NEWS BRIEFS
New Degree Program Meets Rising Demand for Data-Driven Leaders
Bloch’s MBA in Business Analytics By Nicholas Vlasin
The Henry W. Bloch School of Management is launching its newest graduate offering: a Master of Business Administration in Business Analytics, designed to equip professionals with the critical skills needed in today’s data-driven economy. The MBA in Business Analytics will launch in Fall 2025, providing students with expertise in analytics, artificial intelligence, emerging technology as well as a strong foundation in business strategy and leadership.
With the emergence of AI and the need to leverage data for strategic decisions, demand for professionals in the field of analytics continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data-science jobs are projected to increase 36% from 2021 to 2031. The MBA in Business Analytics will prepare students for careers across a range of industries that require the ability to solve business problems by leveraging AI and using data analytics tools.
“As Kansas City’s business school, we are committed to providing programs that align with market needs,” said Brian Klaas, dean of the Bloch School. “The Business Analytics MBA will give our students a competitive advantage by providing a strong foundation in business as well as expertise in analytics and emerging technology.”
While many courses will be available in an online synchronous format, the program will require some in-person coursework to facilitate hands-on projects and networking with peers and industry professionals. “The hybrid structure ensures students gain hands-on experience while maintaining flexibility, allowing working professionals to continue their education,” Klaas said.
A key distinction of the MBA in Business Analytics is its STEM designation, which may be of interest to international students who could qualify for up to 36 months of post-degree Optional Practical Training here in the United States.
“Our global partnerships, combined with the STEM designation, position this program as a premier choice for international students seeking a top-tier business analytics education,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal.
“I wish this program was available when I was doing my MBA at UMKC,” said Joseph Rasmussen (MBA ’18). Rasmussen is the senior director of business intelligence at Spring Venture Group in Kansas City, Missouri. He serves on the Business Analytics Advisory Council for the program. “Getting an MBA in Business Analytics blends data with core business knowledge like strategy, marketing, finance, operations and accounting. Having this knowledge will allow graduates to bridge the gap between data and decision-making.
Exciting Times for UMKC Enactus By Bryan Terry
Local Campaign Wins Philanthropic Award
The UMKC Enactus team continues to bring home the hardware with yet another outstanding recognition of the group’s efforts. In November 2024, the team was awarded the “Spirit of Philanthropy – Youth” award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
The award honors groups or individuals, ages 5 to 23, who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to their community through financial support, volunteerism or charitable partnerships.
The UMKC Enactus team was selected for the award in recognition of its Stay Driven campaign, a community-centered project that raised $1,300 in just 24 hours to help members of the Kansas City area address vehicle maintenance concerns.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work, passion and dedication our members put into creating meaningful change in our community, said Jazmin Romo, president of UMKC Enactus. “This award only motivates us to keep pushing forward in achieving an even greater impact.”
In all, 29 vehicles belonging to families struggling with basic needs received free preventative maintenance services ranging from oil changes to new windshield wipers.
National Enactus Competition Coming to Kansas City
The UMKC Enactus team received more exciting news this year, as Enactus USA announced it would bring its massive National Enactus Expo back to Kansas City in 2025!
The Enactus National Exposition was first held in Springfield, Missouri, in 1975. Now, in recognition of the event’s golden anniversary, organizers are bringing the competition back to the Show-Me state, where it’s been held several times before. This year’s competition will feature events at both the UMKC Student Union as well as the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center.
“We will be proud to show off the entrepreneurial spirit of Kansas City and UMKC to the 300 collegiate entrepreneurs who will participate in the event,” said Erin Blocher, associate teaching professor for the Bloch School and advisor to the UMKC Enactus team. She added, “UMKC and the Kauffman Foundation are the perfect hosts to align with the Enactus mission of social entrepreneurship and community impact.”
The competition was held May 20-22, with the first-place winner receiving a $2,000 prize, plus the opportunity to compete in the Enactus World Cup.
Building Business Mindsets Beyond Bloch Kauffman Grant has Continued Positive Impact By Bryan Terry
Efforts to expand entrepreneurship opportunities across UMKC continue, thanks to the Entrepreneurship Innovation Grants (EIG) program launched in 2021 with support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
UMKC Entrepreneurship is a partnership between the UMKC Innovation Center, Center for Law, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and the Bloch School Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
For the 2025 EIG funding period, up to $500,000 will be allocated in support of opportunities for cross-campus entrepreneurship initiatives. These initiatives include course development, program creation, technology commercialization, community partnerships, promoting social entrepreneurship and more.
Since the grant program began, EIG has awarded 37 grants across both the Volker and Health Sciences campuses, funding developments such as a new “Digital Toolkit” class for non-majors in media, art and design to learn skills related to design, video and audio production. One student group used funds to develop a working prototype of a wireless power transfer system for their senior project. The team is now exploring the potential for a startup based on their design and submitted an SBIR proposal to the U.S. Navy for $140,000 to further develop the system. The School of Pharmacy has awarded eight scholarships and exceeded enrollment goals for a new Pharm.D./MBA course designed to broaden entrepreneurial understanding for pharmacy students.
The EIG program will continue through 2026, with a total of $1.75M to be spent over the grant’s five-year lifespan.
Institute and Center Spotlight
Lewis White Real Estate Center
The Lewis White Real Estate Center once again hosted hundreds of real estate professionals from across Missouri and Kansas for its sixth annual Real Estate Symposium on Feb. 7. The symposium is an opportunity for professionals to learn and network, while gaining necessary continuing education credits. More than 1,200 real estate professionals have attended the gathering over the course of its six-year run.
Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership
The Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership recently completed a two-year leadership and management training project supporting early childhood administrators across Missouri. The group has also launched a new series of data support initiatives for multiple area nonprofits through the Bloch Family Foundation’s Community Excellence program.
In addition, the center continues to partner with organizations such as the ACLU, KCMO Housing Trust Fund, the United Way, Pawsperity, The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, The Sunflower Foundation and Cornerstones of Care — delivering data-driven insights and strategic support. Furthermore, the Midwest Center remains committed to developing and delivering specialized educational programs to help nonprofit organizations navigate a rapidly changing landscape.
The Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation recently hosted dozens of faculty and student artists from around the country at two conferences centered around arts entrepreneurship. The Student Creatives and Artists Learning Entrepreneurship (SCALE) conference saw approximately 125 students and their parents or guardians come to Kansas City from as far away as Massachusetts to learn how to handle the business aspect of being in a creative field. In addition, around 50 faculty from universities, including Yale and MIT convened at the Bloch School for a faculty research conference on best practices and education in arts entrepreneurship.