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.
Research Circles That Take Scholars to the Next Level Great Jobs KC Last semester, Belle, Rylee, and Marena, three KC Scholars at the University of Missouri, Columbia, were part of the KC Scholars Undergraduate Research Circles initiative. This initiative concluded with a project where all three Scholars were able to present research on a designated
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I Once Said ‘No’ to The Adventure of a Lifetime: How KC Scholars’ Adult Scholarship Helped Me Say ‘Yes’ to Myself after 20 Years Great Jobs KC This past summer, I spent six weeks in Málaga, Spain living with a host family, taking Spanish classes at a local university, and soaking up sun and culture
What is your dream? Building a Stronger KC One Life at a Time Discover how KC Scholars are transforming their lives and building a stronger Kansas City—one story, one success, one future at a time. Be inspired—watch now Table of Contents Message from our CEO Employee Spotlight In the Community Development Team See our IMPACT
9 years of impacting Kansas City! OUR SCHOLARS SAY THANK YOU Table of Contents Message from our CEO Employee Spotlight In the Community Great Jobs KC Job Training See our IMPACT A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO As we mark our ninth anniversary, I’m filled with immense pride and gratitude. This milestone is not just a
Adult Learner Success: Selene’s Journey to Purpose with KC Scholars Great Jobs KC Selene is an Adult Learner in the KC Scholars Program of Great Jobs KC studying at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Currently in the Bloch Business School, Selene is pursuing her Bachelor’s in Nonprofit Management and has found her experience
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Taiwo’s Journey: From Financial Stress to Future Physician Great Jobs KC I first learned about the KC Scholars Scholarship through my high school’s financial aid advisor. As a first-generation college student and a twin, I knew that sending two children to college at the same time would be a significant financial challenge for my parents.
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Paying for College Felt Impossible — Until I Found This Life-Changing Program Great Jobs KC Kris is a Traditional Scholar at Great Jobs KC and is currently attending school at the University of Kansas. I first heard about the KC Scholars Scholarship during my sophomore year of high school through my college counselor. I knew
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2,000 stories of success and counting! Table of Contents Message from our CEO Employee Spotlight Great Jobs KC Job Training In the Community See our IMPACT A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO 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
My KC Scholars Nursing Success Story: From First-Gen Student to Nurse Great Jobs KC D’Mya is a Traditional Scholar at Great Jobs KC and is currently attending school at William Jewell College. I joined the Ambassador Program to connect, to learn, and to be part of something. I was looking to be involved and socially
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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.
Program offers:
Eligibility Requirements:
If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE
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.
