13 hours ago
UMKC provides updates on new schools to be built in St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Among the topics discussed at the University of Missouri's Board of Curators meeting, different aspects regarding the new UMKC School of Dentistry and School of Medicine buildings were shared.
Curators unanimously approved the UMKC School of Dentistry project to move forward.
The university building was previously announced with a target date set for FY 2026.
While this is still the plan, the University is awaiting additional funds for capital renovations from the state and federal government, as well as philanthropic entities.
A lot of people in the community have embraced our students," UMKC chancellor and president Mauli Agrawal said. "Some of us (are) doing the same here. I'm hearing people (receiving) take it home thanksgiving dinners. The community itself has wrapped its arms around this program. That's made everything (easier) from financing to the students feeling at home here."
As for the School of Medicine, a ribbon cutting for the new building will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the building's site on Faraon Street, across from Mosaic Life Care's Campus.
One overall message that was echoed by all the board members in anticipation of the new school buildings' arrival is that they can serve as a template for all the schools around Northwest Missouri.
"We're not only a university for people who live in Columbia, Missouri, or the University of Missouri," University of Missouri Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves said. "And we're bringing many programs and opportunities for people across the state. No one's benefited more than Northwest Missouri, but certainly other areas have benefited a great deal as well.
The School of Dentistry's expansion into St. Joseph is set to positively impact the dentist and dental hygiene practitioner shortages in rural Missouri communities.
Currently, the UMKC School of Dentistry is Missouri's only public dental school and provides 63% of the state's dentists, according to a UMKC press release.
The School of Medicine is looking to continue to grow, with plans to expand its program by enrolling 20 students per year into the four-year program.
