Chavez Nelson first heard about KC Scholars through his school counselor and decided to see if it were something he would be eligible for or interested in. Soon after, he became a KC Scholar and started connecting with staff to determine his next steps. Chavez is excited about this next step in his education. He plans to attend Mizzou once he graduates and would love to pursue mathematics or engineering. He hopes to one day have a career in either the engineering field or as a statistical analyst.
He loves that this experience allows him to continue his education to expand his knowledge further and meet the career goals he aspires to have. Having the chance to be a KC Scholar and pursue his education, Chavez directly impacts his family by inspiring them to seek better opportunities for themselves. By attending college and excelling in his degree, Chavez hopes to be a role model to his sister and cousins. He wants them to know that hard work does pay off, even when the finish line seems out of reach. He is beyond thankful for what KC Scholars has been able to help him accomplish on his journey and excited to see what’s to come.
Chavez shares his experience working with his Scholar Advocate and appreciates their direct support, “Having a KC Scholars Advocate means that I don’t have to worry about being out of the loop”. Additionally, Chavez has seen his mental health slowly improve by having this support over time at KC Scholars. The resources Scholar Advocates provide not only help the students through education but also improve all aspects of life to be the best versions of themselves. Because Chavez has contact with his Scholar Advocate, he can focus on his education since he has the behind-the-scenes support to help him stay on track to complete the program.
When asked what he would tell his friends and family who may be interested in KC Scholars, Chavez would say to them to listen to the stories. Chavez’s best experience with KC Scholar has been meeting and forming connections with his amazing peers through the program. Hearing past Scholars’ experiences can help you understand the process and see how the program has helped them complete their career dreams and how it could do the same for someone else. Chavez recommends fully embracing the atmosphere surrounding KC Scholars, as you can feel the support through different events, meetings, or workshops.
My name is Karla,
I am originally from Gardner, Kansas. At the age of 13, I began running away from home and was in juvenile detention centers and rehab, all [despite] having excellent parents. I didn’t believe I was worthy of having a good life.
FIND YOUR perfect place on campus! Great Jobs KC Starting college can feel overwhelming as
KC Scholars Applying for college scholarships can be an overwhelming task, but it’s worth the
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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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.
