UMKC Appoints New Chancellor

Kansas City, MO – State funding for UMKC may be more uncertain with next year's expected budget shortfall, but the University's leadership is becoming more stable. KCUR's Elana Gordon reports.

UMKC recently announced that its acting chancellor, Leo Morton, will stay in the position permanently. Morton stepped in temporarily this past summer when then-chancellor Guy Baily left for Texas Tech University. Morton says he's now looking forward to establishing more continuity at the University.

Morton: As people at the top have changed out, that has trickled down through the organization and it leaves everybody in a confused state. So I think in order to really accomplish things, you really have to have some stability in leadership."

UMKC has gone through three chancellors and three interim chancellors over the past decade. Morton says his priorities as the new chancellor include raising funds to support the university in the long run, making UMKC a leader in the health and life sciences, and strengthening UMKC's position in the arts.