Kansas City University (KCU) is pleased to announce the addition of Matt Haase as director of strategic relations. In this role, Haase will provide executive leadership for KCU, advising the president on issues that support the university’s mission and goals, staying abreast of proposals and legislative matters that may impact the university, and building relationships with professional, community, civic leaders and organizations.
Haase comes to KCU from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) where he served as senior director for external relations. There, he cultivated relationships with government agencies and elected officials, and obtained state and federal funding for the expansion of the UMKC Medical School and the new dental clinics on Hospital Hill in Kansas City, as well as the new UMKC Medical School in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Previously, Haase spent 18 years as a congressional staff member for United States Senator Roy Blunt, on both his House of Representatives staff in Washington, D.C., and his Senate staff in Missouri. He began his career on Capitol Hill in various roles, including in the Office of the Majority Whip and as a senior legislative assistant. During his tenure there, he helped lead efforts for the Kansas City Streetcar Expansion from the Berkley Riverfront to the UMKC campus, for which $188.2 million in federal funds was used.
Haase then transitioned to higher education. “I loved the thought of working to improve higher education, especially when it comes to medical education,” he said. “I hear often from elected officials about the tremendous need for rural health care services and how critically important that is,” said Haase. “I look forward to building relationships with elected officials to share what we do at KCU and leveraging opportunities to secure federal, state, or local funding sources or partnerships that can further our mission of improving the well-being of the communities we serve.”
“Matt has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the governmental relations, health care and higher education sectors. His vast experience and well-established relationships locally and regionally will serve KCU well,” remarked Marc B. Hahn, KCU president and CEO. “He has a deep understanding of the university and our community as we continue our work toward achieving the vision of changing health care for good!”
Haase earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from Missouri State University. He lives in Kansas City with his wife Molly and daughter. He is a member of the 16th Circuit Judicial Commission, the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Centurions Leadership Program, Class of 2025 and serves on the Local Investment Commission (LINC).
