UMSL Magazine – Spring 2022

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The McMiller brothers are flipping St. Louis Page 12 Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center honors Kirk Richter’s legacy Page 20 Migrantes Unidos helps immigrants facing detention Page 22 The RN to BSN Program opens doors for working nurses Page 28

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In this issue

St. Louis Public Radio celebrates 50 years PAGE 8

Chalking women leaders, then and now In celebration of Women’s History Month, students, staff and faculty joined the student organization Artists Anonymous on the Quad to commemorate more than 100 influential women in history with chalk art. The event organizers included the Pierre Laclede Honors College, Women’s and Gender Studies, the State Historical Society of Missouri and the Office of Student Involvement – LGBTQ+ & Diversity Initiatives.

12 Flipping St. Louis

The McMiller brothers' real-estate empire debuts on HGTV

Chancellor Kristin Sobolik Associate Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications Justin Roberts Director of Public Relations and Content/Writer Steve Walentik Editor-in-Chief/ Writer Jessica Rogen Writers Joe Cavato Burk Krohe Wendy Todd Timothy Wombles Director of Creative Services Traci Moore Art Director/Design Wendy Allison Design Marty Baragiola Erin Hart Photographer August Jennewein Printer Walsworth Publishing Company

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3............. On Campus 32.......... A Minute With

8 The next 50 years St. Louis Public Radio celebrates a half century, eyes future

Alisha Sonnier, education advocate and activist

14

Luke Coffey, foreign policy research director

An environment for innovation

Rajiv Banavali, chemical engineering innovator Seda Follis, social work student and former data analyst

36.......... Class Notes

UMSL Accelerate expands, dreams big

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for alumni and friends.

The magazine highlights excellence at the university.

Circulation is 105,324, and the magazine is released twice a year.

Creating opportunities Adam Morgan Foundation empowers neurodiverse individuals

20 A new front door to the university Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center to enhance community

22 Tina Pamintuan joined St. Louis Public Radio as CEO in December after a 20-year career in public media. She took over leadership on the cusp of the station's 50th anniversary. This year marks 50 years of STLPR educating and informing the greater St. Louis community as the station looks forward to future growth and big dreams.

The University of Missouri–St. Louis publishes

Finding power Migrantes Unidos gives asylum seekers a voice for change

28 For working nurses RN to BSN program delivers quality and affordability

UMSL Magazine Office of Marketing and Communications 60 J.C. Penney Building 1 University Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63121 magazine@umsl.edu umsl.edu/magazine 314-516-6690

Address Updates Office of Alumni Engagement 414 Woods Hall 1 University Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63121 umslalumni.org 314-516-5833

College of Optometry launches cutting edge telehealth course Until a handful of years ago, telehealth didn’t mean much in optometry. For many, it brought to mind dubious websites selling contacts or glasses without prescriptions or outdated ones, potentially endangering health for the sake of profit and convenience.

“But that’s not really telehealth,” says Tareq Nabhan, an assistant clinical professor of optometry at UMSL. “Telehealth is truly keeping patients at the center of the experience, getting to patients using technology, in a thoughtful way.”

The men’s basketball team won its first Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament title and came within one victory of qualifying for the program’s first NCAA Division II Tournament Elite Eight in 50 years, losing to Hillsdale in the Midwest Regional final. Coach Bob Sundvold’s senior-laden team had won 12 straight games before that defeat, taking advantage of the chance to compete – and make a run – in the NCAA Tournament after it was canceled in 2020 in what was to be UMSL’s first NCAA appearance since 1988.

Advances in optometric technology have changed the scope of possibilities. Now optometrists can reach patients through advanced tele-optometry and tele-retinal services that didn’t exist even a decade ago. That’s opening doors for patients during the pandemic and those living in underserved areas of the U.S. and abroad.

Nabhan has been working to help the profession define its position on telehealth and educate the next generation of doctors. During the fall semester, he launched a new College of Optometry offering, “Introduction to Telehealth.”

The new offering helped open students’ eyes and minds to the possibilities.

Scan codes with your phone’s camera for a deeper look.

“Before the class, I would say I was probably opposed to it because I want patients to come in to see me,” third-year student Heath Rolwing says. “During the class, we saw a lot of the different aspects of how telehealth can be incorporated into use and how it can be beneficial to optometry.”

The women’s team qualified for its first NCAA Tournament since 2014, receiving an at-large bid as the No. 6 seed in the Midwest Region. The Tritons fell to GLVC foe Drury 65-49 in the opening round, but Coach Katie Vaughn’s team still accomplished much during the season, setting a program record with 23 victories and winning the GLVC Central Division.

Vaughn was named the league’s coach of the year.

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‘CULTURAL TRADITIONS’ COURSE provides solid foundations for Honors College students’ success Nervous only began to describe how Aliyah Jones felt as she began “Cultural Traditions” – an introductory course surveying cultural impact from their beginnings to present day – during her first semester in UMSL’s Pierre Laclede Honors College.

“I’m not one to really give my opinion out there,” she says. “I’m wanting to sit back and listen to what other people are saying.

But I find that now that I’m in the class, I’m more willing to speak, seeing how people aren’t ridiculing you for getting your opinion out there.”

As she went through the first semester of “Cultural Traditions,” Jones was surprised by how much she enjoyed analyzing texts closely by breaking them down at the sentence level and preparing for class with journal notes.

“I’m actively participating, so I tend to remember the material more,” Jones says.

Her experience in “Cultural Traditions” demonstrates exactly why the Honors College requires all first-time students – approximately 80-100 each semester – take the class.

The Honors College has some specific goals with the course.

First, it emphasizes broad cultural awareness and cultural inclusivity by examining works of philosophy and politics from different world cultures. Second, it builds community through shared experiences that help connect students to the Honors College, UMSL and St. Louis. Finally, it introduces students to service learning and community engagement.

“It’s a course that helps them connect and succeed in their first semester and then helps them begin professional development in their second semester,” Associate Dean of the Honors College Kim Baldus says. “We do all of that, while introducing them to world cultures from the time of earliest ancient Mesopotamia up through the modern day.”

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JAKE BAIN CONTINUES HIS SHIFT from athlete to LGBTQ+ activist while pursuing degrees at UMSL The path to UMSL for Jake Bain, student programs manager for LGBTQ+ and diversity initiatives, began with a speech to his entire high school on National Coming Out Day saying he was gay.

Bain was a high-level athlete being recruited for college football, and his announcement led to him being one of the first openly gay players at the NCAA Division I level and appearances in national news outlets and on the “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

But despite many positive and supportive messages, he had to confront a backlash from people who didn’t know him but objected to his sexual orientation. It took a psychological toll.

Bain decided to leave school and football and focus on himself, including his mental health.

Nearly five years and two universities later, Bain is utilizing his experience as an athlete and challenges with mental health as he pursues degrees in sport management and psychology at UMSL. With a strengthened sense of self, he is pursuing his mission as an LGBTQ+ and social justice advocate, and earlier this year he was awarded an UMSL Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship.

UMSL student Tyler Haynes cut a rug at the “Roaring Back into the ’20s” homecoming dance held in March. Festivities returned in person to great jubilation from students and UMSL community members with traditional events such as the Pack the Stands basketball game, Chili Feed, Tiny Tritons Pancake Breakfast and more.

“I’ve always felt like I wanted to leave spaces a little better than I found them,” Bain says. “Hopefully, once it’s all said and done, I’m able to lay my head down and rest because things will have changed and there will be more of an accepting environment for the LGBTQ+ community in sports.”

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UMSL forges

new partnerships NGA Te National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and UMSL are partnering to create a geospatial talent pipeline that supports student learning from kindergarten through college and beyond.

Under a new educational partnership agreement, UMSL faculty and staff will work collaboratively with NGA professionals to develop academic courses and programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics that will provide students the knowledge and skills needed for careers in geospatial intelligence.

“As a longtime driver of workforce development in our region, UMSL is committed to adapting our programming and preparing our students to support that growth,” Chancellor Kristin Sobolik says.

“We envision St. Louis becoming a hub for geospatial technology, not just in Missouri or in the Midwest but globally, and we are eager to work with NGA to help shape that future.

We know our students and faculty will benefit greatly from the talent and expertise of NGA professionals.”

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ST. LOUIS ANCHOR ACTION NETWORK Te St. Louis Anchor Action Network is bringing together institutions, businesses, community leaders and other stakeholders to address racial, economic and spatial inequities in the St. Louis region through focused efforts to increase employment, income, health and wealth building.

UMSL and Edward Jones are providing leadership and staffing for the network, whose founding members also include BJC HealthCare, Harris-Stowe State University, Mercy, St. Louis Community College, Saint Louis University, the Saint Louis Zoo, SSM Health, Washington University in St. Louis and Webster University.

“Business has an increasingly important role to play in driving meaningful, positive systems change that will spur inclusive economic growth,” Edward Jones Managing Partner Penny Pennington says. “Creating that kind of positive change will help all of our St. Louis regional family members to succeed.

We thrive when there is opportunity for all, and the Anchor Action Network is a powerful way we demonstrate that commitment.”

AMAZON Amazon has selected UMSL as a strategic partner to provide educational opportunities to its employees in the St. Louis region through the Amazon Career Choice program.

Te program empowers Amazon employees to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere in the workforce by providing degree, certification and upskilling opportunities. Program benefits include full college tuition, industry certifications designed to lead to indemand jobs, and foundational skills such as English language proficiency, high school diplomas and GEDs. Amazon is investing $1.2 billion to upskill more than 300,000 employees by 2025, so they can move into higher-paying, in-demand jobs.

“Te University of Missouri–St. Louis is proud to partner with Amazon to enhance educational access and opportunities for its employees,” says Natissia Small, UMSL vice provost for access, academic support and workforce integration. “We believe strongly in the power of higher education to transform lives, and with UMSL’s long history of educating and training the St. Louis region’s workforce, we are primed to partner with businesses like Amazon to support their employees in achieving lifelong success.”

Chancellor Kristin Sobolik taps experienced strategist, communicator ADELLA JONES to serve as chief of staff.

Natissia Small This is

Vice provost for access, academic support and workforce integration

STAFF

Q&A In June, the veteran UMSL administrator added workforce integration to her portfolio of responsibilities, helping form partnerships with corporations, such as Amazon, in the time since.

Why is UMSL focusing on workforce integration?

!e St. Louis region has presented a call to action for institutions to think differently. As a higher educational leader, UMSL is in a prime seat to answer this call and support our corporate partners to meet industry needs. As the urban anchor institution in St. Louis, our institutional mission and goals align with our state’s priorities to increase educational access while increasing the talent pool to further support economic growth and inclusive prosperity.

Does workforce integration have any personal meaning to you?

I am personally driven as a first-generation student from rural Missouri who deeply understands the impact education can have on a family. My role affords me the opportunity to lead a division that creates accessible pathways for individuals to be successful from precollege to college matriculation to now expanding that framework to include creating unique pathways offered through workforce integration. !e opportunity to promote lifelong success and transform lives is a total package that matches my professional and personal goals while working alongside a team of leaders who are equally driven to create space for everyone to be successful.

What has your approach been so far?

Creating the Office of Workforce Integration is complex because it needs many contributors to ensure that our efforts exist on a strong foundation that will remove barriers for a seamless entry to UMSL. Working collaboratively with key stakeholders such as faculty, staff, corporate and community partners is a priority.

Assessing and identifying key research to support our workforce integration efforts as an urban institution is an important aspect of building our workforce model from a holistic approach to promote student success.

What are your next steps?

Continuing to turn over every stone to assess the opportunities and address the unique challenges that come when striving to meet the needs of students who have an interest in furthering their education. !is is work that must be inclusive of all stakeholders to embrace meeting every individual where they are – whether they represent a marginalized group, mid-career professional or those seeking to upskill. Whatever their educational or current situation may be, it is my goal to work with others to create a space of support and belonging that will ensure their success.

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Left to right: Evening on-air announcer Obie Yadgar, Manager of Music and Promotion Jackie Fisher, Staff member Deborah Caldwell, KWMU founder Don Driemeier and Executive Producer Mary Edwards.

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ON AIR:

St. Louis Public Radio turns 50, celebrates history and station’s future

By Jessica Rogen

In January 1974, senior Mary Edwards took her first steps into the then-St. Louis Public Radio studios.

In those early days – less than two years aUer the station signed on air for the first time – they broadcasted from the basement of Lucas Hall on the University of Missouri–St. Louis campus. Locating the National Public Radio affiliate there had been something of an aUerthought, so the space had been retrofitted from two classrooms on either side of a hallway.

“Outside of our studio doors, there was a drinking fountain, so there were always students milling about,” Edwards says. “Back then our programming was mostly classical music. We did some jazz on Friday and Saturday night and a limited quantity of news. I think we had an audience of about 30,000.” !e station could hardly have changed more in the subsequent years.

STLPR, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, now reaches an audience of more than half-a-million from a gleaming, modern studio in St. Louis' Grand Center Arts District.

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“I feel fortunate to have started at STLPR during this auspicious anniversary. We were right there at the beginning of public media, and that means we’ve grown alongside the big national outlets, but we are deeply engaged in serving the St. Louis community.”

– Tina Pamintuan

Clockwise from top: Audio Engineer Aaron Doerr, "St. Louis on the Air" host Sarah Fenske, Politics Editor Fred Ehrlich, Producer Lara Hamdan, Afternoon Newscaster Marissanne Lewis-Thompson, Education Reporter Kate Grumke, CEO Tina Pamintuan and Business Support Specialist Kate McKay.

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Since its founding, the station has sought to educate and inform the greater St. Louis community, paralleling the university’s vision of providing education for all who seek it and serving as a source of knowledge in the community. It has evolved from mostly music to mostly talk radio in 1996, driven in part by the urgency of reporting during the Gulf War and the popularity of national shows such as “All !ings Considered.” !e same year, it debuted its popular noon talk show, “St. Louis on the Air.” A leader in technological innovation, it was the first radio station in the country to broadcast ambisonic programs, the first station in St. Louis to play music from CDs, and was also among the first to move to HD, all-digital transmission.

It has grown substantially in service – adding HD channels focused on jazz and classical music; additional stations in Quincy, Illinois, and Rolla, Missouri; merging with the online news startup the St. Louis Beacon – and consistently collected accolades along the way.

Socially, STLPR has made strides, notably defeating the Ku Klux Klan in a federal court over the right to decline underwriting support.

It launched the podcast “We Live Here” as well as provided award-winning coverage of Michael Brown’s death and its reverberating impact on St. Louis and beyond.

A drive to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion within the organization led to the hiring of the station’s new leader, CEO Tina Pamintuan, a 20-year public radio veteran.

Pamintuan, who started her new role Dec. 1, has a bold vision for the future of the station that includes doing the difficult equity work, building capacity, filling a market need for local and breaking news, breaking down walls between digital and radio formats, and growing audiences, especially in digital spaces.

“FiUy years is midlife, which these days is pretty young,” she says. “I feel fortunate to have started at STLPR during this auspicious anniversary.

We were right there at the beginning of public media, and that means we’ve grown alongside the big national outlets, but we are deeply engaged in serving the St. Louis community. We’re looking to open up that space to a more diverse community so that we are truly serving the public that is St. Louis.” !e opportunity to lead change and challenge herself drew Pamintuan from her most recent role as general manager at KALW 91.7 FM in San Francisco. She feels STLPR is committed to equity, which she believes is key toward achieving the mission of public media outlets.

“For too long public media has defined its audience as the people who were listening, turning on the dial and donating,” she says. “But we have to think of the audience as the totality of the public.

We have not directly invited all listeners, and it’s signaled in all these different ways. My dedication to the public piece comes from this aspiration that we can really be for everyone and invite everyone.”

One already focused on this work is Jade Harrell, director of on-demand content and community partnerships. She oversees podcasts and fosters community partnerships for their creation.

Harrell sees the future as “listener activated,” in which audiences are empowered to control what content they consume rather than passively listening to whatever plays on the radio. !at fits well with podcasts and other digital storytelling that, thanks to the medium’s relatively short production time, give journalists the ability to reach audiences nimbly. !at’s especially key being a station located in St. Louis, at the center of many national conversations.

“We’re not the gateway simply logistically,” Harrell says. “Information, philosophy, change, intersection – much of that happens here. It is huge for us to write our own narrative, to use it to create the understanding that bridges those divides. I certainly believe we are capable of it.

We have the talent. We have the capacity, and we certainly have the attention of the nation and beyond.” !at STLPR’s big dreams for the future come during this moment of reflection and celebration of its past fits into the station’s mission of fostering “deeper understanding” in service of “a more inspired and engaged public.”

Benefiting community and individuals is at the heart of STLPR’s future, as well as its past.

“Looking back on the whole thing, my favorite part was if there was a day when I thought that something we did might have made a difference in someone’s life,” Edwards says. “You just feel that you’ve accomplished something. Knowing that you do have the capability to do that, that’s extremely rewarding.”

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BRICK

BY RED BRICK Two brothers are turning a renovation and real estate business into an empire while uplifting St. Louis

By Wendy Todd

12 S P R I N G 2 0 2 2

w

hen Jonathan and Willie McMiller were growing up in Florissant, Missouri, their father, Willie McMiller Sr., bought homes to upgrade and sell. He’d make the two, along with their three other brothers, work with him, calling them his little construction crew. !ey’d help clean up, paint and haul out debris.

Jonathan valued the hard work and gaining determination, but Willie, who was scared of the dark, was not as enthusiastic. Some of the properties were severely distressed, and he didn’t know what to expect and hadn’t yet developed a strong work ethic like his little brother Jonathan.

“I had a very short attention span,” Willie says. “I was supposed to be painting the wall and then I’d start drawing my face on the wall and all this other stuff.”

But ultimately the brothers paid attention and are still applying what they learned.

From their renovation and real estate business to their own show on HGTV, “My Flipping Family,” which debuted in February, the brothers are on their way to building an empire that they hope will change perceptions of St. Louis worldwide.

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

Four years later, Jonathan, who graduated from the University of Missouri–St. Louis with a BSBA in finance in 2012, was looking to leave his accounting job and pursue real estate full-time. He asked Willie, who had moved to Los Angeles in 2007 to start a career as a comedian and actor, to invest in St. Louis and join him in the renovation and real estate business.

Convinced, Willie partnered with Jonathan and started Macc Boyz Properties.

Since 2017, the company has renovated and sold eight homes and one commercial property.

Jonathan felt equipped to run his own business from what he learned at UMSL, especially the skills he gained from Malaika Horne, founding director of the Executive Leadership Consortium.

In addition to the coursework that helped Jonathan develop his business acumen, he also made a lot of professional contacts.

“I’m totally grateful,” Jonathan says. “If it wasn’t for the connections I made at UMSL, I wouldn’t have had the exposure and the experiences I pull from and draw on today.” !e original plan was to focus on and grow the business. But over time, Willie realized there could be more opportunities down the road.

With this in mind, Jonathan and Willie leveraged social media and Willie’s contacts in the entertainment industry to create buzz about their business and its potential to be a reality show.

Having starred on the fourth season of the BET reality show “College Hill” while a student at the University of the Virgin Islands in 2007, Willie was very familiar with the platform.

Jonathan and Willie posted videos on Instagram showcasing their work and engaged their audience by asking for input on design decisions.

“If I tell somebody I’m from St. Louis, we want the reaction to be like, ‘Oh, you’re those two guys who flip homes?’”

– Willie McMiller

Production companies took note and started reaching out. It took a while to find the right fit, but eventually they connected with HGTV. Jonathan and Willie’s interaction and charisma appealed to the network and the executives at its umbrella company, Discovery.

“Me and Jon’s dynamic is perfect and not just for this show but for everyone involved because everybody from Discovery to Discovery Plus had to get on board,” Willie says. “!ey’ve all enjoyed our dynamic. Jon is the business side, and I tell people all the time, ‘I’m a dreamer.’”

Part of the dream is to use their exposure on HGTV to reframe the reputation of St. Louis. !ey want to spark the shiU in the narrative that’s plagued the region, particularly since the shooting of Michael Brown.

“If I tell somebody I’m from St. Louis, we want the reaction to be like, ‘Oh, you’re those two guys who flip homes?’” Willie says. “We know we can’t solely change the narrative, but we want to begin to change it. !ere are going to be people watching from all over the world, and we’ll be their introduction to St. Louis.”

Jonathan wants people to know how much St. Louis actually has to offer.

“St. Louis is very diverse and culturally rich,” Jonathan says. “We have a lot of history that’s happened here – some history that we’re not so proud of and some that we should be very proud of. I think the biggest thing is that St. Louis is still a great place for people who want to come here and start something great.”

Jonathan and Willie have not only started something but also are branching out beyond the show and their business. !ey purchased a property in University City where they plan on opening several businesses, one being an upscale coffee shop slated to open in the fall.

!ey're also releasing a children's book, “Adventures of Dylan & Perry: Operation Treehouse,” that mirrors their experiences as kids working with their dad on houses. It centers on themes of developing a work ethic and teamwork and encompasses the lessons their mother, Minerva McMiller, an educator and UMSL alumna, taught them. !ey have a vision for their business and their legacy that includes investing in St. Louis, creating opportunity for others and staying true to who they are. !ough the brother’s burgeoning fame and opportunities will pull them away from St. Louis at times, the two plan to always stay connected to the region.

Alumnus Jonathan McMiller (right) and his brother Willie are starring in HGTV’s “My Flipping Family,” which debuted in February.

“We are very business focused,” Willie says. “We are going to be in St. Louis. We can have a billion dollars and put a lot of money in a lot of places, but St. Louis will always be our home. At the end of the day, we will always come back.”

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A PITCH FUTURE FOR THE

By Burk Krohe

14 S P R I N G 2 0 2 2

UMSL Accelerate’s impact grows alongside new space

T

he phrase “dense spontaneous collisions” comes up a lot when Dan Lauer talks about entrepreneurship.

It’s all about creating opportunities for impromptu meeting between creative, ambitious individuals. !ere’s no way to predict exactly what will happen.

“You’ve just got to create an environment for them,” he says. !at’s exactly what Lauer, founding executive director of UMSL Accelerate at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and founder and creator of Waterbabies, intends to do with the new UMSL Accelerate facility.

UMSL Accelerate moved its operations to the former Gallery 210 space during the fall semester. Moving forward, Lauer envisions

the facility being a hub for numerous UMSLled accelerators and a gathering place for collaboration among startup founders and the UMSL community.

It will also serve as a recruitment tool for the university and an economic development engine for the St. Louis region. In December, the university selected a design from local firms CI Select and St. Louis Design Alliance and began fundraising to bring the concept to life.

“Our mission is to be a first choice for entrepreneur-minded students,” Lauer says.

“We want to be known in the region, and then the country, as one of the great places to learn.”

Like most entrepreneurs, Lauer was excited by a blank slate. !at’s what he saw when he and former College of Business Administration Dean Charles Hoffman conceived and eventually founded UMSL Accelerate in 2016. !e idea was to provide classroom and internship experiences that would effectively serve modern students in the age of startups and side hustles. !ey founded the project on three pillars: educate, innovate and collaborate.

In the classroom, faculty employ cuttingedge business pedagogy, and students have the option to take classes or earn a degree in entrepreneurship. Clubs, clinics and programs provide students the freedom to innovate.

Meanwhile, UMSL-led accelerators foster community collaboration by providing business connections, funding and mentorship to local entrepreneurs.

Dan Lauer is the founding executive director of UMSL Accelerate.

Opposite page: UMSL graduate student Nameera Fatima shares her story during a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Accelerator event.

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“I want a tremendous student experience,” Lauer says. “If you’ve got robust teaching on how to start a business, finance, marketing, all the business tools, if you’ve got groups where you’re learning from your peers and companies where a student can get paid to learn, maybe UMSL will become the top choice for students interested in entrepreneurship.”

Lauer and COBA Dean Joan Phillips view the new facility as a fundamental resource to enhance coursework and accelerator programming.

Ideally, it will be a hive of activity where students can connect with each other and leaders in the business community. !e bold vision for the nearly 10,000 square-foot space promises to bring that to fruition.

Like a good pitch, the facility will be designed to make a striking first impression – starting with the entrance. !ere will be an eye-catching entrance plaza, and the foyer will be opened up to reveal a lounge awash in natural light, a free coffee bar, digital walls and a staircase leading to a second-floor outdoor terrace. !e auditorium is now “!e Shark Tank,” and Lauer sees it serving as an arena for classes, pitch competitions and TED-style talks. A large portion of the facility will be dedicated to work spaces replete with white boards and private rooms perfect for brainstorming meetings as well as ping pong tables and a pool table for breaks. Another portion will be dedicated to a casual faculty lounge, where Lauer feels students will be more comfortable coming to office hours.

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In the back corner, a maker space will include a 3D printer, the focal point of a new class on product development. An outdoor patio will furnish students with an area to relax away from the buzzing interior.

Finally, the exterior grounds will flow into the footprint of the neighboring Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center. !e proposed renovations are estimated at $3 million, and Lauer also wants to create a $10 million endowment for UMSL Accelerate to benefit future generations. He’s already found support from one prominent UMSL alumnus.

Joe Stieven, a two-time COBA graduate and CEO of Stieven Capital Advisors, donated $1 million to the building fund and $1 million to the endowment. Stieven has stayed connected to UMSL over the years and is especially interested in supporting UMSL Accelerate because of the potential impact on economic development. “!e driving force of the economy is small businesses,” Stieven says. “It’s not the mega companies. !e beauty of UMSL is that many of our graduates stay here in St. Louis. If we can help foster successful startups who then end up employing St. Louisans, it’s like a double or triple win for St. Louis.”

Tony Davis is one such local entrepreneur. A business alumnus and the founder of Pop Pop Hurray!, a premium gourmet popcorn company specializing in unique flavors, he’s a part of UMSL Accelerate’s second Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Accelerator cohort. !e timing aligned perfectly with Davis’ plans to grow the business.

“It’s only going to help as we grow,” he says. “We’re building out a nice national franchise.

Without having any franchise experience, I’m leaning on learning from mentors in that space.”

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Right, top: Students and founders linger over food and beverages after the pitch session.

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Right, bottom: Ten UMSL students pitch their stories to the five-member DEI cohort as part of a matchmaking session that pairs founders with paid interns.

Lauer and Phillips want to build on the DEI Accelerator’s successes. !ere are already plans for a creative arts accelerator led by Brian Owens, E. Desmond Lee Community Music Artist in Residence, and Lauer can see adding a financial technology accelerator or veterans accelerator.

It’s not only an investment in the university but also in the economic ecosystem of St. Louis. “!e vision of UMSL Accelerate is something that’s exciting for the whole university,” Phillips says, “that we can rally around to prepare the next generation of leaders to be innovative.”

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Left: College of Business Administration alumnus Tony Davis founded Pop Pop Hurray!, a premium gourmet popcorn company, and is part of the second UMSL Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Accelerator cohort.

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“Our mission is to be a first choice for entrepreneur-minded students. We want to be known in the region, and then the country, as one of the great places to learn.”

– DAN LAUER

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At 10 years old,

Adam Morgan found his voice. !at’s when his mother, Rachel Morgan, got him an iPad to use as an augmentative and alternative communication device. For the first time, he could truly express himself as a nonspeaking autistic person.

“I started typing my own thoughts and making my own choices,” Adam says.

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

By Burk Krohe 18 S P R I N G 2 0 2 2

While some people judged him or held low expectations initially, Adam has worked since then to prove how wrong they were, shattering preconceived notions and forging a path for others like him.

He’s now pursuing a BES with an emphasis in entrepreneurship in the College of Education at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

He’s also created a YouTube channel called “Tech Talk with Adam Morgan,” contributed to the book “Leaders Around Me: Autobiographies of Autistics who Type, Point, and Spell to Communicate” and done consulting work through the Adam Morgan Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Rachel to support inclusive opportunities for neurodiverse individuals.

Adam’s experiences inspired Rachel to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in education, and she has since served as an instructor at UMSL. “I was tired of being told I was just a mom, and I didn’t know what I was talking about,” she says. “!ey can’t say that anymore.”

“

When someone believes in you, anything is possible. It all starts at home. My mom believed in me, and she helped the educators believe in me. My teachers were amazing, and for the first time, I felt truly included.

Before using his iPad, Adam utilized a picture exchange communication system to express himself as best he could. !e system relies on choosing from a handful of simple picture boards, a process that severely limits nonspeaking people’s ability to truly share their thoughts or feelings.

Typing his first word was a revelation.

It spurred him to help others find their voices through the Adam Morgan Foundation’s Apple a Day Program, which has provided more than 400 iPads and computers to neurodiverse individuals in the St. Louis region. !e organization got its start providing equipment such as net swings, pressure vests and weighted blankets to families.

Rachel saw the need for such resources while working as a service coordinator with Missouri First Steps, the state’s early intervention program for young children with disabilities.

She’d taken the position aUer Adam’s birth to become more well versed in the disability field.

“All the services and supports are in the home until a child is 3,” she says. “But once they’re 3, they move onto the school district, and all the services and supports are taken out of the home.”

Believing there should be a better transition that maintained home support, Rachel launched the foundation in 2008. Since then, it has provided equipment to more than 1,000 families in the St. Charles and St. Louis areas

”

–Adam Morgan

and expanded its services to include access to technology, an annual conference, training videos and workshops. It has also funded more than 100 weeks of specialty and inclusion camps.

Most recently, the organization piloted a program with funding from the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board of St. Charles County to provide 20 adults with disabilities technology training that focuses on functional tasks such as creating an email address and learning email etiquette, online banking, managing and scheduling their own appointments, social media safety and learning to apply for jobs online. !us far, it’s been a success, but the very need for it exposed a gap in modern life for many adults with disabilities.

“We, at the Adam Morgan Foundation, presume competency versus incompetency,” Rachel says.

Adam faced similar doubts when he started using his iPad. Because he types with the help of a communication partner – sometimes a teacher or tutor but most oUen his mother – the teachers and administrators at his middle school remained dubious about his ability to type and think on his own.

Adam Morgan (right) types with the help of a communication partner – his mother, Rachel Morgan (left). The communication partner’s hand grounds him and helps quiet his anxiety, allowing his brain and body to connect and get his thoughts out.

Adam explains that the communication partner’s hand grounds him and helps quiet his anxiety, allowing his brain and body to connect and get his thoughts out. It’s a motor issue, not a cognition issue, and he communicates in a different way, not in a lesser way.

When it came time for college, Adam had several options, but he felt at home in the educational studies program at UMSL. He’s continued to find supportive educators such as !eresa Coble, the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Experiential and Family Education.

!ose conditions made school fraught for Adam, and though he’d found a way to express himself, people still infantilized him. However, aUer moving to Fort Zumwalt East High School, he found a supportive environment.

Coble led a blended format “Social Entrepreneurship” course structured around student pitches on ventures to solve societal problems, and Adam thrived, taking the lead on his group’s semester-long project.

“When someone believes in you, anything is possible,” he says. “It all starts at home. My mom believed in me, and she helped the educators believe in me. My teachers were amazing, and for the first time, I felt truly included.”

“It was great to work in a group and collaborate with others on this project,” Adam says. “It helped me see other perspectives and allowed us to come up with the campaign and educational videos to meet people where they are.”

In 2020, he graduated with excellent grades and delivered the class commencement speech via a digitally vocalized recording.

Adam plans to keep making an impact once he graduates, encouraging others to follow their dreams. If he can do it, he knows they can, too.

“I felt like I had a good message to share,” he says. “When I was picked, I couldn’t believe it. I was so ecstatic.”

“I want to run the foundation,” Adam says of the future. “I want to write more books and be a motivational speaker.”

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RICHTER FAMILY WELCOME AND ALUMNI CENTER honors Kirk Richter’s legacy

By Steve Walentik

Kirk Richter had an exuberant moment on the University of Missouri– St. Louis campus last August.

He and his wife, Maureen, met Chancellor Kristin Sobolik for a picnic lunch in the Quad – not an unusual occurrence for the devoted alumni couple who oUen discussed ways to support and continue to transform their alma mater and the lives of its students.

Together, they made their way to the west side of the J.C. Penney Conference Center, to the windowless exterior of the auditorium that faces Alumni Circle.

Sobolik began describing what was then only an idea – the possibility of a world-class Welcome and Alumni Center. !ere, the typically quiet, humble man lit up.

“He stood there in front of a blank, brick wall and went, ‘!at’s it! !at’s what I want!’” Maureen says. “He was so excited.”

Such a moment of clarity made perfect sense for the 1968 College of Business Administration graduate who knew what such a center could provide:

CONNECTION. A CHANCE TO GIVE BACK. UMSL was in its infancy when he enrolled in 1964 aUer graduating from Beaumont High School in north St. Louis.

“My dad chose UMSL because it was close to home, affordable and offered a quality education,” his son, Daniel, says. “All three of these factors were equally important as he had to finance his own college education.”

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Kirk grew up in a working-class German Protestant family, the elder of two sons, with a father who worked for the railroad. !e first member of his family to attend college, he was someone for whom earning a degree could have easily remained a dream, if not for his spirit of determination and willingness to seize opportunity.

AUer graduating, Kirk swiUly landed a job with Arthur Andersen and became a CPA in 1972. !at same year, he married his first wife, Kathleen.

Six years later, his family had grown with the welcome additions of daughter, Laura, and son, Daniel. Kirk took a job at Sigma-Aldrich, a St. Louis-based chemical, life science and biotechnology company. For 34 years, his trademark perseverance and devotion kept him committed. By the time he retired as interim chief financial officer in 2012, he had helped Sigma-Aldrich’s annual sales soar from $30 million to $2.5 billion. !roughout his life, Kirk’s loyalty to UMSL was unwavering. He was forever grateful for the connections the university helped him forge. He never forgot his humble beginnings that led to sharable success.

Back row, from left: Laura Richter, Maureen Richter, Kirk Richter, Dan Richter and Kelsey Laitinen-Richter.

Front row, from left: Julian Laitinen-Richter, Abby Schamel, Bella Schamel and Liam Laitinen-Richter.

“It’s critical that current and future students be given the opportunity to get the same quality education that I did at UMSL,” Kirk said in 2013.

To that goal, he invested countless personal hours – as president of the UMSL Alumni Association, member and multi-term president of the business alumni chapter and member of the Chancellor’s Council – all while steadfastly believing in the power of possibility and the potential of others.

Maureen and Kirk Richter (at left) made regular Spring Training trips with fellow members of the UMSL Alumni Association and friends, including Tony Naughton and Mike Hogan, to cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals. On one trip, they met General Manager Mike Girsch (center).

Laura and Daniel fondly remember many occasions when Kirk would eagerly head out aUer dinner to attend organizational meetings or events on behalf of the university.

Left: The Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center will feature space where alumni and students can meet and interact.

“My dad had a couple different organizations that played a big role in his life and helped him get where he was going,” Laura says. “UMSL was one of the top ones.”

Below: With an entrance on Alumni Circle, the new center will serve as a front door for prospective students.

Although he was always serious in his commitment, it wasn’t all work. Kirk loved other people and found great pleasure in socializing with fellow alumni. An avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, he looked forward to spring training trips in Jupiter, Florida, where he’d go decked out in UMSL gear, showing off his pride in the university.

A man of great faith and care for the people and places who shaped his path, Kirk oUen contributed much more than his time. He made many significant philanthropic donations to UMSL, sponsoring scholarships, supporting the Alumni Association and contributing to the construction of Anheuser-Busch Hall.

He also helped reintroduce Maureen – a 1974 graduate of the College of Education – to the university. !e two met in 2008 while part of the Mercy Hospice Bereavement Program as each mourned the death of their first spouse, and UMSL was one of the things they learned they had in common.

As they began to spend more time together and eventually were married, Kirk brought Maureen with him to different UMSL events.

“Because he was so involved and knew so many people, it was really fun to meet all these people,” says Maureen, who spent 34 years teaching middle school in Arnold, Missouri.

Kirk also worked to help other UMSL graduates reconnect. During his tenure as president of the Alumni Association in 2015, he was instrumental in establishing an inclusive membership model.

“It goes back to relationships,” Laura says. “He wanted to find a way to help facilitate those connections between people.”

Last summer, it was the vision of a space that could do just that that got him so excited.

!e Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center – as it will be called – will welcome students into the oUen-foreign world of higher education while simultaneously giving those who’ve experienced its transformative power a place to return and give back.

It will be just as Kirk wanted it. !e entire UMSL family will forever be grateful. *Kirk Richter passed away on Jan. 14, surrounded by the family and friends who loved him most.

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

By Steve Walentik

Adelaida Elisabeth Miranda Orozco still remembers the stares whenever she’d accompany her two children to the playground near her home in Granite City, Illinois.

She couldn’t escape the eyes of strangers. First, they were fixed on the electronic monitor strapped to her leU ankle, and then they’d look at her, their faces betraying suspicion and fear.

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!e weight of the monitor around her ankle also prevented her from running around with her kids.

“I could not play with my children,” Miranda Orozco says of the yearlong experience of wearing the ankle monitor while speaking through an interpreter. “We would go to the park, and I could not play with them.”

It also cost her jobs. She once landed a position on the housekeeping staff at a local hotel. She’d been there a week when her boss noticed the monitor and promptly fired her. !e same thing happened when she was working briefly at an area Chinese restaurant.

Miranda Orozco felt helpless and alone.

It was the promise of safety and stability for her family that brought Miranda Orozco to St. Louis with her children two years ago.

She was one of the thousands of migrants fleeing gang violence, which is only exacerbated by the abject poverty pervasive in the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador in Central America.

Miranda Orozco leU Guatemala and journeyed through Mexico to the U.S. border, where she and her children presented themselves to federal agents seeking asylum. !ey were detained for one night, then traveled to St. Louis while awaiting a court hearing on their case for asylum – a process that usually takes years, not months, because of a backlog in the courts.

AUer arriving in St. Louis, Miranda Orozco had to visit the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office and was referred to the office of the Intensive Supervision of Appearance Program – or ISAP – which placed the monitor on her.

Electronic ankle monitors, which track geographical information, have been used by immigration authorities for more than 20 years as an alternative to detention. !eir use varies by jurisdiction, but a story published in !e Guardian last summer stated that of the 96,574 individuals enrolled in ISAP in May 2021, 31,069 were wearing the monitors. !ose individuals were required to be within 70 miles of their homes and typically were not permitted to cross state lines.

“

I knew that there was going to be a process, but I thought it was going to be a dignified process. I never imagined that I would be – Leonel Moreno Rivera treated as a convict.

”

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Leonel Moreno Rivera

followed a similar path as Miranda Orozco when he came to the United States and settled in St. Louis with his wife and three children while seeking asylum from Honduras.

“I never imagined it, especially as a parent,” says Rivera, who was made to wear his ankle monitor for approximately a year and half.

“I knew that there was going to be a process, but I thought it was going to be a dignified process. I never imagined that I would be treated as a convict.”

Migrants such as Miranda Orozco and Rivera oUen feel powerless in a system that seems designed to isolate them, and they have few people advocating on their behalf for more fair and humane treatment.

But Adriano Udani, an associate professor of political science at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and the director of the Public Policy Administration Program, has worked closely with colleagues at two local nonprofits – the Inter-Faith Committee

on Latin America and the Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project – to bring migrants together and engage them as advocates on their own behalf through a support group called Migrantes Unidos.

AUer first learning of the prevalence of ankle monitors being used to track asylum seekers in St. Louis, Udani began having conversations with Maria Torres Wedding, then the director of client support services at the MICA project, and IFCLA Executive Director Sara John to study the impact the monitors were having on people’s lives. !ey all wanted to do something new and different than what was provided to asylum seekers in St. Louis. “!is problem could not be simply addressed as an academic researcher,” Udani says. “Previous studies have shown that people who have ankle monitors are not flight risks to leave the country and are not criminals, which undercuts the reasons to have electronic monitoring.”

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But the more he talked to Torres Wedding and to John, the more he realized such a project would be insufficient. “!at kind of study wouldn’t be impactful to the asylum seekers,” Udani says. “Until all forms of detention are abolished, they are unable to live their lives completely free of stigma, perpetual surveillance and fear.”

John described a different way.

“Maybe we shouldn’t be the ones trying to figure this out,” she says. “Maybe we need to be engaging the people that have ankle monitors in a much more direct conversation about how we change this.”

In the process, they thought they could build a community for migrants in the St. Louis region to learn from each other and take strength from their shared experiences.

With a $30,000 grant from the University of Missouri System Research and Creative Works Strategic Investment Program and an organizing support grant from the Detention Watch Network, they began a project to involve asylum seekers as policy research partners, creating Migrantes Unidos, which has now grown to more than 40 members.

Allie Seleyman and Ángel Flores Fontánez have helped organize the group as an extension of their work as coordinators of IFCLA’s accompaniment program, which was created in 2017 and arranges for volunteers to accompany migrants to immigration check-ins in a show of solidarity and a source of comfort.

Migrantes Unidos members began meeting monthly, mostly via Zoom, in November 2020. !e members are paid $20 an hour for the time they spend participating, though any financial payoffs are of secondary benefit to the camaraderie and knowledge gained from each other.

“Truly, it has benefited me a lot,” Miranda Orozco says. “I am a very shy person, and it helps me to talk and to listen to what other colleagues are saying. I am taking it as a therapy.”

“I value the knowledge and experience that I have gotten from the others,” Rivera says, “and, of course, to be united.”

Typically, their meetings last two hours, and the first hour is open for group members to talk about their experiences.

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Above: Former Director of Client Support Services at the Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project Maria Torres Wedding (left) and UMSL Associate Professor of Political Science Adriano Udani.

Opposite page: Allie Seleyman (left) and Ángel Flores-Fontánez, coordinators of the accompaniment program at the Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America.

“Any concern that anybody has, any question, any comment, any celebration – all of that can be shared,” Seleyman says. !e group has discussed how to navigate the process of obtaining passports or filing a change of address or what it’s like going to the immigration court in Kansas City. But the most acute problem most of them have faced was having an ankle monitor.

“When we started meeting, the absolute majority of the group had an ankle monitor still,” Flores Fontánez says.

“People at every single meeting were sharing their traumatic experiences – their back aches, their knee aches, their ankle aches – all the problems that were happening. But also, they started sharing, ‘Hey, my ankle monitor was removed when I complained and complained and complained.’”

With those stories, they created a guide others might follow to effectively advocate for their own monitors to be removed.

It has proved successful.

“Rarely have the people who are impacted by the system become part of those conversations about changing it.”

–Adriano Udani

Rivera was among the beneficiaries, getting his ankle monitor removed last September aUer months of trying. “!e day they called me, it was a surprise,” Rivera says. “!ey told me that they would remove my monitor, and I felt like I was born again.”

Miranda Orozco felt a similar sense of freedom – and plenty of relief – when her monitor was removed in February 2021.

“I felt like they had untied me,” she says. “My hair is not falling out anymore. My health is better now, and I do not feel the stress anymore.”

Udani has been a regular observer at the meetings, collecting qualitative research data, some of which he presented last fall at the American Political Science Association Annual Meeting and Exhibition.

Udani, with support from Torres Wedding and John, also applied for and received a three-year $250,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation in November to develop similar social justice leadership hubs in six other cities in the United States.

Each hub will consist of a group of asylum-seekers working with an academic researcher and organizations prioritizing work on alternatives to detention and providing legal or social services and mutual assistance.

Udani and his colleagues put out a request for proposals in February and have started reviewing applicants. !ey plan to offer training for the hubs beginning in August.

“Rarely have the people who are impacted by the system become part of those conversations about changing it,” Udani says. “I think the next level for asylum seekers is to be considered as experts, as leaders of work that centers on justice and equity.”

Miranda Orozco, Rivera and so many of the other members of Migrantes Unidos are grateful for the role they’re getting to play in that transformation.

“People have proposed a goal for foreign people like us, and they are giving us support and the trust,” Rivera says. “It is very gratifying to know that, and what we desire most is that others will be able to benefit.”

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“They've come back.

They've sought this out for a reason, and they're invested.”

– Alicia Hutchings

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College of Nursing RN to BSN Program Like many University of Missouri–St. Louis graduates, Maria Darris has always had to shape her life around decisions about work and money.

As a new immigrant from the Philippines, she became a caretaker at a nursing home because it was the only position available to her. She joined the Army in order to afford school because there was only enough cash on hand to pay for her young sister’s education. !en, like many who go on to become registered nurses, she opted to attend community college and earn an associate degree, so she could join the workforce faster than a four-year degree would allow.

It was only natural that when she returned to school for a BSN, she decided to attend the College of Nursing RN to BSN Program.

“When youʼre a working nurse, itʼs all about availability and money,” says the 2011 graduate, pointing out that the UMSL program costs less than any other area school, even aUer considering any employer discounts. “Iʼd rather spend my money on something else for my family than spend it at another school when I can get an education at UMSL that’s as good or better than any other school.”

By Jessica Rogen

Left: Married couple (from left) Marianne and Lance Huff enrolled in the RN to BSN Program together in part because the BSN has become the gold standard for nurses and required at some hospitals.

Many of the nurses that go through UMSL’s RN to BSN Program have similar stories to Darris, who now works as a nursing instructor at St. Louis Community CollegeFlorissant Valley and regularly recommends UMSL to her students.

Below: St. Louis Community College Nursing Instructor Maria Darris decided on the RN to BSN Program so she could work as an RN while earning her degree.

Affordability and flexibility are the whole point of the program, which has been serving to elevate the skills and career prospects of registered nurses in order to benefit health outcomes of patients in the St. Louis region and beyond since 1981.

College of Nursing Dean Emeritus Shirley Martin established the RN to BSN Program as one of the college’s two original offerings. !e program’s purpose – increasing the quantity of quality BSNprepared nurses in the region – speaks to the college’s core vision of “shaping the future of nursing and health care in our community.” “!ere weren’t many programs when we started,” says Liz Mantych, a long-time faculty member and director emeritus of the RN to BSN Program.

“While there are more RN to BSN programs available today, our program remains highly respected and continues to be known for dedicated faculty that care about their students.”

Above: Brandon Gilliam enjoyed the community relations focus of the RN to BSN Program, which he balanced alongside work in the cardiac/stepdown telemetry unit at St. Luke’s Hospital.

Right: Crystal Bailey used her BSN to move into nurse leadership and now serves as director of nursing for Corizon Health.

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Opening doors Nurses don’t need BSNs to work. !ey can enter the profession with an associate degree aUer passing the National Council Licensure Examination.

But the BSN opens many doors and is increasingly required by hospitals attempting to achieve or keep Magnet status, the highest credential for nursing facilities.

A desire to become an educator prompted Darris to earn her BSN, then her MSN, at UMSL. Scott Reed, a 2021 graduate who is now a behavioral health RN, returned to school so he could potentially continue on to become an advanced practice registered nurse, though he changed his mind aUer earning the degree.

“If I wish to pursue a management position in the future, I can do so,” Reed says. “Nursing is such a great opportunity because you can do so much with the degree. So many jobs and fields in so many locations are open to you.”

Meeting students where they are Like most of the RN to BSN students, Reed went through the program at his own pace in order to effectively balance work, school and paying for school. !at was a challenge, but he was able to make it work thanks to the program’s welcoming environment and supportive instructors such as Mantych.

Top: Associate Teaching Professor Alicia Hutchings serves as the RN to BSN Program director and College of Nursing vice provost fellow for student success.

Center: Peter Mwariri graduated from the RN to BSN Program with an acceptance into the UMSL DNP Program.

Bottom: Former Director Liz Mantych now serves as an instructor in the RN to BSN Program.

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“!e workload was enough to give me the experience needed to actually feel I earned the degree, while being metered out at an achievable pace,” he says. “!e instructors laid out their expectations for the assignments clearly and concisely while at the same time extending multiple offers of help or clarification.” !ere are generally about 40 students in the program at any given time, and they can start – or stop – at any time. Classes are offered every eight weeks for maximum flexibility.

!e College of Nursing delivers the courses primarily online and also will work with area health care facilities that wish to offer the bridge to a BSN for their employees.

“One of the unique things about the program is that we really meet students where they are, professionally and personally,” says Alicia Hutchings, RN to BSN Program director and vice provost fellow for student success. “We recognize that these students are busy adult learners, so we have a curriculum that allows for flexibility.”

Since students already have pre-licensure clinical skills, the program focuses on the professional elements of nursing, such as leadership and management, research, health policy and global and community health.

Students might be nurses of varying experience, fresh from community college or in a dual enrollment program.

“Whatʼs really fantastic in these classes is this ability for students who have little practice experience to be in same classes with people with years of practice experience,” Hutchings says. “!e lessons that they learn from each other can be really invaluable.”

Teaching both groups presents challenges, but the students rise to the circumstances.

“One of the great things about RN to BSN students is that theyʼre pretty eager to do this,” Hutchings says. “!eyʼve come back. !eyʼve sought this out for a reason, and theyʼre invested.”

Leading change Having more highly educated nurses benefits community health as well as individual practitioners.

When students leave the RN to BSN Program, they’re well positioned to impact health while expanding their professional identities.

“We prepare students for the future of nursing, not just where theyʼve come from,” College of Nursing Dean Roxanne Vandermause says. “!ereʼs definitely a broader body of information that a baccalaureate nurse has as evidenced by the courses that they get when they come in – the policy, the population health and the social determinants of health – the broader aspects of nursing. Our discipline and our profession have been changing really over the past several decades, and UMSL has led the change.”

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St. Louis Public School’s youngest board member

ALISHA SONNIER

builds activism and advocacy at UMSL

By Wendy Todd

rom her time as a teenager, Alisha Sonnier has set out to ignite change.

A visible activist and a mental health advocate in the St. Louis region, she ran for St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education in 2021. Among her supporters was then-St. Louis City Treasurer and now-Mayor Tishaura Jones.

Sonnier narrowly lost. But in one of her first acts as mayor, Jones appointed Sonnier to the board to replace current Treasurer Adam Layne.

“Education was transformative for me,” Sonnier says. “I wanted to be of service to my community and build political power. Additionally, knowing that nationally 70% of students who receive mental health services get them through the school district inspired me to run.

“I was curious about what it would be like to be on the other side of the door, representing students

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like myself and trying to get the quality of education and the type of holistic education I know we deserve.”

Sonnier’s activism was heightened as she was starting college as a response to the shooting of Michael Brown in 2014. She was in Ferguson, Missouri, every night protesting but wanted to do more.

She eventually founded an activist group, Tribe X. Through her efforts in community organizing and activism, she assembled resources to give out items such as scarves and gloves as part of an endeavor called “Heat up the Hood.” From that experience, Sonnier found her voice helping others in acts of social justice.

“That was the beginning of me starting to think strategically about how I wanted to cause change,” Sonnier says.

Sonnier began college at Saint Louis University and was active on campus, helping arrange a sit-in as a response to police brutality and other social injustices. Those efforts won resources to develop initiatives aimed at making the university more accessible to a wider swath of students.

Her success brought her attention, which interfered with her studies.

Facing burnout, she changed course in her academic pursuits and transferred to the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Sonnier connected with Alan Byrd, UMSL’s former vice provost for enrollment management. He convinced her UMSL would be a place where she could feel like a regular student, focus on her goals and have the support she needed.

“He was super supportive,” Sonnier says. “I felt I could tell the difference regarding privilege at UMSL. I could see this group of

professionals were used to working with everyday adults, as opposed to students fresh out of high school or more economically privileged kids and mainly white.”

She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2019 and has been working as a mental health advocate since 2020. Sonnier also started a podcast, “BlackTea,” discussing politics and culture, which she funded with a $10,000 grant from Divided City.

Sonnier has also gone back to school to take courses in nursing and is considering a career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Though her future isn’t set in stone, she will continue advocating for equality and equity.

“I have an idea of where I want to go,” she says, “but I know I want to continue to build political power that is truly for the people.”

LUKE COFFEY

Alumnus helps shape conversations about global affairs

By Steve Walentik

As Russia amassed troops along its border with Ukraine in late January, Luke Coffey headed to briefings at the U.S. Capitol.

Members of the Senate wanted to hear from him about what could be coming amid growing concerns that Vladimir Putin would soon launch an invasion into the former Soviet republic.

“If you’ve actually been on the ground there, you have a much deeper understanding of what’s going on,” says Coffey, who serves as the director of the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy at the Heritage Foundation.

Coffey, a 2002 graduate of the University of Missouri–St. Louis, has been on the ground in more than 70 countries and developed contacts and a particular expertise in transatlantic and Eurasian security, as well as the Middle East, over the past two decades.

Coffey began building his knowledge of global affairs long before joining Heritage, a conservative think tank in Washington, in 2012. A veteran, he was stationed in Italy during his time on active duty and did a tour as a U.S. Army captain doing detainee operations in Afghanistan in 2005, earning a bronze star.

When he left the military, Coffey enrolled at the London School of Economics to pursue a master’s degree in politics and government of the European Union. He was just beginning school when he landed an internship in the office of a member of Parliament, which eventually helped him secure a full-time position in the office of another member, Liam Fox.

When the Conservative Party took control of Parliament in 2010, Fox ascended to secretary of state for defense, and Coffey became a senior special adviser, the first non-U.K. citizen appointed by the prime minister to such a role.

Coffey couldn’t have imagined making that type of history growing up in the Franklin County town of Catawissa, Missouri, though he was always fascinated by the wider world.

“I was a young boy when the Soviet Union collapsed, and I remember making my mom go to Walmart to get a new globe with all the new countries,” he says.

One reason Coffey joined the military was the sense of adventure that came from the opportunity to travel abroad. He earned an associate degree at Wentworth Military Academy, then a bachelor’s in political science at UMSL before going on active duty.

Affordability and convenience heavily influenced his college decision, but at UMSL, he found professors, including J. Martin Rochester, who fertilized Coffey’s interest in foreign affairs and encouraged debate. He also engaged with international students on campus and studied abroad for a semester at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa.

All those experiences helped propel the first-generation college student to a career in foreign affairs, one of the few areas

Photo by Erin Granzow

of politics and policy where there’s still some agreement across the political spectrum.

“Thankfully, in the foreign policy space,” Coffey says, “the mainstream of the political right and the mainstream of the political left find a lot of areas to cooperate and work together.”

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RAJIV BANAVALI and the science of sustainability

By Burk Krohe

Rajiv Banavali holds up an ordinary looking white paper cup, the kind you get at a coffee shop. He explains that, in most cases, “paper cup” is a misnomer. Typically, they’re coated with plastics, making them neither recyclable nor biodegradable.

The cup the University of Missouri–St. Louis alumnus holds, the one he helped develop as senior vice president of science and innovation at WestRock Corporation, is different. It’s completely recyclable and biodegradable – a leap forward for sustainability.

“Once I got into the industry, I saw how we can solve problems to help people,” Banavali says. “Sustainability became the big thing. I got hooked on it, and I saw that the chemical industry has given us many great products, but it also has given us many problems.”

During his storied career as a chemist, manager, and business leader, Banavali has worked to solve those problems by leading research and development efforts for global corporations, such as Honeywell, Huntsman, Rohm and Haas, and now WestRock.

His love for problem-solving started with a family full of doctors and scientists in Mumbai, India. They encouraged his interest in chemistry. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Mumbai, he came to UMSL to pursue a PhD, graduating in 1985.

Lawrence Barton, professor emeritus of chemistry, took Banavali under his wing, helping him grow as a chemist and as a person.

“That was a great time in my life,” Banavali says.

“I was still very young, but with the guidance of my professors I really grew up. UMSL taught me not only about chemistry, but also about how to build and navigate a productive life.”

After a postdoctoral fellowship, Banavali embarked on a three-decade career in the chemicals industry,

34 S P R I N G 2 0 2 2

Photo by Dot Paul

leading cutting-edge research across the globe and developing an array of sustainable products.

As vice president and CTO of Honeywell’s Advanced Materials division, Banavali shepherded the creation of Solstice, a new line of refrigerants vastly superior to others on the market.

“When things leak from your refrigerators or your air conditioners, they basically cause global warming,” he says. “The scientists in my group developed the next generation, which are ozone safe and do not warm the planet. Taking them from lab to full commercialization was amazing.”

Banavali continued environmentally minded innovation as global vice president of research and technology at Huntsman, where he helped build a less wasteful industrial dying process for cotton garments. Now, at WestRock, he’s helping develop sustainable paper packaging in order to phase out single-use plastic.

In addition to his work, Banavali has served as a member of the Dean’s Leadership Council for the UMSL College of Arts and Sciences since 2007.

According to Dean Andrew Kersten, Banavali recently

“made a substantial gift to the Chemistry Department to foster the teaching and research into green and sustainable chemistry.”

In October, the UMSL Alumni Association presented him with a Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of his contributions.

He is thankful but says he feels a duty to give back to the institution that gave him so much.

“I’m passionate about what I’m doing, and maybe that’s why it works,” Banavali says. “I’m really grateful for everything UMSL has done for me.”

B

ig data has long been in Seda Follis’s wheelhouse.

A student in the University of Missouri– St. Louis’ Master of Social Work program, Follis has manipulated colossal amounts of data for more than two decades in numerous positions, including director of advanced analytics at Express Scripts and director of healthcare analytics at BJC Healthcare.

“I loved it,” Follis says, recalling projects from over the years – including an early effort modeling pharmaceutical sales 15 years into future, the development of predictive models related to prescription drug adherence, and the development and implementation of COVID-19 analytical solutions to support the management of the pandemic across the system and the region.

But when she had a moment to breathe and reflect, her gut told her she needed to look beyond the numbers.

Follis started thinking where she wanted to spend the next 20 years of her career, and the pandemic gave her courage and space to act. She considered psychology or sociology but, after consulting with an academic advisor, was drawn to the interdisciplinary nature of social work.

“I am a life-long learner and energized by making a positive impact,” Follis says. “I now want this impact to be direct rather than through data and analytics.”

Follis tested the waters as a part-time student. One of her classes “Diversity, Social Justice and Social Practice” gave her assurance that she was on the correct path. After that, Follis dove in as a full-time student and is on track to graduate in May 2023.

The married mother of two says things could have been overwhelming, but she feels privileged.

Neediest Cases and drafted grants for a non-profit for a senior empowerment project. She also worked with the grassroots initiative One West Florissant.

The breadth of the social work program has opened up a world of possibilities for the future.

MSW student

SEDA FOLLIS

leaves behind big data for individual impact

By Timothy Wombles

“In a way, I have a sabbatical from working, but I’m also bettering myself,” she says. “Hopefully, I will be able to give back even more to society and the community.”

Although still in the first year of her MSW, Follis is already giving back. Last year, she assisted in allocating holiday funds to families through the St. Louis Post Dispatch’s partnership with the 100

“Originally, I thought I wanted to work with more individuals like myself – immigrants,” Follis says, recalling moving to America from Turkey in 2001 for her first master’s degree in economics and finance. “My first master’s degree was an adventure since I didn’t really know where I was headed, but my MSW degree is more purposeful and focused on serving others.”

In the near future, Follis is eager to get started on fieldwork for her practicums, which will focus on individuals and families. A motivating factor for starting the program was the moments she recalled making a positive impact on team members and coworkers.

“I want to do things that touch hearts, not just databases,” Follis says with a laugh. “I never got a thank you note from any database.”

UMSL MAGAZINE

35

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Marc Ray, BSAcc 1999, was named

Timothy Winters, BA 2003,

was named a recipient of the 2021

was named to Modern Healthcare

the 2021 Club Executive of the

was promoted to advanced

Five Star Wealth Manager award by

Magazine’s list of "Top 25 Diversity

Year by the Club Management

technology center project

Leaders in Healthcare." Brenda

magazine. A 22-year member of the

management office team lead/

joined the Chicago-based health

Club Management Association of

business development manager

system in 2012.

America, Marc serves as the general

with World Wide Technology.

Jeffrey Blanner, BA 1994, joined

manager/chief operating officer

Kelly Griffon, MSW 2004, started as

Midland States Bank as senior

of The Ford Field and River Club in

a clinical implementation specialist

Course in Las Vegas.

commercial relationship manager.

Richmond Hill, Georgia.

with Centene Corporation.

Jana Brazeal, BA 1980, retired

In this role, he partners with his

in 2021 after 22 years as an

team to manage and grow existing

2000s

relationships, while actively seeking

2000, joined De Smet Jesuit High

customer support for McCarthy

librarian at St. Louis Community

new commercial real estate and

school as math faculty and head

Building Companies, Inc.

College – Meramec.

industrial lending opportunities.

baseball coach.

John Seiffertt, MA 2004, joined

Bill O’Brien, BA 1981, published a

Tasha Pettis-Bonds, BA 1995, has

Lori Bryan, BS 2001, began

Hillsdale College on the Washington,

joined Midwest BankCentre as vice

as social rehabilitation unit

D.C. campus as an associate

one man’s midlife crisis and search

president of community engagement

behavioral health case manager

professor of computer science.

for meaning.

and business development.

with Centurion Health.

Brad Cook, BSBA 2005, was

David Miller, BA 1983, received the

David Friedrichs, BSBA 1997,

Beth Goetz, MEd 2001, was

promoted to director of operations

was named partner, CFO and

recognized by the Indianapolis

at Beckwood Press Company.

the Year Award from the Missouri

biz apps lead with Covenant

Business Journal among its 2021

Beth Elders, MME 2005, was named

Academy of Family Physicians.

Technology Partners.

Women of Influence. She serves

executive director for the greater

Cletus Glasener, MBA 1983, retired

Jennifer Walton, BSBA 1997, was

as director of athletics at Ball

St. Louis chapter of the American

named to the board of directors

State University, where she leads

Red Cross.

the CFO of Elbit Systems of America

for the Metro Theater Company

all coaches, staff and the daily

Lauren Schoellhorn, BSEd

to his ranch in Meridian, Texas.

in St. Louis.

operations of the department, which

2005, was named one of seven

Marc Katz, BSBA 1987,

Joseph Blanner, BSPA 1998,

includes 19 NCAA Division I teams.

distinguished finalists for State

was appointed to the Regional

Nathan Landsbaum, MBA 2001,

Teacher of the Year by the Missouri

Tuesday Morning.

Convention and Sports Complex

was appointed plan president

Department of Elementary and

Suzanna Long, MA 1988, chair

Authority by Missouri Gov. Mike

and CEO at Sunshine Health, a

Secondary Education.

and professor of engineering

Parson. Joe is an attorney with

subsidiary of Centene Corporation.

Adam Taylor, MA 2006, is under

McCarthy, Leonard & Kaemmerer.

Greta Walton, BSBA 2001, became

contract for “The Problem of God

engineering at Missouri University

He is also co-founder and

director of internal communications

in Indian Philosophy,” which is part

of Science and Technology, received

president of Construction Forum

with Benson Hill, a company

of the Cambridge University Press'

the Bernard R. Sarchet Award

STL and Construction Forum

focused on the future of food and

Elements in Philosophy series.

Education Foundation.

nourishing innovation.

Robert Dixon, BA 2007, was

Ryan Hollrah, BSBA 2002, BSAcc

named director of community and

2002, MAcc 2002, started with

economic development at Ameren.

1970s

Aubrey Herman, BA 1972,

Five Star Professional.

1980s

Mark Bouillon, MA 1980,

retired and is enjoying life living on the eighth hole at the Sienna Golf

adjunct faculty instruction

new novel, Florissant Girls, about

2021 Missouri Family Physician of

Dec. 31 after serving 13 years as

was appointed the COO at

management and systems

from the American Society for Engineering Management.

1990s

Brenda Battle, BGS 1993,

Christopher Reed, BSMIS 2004, Timothy Canavan, BSBA

Enterprise Bank & Trust as director of internal audit.

36 S P R I N G 2 0 2 2

was promoted to manager of IT

Supply chain and analytics empowers Deng Pan to better the world Deng (Deanna) Pan remembers some sage advice she received during her first yearly review as a doctoral student at UMSL. “My professor told me to be more proactive,” she says. “That was a spot-on, valuable suggestion, and it woke me up. My PhD study at UMSL is definitely the greatest turning point of my life.”

Pan joined the data science team at Bayer after completing her PhD in supply chain and analytics from the College of Business Administration in May 2021. During her thesis work, she used data collected in Vanuatu, a South Pacific Island nation, to develop data-driven, decision-support models using drones to deliver vaccines in less developed countries.

Kyle Grate, BSAcc 2007, was named

June Christian, PhD 2011, was

president of SSM Health St. Clare

promoted to diversity, equity,

Hospital – Fenton. Kyle began his

inclusion and belonging education

career with SSM Health in 2004

and training manager with Noom.

and has served in a variety of roles,

David Clark, BS 2012, BSBA 2014,

including as director of strategy and

became manager of Risk Assurance

business development.

and Advisory Services with

Jason Tice, MBA 2007, named the

Armanino LLP.

first chief technology officer at

Chelsea Holden, BS 2012, BSW

KNOWiNK, a fast-growing election

2017, started as adjunct professor/

technology firm.

teaching assistant with the

Andrew Bohler, BSBA 2008, began

Brown School of Social Work at

as production manager with World

Washington University in St. Louis.

Wide Technology.

Fredrecka McGlown, BA 2012,

Sarah Hecht, BSED 2008, MED

BS 2012, MA 2015, was named

2014, was named Hazelwood

director of the St. Louis Agency on

School District Teacher of the Year.

Training and Employment by Mayor

Matthew Houston, BS 2008, was

Tishaura Jones.

appointed associate circuit judge

Ryan Robinson, BA 2012, was

for Franklin County by Missouri

named registered representative

Gov. Mike Parson.

with Synergy Wealth Solutions.

Amanda Bolton, MA 2009, PhD

Brigette Colley, OD 2013,

2019, was named associate vice

received the 2021 Optometrist of

president of consumer insights with

the Year award from the Illinois

Finch Brands in Philadelphia.

Optometric Association.

Karen Dilber, MAcc 2009, was

Denis Mehmedspahic, BSA 2013,

named director of finance for the

MBA 2016, was promoted to

City of Clayton.

business systems analyst II with

Nate Wilson, BA 2009, joined the

Edward Jones. Denis is very involved

U.S. Department of State as a

with the UMSL Alumni at Edward

foreign service officer.

Jones group and encourages his

“These analytical skills give me a sense of the significance of my work,” she says. “Knowing that your work potentially can make an impact on people’s lives, to a business, gives me the ultimate motivation and invokes my curiosity to keep learning and improving.”

With her PhD now behind her, Pan has an appreciation for how her UMSL experience will impact and direct her future.

“The analytical skills and

problem-solving skills I gained and the close guidance I got from my dissertation advisors, especially James Campbell and Haitao Li, paved the road for my career in data science and operations research,” Pan says. “My professors, advisors and fellow students helped me to grow as a person, come out of my shell and gain more confidence. I saw their good work ethic as researchers and teachers and how they communicate with students with patience and care.”

Giving society changes name to honor Wayne and Jane Goode In October, The Pierre Laclede Society, which honors contributors whose yearly giving exceeds $1,000, changed its name to The Goode Society in honor of Missouri legislator Wayne Goode and his wife, Jane Goode, and their roles in establishing UMSL. “Father of UMSL” Wayne Goode, who passed away in October 2020, was passionate about education and was instrumental in acquiring the grounds on which UMSL stands. He dedicated his life to serving his community by promoting positive change in Missouri.

“Our mission continues: The Goode Society recognizes our most loyal donors who contribute $1,000 or more annually to the university and honors the alumni, donors and friends that share UMSL’s mission, vision and values,” Chancellor Kristin Sobolik says. “We’re immensely grateful to the loyalty of the members of The Goode Society, who are helping UMSL continue to provide a world-class education and give students the opportunities and tools needed to succeed and create lasting change in the world.”

The Goode Society offers a myriad of opportunities to engage with the university, from the yearly Community Confluence, an evening of drinks and dialogue, to quarterly updates and annual reports such as the Impact Report. Members of The Goode Society are some of UMSL’s closest friends and greatest supporters.

colleagues to be in touch with him

2010s

Kerry Manderbach, BS

to join.

2010, MA 2014, is juggling teaching

Diana Rahn, MAcc 2013, was named

media studies at UMSL with being

director of business administration

the curator at the St. Louis Media

at Entegral, a subsdiary of

History Foundation and director

Enterprise Holdings.

of the Karpeles Manuscript

Jared Thimes, BA 2013, was

Library Museum.

named financial aid advisor with the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College.

UMSL MAGAZINE

37

What is your UMSL story?

Long story short, I moved back to St. Louis from Evansville, Indiana, in 1998 aUer leaving my job as plant manager at my father’s manufacturing company and before finishing my bachelor’s degree. !e thing I remember most about my time at UMSL was a teacher I had for several finance classes, Nasser Arshadi. He was extremely smart, fun and a great teacher. !e finance lessons I learned during those classes have proved invaluable. !e other thing I tell people was the business program at UMSL was excellent. We were pushed and challenged by the educators.

You’ve worked at McDonald’s, as an engineering director for your father’s manufacturing company and in IT. How have those experiences contributed to your success?

Working in a handful of restaurants – McDonaldʼs being the first – and then working in those environments has played a big part in running Mac’s Local Eats. Understanding ergonomics, quality raw materials, consistency and eliminating inefficiencies are at the core of producing a spectacular product. !e one big difference in the restaurant is the immediacy of the service factor. You learn right away if the customer is happy.

ALUMNI

Q&A

How did you end up starting Mac’s Local Eats?

In 2004, I decided to source and eat “cleaner” and convinced friends and family to do the same. !e story of doing these meat shares for eight years cannot be overstated enough because it became a thing.

Foodies, chefs, the media and restaurateurs were involved and aware. We launched Mac’s Local Buys in 2013 selling meat shares and food subscriptions. !e focus of the brand was to buy in bulk – seasonal, high quality, local produce and proteins. We built a brand around it, and when we opened Mac’s Local Eats, we continued with that same ethos. As such, everything on our menu is very intentional and nothing is wasted.

What does it mean to you to have built a dedicated, loyal following with national acclaim?

It’s incredibly humbling. At the same time, it’s also bananas.

Literally every day, I think, “What have we created?” It puts a lot of pressure on us to execute, when everyone walking in the door is seeking Burger Nirvana. I used to jokingly say to folks, “It’s just a cheeseburger.” But not anymore. I’ve learned that it’s more than that. It’s the whole experience and knowing that you are supporting a local network of farmers, producers and staff. Good service and good food. It’s not a fad. It sells.

What are your goals for yourself and Mac’s Local Eats?

To create an environment for our staff to grow, excel and stick around in and to continue delivering a high-quality experience for our guests. !at’s it. We aren’t looking for a second location or franchising. !is is plenty of work for us, and we wouldn’t change it for the world.

38 S P R I N G 2 0 2 2

MAC’S LOCAL EATS OWNER

CHRIS “MAC” McKENZIE, BSBA 2000, PRIDES HIMSELF ON PUTTING THE VERY BEST INGREDIENTS, AS WELL AS HIS HEART AND SOUL, INTO CREATING HIS FAMOUS SMASH BURGERS EVERY DAY SINCE LAUNCHING IN 2017 AND HAS BUILT A REPUTATION FOR SERVING ONE OF – IF NOT THE – BEST BURGERS IN TOWN.

Cleola Butler, BES 2014, began a position as human resources specialist with UMSL. Haley Brightwell, BSBA 2014, MBA 2016, won the 2020-2021 Swiss Volleyball Championships as the assistant coach for the professional volleyball team Viteos NUC in Neuchatel, Switzerland.

Darian Cartharn, BA 2014, was promoted to clinical sales associate with Intuitive in Denver.

Nyla Cauble, BSN 2014, is opening a new restaurant called Food A Fare in East Alton, Illinois.

Melina Lindskog, BSBA 2014, was promoted to key account manager with Captiva Marketing.

Blake Miner, BSIS 2014, was promoted to unit manager of analytics consulting of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Kendra Scarbrough-Williams, MEd 2014, published a children’s book, “Learning with Kelsey Mac.” Alyssa Seely, BSAcc 2014, accepted a position as accounting manager with Arsenal Credit Union.

Keith Yavorski, BS 2014, was promoted to quality systems engineer with Boeing.

Krystal Belcher, BA 2015, joined KIPP St. Louis as a teacher.

Rosemarie Brefeld, PhD 2015, published a book “Pressing Forward on Thin Ice: A Mom Reflects on What Went Wrong.”

Brittany Gray, BSBA 2015, BSME 2019, adopted a super cute shiba inu named Charlie.

Naomi Green, MBA 2015, started as a consultant with Crush Limits.

Alicia Kemp, BA 2015, was promoted to small business consultant with Bank of America.

Jake Long, BSED 2015, became the director of the TRIO Student Support Services Program at UMSL. Ernest Moretti, MBA 2015, was promoted to senior program manager of joint direct attack munition with Boeing.

Yolanda Alovor, PhD 2016, was named inaugural vice president of external affairs and equity, diversity, and inclusion at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Emily Donaldson, BSBA 2016, BSAcc 2016, was promoted to compliance case advisor with Wells Fargo.

UMSL MAGAZINE

39

Teresa Frank, BSBA 2016, was

Khadijah Henderson, BS 2018,

named vice president of the Town

started as marketing and

and Country – Frontenac Chamber

communications specialist at the

of Commerce board.

Goldfarb School of Nursing at

Timothy Hebel, BS 2016, was

Barnes-Jewish College.

recognized by the St. Louis Business

Marco Pipoly, BS 2018, joined

Journal as a 40 Under 40 honoree.

the University of Iowa for a PhD

Marie Carol Kenney, BA 2016, MFA

in neuroscience. Marco was

2018, became a grants specialist at

celebrated as the 100,000th

Washington University in St. Louis.

graduate of UMSL in 2018.

Mary Loggia, BSW 2016, accepted a

Apurva Sinha, MS 2018, began as

position as social practitioner with

data analyst with WebBank.

California Clubhouse.

Abdul-Kariem Matteuzzi, BSBA 2016, began a position as a field service representative with INTEGRA Biosciences.

Rosester Morrow, BSBA 2016, started a position with Mastercard as program manager for mergers and acquisitions integration.

Paul Wareheim, BSEE 2016, started as substation engineering specialist with Mesa Associates, Inc. Darionne Hardaway, BA 2017, started with the Literacy Lab as a program associate.

Lakeisha Griffin, BSW 2017, MSW 2019, started as school social worker with the Hazelwood School District.

Sherry Nelson, MSW 2017, was named director of development at Kids in the Middle.

Suzanne Reed, BSBA 2017, was promoted to business operations specialist with Boeing.

Mohammad Aljamaan, BSIS 2018, began a position as OSP engineer with Salam.

Elijah Alexander, BS 2018, was promoted to branch manager at Enterprise.

Joseph Buchschacher, BS 2018, began as software engineer with Amergint Technologies.

Annetta Canady, BSPPA 2018, started as a legal assistant in the Office of Chief Counsel with the IRS. Antonio Headrick, BA 2018, MEd 2021, became a student success advisor with St. Louis Community College-Forest Park.

In Memoriam 1960s Lloyd Vernon Campbell II, BSBA 1967, on Jan. 25

In November, UMSL faculty and staff joined Chancellor Kristin Sobolik to meet with alumni at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C., reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.

The UMSL Alumni Association took the opportunity to honor Melanie Adams, director of the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum and one of the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees, as well as entrepreneur LaVell Monger, BA 2016, the 2021 Outstanding Young Alumni

Kirk Richter, BSBA 1968, on Jan. 14

Award recipient. Special thanks to Paul Matteucci, BSBA 1991,

John Cleary, BSEd 1969, on June 2

for underwriting the reception.

Thomas Joseph Coughlin, BSBA

The Alumni Association is looking to have a greater presence in the D.C.

1969, on Jan. 21 Cheryll Darlene Saunier, BA 1969,

area and is seeking information about internships and alumni who can be

on Jan. 16

touchpoints for UMSL students. If you know of any opportunities or are

Allan Schindler, MEd 1969, on

interested, please contact alumni@umsl.edu.

May 30

1970s Joyce Abernathy, BSEd 1970, MEd

Greg Sullins, BSBA 2018, earned

Prachi Talwar, BSIS 2019, MS

1975, on Oct. 10, 2020

a promotion to senior program

2020, started as financial systems

Anthony Jones, BSBA 1972,

manager with Amazon.

analyst II with Centene Corporation.

on Oct. 27

Parker Bunch, BSBA 2019, began

Jamie Vergano, BS 2019, MA 2019,

David Hilty, MBA 1974, on June 21

a new position as district manager

started a position as data analyst

with Regal Rexnord Pacific.

with Webster University.

1980s

Kevin Flood, BSBA 2019, started as

Vita Epifanio, BA 1981, on Nov. 24

a loan officer with PennyMac Loan

2020s

Scott Hook, BSBA 1982,

Services LLC.

2020, started as Addepar

on March 12, 2020

Marcella Hamilton, BLS 2019,

performance associate with

Stanley D. Brown, MBA 1986,

began as foster care case manager

Stifel Nicolaus.

on Jan. 12

with Lutheran Family and Children’s

Tanvi Bhandary, BSBA 2020, joined

Services of Missouri.

Barclays Corporate and Investment

Joseph Hill, BS 2019, was

Bank as an operations analyst.

Susan Treffeisen, MEd 1993,

promoted to data engineer with

Kalynn Clinton, BSBA 2020, earned

on July 29

Aegion Corporation.

a promotion to TECDP lead analyst

Christopher Paasch, BSBA 2019,

2000s

with Cigna.

was promoted to senior project

Jack Cradic, BFA 2020, was named

Carole Crowell, MEd 2003,

leader with Edward Jones.

junior art director with Moosylvania.

on June 27

Wonho Ryu, BSAcc 2019, joined

Anthony Deluvia, BSN 2020, was

the American Institute of Certified

promoted to registered nurse in the

2010s

Public Accountants.

SSM Health Emergency Department.

Anna M. Corbin, BSN 2014, Jan. 5

Emily Storey, BSAcc 2019, MAcc

Taelor Duncan, BS 2020,

2021, was promoted to consultant II

became a youth specialist for

with Armanino LLP.

the Missouri Division of Youth

1990s

Kenneth Berry, BSBA

and Family Services.

40 S P R I N G 2 0 2 2

Twenty years after earning her undergraduate degree, Associate Director of Student Advocacy and Care and Veterans Center Robin Kimberlin, BA 2002, MSW 2012, pinned her son Caleb, who is on track to graduate with a BS in computing technology in August, with an Alumni Legacy Family Pin in February.

“Caleb’s dad and I are both UMSL alums, and UMSL is really important to our lives,” Kimberlin says. “For me to work here and have my child attend here, I don’t know how to put it into words, it’s just really cool.

“It was surprisingly emotional to know he was going to be here, walking around campus and being a part of the same community as me. Now I’m excited for him to graduate and do his next thing.”

Do you have an UMSL legacy story?

The Office of Alumni Engagement family program honors current legacy students and their families.

Legacy family members are invited to the inaugural Legacy Family Lunch during Homecoming Week in February 2023.

To be part of the Legacy Family Program email alumni@umsl.edu.

M Y L E G A C Y FA M I LY Eric Eggers, BA 2020, started as

Philip Chrostoski, PhD 2021,

Masoud Hesabian, BSBA 2021,

Evan Price, BSBA 2021, began as a

guest experience specialist with the

started a postdoctoral position

became a graduate assistant with

middle school math teacher at

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

at Sandia National Laboratories

the UMSL Supply Chain Risk and

St. Simon the Apostle School.

Emily Harris, BS 2020, was

in Livermore, California, working in

Resilience Research Institute.

Cole Prince, MSW 2021, began with

promoted to scientific assistant

quantum communication, quantum

Berke Kacar, BSBA 2022, was

Youth in Need as child, youth and

with Bayer.

computing and other areas of

named tax intern with UHY LLP,

family therapist.

Jamie Kocinski, BA 2020, was

quantum physics.

Certified Public Accountants.

Michael Simms, BSBA 2021, began

hired as a substitute teacher with

Corrine Criswell, BSBA 2021, began

Jennifer Krebs, BSBA 2021, started

as corporate inventory coordinator

Kelley Services.

as HR representative at Emerson.

as merchandise specialist with

with Enterprise Holdings.

Bronwyn Miller, BS 2020, began

Lucy Covington, BA 2021, started

Anheuser-Busch.

Jamison Sims, BSIS 2021, started

a new position as an emergency

as UMSL Eye Care credentialing

Kawanna Leggett, EdD 2021,

a position as QA Analyst at

housing specialist with DOORWAYS.

and outreach specialist.

was promoted to the role of

Charter Communications.

Marina Prediger, BSBA 2020,

Gretchen Fricke, EdD 2021,

associate vice chancellor for

Colin Stokes, BSBA 2021, joined

started with Life Scientific, Inc. as

accepted a position at Washington

student affairs at Washington

Boeing’s Early Career Program and

project associate.

University in St. Louis as assistant

University in St. Louis.

started his MBA this spring.

McKenzie Schuessler, BA 2020,

dean and director of graduate

Rayne Levraea, BSIS 2021, began

Janelle Tedmon, BFA 2021, began

was named discovery officer for the

student affairs for the Olin

as an English language Teacher

pursuing a master’s degree in

Advancement Office at UMSL. She is

Business School.

at Korea Poly School in Seoul,

licensed counseling in art therapy at

reaching out to all social work alumni

Shannon Goersch, BSIS 2021,

South Korea.

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

to hear their UMSL stories and

was hired at Ameren as a software

Martha Mehring, BSBA 2021,

Caitlyn Worlitz, BA 2021, joined

re-engage them in university life.

engineer and is continuing her

accepted a position as a tax

BJC Healthcare.

Changsub Shin, MBA 2020, began

studies in the UMSL MBA program.

intern with UHY LLP, certified

a position as account executive

Kristina Henderson, BS 2021,

public accountants.

with Tableau.

became a testing assistant

Kush Patel, BSBA 2021, started as

at UMSL.

junior business operations analyst with Accenture Federal Services.

University of Missouri–St. Louis

nonprofit org.

U.S. postage

60 J.C. Penney Building

paid

1 University Blvd.

St. Louis, MO

St. Louis, MO 63121-4400

permit no. 3

2022010.105,324.4/22.wa/mb/eh-walsworth

Join us in ning

imagi

a new heart for the University of Missouri–St. Louis campus A home for more than 108,000 alumni A place to foster connections between students and alumni A spot to welcome prospective students and their families A gathering place for the community A new front door for UMSL And so much more

The Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center will transform a portion of the J.C. Penney Conference Center into a world-class spot for connections, possibilities and resources for the UMSL community and beyond.

Turn to pg. 20 to learn how the dream for the center began with alumni Kirk, BSBA 1968, (1946 – 2022) and Maureen Richter, BS 1974, and their family, as an extension of their incredible legacy of connection and involvement.

Help us make the center a reality for current and future Tritons by giving to the Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center today!

For more information, please contact UMSL Giving. giving@umsl.edu giving.umsl.edu/Richter