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.
LATEST IN UMSL Magazine
Susan TeStroete, Eboni Valentine and Derik Holtmann 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.
Susan TeStroete, Eboni Valentine and Derik Holtmann 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.
College of Optometry alum Dr. Sarah Frye Heywood builds career as optical regional director at Walmart
Heywood focuses on teaching, training and developing associates working in nearly 600 Walmart vision centers across 20 states.
Explore Germany with UMSL alum Franziska Hauptmann
Hauptmann now lives in Stuttgart for graduate school and works as a student quality engineer at Porsche.
Explore Germany with UMSL alum Franziska Hauptmann
Hauptmann now lives in Stuttgart for graduate school and works as a student quality engineer at Porsche.
Explore Germany with UMSL alum Franziska Hauptmann
Hauptmann now lives in Stuttgart for graduate school and works as a student quality engineer at Porsche.
UMSL alum Semir Vajzovic invests in the next generation of engineers
Vajzovic is the director of asset, investment and risk management at Ameren and an adjunct instructor in the UMSL/WashU Joint Engineering Program
UMSL alum Semir Vajzovic invests in the next generation of engineers
Vajzovic is the director of asset, investment and risk management at Ameren and an adjunct instructor in the UMSL/WashU Joint Engineering Program
UMSL alum Semir Vajzovic invests in the next generation of engineers
Vajzovic is the director of asset, investment and risk management at Ameren and an adjunct instructor in the UMSL/WashU Joint Engineering Program
Three questions with Amy D’Agrosa, associate teaching professor of Spanish
Last summer, D’Agrosa helped launch a three-week study abroad program in northwest Spain, where UMSL students had the opportunity to experience the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage path.
Three questions with Amy D’Agrosa, associate teaching professor of Spanish
Last summer, D’Agrosa helped launch a three-week study abroad program in northwest Spain, where UMSL students had the opportunity to experience the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage path.
Three questions with Amy D’Agrosa, associate teaching professor of Spanish
Last summer, D’Agrosa helped launch a three-week study abroad program in northwest Spain, where UMSL students had the opportunity to experience the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage path.
MORE IN UMSL Magazine
Reaching for the cosmos: UMSL astronomy faculty members and students conduct cutting-edge comet research
Professor Erika Gibb and Assistant Teaching Professor Mohi Saki are studying the composition of comets with infrared spectroscopy to learn more about the building blocks of the early solar system.
May graduate Tiffany Aldridge Rhine pivots to career in optometry with new position at Center for Vision and Learning
Aldridge Rhine, who earned her bachelor’s from UMSL in 2000, decided to embark on a career in optometry after reading a story in UMSL Magazine.
UMSL alum Princess Stormm builds on passion for supporting local music talent
After working for Hot 104.1 for over 10 years, Stormm is turning her focus to the Midwest Music Summit.
Through its humanitarian work, UMSL’s College of Optometry helps students see a new side of health care
UMSL’s chapter of Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity sends students to schools, Native American reservations and refugee resettlement institutions across the country.
UMSL alum Megan Rapp helps preserve Mark Twain’s legacy in Hannibal and beyond
A driving force behind Hannibal’s thriving tourism industry, Rapp is the executive director of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum.
UMSL alum Nicole Northway designs bamboo pajamas with personality at Emerson and Friends
Based in Clearwater, Florida, the company is known for its playful illustrations, from ocean animals to rainbows, florals and holiday imagery.
Five questions with Elena Jenkins, DNP student in the College of Nursing
Jenkins, who is also an artist, is passionate about maternal health and plans to open a birth center after graduation.
Alum Justin Bennett leads Social Work Interstate Licensing Compact effort
Bennett sits on the Missouri State Committee for Social Workers and serves as the compact commissioner for Missouri, the first state to sign on to the compact.
Hidden history: Theresa Coble leads a federal initiative recognizing women’s stories across national parks, lands and programs
Coble is leading a committee of multidisciplinary professionals from across the country, whose recommendations will inform the Department of the Interior’s actions over the next 10 years.
Explore New York City with UMSL alum Kenya Williams
Originally from St. Louis, Williams moved to New York to join the National Student Nurses’ Association.
Four-time UMSL alum Miranda Ming helps students from all backgrounds achieve success
Now the executive director of Momentum Academy in St. Louis, Ming worked to create the CLIMB program at UMSL.
With Big Belly Deli, UMSL alum Nick Boyd chases entrepreneurial dreams
Boyd and Chris Timmermann, co-owners of Big Belly Deli in Florissant, opened their shop in December 2023 and built a loyal following with their signature Dutch Crunch bread.
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.
UMSL Magazine honored for design in annual CASE competition
The biannual general interest magazine received the Best of District VI Award in the Design: Magazines & Periodicals category for the second consecutive year.
Justyce Jedlicka combines science and business knowledge to advocate for food safety at MilliporeSigma
Jedlicka is the North America food and beverage regulatory liaison at MilliporeSigma.
Bringing history to life: In partnership with UMSL, the new Living Arts Pathway enlivens lessons at historic Sumner High School
In the new elective museum studies course, students research history, create public exhibits and learn museum and cultural heritage career skills.
Natissia Small helping prepare girls for future success as CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
Small stepped into the role of CEO in April 2023 after nearly 28 years working at UMSL, most recently as vice provost for access, academic support and workforce integration.
Adam McBrady honored with Friendship Award from Japan America Society of St. Louis
The history alum helped drive collaboration between Urban Chestnut Brewing Company and Masumi Sake on a beer to commemorate JASSTL’s 50th anniversary.
University of Missouri Board of Curators holds annual meeting at UMSL
Campus photographer Derik Holtmann captured scenes from the day, including the presentation of the Remington R. Williams award to biology major Alexander Entwistle.
UMSL Marketing and Communications wins two CASE Best of District VI Awards in design
The design team was honored for UMSL Magazine as well as the Discover MORE Admitted Student Kit.
Cybersecurity major Cin Lam Mung aids his community in Myanmar through music
After Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, Mung recorded and sold copies of “Nang a Ding Om Den Ning,” an album of 12 love songs, to raise money for those affected.
College of Nursing’s Kim Werner on women’s health, translating research into real-world practices and more
Werner, an associate professor and associate dean of research, also serves as the principal investigator for Tritons United: Against Gender-Based Violence.
Conductor Maria A. Ellis offers her own brand of music education
With her company, Girl Conductor, the UMSL alumna has been taking her music education all over the country.
UMSL’s Advanced Credit Program expands college access for high school students
Over 30-plus years, UMSL’s ACP has grown into the largest dual-credit program in the state of Missouri and one of the most successful in the country.
With Pour Decisions STL, Kaje Sanford and Javia Gilliam are making cocktail culture more accessible
During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UMSL alumni created a mobile bar service that focuses on creating community.
How a team of experts at UMSL is helping to build a culture of literacy in schools across the St. Louis area
With the help of a $5.1 million grant, the College of Education is providing professional development and literacy tools to teachers at 38 schools across the region.
Adam Presswood helps fans connect with the St. Louis Cardinals from a new perspective
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.
In his last season at UMSL, Joel Sylven is looking to add to his national championship legacy
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
Nearly 70 study abroad programs have enriched the lives of countless students, providing transformative experiences across the globe.
Finding their voices: Adam and Rachel Morgan work to forge paths for neurodiverse individuals
The mother and son duo work to provide therapeutic equipment, technology and educational resources through the Adam Morgan Foundation.
Rajiv Banavali and the science of sustainability
The chemistry alumnus is the senior vice president of science and innovation at WestRock Corporation, where he’s developing sustainable paper packaging.
A pitch for the future: UMSL Accelerate’s impact grows alongside new space
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.
Infographic: Where UMSL nurses work
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
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.”
August Jennewein, ShaQuina White and Chelsea Nollau 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.
Eye on UMSL: Lunch is served
Alumnus and restaurateur Chris “Mac” McKenzie delivers food to two patrons at the new location for Mac’s Local Eats, which opened in November on Oakland Avenue.
Remembering the top UMSL Daily stories of 2021
UMSL Daily celebrates some favorite articles of the year and the countless accomplishments and activities of UMSL people.
This is Chris Sullivan: The clinical director for UMSL Health, Counseling and Disability Access Services and campus health officer talks shop
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’
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.
Bob Samples retiring after 31 years as spokesperson, key policy advisor at UMSL
Samples has helped lead UMSL’s marketing and communications efforts since 1990, and he’s most recently served as chief of staff to Chancellor Kristin Sobolik.
Building community through language, Japanese flourishes at UMSL
The Japanese program has grown considerably, adding faculty members, offering study abroad programs and fostering an active presence on campus.
Infographic: Success in six months
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
UMSL students often balance multiple responsibilities while striving for a college degree to kickstart careers and better lives, families and communities.
‘Build it, they will come’: Betty Van Uum makes UMSL campus her legacy
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
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
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.
Shawne Manies, Jessica Rogen receive UMSL Hero Award
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.
Sharon Pruitt-Young showcases versatility at UMSL in writing career
Now an editor for National Public Radio, the English alumna got her start at UMSL with The Current and Brain Stew.
Dharmendra Neupane creates big solutions on a nanoscopic scale
Dharmendra Neupane’s PhD research focused on nanoporous gold’s applications in medicine and biotechnology and led to a fellowship at the FDA.
Infographic: College of Education’s impact by the numbers
The College of Education has played a dominant role in the regional education workforce. Graduates become leaders and champions for their students.
LATEST NEWS
- College of Optometry alum Dr. Sarah Frye Heywood builds career as optical regional director at Walmart
- UMSL community connects across campus during first month of 2025 school year
- Faculty in computer science, biology and physics receive prestigious NSF research funding
- Eye on UMSL: Opportunities abound
- UMSL alumni show high school students what’s possible at World Languages Day celebration
- UMSL Tritons weekly rewind
- Susan TeStroete, Eboni Valentine and Derik Holtmann receive UMSL Hero Awards
- UMSL recognizes Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Young Alumni at 2025 Founders Celebration
- UMSL honors Barbara Kohm and family with 2025 E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Medal for Philanthropy at Founders Celebration
- UMSL recognized as leader supporting social mobility in latest US News ‘Best Colleges’ rankings
