Family Week is October 4-10, 2020

By , September 24, 2020 10:03 am

Constitution Day 2020

By , September 14, 2020 4:01 pm

UMKC will celebrate Constitution Day with a special recording:

“Studying Constitutional Procedure” — a virtual visit to Professor Edward Cantu’s class at the UMKC School of Law.

Click for the link to the live recording!

Constitution Day became a recognized federal holiday in 2004, when legislation authored by Senator Robert Byrd was signed into law.  The Act mandates that all educational institutions that receive public funding provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on or near September 17th each year.

UMKC Counseling Services Group Therapy – Fall 2020

By , September 3, 2020 8:09 pm

Group therapy helps participants learn more about themselves and their relationships. Groups are a powerful and effective option for most emotional concerns and provide a supportive and safe environment to explore common issues together.

Please contact Dr. Keara Sherman at kds6w3@umsystem.edu or (816) 235-5328 for questions or to enroll in any of the following groups:

Interpersonal Processing GroupsMonday 3:00-4:30pm or Thursday 8:30-10:00am

These groups are designed to help individuals become more aware of your thoughts and feelings through exploring the “here-and-now” with other group members. This fosters greater self-awareness and more nourishing relationships that extend well beyond the therapeutic space.

LGBTQIA+ SupportMonday 9:00-10:00am

This semester-long support group will provide a space for anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+ in which you can feel safe to discuss what’s going on in your life, relevant topics, or anything else you desire with peers and a facilitator from Counseling Services. This is a group for you to receive and give support, learn about other people’s experiences, and be in a safe place for exploration.

Grief and Loss SupportTuesdays 12-1pm

This group provides a supportive and safe space for students to learn about the grieving process, as well as share experience of loss and give and receive emotional support. Members of the group will be limited to those who have experienced a recent loss, or those who have had a significant loss (i.e. parent, sibling) at some point in their life.

Moving ForwardThursday 4:00-5:00pm

This will be a confidential and supportive space for female-identifying students who have experienced sexual violence in any form. This group will help bring together students and assist them in gaining support, as well as exploring ways to help heal through learning coping strategies and sharing stories. This safe and supportive time together will be guided by topics and concerns, including coping, managing triggers, trust and safety, managing relationships, self-esteem, and others.

Coping in CrisisWednesday 3:00-4:00pm or Friday 1:00-2:00pm

The current pandemic has brought with it unprecedented losses in every community, and has disproportionately impacted communities of color, underserved communities, and vulnerable populations. Many have experienced feelings of fear, loss, isolation, anxiety, and sadness, among many others. This group will be primarily supportive, but will also provide skills and psychoeducation related to stress relief, connection, coping in uncertain times, and mindfulness.

Body WellnessTuesday 11:00am-12:00pm

A group aimed at helping students who want to explore body image, as well as their relationship with food, and disordered eating.

Beyond AddictionMonday 2:00pm-3:00pm

When a family member or friend is dealing with substance use issues, it can be difficult for those who love and care about them. This support group provides a supportive, safe space for individuals to come together and be inspired and empowered, as well as share hope and grow with the help of peers and the support of counselors.

Health Sciences SupportThursday 6:00-7:00pm

This group will allow current Health Sciences students to discuss the challenges they face, ways to deal with the hurdles and hassles of school, find ways to connect with others, and consider ways to manage stress and live a balanced life. Topics will include academics, stress management skills, relationships, career concerns, and more.

Empowering WomenFriday 10:00-11:00am

This group provides a safe space for individuals who identify as women to come together to share and explore challenges, stressors, and successes in their lives. This supportive space will allow women to receive multiple perspectives, feedback, and empowerment from one another. 

Dissertation /Thesis SupportThursday 5:00-6:00pm

A support group for students who are currently working on their thesis or dissertation. This offers a supportive space to discuss challenges and successes, as well as tips and ideas, from others who are facing the same frustrations, isolation, struggles, and successes that come with writing a dissertation or thesis.

Success, Not ExcessThursday 12:00-1:00pm

This support group is for students who may have concerns related to some form of substance use and how it may be impacting their personal, social, and academic lives. This group is directed towards those students who want to find ways to manage, reduce, or quit using certain substances. By combining peer support, therapeutic strategies, and psychoeducation, this group will help students to identify, develop, and implement effective strategies based on their own goals.

Men’s EngagementThursday 9:00-10:00am

This group provides a space for students who identify as men to come together and discuss concerns, explore and manage their mental health, and reflect on their relationships with others. The group will allow for exploration of societal and family impacts on what it means to be a man. A relaxed and supportive environment will allow group members to provide and receive feedback and discuss relevant topics, challenges, and successes.

Ready and AbleThursday 3:00-4:00pm

A support group for those who are navigating life as a college student with a health and/or other disability issue. This group will provide an affirming and safe space for students who have similar life experiences, to feel validated, understood, and encouraged.

First GenFriday 11:00am-12:00pm

This support group for first generation college students will provide a supportive space for individuals to build community, navigate new situations, discuss struggles and successes, and receive useful feedback. Group members will also receive therapeutic support, psychoeducation, and practical college information and coping skills from the clinical facilitator. 

Art TherapyOctober (Dates and times TBD)

This group will meet in person once a week. There are no grades nor judgments here, the purpose is to make art to find relief from stress by promoting mindfulness, self-awareness, and resiliency. Wear your mask and practice physical distancing. Art supplies provided, and no artistic talent is required to participate. Contact Melanie Arroyo Perez at miabqz@umk.edu to sign up.

Acing Academic AnxietyTuesday 5:00-6:00pm

A counseling group for students who experience anxiety around academics. These 4-session series will help students learn skills to manage and reduce test-taking anxiety and other academic stressors.

6 Tips to Start the Semester Strong

By , September 3, 2020 2:27 pm

Welcome back, Roos! While this semester looks a little different than normal, there are still plenty of ways for you to get plugged in and explore the many opportunities available to you at UMKC.

Here are some of the tried-and-true tips from our students, faculty and staff for incoming students.

1. Check out Roo Groups.

Hands-down this is the best way to get involved on campus. With 300+ groups around hobbies and professional interests, you’re bound to find something you’re interested in and meet new people along the way. Check out the current groups or create your own at umkc.edu. And if you want to check out what else is happening on campus, visit the Office of Student Involvement.

2. Get to know your professors.

Just because you have online class doesn’t mean you can’t get to know your professors. Many professors are natural mentors for students and often have great connections to industry professionals (and internship opportunities) in Kansas City and beyond the region. They’re also the gateway to exploring undergraduate research So, if you can’t stay to chat after class, make sure to send an email or drop by their virtual office hours to get to know them.

3. We’re back on campus – explore it!

UMKC has a very green, walkable campus, so take some time every day or each week to walk to an area you haven’t explored yet. While you’re at it, check out our list of top 5 Instagrammable spots on Volker Campus. Both campus maps are available online. If you have questions, stop by one of the CityPost kiosks on campus or ask any staff member you see.

And while you’re at it, make sure to check out this slideshow of how campus has changed throughout the years and check out the UMKC campus history tour videos featuring staff member historian Chris Wolff.

4. Scope out academic resources.

At the heart of UMKC is the desire to see students succeed. That’s why there are so many campus resources dedicated to helping you. Make sure you check out Supplemental Instruction, especially for those harder classes — SI is basically a free study/review session with your peers led by an upperclassman who aced the course material. Also, look into tutoring and the writing studio for help. And don’t worry, they practice COVID health and safety measures and also provide virtual sessions.

And if you’re just looking for general tips on creating a study plan, note-taking, and success in an online course, check out the RooUp Seminars, available 24/7 via the RooUp Seminar Canvas page.

5. Not feeling 100%? Know where to go.

The beginning of the semester can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time away from home, not to mention during a pandemic. It can be intimidating to find help in an area you’re unfamiliar with. That’s why we have Student Health and Wellness as well as Counseling Services on campus (and virtually) to help take care of you when you need it. You’re a valuable part of our community and it’s important to pay attention to your health and wellbeing. Our staff are very friendly, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re not feeling well or need help.

You can also check out the Counseling Services’ online resources, the Sanvello mental health app (free to all with a UMKC email address), Roos for Mental Health and the COVID symptom monitoring app.

6. Get to know why people love KC.

We’ve got a great location in the heart of the city. And while some of typical entertainment, like sports and concerts, aren’t going on right now, there’s still plenty to explore. Check out Visit KC and a list of some of our students’ and alumni’s favorite places to explore and make KC your new home away from home.


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