Our Office

Our team is devoted to helping students develop meaningful connections during their time at UMKC. Aren’t sure where to start or need some help? We’d love to hear from you!

You’re also welcome to set up a meeting with a member of our team below:

Schedule a Meeting

Get to know our team below—or come visit us in the UMKC Student Union, Room 320.

Todd Wells

Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement

Director, Office of Student Involvement

Pronouns: He/Him/His
wellsta@umkc.edu
816-235-1407

Todd joined the OSI staff in 2017 and is helping staff provide strategy for student involvement as a tool of retention and student success at UMKC.

He grew up in Russell, KS and earned two degrees from Kansas State University. Prior to joining the OSI team, he worked in leadership development, civic engagement and retention and student success at Kansas State University, the University of Kansas and the University of South Florida. In his free time, Todd loves to explore Kansas City, attend college sporting events and find new or interesting restaurants to enjoy.

Contact Todd about:

Student Activity Fee Committee
Student Government
Student Involvement Presentations

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Anthony Maly

Senior Program Manager

Pronouns: He/Him/His
malya@umkc.edu
816-235-1407

Anthony joined the staff in 2017, serving as the advisor to the Union Programming Board. He also oversees the Student Organization event approval process and serves as the advisor to the campus chapter of ASUM. Additionally, he works to oversee initiatives related to new student and family programs, UMKC Health Science District initiatives and the Kangaroo Food Pantry.

Originally from Woodridge, IL (a suburb of Chicago), he previously served as the Student Involvement Coordinator at Northwest Missouri State University. Anthony obtained his Masters of Science in College Counseling and Student Development from St. Cloud State University. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a certificate in Community Leadership and Public Service from Iowa State University. In his free time, he enjoys playing ice hockey.

Contact Anthony for information about:

Union Programming Board
Kangaroo Food Pantry
ASUM
Student Organization Event Requests
Student Organization T-Shirt Design Requests

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Kari Jo Freudigmann

Assistant Director of LGBTQIA Programs and Services

Pronouns: She/her/hers
freudigmannk@umkc.edu
816-235-1639

Kari Jo started in the Assistant Director role in 2018 and serves as a resource for LGBTQIA students, faculty, and staff.

She is a Wisconsin native who earned a B.A. in Graphic design from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and an M.S. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Missouri State University. Prior to her time at UMKC, she worked as the Programming Coordinator of Penn State’s LGBTQA Student Resource Center. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports (go Brewers!), playing all kinds of games (board, tabletop, card, and video), and spending time with her partner, Maryann, and their adorable kitty, Kiki.

Contact Kari Jo about:

LGBTQIA Programs and Services
The Rainbow Lounge
Safe Space Trainings

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Kim Kushner

Assistant Director of New Student and Family Programs

Pronouns: She/her/hers
kushnerkim@umkc.edu
816-235-5579

Kim joined the OSI staff in 2019, after serving in the UMKC Office of Admissions as the Events and New Student Programs Coordinator since 2016. In her role, Kim facilitates new student programs, including UMKC Week of Welcome and other transition/retention initiatives. She also supports family/parent programming and communications, overseeing the UMKC Family Weekend.

Kim grew up in Buffalo, NY, and earned her BA in English from The Ohio State University, and her M.S. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University. Prior to her time at UMKC, Kim worked with residence life, leadership development, new student programs, and student organization advising at the University of Colorado Boulder, Indiana University, Princeton University, and Buffalo State College. In her free time, Kim enjoys being with her family (including her son Charlie!), eating good food, and enjoying all that Kansas City has to offer.

Contact Kim about:

Roos Give Back
Parent and Family Programs
Week of Welcome
New Student Programs

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Yhanika Goins

Coordinator for Leadership and Student Organization Development

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
goinsy@umkc.edu
816-235-1084

In her role, Yhanika is responsible for overseeing Student Organizations operations and finances, leadership development programming, booking student travel for UMKC sponsored events and co-advising the Student Activity Fee Council.

She was raised in St. Louis and moved to Kansas City right after high school to attend UMKC. Yhanika earned her Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Enterprise Management from the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. Prior to joining the OSI team, she served the UMKC Community as a Customer Service Coordinator at UMKC Central. Yhanika is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In her free time, she enjoys serving with the children’s ministry at her church, hanging out with her friends and crocheting.

Contact her about:

Student Organizations
Leadership Development
Student Travel
OSI Item Check-Out
Summer Bridge

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Lynne O’Dell

Coordinator, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
lmofgc@umsystem.edu
816-235-6555

Lynne joined the staff in the fall of 2018 and assists in advising our 13 chapter fraternity and sorority community.

She was born and raised in Blue Springs, MO and after high school attended the University of Central Missouri. She obtained a degree in Vocal Music Education and is certified to teach grades K-12. While at UCM, she joined her sorority, Alpha Phi. She held several positions such as Chapter President and Vice President of Community Relations, while maintaining membership in both Rho Lambda and Order of Omega. She has come to UMKC to earn her Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration and hopes to eventually work in the field of Fraternity & Sorority Life. In her free time, Lynne likes to sing, hang out at coffee shops, and spend time with friends and family.

Contact Lynne about:

Fraternities and Sororities
Service and Philanthropy
Marketing for Fraternity & Sorority Affairs

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Carrie Schmalz

Business Support Specialist

SchmalzC@umkc.edu
816-235-1556

Carrie joined the OSI staff in 2019, after spending the majority of her career with UMKC Campus Recreation. In her role with OSI and Student Engagement, Carrie is responsible for assisting Student Organizations operations and finances, booking student travel and reviewing purchase requests for UMKC sponsored events. Within her role, she will also offer financial and program support for Campus Recreation as part of the Student Engagement Unit.

Carrie moved to Kansas City in high school and attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City as a student-athlete. She is a mother of twin girls and in her free time loves to spend it with her family. We enjoy traveling and exploring new places, and spend plenty of time at sporting events.

Contact Carrie about:

SGA P-Card Requests
Student Organization Finances and Operations
Student Travel Requests

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Tin

“Just be bold! You have to struggle to learn, so be courageous. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’d be amazed what can come out of a simple conversation when you ask for help.”

Tin Ho, business student and entrepreneur

Angelique

“I really love that there is a place for everyone at UMKC. I feel at home here, and that is not really something I can say about very many places.”

Angelique Long, psychology major

Alex

“I admire the ability of UMKC to promote the involvement of students from incredibly diverse backgrounds, and give students the chance to learn from one another.”

Alex Varon, biology major

Ida

“When I came to UMKC, I thought I was going to make a huge impact and change the world. What I’ve come to realize is that the small steps I make with the organizations I’m involved in, keep me engaged with the community and make the biggest difference.”

Ida Ayalew, philosophy major

Akash

“I try to involve myself with social justice issues, public health, mental health awareness and poverty alleviation. These are some things I never even heard about before UMKC. I learned that I don’t have to leave here with just medical knowledge but with actual experiences and skills in order to be a better doctor and member of the community.”

Akash Jani, medical student