Avila Now

 The future of higher education is built on collaboration, and on June 17, Avila University took another step toward expanding access and opportunity through the formal launch of three new community partnerships.  Faculty, staff, students, and community leaders gathered in the Whitfield Center as Avila University officially welcomed the I AM Foundation, Youth Ambassadors, and...

Official Announcement The Board of Trustees of Avila University is honored to announce the appointment of Dr. Todd Pfannestiel as the 16th President of Avila University. Dr. Pfannestiel brings more than 27 years of distinguished higher education leadership experience, having served most recently as President of Utica University. His appointment follows a comprehensive national search...

Kansas City, MO — Avila University’s Collegiate DECA chapter delivered its strongest international performance in program history at the 2026 Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC), held April 18–22 in Louisville, Kentucky. The conference brought together more than 1,000 college students from across the world to compete for international titles and DECA’s highest honors....

Kansas City, Mo. — April 29, 2026 — Avila University celebrated a historic milestone as it awarded degrees to a record-breaking 820 graduates during its commencement ceremonies. This marked the largest graduating class in the university’s history and reflected Avila’s growing impact on the Kansas City region and beyond. The Class of 2026 included 240...

Kansas City, MO — Avila University proudly recognized outstanding faculty and staff during its annual awards celebration, honoring individuals whose dedication, service, and leadership continue to shape the Avila community. The ceremony highlighted milestone Years of Service Awards, recognizing employees for their long-standing commitment to the University. Honorees included: These individuals were celebrated for their...

Avila University has earned a spot on OnlineU’s 2026 Most Affordable Online Cybersecurity Degrees ranking, placing among the top institutions nationwide for offering an affordable path to an online BS in Cybersecurity. OnlineU ranked Avila University #15 nationally, with tuition set at the same rate for both in-state and out-of-state students, making it an accessible...

Avila University’s School of Performing Arts will present The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov, translated by Jean-Claude Van Itallie and directed by Charlene Gould, Ph.D. The production will be held in the Frantze Family Blackbox Theatre at the Goppert Performing Arts Center on the campus of Avila University. This classic play tells the story of...

Kansas City, MO – Avila University has been recognized in multiple national rankings published by OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD), earning distinction among the nation’s top institutions for master’s degree programs. After months of reviewing and analyzing thousands of graduate programs across the country, OMD named Avila University to its 2026 annual rankings. The evaluation process focused on...

Avila University Campus Ministry invites students to a powerful night of reflection, inspiration, and conversation at Faith in Athletics, featuring guest speaker JJ Niekro, former Atlanta Braves minor-league pitcher. Taking place on February 19 from 6:00–8:00 PM at Avila University, this event explores the intersection of faith, discipline, perseverance, and athletics. Drawing from his experiences...

New partnership delivers self-paced learning and AI-supported coaching for sustainable supply chains and leadership skills. The Institute of Food & Agribusiness Leadership (IFAL) has joined forces with Kansas City-based Avila University to launch a fully online curriculum designed to boost critical workforce skills for the U.S. food and agribusiness industries. The programs are built to...