Rockhurst University’s newest graduate degree is the Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

A year after Rockhurst University cracked the top 10 on the list of Midwest Regional Universities by U.S. News and World Report, the institution is once again moving up – this time claiming the top spot in the state on that list, among other honors.

Odin George Buser was born with a complex set of health issues as a result of unbalanced chromosome translocation that prevented him from doing a lot of the things children his age would normally do. But when he was given something like a toy that he could manipulate, he would beam with happiness, his mother Courtney said.

Rockhurst University’s College of Business and Technology will once again add to its graduate degree offerings in fall 2025 with the introduction of its Master of Science in Information Systems degree.

Jingjing Pan, assistant professor of nursing, had already had a full nursing education by the time she began as a student at Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences (before it became part of Rockhurst University in 2020).

U.S. News and World Report released its Best Grad Schools 2025 rankings Tuesday, with several programs in the College of Business and Technology ranked among the nation’s best, along with several of Rockhurst University’s health sciences programs.

Yu Liu, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, knows that organic chemistry has a bit of a reputation. It’s an innately difficult subject; a crucible for generations of science majors at Rockhurst. Despite being the face of what many consider Rockhurst’s most difficult class, Liu was named Faculty of the Year by students at the Festival of Student Achievement in April. How does he do it?

Rockhurst University has been recognized in several categories as among the best in the country by Colleges of Distinction.

Each spring, a handful of students in the University’s criminal justice program are invited to be part of the Innocence Project course. This small group spends their semester reviewing a case where an incarcerated person has raised questions of innocence. Their goal is to review the case and report to the Kansas City-based Midwest Innocence Project whether they believe a case for innocence exists.

This week Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced $5 million in grant funding for 13 Missouri colleges and universities, providing additional resources for nursing education programs statewide. On the list is Rockhurst University, which will receive $630,000, the second-highest grant award for this round.

“Holiday Touchdown: a Chiefs Love Story” is an all-new Hallmark Channel feature film that, as the title implies, is set in and around Kansas City and revolves around the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s set to premiere Nov. 30, complete with a red-carpet premiere, and features familiar locations in the city. Among them is an antique store on the Independence, Missouri, Square called The Keeping Room that has a connection to Rockhurst.

In a recent study, two members of the Rockhurst University community — an alumna and a faculty member — sought to glean lessons from how one veterans service organization approached inspiring young vets to stay connected and continue to serve after their military careers were over.

The Best Colleges 2025 list from U.S. News and World Report is out today, and in it, Rockhurst University has entered the top 10 on the list of best universities in the Midwest.

On Wednesday, 11 new Hawks joined Rockhurst University’s worldwide alumni network. And in receiving their associate of arts in liberal studies degrees, these students earned another distinction – they became the first graduates of the University’s Companions in Chillicothe program at Chillicothe Correctional Center, located about an hour and a half northeast of Kansas City.

Two specialty graduate business programs at Rockhurst University’s College Business and Technology are ranked among the top 30 in the nation, alongside rankings for occupational therapy, physical therapy and communication sciences and disorders, in the Best Grad Schools list released today by U.S. News & World Report.

The first occupational therapists Amber Jenkins, OTD, MLS, OTR/L, assistant professor of occupational therapy, remembers having weren’t trained at all in the discipline – it was her mom and dad. Growing up in rural Wamego, Kansas, Jenkins was born with a condition known as Poland Syndrome, resulting in a limb difference on her right hand. But she said she never felt – and was never made to feel — that she was limited because of it.

There’s a phrase used in Costa Rica that is translated literally to pure life: “Pura Vida.” In general, it can mean hello and good-bye, much like “Aloha” in Hawai’i, but also means being centered in mind, body and spirit.

The phrase meant so much to new Rockhurst University professor and frequent Costa Rica visitor Missy Ling that she had it tattooed on her inner wrist years ago.

Diego Gutierrez, Assistant Professor of Management and Marketing, credits his time as a student at Rockhurst for much of the success he's had in his life and career. With his son about to begin his freshman year as a Hawk, we caught up with Diego to reflect on his time at Rockhurst as the next RU journey is his family is about to being.

Rockhurst University is recognizing anniversaries for faculty and staff members who have served the University for at least 5 years. Congratulations to these dedicated companions:

Staff

35 years

Laurie Hathman, Greenlease Library

30 years

Mary B. Cary, College of Arts and Sciences dean’s office

Steve Lyons, physical plant

25 years

Geoff Smith, admissions

Shirley Mitchell, physical plant

Craig Prentiss, Ph.D., professor of Religious Studies and Theology at Rockhurst, was recently granted a Fulbright Scholar Award to teach at the University of Bucharest in Romania in spring 2023. Fulbright Scholar Awards are prestigious and competitive fellowships that provide unique opportunities for scholars to teach and conduct research abroad.

In November 2022, Rockhurst University etched a new chapter in its history, inaugurated its first lay, first female president, Sandra Cassady, Ph.D. In honor of Women’s History Month, we asked Cassady about her experience as a female leader and history maker in her own right.

The Rockhurst University Board of Trustees has selected Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., to become the 15th president of Rockhurst University, effective July 1, 2022.

Rockhurst University President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., announced today that he plans to step down from his role following the close of this academic year, June 30, 2022, after completing his 16th year as president.

Kristy Bayer has been named the new director of athletics at Rockhurst University, effective July 6, 2021. Bayer comes to Rockhurst from Emporia State University where she has served as the deputy director of athletics and senior woman administrator since December 2017.