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KC Scholars

Great Jobs KC Announcement

We are thrilled to share a significant milestone in our organization’s journey. We began our journey in 2016 as KC Scholars, a college scholarship program providing funding for college for those who otherwise could not afford it. Our goals haven’t changed. We’ve expanded how we deliver on our core value of SCHOLARS FIRST. We want to move 50,000 Kansas Citians from underemployment to family-sustaining careers with benefits in the next ten years. And we know college isn’t the ONLY path to a Great Job and that a degree alone doesn’t secure employment. For those reasons, we are broadening our organizational name to Great Jobs KC. KC Scholars will still be our college scholarship program. But, with the addition of our tuition-free job training program – called Great Jobs KC – and the development of our career resource team along with our employer engagement team, which is working to develop partnerships with KC area employers to secure ALL our Scholars GREAT JOBS when they complete their program, we felt our organizational name should reflect ALL that we do.

Logo of KC Scholars, featuring the letters "KC" enclosed within a shield shape, followed by the word "Scholars" in gradient blue-green text. This emblem represents a commitment to providing scholarships that pave the way for future careers.We are still awarding college scholarships through our KC Scholars Program. 

Logo for "Great Jobs KC" featuring the text "Great Jobs" in green and blue, with "KC" inside a shield-like shape on the right, symbolizing opportunities for great careers. We are still providing tuition-free job training through our Great Jobs KC Program. 

 

We still provide support during application and through school or training, but now we provide support in securing employment and throughout the first year in that GREAT JOB!

This evolution is a testament to our collective progress and vision as a community. Let’s stand united as we embark on this journey, strengthening our bond and moving forward with renewed energy. 

Thank you for being an integral part of it all. Here’s to a future filled with innovation, growth, and mission success!

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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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