February 14 – February 20, 2026
Homecoming is a tradition as old as UMSL itself. Join us for a week of celebrating UMSL students and alumni, show your Triton pride, and watch the fun of Homecoming unfold.
Highlighted Events:
Homecoming Service Project - February 9-11
Celebrate the spirit of giving during this year's Homecoming by participating in our Can Food Drive! Embrace the joy of coming together as a community to make a positive impact. Bring canned goods and non-perishable items to contribute to those in need, creating a ripple of kindness that echoes the true essence of homecoming. Each donation will go to support the Homecoming Royalty Candidates and all canned goods will be donated to Triton Pantry! Donations can be delivered to the Millennium Student Center - Room 366 (the Penthouse)!
Chili Feed - February 17
Join our Homecoming festivities with a bowl of homemade chili with recipes created by our very own UMSL faculty. You will have the opportunity to sample 5 chili recipes. Taste carefully! You must vote for your favorite chili entry to select the winner of the Golden Ladle Award. The event is $6 for students and $8 for Faculty/Staff/Alumni.
Student Wellness Fair - February 18
Join us at the Student Wellness Fair to explore resources and activities dedicated to mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Connect with campus organizations, learn new self-care tips, and discover ways to enhance your overall health! Light refreshments and free messages will be available.
UMSL Trailblazer Awards - February 18
Join us for the Trailblazers Awards Ceremony, a celebration of visionaries, innovators, and dedicated partners who help shape the future of our university community.
Triton's Got Talent - February 18
Dive into a sea of talent at Triton's Got Talent, where the spotlight shines on the extraordinary skills and creativity within our community! We will have 10 acts and a few special performances! The event is free to all Students, Faculty, Staff, and Community Guests!
Pack the Stands/Basketball Game - February 19
Cheer on the UMSL Tritons basketball teams as they take on the Truman State Tigers. UMSL students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends are encouraged to attend not only the basketball games but also our Homecoming activities on the Mark Twain balcony. We will have free food, activities, a raffle, and fun! There will be plenty of kid-friendly activities, so feel free to bring the family!
Homecoming Student & Alumni Fashion Show - February 20
Enjoy a live fashion show as folks strut their stuff representing their communities! Watch your peers, mentors, alumni, and professors showcase their signature style as they represent UMSL at this show. Free and open to all!
Visit Triton Connect for all the 2026 Event Schedule details!
Elijah McCoy, Homecoming Advisor
Elijah will be serving as our point of contact for all things Homecoming. He is UMSL’s Coordinator of Campus Traditions & Leadership and is excited to spearhead homecoming this year!
Aniah Powell, Homecoming Chair
Aniah will be serving as our point of contact for all things Homecoming Student Committee, including Royalty, Marketing, Programs, and Events. She is our homecoming Chair and is ready to bring out the royalty at UMSL!
Jalen Walker-Wright, Homecoming Graduate Advisor
Jalen will be serving as our point of contact for Faculty/Staff Involvement, and co-leading Tritons Got Talent and Spirit Week initiatives. He is our homecoming graduate advisor and ready to market a successful homecoming!
Kennedy McAlister, Homecoming Graduate Advisor
Kennedy will be assisting as our point of contact for all things surrounding Homecoming events. She is our homecoming graduate advisor and ready to plan a successful homecoming!
The following committees have been integral to the success of Homecoming 2026!
The Office of Student Involvement & Homecoming Staff thank you all for your work and dedication to this experience!
Student Committee:
Cheyenne Kemp
Jess Torres
Kaine Koehler
Kayla Rollins
Kelly Cunningham
Latrice Wilson
Morgan Baker
Morgan Cooper
Naudia Jackson
Rashmika Srivastava
Zia Fraction
Faculty/Staff Committee:
Jairo Javier Morales, Office of Student Involvement
Ahmaad Wallace, Office of Student Involvement
Blain McVey, MSC/Event Services
Dr. Janelle Julian, Division of Student Affairs
Kate George, Office of Alumni Engagement
Alex Langella, Athletics
Traci Moore, Office of University Marketing & Communications
Allison Belew, Faculty Senate/University Assembly
Danny Provencio, Recreational Wellness Center
Shanece Hunt, Elior
Erin Hoffmann, New Student Programs
Faith Cunningham, Office of the Chancellor
Homecoming Royalty is a student who serves as a role model of and for the University's student body. The expectation is that they exhibit qualities such as leadership and upstanding character, a commitment to academic and extracurricular success, and a drive to contribute to or positively impact the campus.
The following students have been selected/chosen to represent the 2026 Homecoming Court:
The following students/departments demonstrated school spirit by actively participating in a Homecoming event and were honored with an award:
Chili Feed: TBD
Chili Feed (Desert Off): TBD
Office Door Decorating: TBD
Triton's Got Talent: TBD (1st Place), TBD (2nd Place), TBD (3rd Place), TBD (Audience Choice)