KC Scholars Key Findings and 13 Actionable Steps to Improve Experiences for Adult Learners The Urban Education Research Center (UMKC) and CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning), in partnership with KC Scholars and with funding support by The DeBruce Foundation, recently released a report and practice guide. The guide contains actionable steps for higher […]
KC Scholars One down, 2-3 to go‼️ Eleven years ago, I started school at KU, excited for the journey ahead. Almost immediately after beginning my freshman year, my life was in shambles and I was forced to withdraw by that December. I returned to KU a total of three times and each time, chaos ensued.
KC Scholars The University of Central Missouri recently announced a new Opportunity Scholarship for KC Scholars which will begin Fall 2021. To aid in KC Scholars’ persistence and completion of college and help ensure that they are not taking on student loan debt, UCM is providing additional financial support to Scholars to help meet any
UCM Announces the Opportunity Scholarship for KC Scholars Read More »
KC Scholars Jeff Simon Elected to KC Scholars Board of Directors KC Scholars is excited to announce the election of Jeff Simon to the board of directors, starting a three-year term on July 1, 2021. Jeff Simon is the Office Managing Partner at Husch Blackwell in Kansas City. Jeff is a known and respected leader
KC Scholars A Bridge To A New Future By Nicole Dolan – Staff Writer, Kansas City Business JournalJul 15, 2021, 7:14pm EDT Amanda Malone was in high school English class when she learned about KC Scholars. It was one of the first times she felt the future she dreamed of was attainable. KC Scholars helps students from underrepresented communities,
KC Scholars Nationally recognized leader in education eager to enrich youth and adult academic opportunities in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo. (January 27, 2022) — KC Scholars announced today that Earl Martin Phalen, will join KC Scholars as the new president and CEO. Phalen, a national leader in non-profit and education initiatives, succeeds Beth Tankersley-Bankhead,
KC Scholars A Google search on higher education news today will turn up countless references to college “entry,” “access,” and even a call for “free college.” The federal government recently announced a student debt forgiveness program which will benefit millions of Americans. Several states, including Missouri, have created pathways to free community college, admirably seeking
Too many college students never finish their degrees. This Kansas City program helps Read More »
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.
