UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management

Congratulations to Associate Teaching Professor of Accounting Julie Kline, M.S., for receiving the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Assistant Professor of Marketing Rachel Hochstein, Ph.D., (not pictured) for receiving the Elmer F. Pierson Good Teaching Award at the 2026 Faculty Awards!

Bloch student Rami Zari is one of six UMKC students selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad. Rami, a finance student, will spend his summer in Italy.

Learn more about the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship: https://www.umkc.edu/news/posts/2026/may/six-umkc-students-earn-prestigious-scholarship-to-study-abroad.html

Congratulations to Kim Luken and David Jarrett on being selected as this year’s Undergraduate and Graduate Faculty Impact Award winners! Each year, our students vote for the faculty members who have had the most positive impact on them throughout their career at the Bloch School. Kim and David are inspirational role models for our students and very deserving of this honor.

The World Cup is just two weeks away, and Bloch School alumni are helping shape Kansas City’s moment in the global spotlight. Lesly Romo (BBA ’25) is the founder of Golazo, a Regnier Venture Accelerator-backed company that offers mobile sports activations and inclusive programming. Golazo is creating a citywide scavenger hunt experience to help support local businesses during the games!

Learn more about UMKC's impact on the World Cup: https://www.umkc.edu/news/posts/2026/may/alumni-economics-and-global-reach-umkc-impact-on-the-2026-fifa-world-cup.html

Bloch student Daniela Castro-Carrera is one of six UMKC students selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad. Daniela, a business administration student, will spend her summer in South Korea.

Learn more about the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship: https://www.umkc.edu/news/posts/2026/may/six-umkc-students-earn-prestigious-scholarship-to-study-abroad.html

Congratulations to Cafe Corazon for being named the 2026 Small Business of the Year by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. The recognition includes the coveted Mr. K Award, named for entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Kauffman. Founder and CEO Dulcinea Herrera (BBA ’22) has led the company since 2019. Learn more about the recognition: https://www.kcchamber.com/current-topics/cafe-corazon-named-2026-small-business-of-the-year/

The World Cup is just three weeks away, and Bloch School alumni are helping shape Kansas City’s moment in the global spotlight! UMKC alumna Esther George (EMBA ’00) was a key member of the team that brought the World Cup to Kansas City. The former president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City served as treasurer for the 2026 World Cup host committee.

Learn more about UMKC's impact on the World Cup: https://www.umkc.edu/news/posts/2026/may/alumni-economics-and-global-reach-umkc-impact-on-the-2026-fifa-world-cup.html

The UMKC Bloch School of Management Executive MBA class of 2026 recently returned from its weeklong international residency in Prague, marking a transformative chapter in their leadership journey. This immersive experience provided students with firsthand exposure to the global business environment, equipping them with deeper insights into the complexities and opportunities of international management.

Throughout the residency, the cohort engaged with local, national and international companies to better understand how organizational values, leadership styles and workplace expectations often differ from those commonly seen in U.S. businesses. Students also learned about the comprehensive support available to U.S. businesses seeking to expand internationally, ranging from market entry guidance to networking opportunities and regulatory assistance.

The trip culminated in a well-received presentation to a local company, where the class delivered their analysis of the company’s performance along with strategic recommendations and significant opportunities for internal improvement.

Congratulations to the Executive MBA class of 2026 for embracing this global challenge and returning with renewed vision, enhanced cultural competence and actionable insights for future leadership!

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Here are a few of our Bloch graduates who will be walking across the stage today. 🎓