At the University of Central Missouri, we believe in the power of stories to inform, inspire and connect. The UCM News Bureau serves as the university's central source for official news, announcements and feature stories that highlight the achievements, events and initiatives shaping our campus community.
Our team provides timely, accurate and engaging content that reflects the university's commitment to academic excellence, student success and community engagement. Whether you're a student, faculty or staff member, alumnus, journalist or visitor, we invite you to explore our latest updates and discover the many ways UCM is redefining what's possible locally, nationally and globally.
While the challenge of getting into college can be stressful, additional anxiety often accompanies a decision overload with students pondering which degree to pursue, and what they want to do with it once they graduate. Through initiatives that have been shared with educators across the United States, the University of Central Missouri is helping students tackle these tough decisions and more by incorporating design thinking principles into the student experience. The result of such efforts at UCM is a range of new opportunities from career readiness courses and learning facility upgrades to presentations that introduce this model for solving what researchers have called the “wicked problems” individuals may face in education, life and in making decisions about careers.
January 10, 2022
The University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation is pleased to announce that alumnus Greg Thurman, ’74, and his wife, Carla Thurman, of Franklin, Tennessee, have made a generous gift to the university. The gift of $1 million will fund the renovation of a gymnasium in the 53-year-old Lovinger Building into a state-of-the-art mixed-use educational facility.
January 10, 2022
With the 2022 theme, “Living the Dream: Live and in Color,” the University of Central Missouri in January will host a variety of special events on campus and in cooperation with local organizations to honor the legacy of civil rights leader and humanitarian Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Freedom Scholarship Fundraiser, Community Praise and Worship Service, and the annual Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce Community Service Awards Luncheon are among these special events, in addition to other opportunities at UCM’s Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit campuses.
January 07, 2022
This episode of Central Speaks shines a spotlight on Courtney Swoboda, director of UCM's Military and Veterans Services Office and 2024 Higher Ed Military Spotlight Award recipient. Courtney’s decade of service in the Air Force and five years at UCM have shaped her into a transformative leader, redefining military-friendly education through her dedication and innovation.
April 15, 2025
Today we welcome Cory Wicker, Ph.D., SPHR, SHRM-SCP, UCM associate vice president for Human Resources. Since joining UCM in May 2023, Dr. Wicker has brought a wealth of expertise to the university, leveraging his extensive experience in human resources to drive positive change and empower the university’s most valuable asset: its people. Don’t miss this insightful conversation!
April 15, 2025
On our premiere episode, we welcome Amber Goreham. Amber is a proud two-time graduate of UCM, where she has spent the past 20 years dedicated to empowering students and alumni. With a Master of Science in Ethical & Strategic Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Amber has been at the forefront of guiding UCM students on their career and life paths since 2008. As the director of the Career and Life Design Center, she leverages life design principles and a commitment to career readiness to help students navigate their next steps and build the skills they need to thrive in today’s workforce. But Amber’s journey wasn’t always centered around academia—she was once on track to become a professional bowler before life handed her a proverbial gutter ball. Today, we’ll explore how she pivoted from the bowling lanes to a lane focused on shaping lives and careers at UCM. Listen in as we speak with Amber Goreham.
April 15, 2025
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Main Areas: Missouri Legislative Session, Employment Opportunities in Politics and Government for College Students, Current Events and Their Political Implications
660-543-4365
dpearce@ucmo.edu
Main Areas: Wildlife Disease, Vector-Borne Pathogens, Plague Sylvatic Cycle, Microbial Genetics, Microbial Ecology
660-543-8027
pauling@ucmo.edu
Main Areas: Entomology, Butterfly Conservation, Pollination
660-543-8880
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