"We've stopped talking about recruiting to UMR. The reality is, we're recruiting students to the health sciences industry. To the health-care industry. That's really, ultimately, what we're doing," Hesley said.

The school graduated 109 students in the 2014-2015 academic year and have produced more than 175 graduates in the past three years. More than 50 of them came back for a recent alumni event, and Hesley said he notices more alumni interest in returning to Rochester after graduate school.

"The numbers are very clear that students tend to get their first job and tend to really gravitate toward where they went to college," he said.

Hesley also said UMR is integrated into the community and it will continue to integrate by maintaining positive relationships with property owners in the area, like the YMCA, another player in that district.

Rochester Area Family Y

"Our Mission and our programs align quite well with the DMC objectives," said Patrick Keane, a volunteer member of the local YMCA board of directors and the board chairman since 2014. "The YMCA provides the infrastructure for the community with special emphasis on having our doors open for all with the Open Doors Scholarship program and improved healthy living habits that are incorporated in our programs for youth and families."

The YMCA has operated in its location for more than 50 years and, Keane said, loves it. He said the location and partnership with city parks are critical to Summer Day Camps, state licensed Y-Tots preschool and youth sports.

The building is showing its age, though, and they are currently assessing the facility. The board completed a community needs assessment and a facility analysis of the present facility, and later this month, it will conduct a market study analysis. Once the results are in, it will create plans moving forward. At the organization's annual meeting presentation on March 29, the board will talk more about what lies ahead for the organization.