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2,000 stories of success and counting!

Illustration of six people holding a large white sign that reads "2,000 Employed!" in blue script font, celebrating the achievements of the 2000 Scholars program.

Table of Contents

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

A man with a shaved head and beard, wearing a black shirt and vest, smiles confidently with arms crossed against a blurred indoor background.

It is with immense pride and gratitude that I share an extraordinary milestone with you—2,000 employed graduates! That’s right, over 2,000 lives have been impacted through meaningful careers, all thanks to the work we’ve done together. From our very first placement to this moment, each success story has carried the heartbeat of our mission: to connect Kansas City’s aspiring scholars to life-changing opportunities.

When we count these 2,000 stories, we’re not just measuring employment, we’re measuring transformation. Each Scholar represents a dream fulfilled, a barrier overcome, a family uplifted. This milestone is proof that with access, support, and belief, potential becomes power.

We would not be here without the unwavering dedication of our partners, donors, staff, and most importantly, our Scholars. Your resilience, commitment, and pursuit of a better future inspire us daily.

I invite each of you to reflect on what this achievement means, not just to us, but to the community we serve. And then, let’s get ready to do even more. Because 2,000 is just the beginning.

With deepest appreciation and determination,

Earl

The word "FIRST" in bold blue font, flanked by three vertical blue bars on both the left and right sides, symbolizes access to scholarships and opportunities.

DRIVEN TO SUCCEED

A woman wearing glasses and a gray hoodie stands in an office holding an open laptop, representing the dedication of 2000 Scholars, with a potted plant and wall art visible in the background.

Congrats to Scholar, Sherron Edwards, a recent graduate of our Zeta CDL driving program, the winner of a laptop just for filling out our Employment Self-Report Survey.

Our Scholars’ feedback is a valuable asset. By sharing their input, they directly help us demonstrate the impact of our programs.

It’s a small thing that makes a huge difference. It allows us to

✅ Show our impact to our donors to secure more funds to continue our programs

✅ Improve our program process so it works for EVERYONE

✅ Tailor our support services to our Scholars’ needs

✅ Share the stories of Scholar success to inspire others to change their lives

To learn more about our Scholars and their success, please visit our Scholar Success page.

A family of five poses with a person in an owl costume wearing a graduation cap, celebrating among the 2000 Scholars; the group stands indoors against a lit backdrop.
A 2000 Scholars graduate in a cap and gown smiles at the camera in an indoor arena, with rows of empty chairs and a man standing in the background.

It's that time of year!

Graduation day!

Myndi Lesle, one of our incredible Western Governors University Adult Learners graduated last month with her degree in Early Elementary Education and Special Education. She has a dual license. She already has a job teaching in the fall!

*If you have photos of your graduation, please send them along with your name, school, degree earned, and any future plans to kcsmarketing@greatjobskc.org to be featured in future newsletters.

Two sets of gray vertical bars with colored arrow-like shapes, symbolizing scholarships and opportunities, are positioned on the left and right sides of a white background, facing inward.

In the Media

Lee’s Summit Tribune logo with the tagline “Your only locally owned hometown news newspaper” in blue and black text.

The Lee’s Summit Tribune featured the amazing story of our May awarding of 1,082 scholarships to local students!

Logo of the Kansas City Business Journal with diagonal lines on a blue background.

See Earl’s op-ed in the Kansas City Business Journal where he explains the impact of the scholarships we award.

To see other stories featuring Great Jobs KC on both local and national media outlets CLICK HERE.

our team

in the community

Our Community Engagement team along with Temple Made Fitness and KC Where You At are hosting a FREE Father & Son Basketball Clinic & Showcase event. Join a few of KC’s best athletes as they coach two father-and-son basketball clinics and host a skills showcase on July 25th. RSVP HERE to sign up you and your grade school son for a one-of-a-kind event. 

2 FREE Skills Clinics

  • Wednesday, July 16, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
  • Wednesday, July 23, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Father & Son Skills Showcase

  • Friday, July 25th, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

At Emanuel Cleaver YMCA 7000 Troost Ave

An adult holds up a child to help them shoot a basketball; both wear athletic jerseys and headbands, outdoors on a sunny day—embodying the spirit of teamwork found in the 2000 Scholars community.

Chiefs Support,

Scholars soar

Members of our Great Jobs team, along with our COO, Natalie Lewis, were honored to attend a Kansas City Chiefs private practice to receive a Hunt Family Foundation grant to support our amazing Scholars. They even got to spend a moment with KC Wolf before he rode off into the sunset of mascot retirement.

Hunt Family Foundation logo with "Hunt Family" in red, "FOUNDATION" in black, and the Kansas City Chiefs arrowhead logo below, honoring their support of 2000 Scholars.

Left to right Nita Daniels, Karolyn Dreiling, Clark Hunt, Hunt Family Foundation, Brandey Chandler, Gina Piccinini, and Natalie Lewis

Six people pose together on an indoor football field; one holds a football, and several wear “IMPACT” shirts, event lanyards, and represent the 2000 Scholars community.

Award-Winning Work

Mission-Driven Impact

We are so proud to announce that we have been selected as the winner of the 2025 Most Impactful Communications Award for Scholarships by PRNEWS. 

The Impact Communications Awards honor communicators who use their platforms to better their community and the global community at large. Winners are the campaigns, initiatives, and communicators—whether internal or external—that are advancing the fight for global change. “This year’s winners and honorable mentions for the Impact Communications Awards are shining examples of corporate social responsibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs,” said Kaylee Hultgren, Content Director at PRNEWS. “The campaigns, initiatives, and communicators we have honored in this program are advancing the fight for global change, and we are immensely proud to recognize their achievements.”

Every one of us is a part of our powerful legacy. Being honored for our work is a testament not only to the lasting impact our programs are having on Kansas City but also to our commitment to our mission, both as an organization and individually, by every team member.

A purple and pink hexagonal badge reads "PR News Impact Communications Awards Winner 2025," celebrating the achievements of the 2000 Scholars.
A large group of 2000 Scholars wearing blue, orange, and green shirts pose outdoors on grass under trees. The image is labeled "Winner" for the Great Jobs KC scholarship program.
Logo with "Great Jobs KC" in bold black text and "DEVELOPMENT TEAM" in blue, with "TEAM" highlighted in a blue rectangle, representing scholarships and opportunities for career growth.
Illustration of raised hands with "thank you" written in different languages above each hand, celebrating the global impact of Support Our Scholars.

Gratitude for Growing

Scholar Success

Great Jobs KC is fortunate to partner with so many generous individuals, corporations, community organizations, and foundations. As we conclude our 2025 funding year, we would like to highlight a select group of supporters who make it possible to support each and every one of our Scholars as they embark on their educational journey and beyond.

  • Health Forward Foundation
  • United Way of Greater Kansas City
  • PepsiCo Foundation 
  • Combined Federal Campaign
  • Evergy 
  • T-Mobile
  • The Wally Foundation
  • Hunt Family Foundation
  • Ronald D. Deffenbaugh Foundation
  • Veteran and Spouse Transitional Assistance 
  • Children’s Services Fund
  • Van Horn Class of ’64

Thank you to these incredible donors and the hundreds more who have invested in the future of our Scholars, and Kansas City as a whole!

A SPECIAL Thank you to our

Summer Scholarship Event Sponsors!

A classroom or lecture hall with 2000 Scholars seated at desks, watching a presentation projected on a screen at the front of the room.
A large group of people, including 2000 Scholars, poses for a photo under a tent, standing behind tables and chairs in an outdoor setting.
A group of people seated at tables faces a large screen showing a presentation in a spacious, modern room, where 2000 Scholars gather to exchange ideas.
A woman gives a presentation to a small group seated at tables, with a collage of images projected on a screen behind her, highlighting the achievements of 2000 Scholars.

PRESENTING: EWING MARION KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION

 

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation logo with a blue circle featuring a black "K," highlighting the foundation's name in black and gray text—symbolizing its commitment to empowering every changemaker.

Thank you to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for their steadfast commitment to supporting our Scholars as they reach milestones throughout the KC Scholars journey. From our new Scholar orientation, College Transition Workshop, and celebrating graduation, they are with us and our Scholars every step of the way. 

GOLD: KC ROYALS FOUNDATION

Kansas City Foundation logo featuring a blue heart with "Royals" script inside, surrounded by circular text celebrating changemakers on a white background with a gold border.

Thank you to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for their steadfast commitment to supporting our Scholars as they reach milestones throughout the KC Scholars journey. From our new Scholar orientation, College Transition Workshop, and celebrating graduation, they are with us and our Scholars every step of the way. 

Silver
University of Missouri – Columbia, University of Missouri – Kansas City, APEX, Geiger Ready Mix

Bronze
Scrub Hub, University of Central Missouri, Zeta Driving School, DeBruce Foundation, Northwest Missouri State University

Contributing
Complete Technology, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Me2You Career Academy, Avila University, Centriq

Looking for a way to support our mission and Scholars, reach out to Kristin Crites, Director of Corporate & Individual Development at Kristin.crites@greatjobskc.org

Logo with the words "Great Jobs KC" and "Job Training" in bold, black and blue text, highlighting scholarships and opportunities.

NEW Training partners

Circular logo for Vital Academy featuring a caduceus, two red stars, and red hands, with the motto "Compassion in Practice, Excellence in Care" around the border, honoring 2000 Scholars.
Training our Scholars as Certified Nursing Assistants
Logo for Klassic Transformations Barber Academy featuring interlocking red and blue shapes around a stylized "Z," with text below stating the academy name and honoring its 2000 Scholars.
Training our Scholars in barbering

NEW Training programs

Logo of the University of Central Missouri, featuring an illustration of a building, the year 1871, and the slogan "Learning to a Greater Degree.

We added several new healthcare programs at UCM, including:

    • Healthcare Administration
    • Medical Assistant Plus – now includes certifications in phlebotomy and EKG
    • Pharmacy Tech
A woman sits at a workstation holding an object, with tools, a microscope, and documents on the desk in front of her.
A person sits at a desk using a magnifier to examine a document, with papers and office equipment visible on the workspace.
A woman sits at a workstation in a lab or workshop, holding a bottle and smiling at the camera. Various tools and equipment are visible on the desk.

Last month our training partner, Agile, hosted some of our Scholar Advocates for a site visit. Kyndall Williams, Sunny Williams, and Jamie Lewis learned how to solder at the Agile training facility. The site visit to Agile brought together the Career Resource Team, Employer Network Team, Education Partner Training Team, and Scholar Advocates to learn more about the soldering training program and career opportunities in the industry.

Our KC Scholars

Alumni

On Wednesday, July 25th, we hosted our KC Scholars graduates for a tailgate picnic at the K, followed by cheering the Royals on against the Tampa Bay Rays. Kansas City might not have seen success on the field that night, but our Scholars are succeeding daily, and we couldn’t be prouder. Congrats, Scholars, we can’t wait to see what you do next!

Large group of 2000 Scholars pose together under a white event tent, with tables and chairs in the foreground.
EOC logo with the words "Educational Opportunity Center, Kansas City, Missouri" and "2000 Scholars" inside a blue and black hexagon.

On June 3, the Great Jobs KC Alumni Program collaborated with the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) to host a free virtual workshop focused on navigating federal student loans. Coordinated by our Alumni Relations Specialist, Jacquada Gray, the session was designed for Great Jobs KC alumni, KC Scholars Adult Learners, and staff members seeking guidance on repayment, forgiveness options, and recovering from default.

The workshop was led by Jaime Alabi, Director of the EOC, who brought over 20 years of experience in student financial aid. With the Department of Education recently resuming collections through the Treasury Offset Program, this timely session gave attendees the tools, clarity, and confidence to take their next steps. The event saw strong turnout, and participants left with their questions answered and a clearer understanding of their options.

If you need assistance with student loans, connect with the Educational Opportunity Center here

On Monday, June 23, the Great Jobs KC Alumni Program hosted its first-ever Success Circles Mentorship Social at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center. Organized by Jacquada Gray, Alumni Relations Specialist, the event brought together nearly 30 alumni for an evening of intentional connection and community building. 

Designed to foster meaningful relationships and potential mentor matches, the event featured interactive activities that helped attendees break the ice and share their experiences. The impact was immediate. Eight individuals self-reported finding a mentor by the end of the night—a huge success for the inaugural gathering! 

To keep the momentum going, three mentor pairings won an escape room experience and have already made plans to attend together, strengthening their new bonds well beyond the event. 

This successful kickoff is part of ongoing efforts to support and engage our alumni community in new and meaningful ways.

A group of twenty people, including several 2000 Scholars, pose for a photo indoors, standing and kneeling, all facing the camera and smiling.

Our KC Scholars

Scholarship team

Our Scholarship Team has been very busy hosting orientations for our newest Scholars, transition workshops for those headed off to college, and campus visits. The commitment they have to our Scholars is incredible and shows that our mission is essential to the success of these Scholars.

Our College Transition Workshops were held over the course of 3 days where Scholars were able to meet others heading to the same campus, connect through team-building activities, and receive key tools to support their college journey. They walked away with a college prep timeline, a campus resource finder, and a glossary of common college terms. Scholars also reviewed the KC Scholars program requirements and were introduced to their campus student support contact and their new College Scholar Advocate.

A woman gives a presentation to a small group seated at tables, with a collage of images projected on a screen behind her, highlighting the achievements of 2000 Scholars.
Six people stand behind a table covered with a "Great Jobs KC Scholars" tablecloth, proudly representing the 2000 Scholars and displaying name tags and informational materials in a conference center.
A classroom or lecture hall with 2000 Scholars seated at desks, watching a presentation projected on a screen at the front of the room.
Three people stand behind a table with "Great Jobs KC Scholars" on the front, smiling and giving thumbs up. Behind them, a wall reads, "We all share one planet and are one humanity," celebrating the 2000 Scholars milestone.

We welcomed our newest College Savings Match Scholars at orientations on May 27 & 28!

About 90 Scholars and families joined us at KCKCC, and over 220 attended at Rockhurst University to learn about their scholarship, the $1,000 match, and how they can earn up to $400 in incentives for preparing for college.

With help from our partners at KS Learning Quest 529 and MO MOST 529, Scholars opened their accounts and took the first step toward saving for their future!

The KC Scholars High School and College Teams collaborated with the MSU Bears Lead Staff to host a college visit as part of the college’s Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) program. Our KC Scholars who will be attending MSU in the Fall were able to bond with other new bears, learn about the opportunities and resources MSU offers, register for classes, and meet with their KC Scholars College Advocate. 

A group of Scholars was able to enjoy one of Springfield’s best desserts, Pineapple Whip!

Logo of Missouri State University with a maroon bear head above the university name in maroon letters on a white background, celebrating its community of over 2000 Scholars.
A group of 2000 Scholars pose and smile in front of a food truck with a "Pineapple Mike's" sign and palm tree graphics.
A group of people, including 2000 Scholars, pose for a photo in a courtroom or conference room, with a podium in the center and two projection screens in the background.
A marching band stands on stage facing an audience, with a large screen behind them displaying school spirit lyrics for Missouri State University, celebrating the pride of 2000 Scholars.

From Application to Orientation

Welcome!

Last month we hosted New Scholar Orientation to welcome newly awarded Traditional and Institution-Sponsored scholarship recipients and their families. Over two days, we hosted six orientation sessions, welcoming over 1,400 guests—including more than 700 newly awarded Scholars and their families.
 
This important event served as the first official step in their KC Scholars journey, providing vital information about the scholarship program, expectations for maintaining eligibility, and the many supports available to help them thrive in college and beyond. Scholars had the opportunity to connect with their dedicated Scholar Advocates, ask questions, and begin building a support network.
A speaker presents to an audience in a conference room, with a screen displaying information about KC Scholars and celebrating the achievements of 2000 Scholars in the background.
A group of sixteen people wearing matching dark polo shirts, part of the 2000 Scholars program, pose together and smile for a group photo indoors.
We were honored to have several of our Community Reviewers join us for the orientation. These volunteers helped welcome families and assisted with check-in, gaining a meaningful opportunity to meet the scholars they helped select in the anonymous application review process.
 
A special thank you to our Community Reviewers who supported our Scholars as volunteers at orientation.
Tracey Roland
Yasche Glass
Katherine Nerona-Balog
Pam Davison
Daniel Hubbard
David Austin
Traci Todd-Murphy
A group of ten people, all 2000 Scholars, pose together on a brick sidewalk, wearing matching T-shirts in an urban outdoor setting.
A group of people march down a street holding a banner that reads "Education for Everyone. Pride for ALL. KC Scholars—2000 Scholars strong." Others stand along the sidewalk, and a dog is in the foreground.

🌈 Pride, Rain, and

Radiant Spirits

Our Great Jobs KC staff participated in this year’s Pride Parade, marching and meeting Scholars along the way, even the pop-up rainstorm didn’t dampen our pride!

Young person in a hoodie stands beside a blue background with text encouraging survey participation for the 2000 Scholars of Great Jobs KC.

Throughout the Great Jobs KC experience, we will request that you complete a few short surveys to collect data that allows us to:

  • Show our impact to our donors and partners to secure more funds to continue our programs
  • Improve our program process so it works for everyone
  • Tailor our support services to Scholars’ needs
  • Share stories of Scholar success to inspire others to change their lives

We want to build a stronger Kansas City, one life at a time, and we need your help and input to do it.

Keep an eye on your email and texts, take a few moments to PAY IT FORWARD by helping to provide access to opportunities for others.

Select survey participants will be entered into ongoing drawings for high-end tech prizes including laptops, headphones, and tablets.

We want to hear about your success - UPDATE US TODAY
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Scholars on the path to SUCCESS

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TOTAL SCHOLARS ON A PATH TO THEIR FUTURE

0

SCHOLARS CURRENTLY IN TRAINING OR COLLEGE PROGRAM

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SCHOLARS WORKING IN A GREAT JOB

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Find out more about our programs and support!

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

GET STARTED

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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