UCM Board of Governors Reviews Budget, Capital Projects and Global Student Engagement at April Meeting

Global Vision scholars and faculty present a panel to the UCM Board of Governors. From left: Shari Bax, vice president for
Student Experience and Engagement; Amanda Harrison, assistant professor of Library Science; student Carson Couch;
student Deaihra Washington; and Lover Chancler, associate professor and director of The Center at UCM.

 

WARRENSBURG, Mo. — The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Board of Governors convened for its regular meeting April 24 to take action on budget priorities, capital improvements and student-centered initiatives that reinforce the university’s mission of academic excellence and global citizenship.

 

Key actions included approval of the fiscal year 2026 operating budget, major infrastructure projects at Todd Residence Hall and Skyhaven Airport, a powerful student panel on international service learning, and the honorary naming of a new aviation lab in recognition of a longtime faculty member.

 

FY 2026 Budget and Campus Improvements 

The board reviewed UCM’s fiscal year 2026 operating budget, which aligns university resources with strategic goals focused on student success, innovation and long-term sustainability. The budget includes modest increases in tuition and room and board rates to support academic quality, campus operations and student services. The vote for final budget approval will occur at the June meeting.

 

The board also approved two key infrastructure investments:

• A $535,000 contract with Reinhold Electric Inc. to replace aging electrical switchgear in Todd Residence Hall, ensuring reliable power for multiple residential and dining facilities.
  
  

• A $1.37 million contract with Civic Elite Contracting Inc. to construct a self-serve fuel facility and access road at Skyhaven Airport. The project, contingent on grant funding from the Missouri Department of Transportation, will support UCM’s nationally recognized aviation program and enhance airport operations.

Global Vision Panel Spotlights Student Impact Abroad

A highlight of the meeting was a panel featuring students and faculty involved in UCM’s Global Vision Scholarship Program. Robynn Kuhlmann, associate professor of American Politics and Research Methods, is the coordinator of the Global Vision Scholarship Steering Committee. She has been involved in the program's development and growth for the past three years and introduced it to the governors.

 

“The Global Vision Scholarship program began in 2008 and for the past 17 years, the program has sent a group of students to a variety of destinations to volunteer their time to vulnerable populations, both internationally and within the United States,” Kuhlmann told the board. “From 2008 to 2021, UCM students have volunteered in a variety of destinations, and this includes Tanzania, Peru, Ecuador, Nepal and most recently, the territory of Puerto Rico.”

This unique initiative offers UCM students the opportunity to travel domestically or internationally for a service-learning experience, with all major expenses, including airfare, meals and lodging, covered through a dedicated scholarship. Priority is given to students who have not previously studied abroad, expanding global access to those who might not otherwise consider international travel.

 

Two students and two faculty members shared reflections from recent trips to Puerto Rico and Kathmandu, Nepal, where they worked on hunger relief and youth education projects. Panelists described the experience as transformational — personally, academically and professionally. Senior Accountancy major Carson Couch, of Olathe, Kansas, opened the panel by quoting St. Augustine: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel only read one page.”

Deaihra Washington, a Health Studies senior from Kansas City, said the experience helped her overcome shyness and grow more confident in her future role as a nurse.

 

Alexis Barnes, a Political Science major from St. Louis, emphasized that she came away with a deeper understanding of leadership as action rooted in humility and persistence.

 

Faculty panelists Amanda Harrison, assistant professor of Library Science, and Lover Chancler, associate professor and director of The Center at UCM, echoed the life-changing impact of the program. She told the panel, “You are more than UCM students — you are assets to the world.”

 

The panel was facilitated by Shari Bax, vice president for Student Experience and Engagement. Board members praised the participants’ insight and commended the program for exemplifying UCM’s mission to prepare globally conscious, civically engaged graduates. 

 

Student Alexis Barnes (center) addresses the UCM Board of Governors as fellow student Deaihra Washington (left) and
Dr. Lover Chancler look on.

 

UCM Honors Faculty, Staff and Students Who Exemplify Service, Excellence and Educational Impact 

As part of the April 24 plenary session at the Elliott Student Union, several UCM students, faculty and staff members were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the campus community.

 

The 2025 Education for Service Awards — established during the 2021-22 academic year by the Office of Student Experience and Engagement — honor one student, one faculty member, and one staff member each spring who exemplify UCM’s core values of community, diversity, excellence, learning, opportunity and service. These values reflect the institution’s enduring “Education for Service” mission. This year’s recipients were Julie Stephens de Jonge, professor of Spanish; Courtney Swoboda, director of Military and Veteran Services; and Psychology senior Andrea Garcia Tovar.

 

Additional honors included the UCM Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education, presented to Natalie Tye, associate professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, and the 2025 Byler Distinguished Faculty Award, presented to Professor Yuankun Yao of the Department of Educational Foundations and Literacy.

 

Recognized for their academic excellence and strong community involvement were seniors Marie Hall and Alyssa Robertson, recipients of the 2025 Charno Award, the most prestigious honor given to UCM students.

 

Honorary Naming: Dr. John W. "Jack" O’Ryan Virtual Reality Flight Simulation Lab

In a unanimous vote, the board approved the honorary naming of the Department of Aviation virtual reality lab in the T.R. Gaines Building on the Warrensburg campus. The facility will be named the Dr. John W. "Jack" O’Ryan Virtual Reality Flight Simulation Lab in recognition of O’Ryan’s more than 50 years of service to the university.

 

O’Ryan co-founded UCM’s aviation program in 1968 and created the nation’s first Master of Science in Aviation Safety program. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of thousands of aviation professionals across the country. Family members were present for the board’s action and recognition.

 

Additional Business

Other actions and updates during the meeting included:

• Information items were submitted for the 3rd quarter statement of revenue and expenses, along with the 2025 third quarter investment report.

• A report from UCM President Roger Best on enrollment growth, upcoming Founders Day and commencement celebrations, and expanding international partnerships.

• A legislative update from David Pearce, executive director for Governmental Relations, which included federal advocacy on FAFSA delays and Pell Grant funding.

• A closed session to discuss legal, real estate, personnel and contractual matters in accordance with Missouri statutes.

For more information about the UCM Board of Governors and upcoming meetings, visit ucmo.edu/bog.