Alicen supports the people in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences primarily in the areas of curriculum development, academic and student affairs, strategic engagement planning and implementation, policy research and creation, and student retention efforts and accountabilities. She enjoys working individually with students on using their strengths, goals, and delights to cultivate their success and integrity in and out of the classroom, including as the advisor for the SHSS Student Council. She attended Truman State University, where she double majored in Philosophy/Religion and English for undergraduate studies, as well as participated in an interdisciplinary honors program. She completed her M.A. in English focused on creative nonfiction writing and media studies in 2016.
Alicen served as the founding director for First Gen Roo, now based in Academic Support and Mentoring, and is a proud member of UMKC's First Gen Proud network of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. She is the advisor for the First Generation Student Union student organization. Her community service efforts are aimed toward environmental, food, and social justice initiatives, and intertwined with campus and regional organizations, such as helping lead UMKC's antiracist faculty/staff affinity group and volunteering with Bridging the Gap, Liberation Lit, and KC Scholars.
Outside of work, Alicen spends much of her time in the imaginary worlds and pillow forts made by her children. She is also an artist, writer, and curator. She was a Charlotte Street Foundation resident from 2017-2019 and a co-director/co-curator with the artist-run organization plug from 2018-2020.