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A Student’s Journey: An interview with Jade Alfieri Sobral
Tell us a little bit about your decision to come to Avila. When I decided to pursue my MBA in the U.S., I knew it would be a way to level up my career and education. It was a big decision, but I wanted to challenge myself and open doors to new opportunities. However, I...
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Musings from Dr. J. on Black History Month
Authored by: J. Anthony Snorgrass, PhD, Professor of Communications and the Director, Center for Truth, Racial Healing & Social Justice This week marked the beginning of Black History Month.  Each February since 1976 this annual observance is recognized February 1st through March 1st throughout the United States and is also recognized in Canada, the Republic of Ireland, Germany,...
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Avila University Offers New Access Award to help eliminate financial barriers to college
Kansas City, MO – (December 9, 2024) – In response to ongoing financial pressures faced by students who hope to earn a college degree, Avila University is proud to announce the launch of the Avila Access Award, which provides free tuition for eligible students to attend Avila University. Any student living in a Missouri household with...
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Avila University’s Renowned Truman Lecture Series Featured His Royal Highness, Prince Turki Al-Faisal of Saudi Arabia
Avila University celebrated the 53rd anniversary of the Truman Lecture Series by welcoming His Royal Highness, Prince Turki Al-Faisal of Saudi Arabia to campus, where he spoke at Goppert Theater on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Prince Turki is chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies and a co-founder of the King...
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Jean Buchanan Hall, Avila University’s Newly Renamed and Renovated Student Residence,Honors Beloved Alum, Generous Donor and Longtime Peace and Nonviolence Advocate
Buchanan Hall will accommodate recent growth, serve as home for Buchanan Initiative for Peace and Nonviolence Sept. 26, 2024 – KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Avila University’s ribbon-cutting today accomplished several important objectives with one slice of the oversized scissors: offering expanded and updated student housing as the school experiences a historic stretch of recent growth;...
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Avila University, North Kansas City Hospital/Meritas HealthPartner to Expand Access to Critical Nursing Programs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – August 7, 2024 – Today, Avila University and North Kansas City Hospital/Meritas Health (NKCH/MH) announced a new partnership to provide expanded access to nursing education to students within our community. Through this partnership, NKCH/MH will provide hands-on clinical learning in tandem with Avila’s programs to prepare aspiring nurses to enter the...
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Avila University Welcomes Five New Members to Board of Trustees
This Summer, Avila University continues to invite new experiences and perspectives into vital campus leadership roles. We are excited to announce the most recent additions to the Avila family with five new esteemed community leaders joining our Board of Trustees. Joining the Board in preparation for the 2024-25 academic year will be Erica McGeachy Crenshaw,...
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Celebrating success together — Avila University’s commencement ceremony honors the achievements of our graduates, a reflection of the bold vision and transformative growth over the past three years.

Reflections on Three Years at Avila — A Journey of Growth Rooted in Identity
In the final installment of his four-part reflection series, President Jim Burkee reflects on Avila University’s identity, the leadership that has fueled its transformation, and the bold vision for its future — grounded in mission and focused on impact. Identity, Focus, and the Road Ahead If there’s one lesson these past three years have reinforced,...

Three Years at Avila: Reflections on Leadership and Transformation
In Part Three of his four-part reflection series, President Jim Burkee recounts Year Three of Avila University’s transformation — a period of record growth, international expansion, and the challenges that come with rapid success. Part 3 of 4: Year Three — Growth Meets Reality, and the Horizon Expands In my first year as President of...

Three Years at Avila: Reflections on Leadership and Transformation
In Part Two of his four-part reflection series, President Jim Burkee recounts Avila University’s remarkable second year — a period of record-breaking enrollment, international expansion, campus renovation, and a bold new spirit of ambition. Part 2 of 4: Year Two — Growth, Growing Pains, and a New Spirit of Possibility As I shared in Part...
From athletics to academics to student life, Avila is growing and has much to offer its students!

Avila in the Media: Expanding Horizons and Embracing Growth
Each student invited to campus at Avila University brings a unique and valuable perspective, enriching the fabric of our academic community. We recognize that every student’s personal background, experiences, and aspirations contribute to a vibrant and dynamic learning environment. Our institutional focus on meeting the diverse needs of each of our students is at the...
President Burkee signing an agreement with the country of Algeria

Avila Signs Three New Agreements Expanding Access to Education 
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...
A social work student watches (right) as two nursing students ask the "patient" questions about her health.

Avila University Offers Accelerated Online Nursing Degree Program to Help Address Missouri’s and the Nation’s Critical Nursing Shortage
Avila University is pleased to announce it is now offering an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree. This degree completion program is for students with some college experience or who hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in any field other than nursing. All students will receive a personalized degree completion plan that equips...
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  • Five Avila students selected for the 29th Annual Kansas City Artist’s Coalition Undergraduate Student Exhibition
    This is a local juried exhibition of university students from Kansas and Missouri and an opportunity for area students to have their work shown at an established gallery here in Kansas City. VisCom Assistant Professor Teresa Johnson encourages her students to enter their work in this exhibition every year. This year’s jurors were Diana &...
  • Avila University’s historic year includes $1 million grant from Mabee Foundation
    Funding to support needs for growing student body as Avila welcomes largest-ever incoming freshman class Months after welcoming its largest-ever incoming freshman class, Avila University has been awarded a grant of more than $1 million from the Mabee Foundation. With the rapid influx of students on campus, Avila will use the $1,032,753 challenge grant as...
  • Education Without Limits
    March 4, 2024 It’s an exciting time at Avila University, and our campus is truly energized with an unprecedented string of successes! In the fall, we celebrated our largest-ever incoming freshman class. We’re constantly exploring ways to expand access and introduce new programs. We recently received a challenge grant of more than $1 million from...
  • Don’t let the FAFSA keep you from Enrolling Early-
    ACT NOW and get the information you need when you need it. The FAFSA can be overwhelming, no doubt. And, it can feel like a lot is riding on it. Plus, on top of the already confusing process, this year, they announced big changes to the form and these changes delayed the application process. Don’t...
  • Avila University Announces Leadership Transition
    Dr. Andy Jett named Interim President KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 5, 2025) – The Avila University Board of Trustees has announced that after three impactful years of growth and leadership as President of Avila University, Dr. Jim Burkee is stepping down August 31, having accepted the role as President of Saint Leo University in St....
  • Zamar Malvern
    Zamar is a senior from San Antonio, Texas, bringing leadership, authenticity, and serious Aviator pride to campus life. He plays football and is an Aviator student ambassador.His advice to incoming freshmen: “I’d tell freshman me not to overthink everything about college. Making friends is a lot easier than you think—just say ‘what’s up’ to people...
  • Rhett Rogers
    Rhett is a junior from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who brings passion, positivity, and purpose to campus life. He’s involved in DECA for business leadership, plays baseball as a student-athlete, serves as a Resident Assistant providing community support, and leads as a Lead Avila Aviator student ambassador. His advice to incoming freshmen: “Get involved and make the...
  • Kennedy Yoder
    Kennedy is a junior from Kansas City, MO, who brings energy, enthusiasm, and purpose to campus life. She serves on the Avila Education Association (AEA) board and works in the Communications Office during the school year. Her advice to incoming freshmen: “Don’t be afraid to jump into the activities on campus! I was always a...
  • Wilbert Washington II
    Wilbert is a sophomore from Liberty, MO, who brings determination, spirit, and purpose to campus life. He’s involved in soccer, participates in FCA, and serves as an Aviator student ambassador.His advice to incoming freshmen: “Little bit of fun, but a WHOLE LOT of Focus! P.S. You will have fun regardless.”...
  • Noah Neises
    Noah is a sophomore from Morgan Hill, California, who brings energy, authenticity, and Aviator pride to campus life. He is involved in football, the Aviators program, Nite Light, and Eagles for Christ ministries. Noah also partners with the Longer Table nonprofit and is known as the protector of Thompson from 3 a.m. to 4:32 a.m....
  • Avery Williams
    Avery is a junior from Belton, Missouri, who brings passion, positivity, and purpose to campus life. She’s the Junior Captain of the Avila Glitter Girls, a member of DECA, and a student worker in the Office of Admissions and Marketing.Her advice to incoming freshmen: “I would tell freshmen that getting involved on campus is going...
  • Henry Coffie
    Henry is a graduate student from Ghana who brings passion, positivity, and purpose to campus life. He’s actively involved on campus through the Aviators program and is pursuing his master’s degree with a focus on leadership and impact. His advice toincoming freshmen? “Be your authentic self.”...
  • Danielle Kweh
    Danielle is a junior from Liberia who brings passion, positivity, and purpose to campus life. She’s involved with the Aviators program, serves as an RA this summer, and is even working on launching a new club called Culture Hub to celebrate and connect diverse student voices. Her advice to incoming freshmen? “Stay true to yourself,...
  • Maurkalip Riley
    Maurkalip is a sophomore from Oak Grove, Missouri, who brings energy, determination, and purpose to campus life. He’s a basketball player, Resident Assistant, and Housing Assistant, showing his commitment to supporting fellow students on and off the court. His advice to incoming freshmen: “Study! Make sure you stay on top of your classes, manage your...
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