Great Jobs KC, the KC Scholars program which launched in Fall 2022, enrolled it’s 500th scholar this week. Great Jobs KC is on track this year to provide the opportunity for over 1,000 adults to secure jobs in high-demand industries that pay at least $45,000 per year.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Since the start of the Great Jobs KC program just over four months ago, the KC Scholars program has reached a milestone by enrolling 500 people in this revolutionary program.
Andre Forbes Jr. from Raytown, MO enrolled in the IT Support Professional program through MedCerts, which takes nine weeks to complete. Upon completing this program, Forbes can begin a career as an IT Support Professional, a career with entry level salaries of $45,000, including benefits.
“This opportunity means everything to me. It’s a life-changer,” Forbes said. “After high school I’ve just had odd jobs with no real career path or security for my family. I just had my first child a month ago and it’s the perfect time to secure my future. My mom told me about the program, and I jumped at the chance. I look forward to the flexibility a career in IT can provide. This really is a blessing.”
Through its partnerships with independent, vetted training programs, KC Scholars is able to fully-fund training in high-demand career sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and information technology.
“KC Scholars launched this program to quickly impact the economic stability of thousands of Kansas Citians, while also creating the diverse and trained workforce KC companies need,” said Angie Besendorfer, Executive Vice-President for KC Scholars. “We are thrilled with the response to this new program and look forward to serving thousands more.” provided by the scholar advocate and the employee engagement team, KC Scholars connects scholars to other wrap-around service providers in the community when needed. These services provide ongoing support including childcare, transportation, financial literacy, and tutoring to those completing career training programs.
One of KC Scholars’ goals is to increase postsecondary education and credential attainment of low- and moderate-income adults and to significantly expand the number of adults who secure family-sustaining careers. Great Jobs KC is an integral part of achieving those goals.
“KC Scholars launched this program to quickly impact the economic stability of thousands of Kansas Citians, while also creating the diverse and trained workforce KC companies need,” said Angie Besendorfer, Executive Vice-President for KC Scholars. “We are thrilled with the response to this new program and look forward to serving thousands more.” provided by the scholar advocate and the employee engagement team, KC Scholars connects scholars to other wrap-around service providers in the community when needed. These services provide ongoing support including childcare, transportation, financial literacy, and tutoring to those completing career training programs.
One of KC Scholars’ goals is to increase postsecondary education and credential attainment of low- and moderate-income adults and to significantly expand the number of adults who secure family-sustaining careers. Great Jobs KC is an integral part of achieving those goals.
Great Jobs KC is a Kansas City-based nonprofit that provides access to college scholarships and tuition-free job training, along with job placement assistance for young people from low- and modest-income families in the metropolitan area, providing a pipeline of talent for a strong regional workforce. Please join us on our mission for economic independence for all. For more information, visit www.greatjobskc.org.
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 Great Jobs KC, the KC Scholars program which launched in Fall 2022,
Great Jobs KC Great Jobs KC, the KC Scholars program which launched in Fall 2022,
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.
