Walking the World: Lessons in Psychology, Culture, and Connection Great Jobs KC Studying abroad has always been a dream, and visiting Senegal, Scotland, and the Netherlands in the span of four years far exceeded my expectations. Thanks to the financial support from Great Job KC and UMKC Trustees’Scholars scholarship, I was able to take […]
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take charge The time to launch your future is NOW! Our $50,000 college scholarship can change the future of students across Kansas City! The application window opens SOON, but you can start your application NOW by completing the eligibility section so you are READY to go on January 8th. Get started Confused or need help
Micaela Carter: Finding Her Future Great Jobs KC I first heard about KC Scholars through my high school since I’m a first-gen student and met the financial requirements. Now I’m a junior at Avila University majoring in social work, and my goal is to become an elementary school social worker. My mom has always encouraged
The Kauffman Foundation’s generous grant helps Great Jobs KC get closer to its $100M goal, supporting 50,000 Kansas City residents with job training and education.
Research Circles That Take Scholars to the Next Level Great Jobs KC Last semester, Belle, Rylee, and Marena, three KC Scholars at the University of Missouri, Columbia, were part of the KC Scholars Undergraduate Research Circles initiative. This initiative concluded with a project where all three Scholars were able to present research on a designated
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Stephanie Underwood serves as Chief Financial Officer at Great Jobs KC, where she leads the organization’s financial strategy in support of its mission to create economic mobility through education and workforce opportunities. With more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit finance, Stephanie brings deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. She is passionate about using her career as a platform to serve and support mission-driven organizations, helping them maximize impact through strong financial stewardship.
Prior to joining Great Jobs KC, Stephanie served as Chief Financial Officer for Griffith Centers, a behavioral and mental health organization, where she oversaw financial operations for a multi-million-dollar organization spanning residential, educational, and community-based programs. She also spent nearly a decade as Vice President of Accounting Services at NFP Partners, providing CFO-level leadership to nonprofit organizations across the country, with a focus on strategic growth, audit readiness, and governance.
Outside of her professional role, Stephanie volunteers her time at her church and serves on the board of a local nonprofit. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to aligning financial strategy with mission impact. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and is proud to be a first-generation college graduate.
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If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE
As the Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Swift is responsible for overseeing our core programs, our adult workforce development program, Great Jobs KC tuition-free job training, and our KC Scholars Scholarship Program, which includes 11th Grade Traditional Scholarships and Adult Learner Scholarships.
Jimmy has a career in education that spans more than 25 years and is built around supporting and improving the performance of career training programs and leading the operations of degree-granting institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and has served as Campus President, Vice President of Career Services, and Executive Director of various career schools.
Most recently, Jimmy served as the Vice President of PLA University at Phalen Leadership Academies, bringing access to job skill training to the parents and families of the Scholars served by Phalen Leadership schools across the country. Beyond his higher education experience, Jimmy serves as the Executive Board Chairman for Project Safety Net NY, a nonprofit community-based agency delivering a broad range of health, education, and prevention services to the New York Community. As the Chief Operating Officer for Great Jobs KC, he and his team are poised to make a substantial impact on the economic stability and future of Kansas City.
