The Honors-University Academy Partnership

In the fall of 2004, the UMKC Honors Program entered into a partnership with University Academy, to create an opportunity for mutual growth for students from both UMKC and University Academy. University Academy is the logical partner for this endeavor thanks to its sponsorship by UMKC, its urban locality, and its openness to UMKC’s active presence. The UMKC Honors Program has become energetically involved in assisting in the educational and social opportunities available to the UA students. The members of the Honors Program have benefited from working with the University Academy students and have often gained experience for their own career paths.

The Honors Program consists of some of the brightest students at UMKC and represents a diverse pool of interests and talents. Moreover, many of the honors students have participated extensively in volunteer and social outreach activities while in high school. We have found however that this social commitment is hard to maintain in the university setting and it is to address this difficulty that we created the idea of the Honors-University Academy Partnership. The talent, commitment, and input of those involved on both ends of the collaboration are imperative to the success of this initiative. Honors students are encouraged to develop programs, clubs, and events that integrate their areas of academic expertise or interest with the needs and desires of the University Academy students. The Honors Program initiates the programs and plans the events, but relies on UMKC’s support by utilizing the resources that already exist, including other UMKC students, staff, programs, and facilities. With the continued dedication and collaboration from both UMKC and University Academy, this project allows all involved to gain important experiences and skills.

Click here to see a PowerPoint Presentation on the Honors-UA Partnership created by two former honors students, Hannah Lofthus (class of 2007) and Tim Stuckmeyer (class of 2006).

Basic Structure

Honors students coordinate each club. Each coordinator is responsible for organizing events and activities within his or her club, as well as advertising and implementation. An executive committee oversees these clubs and the Partnership’s finances. New programs, activities, and event proposals are evaluated by the executive committee and a student/faculty committee from University Academy.  We offer our services to anyone at the UA. Everyone is invited to come to our events and programs. The events take place after school, during lunch hours, and occasionally on weekends.  The Honors Program also provides Work-Study positions for students who wish to work more extensively (15-20 hours/week) at UA.

The Clubs

College Prep Club: This club is aimed at preparing UA students for college life. Activities include shadowing UMKC students, helping with college applications, ACT prep, and class selection appropriate to the field that the University Academy students will enter.  UMKC coordinates seminars in which advisors from various academic units at UMKC and other universities come to discuss academic life and the requirements for different degree options. An important element in this club is the mentorship and encouragement from honors students on how to prepare for the high school-to-college transition.

Real Life 101: This club includes, but is not limited to, practical matters such as health, nutrition, cooking, or car maintenance. Past activities have spanned maintaining good credit and balancing checkbooks to changing tires and fixing drywall! Discussions have covered harmonizing life, family, and school while managing stress in order to help decrease first-year burn-out rates.

Performing and Applied Arts Club (2004-2006): University Academy students who are interested in all forms of art can participate in an after-school program that develops and encourages their interests. Honors students provide UA students with the opportunity to work with different media.

Social Awareness and Community Service Club:  This club engages UA students in social activism. University Academy together with UMKC students collaborate to plan and initiate volunteer activities. This club spearheads the annual canned food drive and has organized past visits to KU Med Center’s pediatric cancer unit, a soup kitchen, and Swope Medical Clinic’s Treat Town.

Dance Club (2005-2006): In response to substantial interest from UA students, a dance club took place during 2005 and 2006. Led by an experienced dancer, this club provided students with the techniques to succeed in many styles of dance—modern, jazz, hip-hop, etc.  Students learned routines performed by the UMKC Joey’s dance team as well as routines created especially for UA.  They practiced choreography skills and each student had the opportunity to develop their own dances to perform.  Goals of the club were to develop better dance technique, choreography skills, and performance confidence.