University of Missouri-Kansas City

UMKC founded DEBATE-Kansas City in 1998. In 2003, UMKC supported DKC in its pursuit of independent 501(c)(3) status. Today, DKC is closely tied to UMKC through a strategic partnership.

The Communication Studies Department has provided a scholarship to DKC’s recipient of the Melvin B. Tolson Senior Award. The following UMKC individuals and offices had given immeasurable support to DKC and its Member Schools. 

Carol Koehler Chair, Communication Studies Department

Department of Communication Studies

Karen S. Vorst, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

College of Arts & Sciences

Matt Vega, Director of Debate

UMKC Debate Squad

DEBATE-Kansas City Educational Partnership

DEBATE-Kansas City is possible because area school districts value the program and commit valuable resources to debate. Those districts include:

Alta Vista Charter School

Center School District

Don Bosco Charter School

Hickman Mills School District

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

Kansas City, Missouri School District

Lee. A Tolbert Community Academy

Turner Unified School District

University Academy Charter School

Foundations, Corporations & Community Supporters

Charles B. Frueauff Foundation

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and Affiliated Trusts                                    

Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP

Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P.

H & R Block Foundation
Jacob L. and Ella C. Loose Foundation
Jewish Heritage Foundation of Greater Kansas City

Johnson County Community College

Kansas City Kansas Community College

Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA)

Kansas City Power & Light

Kauffman Fund for Greater Kansas City

Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan

R. A. Long Foundation

Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP

University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law

Waldo Pizza