Avila Now

Avila University enrolled the largest incoming class in institutional history this fall. “We are already ahead of the traditional undergraduate enrollment pace from last year by nearly 200 students – that’s a 70% increase year over year,” said Josh Parisse, vice president of enrollment management. Avila commits to providing “access through affordability, quality individualized education,...

Morgan Pettlon is a senior nursing student from Maryville, MO. She chose to spend two weeks at Bethlehem Farm this summer as a summer servant. Her experiences at the farm over the years, have inspired her to return again to the farm during Spring Break 2024, this time leading a group of Avila students in...

On May 13, commencement returned to campus at Avila University for the first time in 19 years. “President Burkee wanted to bring graduation back to campus to build tradition and foster community,” said Margaret Herron, registrar. The sun was shining, and the campus was buzzing with excitement from 344 graduates and over 2,000 guests in...

KANSAS CITY, MO, May 24, 2023 – Avila announces three new comprehensive agreements–with the government of Algeria, AUNA – The American University in North of Africa, and the Université de CARTHAGE to expand our promise of being the private university of access. Avila University became the first university in the United States to sign a...

The 22nd annual Student Scholar Day occurred on Tuesday, April 18. It’s a full-day, campus-wide celebration of student scholarship, and featured nine oral presentations, seven poster presentations, and a faculty scholar presentation, “Turn it Up? Noise as Sonic Rhetoric,” by Abigail Lambke, Ph.D., associate professor of English. Student projects often include literature reviews, capstone projects,...

Avila School of Education graduates, Katie Mooneyham and Brooke Wells were awarded the MACTE Outstanding Beginning Teacher award. “We know that Brooke and Katie are making impacts at their schools in Districts not too far from Avila—in Blue Springs and Raytown. We have so many students who graduate from Avila and teach in Missouri districts...

Students from Avila’s School of Imaging Science took first place in the fast-paced, competitive “Ray Bowl” at the annual Missouri Society of Radiologic Technologists conference on April 5-7 in Columbia, Missouri.  “The Ray bowl was unlike anything I’ve ever done before, and to experience it with this group of people around me was incredible. We...

If you could go anywhere for spring break, where would you go? Eleven Avila students volunteered to spend their break serving at Bethlehem Farm in Pence Springs, West Virginia. “Bethlehem Farm is a Catholic Community in Appalachia that transforms lives through service with the local community and the teaching of sustainable practices.”  The group was...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 10, 2023) – Avila University today announced the appointment of Tonya Mourning, MBA, as the institution’s Chief Financial Officer. In this role, Mourning will oversee all aspects of the financial life of the university, providing management and direction for Avila’s financial activities. She will start on March 27, 2023. Mourning brings...

The agreement also makes Avila the most transfer-friendly university for MCC students.  Metropolitan Community College and Avila University leaders signed a six-year, $13.7 million scholarship agreement today, creating high-quality, low-cost pathways to obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The brief ceremony, led by MCC Chancellor Dr. Kimberly Beatty and Avila President Dr. James Burkee, marks...