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The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is advancing plans for new School of Dentistry and School of Medicine facilities in St. Joseph, Missouri, as announced during the latest Board of Curators meeting.
The board unanimously approved moving forward with the School of Dentistry project, keeping the targeted Fiscal Year 2026 completion date in place.
Funding Still in Progress for Dental School Facility
While construction remains on schedule, UMKC is currently pursuing additional funding through state and federal sources, as well as private philanthropy, to support capital renovations for the School of Dentistry building.
“The St. Joseph community has shown incredible support for our students,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, highlighting gestures such as local families hosting students for Thanksgiving dinners. “That sense of community has helped ease financing and made students feel welcome.”
Medical School Ribbon Cutting Set for August
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new School of Medicine building is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, at its location on Faraon Street, directly across from the Mosaic Life Care Campus. The facility will be a cornerstone for healthcare education and service in Northwest Missouri.
Regional Benefits Emphasized by Leadership
Todd Graves, Chair of the University of Missouri Board of Curators, stressed that these expansions reflect the university’s statewide mission, not just a focus on Columbia.
“We are not just Columbia’s university — we’re here to serve all Missourians,” Graves said. “Northwest Missouri is seeing a major benefit, but other regions are also reaping the rewards.”
Addressing Rural Healthcare Shortages
The expansion of the UMKC School of Dentistry into St. Joseph is expected to ease workforce shortages, especially in rural dental care. Currently, UMKC’s dental school is Missouri’s only public dental program and supplies over 63% of the state’s dentists, per a recent press release.
Meanwhile, the School of Medicine aims to boost its class size by enrolling 20 new students annually in its four-year medical program, supporting broader healthcare access and physician availability in underserved areas.
The University of Missouri’s commitment to expanding healthcare education in St. Joseph reflects a broader strategy to serve rural regions and address statewide healthcare needs.
Through increased access to education, targeted infrastructure investments, and community engagement, UMKC is setting a new standard for regional impact in higher education and public health.