Kansas City University Master Plan

Founded in 1916 in Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City University is a growing health sciences University that includes the oldest and largest medical school in the state of Missouri. Throughout its history, its mission to educate students and serve its community has never wavered. Spread across two campuses in Kansas City and Joplin, Missouri, KCU is a community of professionals committed to the excellence in the education of highly qualified students in osteopathic medicine, dental medicine, biosciences.

Rooted in history yet striving to be a national leader in education, research, clinical practice and service, Kansas City University has continued to evolve physically and strategically since its origin. Following a decade of cultural renaissance and transformational growth, this Campus Master Plan was developed with an emphasis on analyzing existing facilities and campus layout to identify opportunities for enhanced student experience and operational efficiency.

Location: Kansas City, MO

Current Campus Conditions

The Campus Master Plan efforts began with an inventory, critical analysis and efficiency evaluation of spaces currently in use, and documentation of growth opportunities within the existing facilities.

Following the documentation process, a series of stakeholder workshops were conducted with the students, staff, faculty, and community partners. These workshops provided diverse perspectives from both within and outside the university. KCU leadership emphasized the university’s mission, vision, values and new strategic plan as the guide-posts for the planning efforts. Faculty Senate members provided insight on current academic priorities and potential for academic growth.  Staff departmental heads described current processes and identified possibilities for more efficient support and improved campus amenities. Student leaders described their current experience and possible ways the University could facilitate better health and wellness. Civic and neighborhood partners provided an outside perspective to how KCU is integral to the community fabric, and how it may continue to evolve. This inclusive process was imperative to gain a holistic understanding of the current conditions.

Campus Priorities

Reunited Faculty

Reuniting faculty is key to achieving KCU’s strategic goal of expanding interprofessional education and collaboration. In close proximity to both the academic and research cores of campus, Strickland Education Pavilion will once again be the shared home for academic faculty.

Center for Population Health and Health Equity

KCU is establishing a Center for Population Health and Health Equity to align with the mission of improving the well-being of the communities we serve. This Center will identify variables, such as social and structural determinants of health, that have an impact on people’s ability to thrive and maintain optimal health, and then implement measures to improve health outcomes. 

Campus Operations Facility

A new Campus Operations facility will consolidate resources and greatly reduce service traffic through the core of the campus. The building can also be strategically positioned off of E. Missouri Avenue to allow delivery traffic to remain outside of the secure perimeter. These measures will improve safety throughout campus and enhance operational efficiency.

Health and Wellness Facility 

Promoting the health and wellness of students and staff is at the forefront of KCU’s goals.  Much research and study remain to establish a program for the new Health and Wellness facility, though it is expected to house new dining and fitness opportunities for the entire campus population, with a host of spaces and services to enhance students’ physical, mental and spiritual health.

Phase 1 Objectives

Achieving each of the primary campus priorities requires a specific sequence of improvements and relocations.  The masterplan is divided into four phases to demonstrate the planned campus logistics. 

Phase 1 begins with renovations to reunite faculty, create space for a Center for Population Health and Health Equity, and allow space for other departmental needs. In conjunction with interior enhancements, spaces will be reimagined to increase usable outdoor space and more effectively connect the central buildings where the majority of faculty and staff are located. Modular construction, which has been the campus standard for recent office improvements, will allow for rapid, economic reconfiguration of these spaces as future needs evolve.