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KC Scholars

Announcing Inaugural Director of Workforce & Alumni Engagement

We are pleased to announce that KC Scholars has hired its inaugural Director of Workforce and Alumni Engagement, Sharmelle Winsett. Sharmelle will start her role with KC Scholars on November 2, 2020.

Sharmelle brings 20+ years of professional and entrepreneurial experience with expertise in business and brand development, marketing and sales. Winsett most recently served as Director of the Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute (BHLI), a three-phase executive leadership development program for underrepresented scholars. In this role, Winsett led the fund development strategy, conducted new scholar recruitment regionally and nationally and helped facilitate workforce development opportunities. Winsett successfully increased brand visibility resulting in new corporate sponsorships within the healthcare space.

Achieving excellence and creating equitable spaces where others can thrive has been the focus of Winsett’s career. Prior to working with BHLI, Winsett was an entrepreneur and salon owner working to diversify brand representation and hair education for beauty industry professionals and consumers. She co-created a multi-cultural educational platform and technical curriculum that was monetized and delivered across the country.

Before starting and growing her own business, Winsett spent 10 years in the Pharmaceutical industry as a Professional Sales Consultant for Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceuticals respectively (both territories based in Overland Park, KS). Winsett was awarded the President’s Club National Sales Award while at Janssen and received recognition for top performance and product growth awards from both organizations. Winsett attributes her early career success to her participation in INROADS while at Hickman Mills High School. Winsett understands firsthand the importance of mentorship, sponsorship and professional development for young people.  Her diverse professional work experience and passion for youth programming makes Winsett excited about her future with KC Scholars.

Winsett earned a B.A. in Communications, Business Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is currently working on her MBA at University of Missouri-Kansas City.

As KC Scholars evolves its workforce pipeline initiatives and connections with regional sector employers, Winsett will be critical to achieving the goal that at least 80% of Scholar graduates stay in the Kansas City region to live and work and contribute.

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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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