask an Expert: Priscilla Dowden-White discusses Margaret Bush Wilson and other overlooked civil rights figures

Feb 20, 2019

Dowden-White is currently researching a biography on Wilson, the first African American woman to chair the national board of the NAACP.

Internship puts recent museum studies graduate behind the scenes at National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Oct 1, 2018

Sophie Grus worked as the curatorial intern in Cooperstown after completing her master’s degree in history with a concentration in museum studies in May.

Andrew Kersten settling into new position as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Aug 20, 2018

Kersten spoke to UMSL Daily about the challenges and opportunities he sees at UMSL at what he hopes will be an inflection point in the university’s history.

New year, new faculty

Aug 20, 2018

UMSL introduced more than 20 new full-time faculty members to the university community during a two-day new faculty orientation organized by the Center for Teaching and Learning.

St. Louis teens create and collaborate through Gateway Writing Project’s OneCity Stories program

Jul 12, 2018

A diverse group of high schoolers learned about expression across many forms of media during a three-week course at UMSL at Grand Center.

Gateway Arch Museum makes good use of Fausz artifact collection

Jul 9, 2018

Fred Fausz, UMSL emeritus associate professor of history, has dozens of artifacts from his personal collection pertaining to the American fur trade on display at the newly redesigned museum.