Tomorrow’s Leaders

Photo by Janet Rogers, Division of Strategic Marketing and Communications

Meet the UMKC Trustees’ Scholars Class of 2019

The University of Missouri-Kansas City Trustees’ Scholars Program enables the university to bring the best students to campus and helps develop the community’s future leaders.

The UMKC Trustees established the program in 2002 to help UMKC attract and retain the brightest students. Each year, a group of scholars is chosen after undergoing a rigorous selection process. Each student receives an aid package valued at more than $60,000 over four years.

After graduating, more than 70 percent of the scholars continue to work and live in the Kansas City area.

“With the UMKC Trustees’ Scholars, everyone wins,” said UMKC Chancellor Leo E. Morton. He spoke at a reception introducing the students and their families to administrators, deans and trustees, including Henry Bloch, founder of H&R Block and a longtime UMKC supporter. “Your parents win, the business community wins, the university wins, you win.”

Meet the 2015-16 winners — UMKC Trustees’ Scholars — who are all entering as freshmen:

Kylie Bocock, Blue Springs South High School, Lee’s Summit

Bocock, a Psychology major at the College of Arts and Sciences, has the goal of graduating with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and eventually opening her own clinic in Kansas City.

“When I found out I got the scholarship, I started crying hysterically and laughing and freaking out and calling everyone I know,” said Bocock, who worked two jobs (at a bowling alley and Culver’s) during high school. “It opens so many possibilities and I am so grateful.”

Brandon Byers, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, Kansas City, Kansas

Byers also is a Psychology major; he developed interest in the subject after watching television shows and because of his older sister, who is studying psychiatry. He’s considering several career paths, exploring them by taking a variety of courses his first semesters in college. In high school, Byers played basketball, football and ran track. He also was on the yearbook staff for two years.

“It was shocking I received the scholarship. It’s made me really happy,” Byers said. He’s excited to get to know more people through the scholarship’s networking and internship opportunities.

Douglas Croy, Harrisonville High School, Harrisonville

Croy is a Business Administration major at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management who was involved in DECA, Student Council and varsity soccer in high school. He hopes to help businesses grow and maybe open his own business one day, like his father.

“I was extremely excited about getting the scholarship, not only because of getting school paid for, but because of all the other things that go along with it like getting a mentor,” Croy said. “It means an opportunity to meet a lot of new people and make connections I wouldn’t be able to have otherwise.”

Kameron Fisher, MacArthur High School, Lawton, Oklahoma

In high school, Fisher was in Student Council, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the captain of her softball team. A Biology major in the School of Biological Sciences, she wants to be a pediatric oncologist because she loves working with children.

“When I found out I received this scholarship, I was ecstatic, jumping up and down,” Fisher said. “I was most excited about the change of scenery, and getting a new sense of freedom. I like cities and I love Kansas City.”

Carolyn Pjecha, Liberty High School, Liberty

Pjecha is not the typical freshman at 20. A risk taker, according to her parents, she took a few years off before college to figure out a study and career path. She spent months in Costa Rica, researching wildlife. She backpacked in Haiti, working with the nonprofit Points on the Wheel to help it develop their website and video. She traveled in the Dominican Republican and Guatemala. She figured out a direction: she’s a pre-nursing student.

“After traveling to developing nations, I became interested in community health, especially women’s health,” she said.

Sarah Shin, Parkway West High School, Chesterfield, Missouri

In high school, Shin ran cross country four years, played bass for her church’s praise team and was in the Spanish club and science and math honor societies. Her favorite classes were Biology and Economics, so she’s pursuing both at UMKC. She’s unsure of her exact career path, but is thrilled about the educational and real-world opportunities awaiting her.

“I found out about the scholarship when I was driving home,” Shin said. “I was so excited, I started accidentally speeding.”

Allison Spunaugle, Lincoln High School, Warsaw, Missouri

In high school, Spunaugle was active in Future Business Leaders of America, choir and was a four-year varsity volleyball and basketball player. She is pursuing a Biology degree from the School of Biological Sciences. She wants to be a pediatrician.

“The scholarship is so exciting,” she said. “I was relieved about the finances, and how this helps me and my family. This gives me the opportunity to make connections I wouldn’t have otherwise.”

 


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