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SCHOLAR PORTAL

Alumni Resources

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Great Jobs KC, through its college scholarship program, KC Scholars, and its tuition-free job training program, Great Jobs KC is working to enhance the Kansas City talent pipeline by empowering local, diverse individuals to join the workforce.

Great Jobs KC aims to ensure that 80% of our Scholars remain in the Kansas City region following the completion of their program. From the moment they enter the program, Scholars can explore different careers. Great Jobs KC and regional workforce collaborators will prepare Scholars for their careers through internships, work-study, on-the-job training, life and career skills workshops, and our career resource team, which will put them in contact with KC companies looking to hire.

A worker in a safety vest and hard hat smiles while holding a tablet in a warehouse aisle surrounded by shelves stocked with boxes and packages.
The image displays the "Great Jobs KC" logo with the tagline "A chance to learn. The power to earn." in blue text on a transparent background, highlighting opportunities for alumni success.

Within the next 10 years, Great Jobs KC plans to propel 50,000 Kansas Citians into family-sustaining careers. Companies interested in recruiting Scholars for any opportunities can learn more on our Employer Partner page HERE or contact our Employer Engagement team at employerengagement@greatjobskc.org.

As we work to build our programs to support our Scholars, we plan to launch an extensive Alumni program. All Scholars, whether they completed the KC Scholars college scholarship program or the Great Jobs KC job training program, will be inducted into the Alumni program and able to participate in its programs for as long as it exists. We look forward to creating a wealth of opportunities for our Scholars to mentor, continue to learn, and give back to the KC community. If you are interested in the Alumni program, please contact us at alumni@greatjobskc.org.

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A group of graduates in caps and gowns celebrating outdoors. Text on the image reads "Over $12 million in scholarships being awarded." These scholarships are paving the way for promising careers.
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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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