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Our 2008-2009 Student Staff
Student housing at UMKC is about more than just offering you a place to eat and sleep - it's about your total educational experience. We know that having a home away from home where you can hang out with friends or play a game of volleyball in the courtyard is important after going to class and making the grade.
That's why all housing at UMKC is fully supported by staff members that advise and counsel students through the many challeneges and celebrations that college has to offer. Our 2008-2009 Student Staff are extensively trained in crisis management, confortation, mediation and several other important topics. Our staff also support our students by supplying them with the tools and educational resources that they need through their journey here at UMKC. This is done by programming to the needs of our students through many different speakers and educatyional events. Below, our staff shares some insight on what they have enjoyed and also share some advise for incoming students.
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Name: Renee Schloss
Major: English/Secondary Education in English
Class: Junior
Hometown: Webster Groves, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Meet as many people as you can! The friends made here will be your friends for a lifetime.
Why Renee likes UMKC: Being in the city, and the vast diversity of the campus.
Interesting fact about Renee: I'm a HUGE St. Louis Blues fan! |
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Name: Carl Carney
Major: Instrumental and Vocal Music Ed. and Music Theory
Class: Senior
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Get a lot of quarters.
Why Carl likes UMKC: The awesome Residential Life staff.
Interesting fact about Carl: I can't wait to live in Texas. |
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Name: Mario Bennett
Major: Jazz Performance
Class: Junior
Hometown: Grandview, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Don't be afraid to try new things. Live life to the fullest because tomorrow isn't promised.
Why Mario likes UMKC: It's close to home and there are world-renowned teachers here.
Interesting fact about Mario: I am a singer and instrumentalist. I like to cook and am studying to be a massage therapist. |
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Name: Brandon Deshmukh
Major: B.A.'s in Chemistry & Biology
Class: Senior
Hometown: Ballwin, MO
Advice for incoming students: Have good speaking skills.
Why Brandon likes UMKC: There is a good biology program here.
Interesting fact about Brandon: The cafeteria has awesome food. I love it! |
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Name: Sarah Potts
Major: Music Therapy with Spanish Minor
Class: Senior
Hometown: St. Joseph, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Don't be afraid to try new things, change your major, and make new friends.
Why Sarah likes UMKC: I like how diverse this school is, the size, and the fact that it is growing. I also like the conservatory and the location!
Interesting fact about Sarah: I am a horseback rider and I used to work in a pottery shop. |
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Name: Shannon Hutsler
Major: Dance
Class: Junior
Hometown: Troy, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Keep a planner!
WhyShannon likes UMKC: It has a small and familiar atmosphere and a tight-knit community. I also like dancing here!
Interesting fact about Shannon: I am a caffeine addict! |
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Name: Tara Byrdsong
Major: Flute Performance
Class: Second year Master's
Hometown: Ellenwood, Georgia
Advice for incoming students: Ask lots of questions!
Why Tara likes UMKC: Big school, lots of people, and an amazing conservatory.
Interesting fact about Tara: I'm the baby of the family (brother is in his 40s and sister is in her 30s) |
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Name: Jennifer Kaminsky
Major: Political Science, Criminal Justice and Pre-Law
Class: Junior
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Don't wait for the last minute to get things done.
Why Jennifer likes UMKC: I like UMKC because you get the feel of a small campus in the middle of a big city with tons to do.
Interesting fact about Jennifer: I am addicted to Grey's Anatomy. |
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Name: Ryan Robertson
Major: Accounting
Class: Senior
Hometown: Stilwell, Kansas
Advice for incoming students: Bring a planner
Why Ryan likes UMKC: The small class sizes.
Interesting fact about Ryan: I like "The Office." |
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Name: Dayonne Richardson
Major: Institute for Urban Education
Class: Junior
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Procrastination is the root of all evil, don't do it!
Why Dayonne likes UMKC: The class sizes - they are small. Also the diversity provides a lot of culture.
Interesting fact about Dayonne: I love to try new foods and watch the food channel. |
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Name: Kaliegh Tilford
Major: Education
Class: Junior
Hometown: Greer, Arizona
Advice for incoming students: Making new friends can lead to lifelong friendships.
Why Kaliegh likes UMKC: The diversity
Interesting fact about Kaliegh: I love to sing in the shower. |
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Name: Kelanie Murphy
Major: Dance
Class: Junior
Hometown: Crystal Lake, Illinois
Advice for incoming students: Be open to meeting new friends and getting involved.
Why Kelanie likes UMKC: I am always meeting great people and finding opportunities to do what I like to do.
Interesting fact about Kelanie: I really want to travel to other countries someday. |
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Name: Jacob Smith
Major: Criminal Justice
Class: Senior
Hometown: Branson, MO
Advice for incoming students: Have fun and try to get to know a lot of people.
Why Jacob likes UMKC: There is a good atmosphere on campus and Kansas City is a great place to live.
Interesting fact about Jacob: My pinky fingers are crooked. |
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Name: Rachel Valdivia
Major: Art Education
Class: Senior
Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas
Advice for incoming students: Use college as 4 (or more) years of self-exploration.
Why Rachel likes UMKC: I like UMKC because it is just the right size, big enough to feel like a university but small enough that you won't get lost in the crowd.
Interesting fact about Rachel: I love to decorate cakes. |
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Name: Maggie Riffel
Major: Biology, Chemistry
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Lee's Summit, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Get involved! Make the most of your time here!
Why Maggie likes UMKC: Great atmosphere, lots of opportunities to become your own person, and have fun along the way.
Interesting fact about Maggie: I love goldfish and mustard! |
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Name: Mark McVay
Major: Middle School Education, Math - Institute for Urban Education
Class: Junior
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Advice for incoming students: Meet as many people as you can and get involved right away on campus.
Why Mark likes UMKC: I like UMKC because of the people. They are welcoming and a heck of a lot of fun!
Interesting fact about Mark: I am addicted to salt and vinegar Pringles! |
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Name: Jason Summers
Major: Deciding
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Although college can be the most fun time of your life, it is more important to remain focused and remember your education comes first.
Why Jason likes UMKC: UMKC is a place where there is so much stuff to get into. There are over 200 organizations and the people here are awesome.
Interesting fact about Jason: I can write with both hands. |
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Name: Dwynn Evans
Major: SUrban Planning and Design
Class: Senior
Hometown: Saint Louis, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Manage your time wisely!
Why Dwynn likes UMKC: You can actually Get A Life!
Interesting fact about Dwynn: I like volunteering with Operation Breakthrough. |
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Name: Candace Brown
Major: Criminal Justice, Pre-Law
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Do not wait until the last minute to get things done. Study to understand, not just to get an A.
Why Candace likes UMKC: I love UMKC because I think it builds the perfect student...Academic as well as social life is important here.
Interesting fact about Candace: I love to sing and write! |
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Name: Joseph Bazzill
Major: Pharmaceutical Studies and Biology
Class: Junior
Hometown: Saint Louis, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Live in the residence halls to meet people.
Why Joseph likes UMKC: I like UMKC because of the academic feel of the university.
Interesting fact about Joseph: I can draw pretty pictures. |
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Name: Kristen McMillen
Major: German/Mass Communications
Class: Junior
Hometown: Blue Springs, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Fin out what you are passionate about and spend most of your time perusing that passion.
Why Kristen likes UMKC: I love UMKC because it is a unique, diverse university in the heart of Kansas City.
Interesting face about Kristen: I am bilingual and have been to 5 different countries outside of the United States. |
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Name: Jeanette Glaze
Major: Business Entrepreneurship
Class: Senior
Hometown: Parkville, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Focus on your studies and then on your social life. Your education is why you are here!
Why Jeanette likes UMKC: I like UMKC because of its urban location and the variety of people.
Interesting fact about Jeanette: I have been to the southernmost point of the continental U.S. |
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Name: Alexander Treat
Major: Biology
Class: Junior
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
Advice for incoming students: Leave your doors open! Meet people and do things not just in campus, but in KC's thriving community as well.
Why Alex likes UMKC: Because of its incredible 2009 - 2010 Res Life staff!
Interesting fact about Alex: I look like Andy Samberg. |
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Name: Will Ross
Major: Business Administration
Class: Senior
Hometown:Jefferson City, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: Have your door open; get to know the people passing by your room every day. Getting to know the people around you makes your stay at UMKC all the more amazing. Also, be involved; join one of the many different organizations and clubs on campus. UMKC isn't just where you're going to school the next few years, it's your home away from home, so make it the best.
Why Will likes UMKC: I really like the feel and the culture of UMKC. You get the excitement of the big city all the while having a park-like feel here on campus so you don't ever feel overburdened with the city life.
Interesting fact about Will: I map out all the nearby Chipotle stores on free Chipotle day. |
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Name: Matthew Varon
Major: Chemistry and Spanish
Class: Senior
Hometown: Papillion, Nebraska
Advice for incoming students: Don't forget to study!
Why Matthew likes UMKC: I really like being in the city.
Interesting fact about Matthew: I could live by only eating guacamole. |
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Name: Deja Latrice Mackey
Major: Elementary Education
Class: Junior
Hometown: Hazel Crest, Illinois
Advice for incoming students: Get to know your professors and visit during office hours.
Why Deja likes UMKC: It is very diverse, and the campus is big enough to be interesting and small enough to get to know everyone.
Interesting fact about Deja: I love traveling and knitting. I have also been parasailing. |
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Name: Tiffany Abney
Major: Elementary Education
Class: Senior
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Advice for incoming students: GET INVOLVED! That's the best way to get out there and meet new people, have new experiences and be YOU!
Why Tiffany likes UMKC: I like UMKC because it's close to home and family, so even though I have my chance to be me and be independing, I can go home and visit WHENEVER!
Interesting fact about Tiffany: I am diabetic and I love potatoes and water! |
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Name: Amber Stephens
Major: Music Education
Class:
Hometown: Rapid City, South Dakota
Advice for incoming students: Sleep. Get it. Get LOTS of it.
Why Amber likes UMKC: I like UMKC because it is a perfect environment for improvement and success.
Interesting fact about Amber: I'm a belly dancer. |
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