University of Missouri - Kansas City in USA

The story of the University of Missouri-Kansas City is one of obstacles becoming opportunities. It’s a tale of triumph over turmoil. It’s a testament to the power of partnerships – where the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

The small group of 260 students who began classes at then University of Kansas City (UKC) on Oct. 1, 1933 paved the way for the more than 135,000 graduates who have joined our alumni ranks. And on that opening day, more than 2,000 community members celebrated our campus' beginning in what would become a hallmark of this university's story: civic engagement.

Our university's history is far more than the mile markers of buildings and programs. It's about those who founded it. Those who built it brick by brick. Those who have stood by it. Those who have made a difference within its walls. And those who have left its grounds to make their mark on the world.

A Bold Beginning
To tell the story of UMKC, let's start in the late 1920s, when the country and economy were reeling from the Wall Street crash. Despite that, Kansas City's leaders were determined to move forward and cement the region's future with several bold moves — thus establishing a never-ending mission to provide education in order to supply the city with working professionals who would give back to the community.

One of the first bold moves was local businessman and philanthropist William Volker's 40-acre purchase in 1930 that would become the UKC campus. In just a few short years, UKC established its first library, classrooms, cafeteria and administrative offices — all housed in the Dickey mansion — known today as Scofield Hall.

Mission (What We Do)
As an urban research university, our mission at the University of Missouri-Kansas City is to promote learning through the discovery, preservation and dissemination of knowledge of public value across a broad spectrum of disciplines and fields of study. UMKC celebrates the individual and embodies diversity and inclusion by intertwining these goals with innovation to enable transformational impact aimed at bringing cultural, social, health and economic prosperity to the metropolitan, regional and global communities we serve.

Vision (Why We Do What We Do)
UMKC aspires to be an exemplary public urban research university of the 21st Century, pursuing excellence as a human-centric learning and discovery community, fostering equity, diversity and inclusion to enrich the lives of the people and regions we serve.

Values
We, the community members of UMKC, are proud to contribute to a student-centered urban university, serving our mission of learning, discovery, research and service, inspired by our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and respectful interaction.

Students
Total enrollment: 16,000+
40% of students identify as international, mixed race or a member of a minority group
1,400+ international students from 85+ countries

Academics
125+ academic areas
Average class size: 26
Faculty-student ratio: 1:14

Student Life
300+ student organizations
Students study abroad in 60+ countries
UMKC is Kansas City's only NCAA Division I university