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SCHOLAR PORTAL

April 2026

Illustration of Kansas City skyline emerging from an open book, with text: “Hidden Barriers: Why Kansas City Career Success Requires More Than Just a Classroom.”.

The Hidden Barriers: Why Kansas City Career Success Requires More Than Just a Classroom

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The Hidden Barriers: Why Kansas City Career Success Requires More Than Just a Classroom Great Jobs KC The Hidden Barriers: Why Kansas City Career Success Requires More Than Just a Classroom   People often assume the road to a living-wage career is straightforward: get an education, build some skills, and land a great job. But […]

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Logo for the Patterson Family Foundation featuring a windmill, "EST. 2007," "RURAL USA," and the organization’s name in bold text.

Great Jobs KC Receives Over $3.8 Million Grant from Patterson Family Foundation to Expand Workforce Training into Rural Kansas and Missouri

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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.

Great Jobs KC Receives Over $3.8 Million Grant from Patterson Family Foundation to Expand Workforce Training into Rural Kansas and Missouri Read More »

Three people in safety gear stand talking against an orange background with tools, promoting a Summer STEM Program for Manufacturing and Construction in Kansas City.

Great Jobs KC x UMKC Launch Summer Tech Program

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paid Summer stem program for manufacturing and construction Great Jobs KC Great Jobs KC x UMKC Launch Summer Tech Program for Manufacturing and Construction with Federal NSF Grant   Great Jobs KC is expanding its impact alongside some incredible partners, providing one-of-a-kind education experiences for the KC community. The National Science Foundation has recently awarded

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Six students with backpacks stand below the text "Financial Literacy is an Investment In Your Future!" on a green background with a money icon.

Financial literacy, an investment in your future.

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Financial literacy, an investment in your future. Great Jobs KC   Having Financial Literacy is an Investment in Your Future.   To ensure our Scholars are workforce-ready, they begin their programs with essential professional workshops. While skills specific to their trade are essential, soft skills are equally important. Our Scholars’ first four weeks are in

Financial literacy, an investment in your future. Read More »

Stephanie underwood - Chief financial Officer

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.

 

 

 

Adult Learner College Scholarship

The Adult Learner Scholarship application is closed. Please click GET STARTED to be added to communication reminders on when to apply during the next open cycle.

Program offers:

  • Up to $25,000 paid directly to the college over the course of up to six years.
  • Once awarded, the Scholar can enroll full or part-time the fall semester following awarding.
  • Scholarship can be used at any of our college partners. See our current list of partners HERE.
  • Scholarship can be used towards an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or a credit-bearing credential. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Be a high school graduate or GED holder (24 years or older).
  • Live in one of the six eligible counties. (Kansas: Wyandotte, Johnson; Missouri: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte)
  • Be income eligible. (FASFA Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less)
  • Have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Have not previously been awarded a KC Scholars Scholarship (Traditional or Adult Learner).
  • Is not currently enrolled in a Great Jobs KC Skills Training Program.
  • US Citizenship/Residency is not required to apply.

If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE

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Jimmy Swift - Chief Operating Officer

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.

Great Jobs KC
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