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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.

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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.

As we enter a new academic year, I’m filled with the same energy and hope that has guided our mission from the very beginning. This moment marks more than just the start of classes or job training, it marks the next chapter in your personal journey toward opportunity, purpose and prosperity.

At Great Jobs KC, our commitment remains unwavering — to ensure that every learner has access to the education, training and support needed to secure a great job and build a strong, stable future. We believe that talent is everywhere, even when opportunity is not and we are here to bridge that gap.

Across our community, we’ve witnessed incredible stories of transformation. These stories remind us that progress doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes all of us, learners, mentors, educators, employers, and advocates working together with shared purpose and passion.

This year, we are more focused than ever on removing barriers, expanding access, and walking alongside you from aspiration to achievement. Whether you’re earning a credential, applying for a scholarship, or simply exploring your next step you belong here, and your success matters.

Together, we are building more than careers. We are building momentum, strengthening families, and creating a Kansas City where everyone has a fair shot at a better future.

We can’t wait to see where this year takes you and we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.

Let’s continue to rise together, uplift each other, and BUILD A STRONGER KC—one Scholar, one job, one LIFE at a time.

With deep gratitude and unwavering belief in your potential,

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.

Strength in Community

A young woman with long brown hair wearing a brown shirt and a necklace sits in front of a window, looking at the camera with a neutral expression, embodying the spirit of Building a Stronger KC.

“KC Scholars has shown me what true support looks like. I found a community that I never thought I would find. I want to help other Scholars and future Scholars to get informed about the variety of resources this organization can offer.”

Ronette, Senior at Rockhurst University studying nursing – KC Scholars 2025/2026 Ambassador

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

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

The logo displays the words "The Change Leader, Inc" with "CHANGE LEADER" in large blue font and the rest in black on a white background, giving it a bold, news-inspired design.

Listen to CEO, Earl Martin Phalen on The Change Leader, Inc podcast where he discusses first-gen and low socioeconomic status student success strategies that work.

Logo of The Kansas City Star newspaper with white text on a blue background, symbolizing opportunities including jobs and scholarships.

Read about our recent collaboration with 816Day in the Kansas City Star!

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

our team

in the community

A collage celebrating Kansas City’s 816Day showcases family activities, group photos, a baby in themed attire, stage performances, and a man with a large check—all highlighting the annual event dedicated to Building a Stronger KC.

In collaboration with 816Day! Great Jobs KC came together with the community to create a space where men, women, and families could connect, laugh, and dream bigger together.

Highlights included:

  • 15+ food trucks and 80+ local vendors
  • A school supply & backpack giveaway
  • A $5,000 donation to the Kansas City Public Schools from 816Day! Staff in collaboration with Power & Light District
  • Free admission to The Basketball Experiencefor the first 100 Fathers & Kids provided by Great Jobs KC
  • In partnership with University Health KC, all babies born on 8/16 received an 816Day! onesie, and signed certificates from Mayor Lucus and the CEO of University Health KC
  • Appearances by Chiefs players, cheerleaders, and KC Wolf.
  • Live concerts
  • Social media favorite Hood-Dude Food Review
  • And even Mayor Quinton Lucas joined us, not for a speech, but simply to hang out
Great Jobs KC logo with the text "Workforce and Employer Network" in bold blue letters underneath, highlighting our commitment to Building a Stronger KC.

NEW EMPLOYER Partners

Our new Employer Partner, Union Pacific, hosted individuals interested in a rewarding railroad career to experience a ‘day in the life’ as a Track Laborer on August 14th in Kansas City, MO. The Great Jobs KC team got to watch Scholars train with UP crews to learn to saw, drill rail, and install railroad spikes. It was a great chance to explore the exciting career possibilities at Union Pacific.

Pictured: From Great Jobs KC: Jennifer Moten, Candice Haines, Jeff Lampson. From Union Pacific: Johnnie Boyd, Jennifer Ball, Ken Kuwamura, Jr.

Three people stand smiling in front of a Union Pacific sign in an industrial office setting, surrounded by computers and papers—demonstrating their commitment to Building a Stronger KC.
Three people wearing safety vests stand in front of a "Union Pacific" sign inside an industrial workspace, highlighting their commitment to Building a Stronger KC.
A group of people sit at tables in a warehouse-style room, listening to a person at the front; the informal, industrial setting fosters discussion focused on building a stronger KC.
A group of construction workers wearing safety vests and helmets stands in a circle on a job site near a railway bridge, engaged in discussion about building a stronger KC.
Mission Health logo featuring a stylized heart on the left and "MISSION HEALTH" in blue and green capitals on the right, symbolizing our commitment to Building a Stronger KC.

Hiring now

Mission Health – 5 KC area locations (Edwardsville, Kaw River, Lansing, Parkway and Spring Hill) They are hiring our CNA Scholars, as well as LPN’s.

Four women stand in a sewing workshop, each wearing black shirts and nametags, building a stronger KC as they work at sewing machines and organized workstations in the background.

Threads of Opportunity

Scholar Advocates, Career Resources Managers, and our Education Partner Team visited Rightfully Sewn’s new training facility, one of our manufacturing training programs offered to Scholars, for their Seamstress Training 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.

WHEN GIVING BACK

BENEFITS YOU TOO!

Turn your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA into real impact with a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). By donating directly from your IRA, you can satisfy your RMD, reduce your taxable income, and support our nonprofit’s mission—all at once. It’s a smart way to give back, make a difference, and save on taxes. Please get in touch with Karolyn Dreiling at karolyn.dreiling@greatjobskc.org or 816-601-2282 to discuss.

Illustration of a person with a briefcase standing on a large dollar sign, looking through a telescope, symbolizing financial outlook or business vision for Building a Stronger KC.
Green poster promoting Great Jobs KC and Casual Animal Brewing Company partnership; $2 from each local beer pour in September and October is donated to Great Jobs KC—helping to build a stronger KC. Includes donation info.

Tap into

opportunity

SAVE THE DATE to head to Casual Animal in September and October to enjoy a pint of their Local Motive beer, Yolo Toro Oktoberfest, where $2 of each beer sold goes to help fund our Scholars.

Including TWO trivia nights

  • Sept 25 with Back to School/Work Trivia night
  • Oct 30 with Halloween Trivia

STAY TUNED TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE for more details on trivia. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to either trivia night.

Giveback

night

SAVE THE DATE for our GIVEBACK NIGHT at CHICKEN N PICKLE

Oct 7, 6-8PM at both locations 10% of all food and beverage sales is donated back to Great Jobs KC.

AND A BIG

Thank you

Six people stand in an office behind a table filled with donated supplies, next to a whiteboard that reads, "Thank you Commerce Bank"—showcasing their commitment to building a stronger KC.

To Commerce Bank for helping our Scholars gear up for their first year of college! Our Development and Scholarship teams pictured accepting the donation and thanking the staff at Commerce Bank.

A smiling young man sits at a table displaying a KG Scholars backpack, folders, highlighters, and a thank-you note to Commerce Bank—celebrating Building a Stronger KC through education and community support.

And our Scholar, Jarreous – MSU receiving his bag of school supplies.

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.

Our KC Scholars

Scholarship team

We’re excited to kick off the year with our 33 KC Scholars Ambassadors, who are ready to inspire, connect, and make an impact across our community. Ambassadors are selected for their passion for KC Scholars programs and Great Jobs KC, their strong relationship-building skills, and their commitment to being team players and collaborators.

Meet the 2025–26 Ambassadors and learn more about their work at greatjobskc.org/ambassador-program. Our future leaders are getting ready! This past week, our new and returning Scholar Ambassadors attended our Ambassador Retreat! It was a perfect blend of team-building and professional development to form connections and prep them for the year ahead.

We are so excited to see the events this talented group will bring to our Scholars this upcoming fall semester!

If you are a current Scholar attending one of our KC Scholars College Network schools that hosts Ambassadors, be on the lookout for updates on exciting events coming to your campus!

A group of 24 people pose together indoors, smiling at the camera. Most are standing, with some crouching in front. They wear casual clothing and name tags, united in their commitment to Building a Stronger KC.
Four students sit around a table working and talking; one student in the center is smiling while holding a pen, reflecting the spirit of Building a Stronger KC together.
Four people stand and interact in a classroom or meeting room, smiling and appearing engaged in conversation or an activity—demonstrating the spirit of Building a Stronger KC.
A group of people sit at round tables listening to a speaker at a podium in a conference room, where a presentation on Building a Stronger KC is projected on a screen.
A group of people stands in a circle in a conference room, participating in an activity; a screen displays a slide titled "Introductions" as they focus on building a stronger KC through collaboration.
A person wearing glasses and a name tag smiles while holding a ball in front of a plain background, embodying the spirit of Building a Stronger KC.
Four people stand side by side indoors, wearing matching shirts with name tags, in front of a wall displaying portraits and a framed plaque—demonstrating their commitment to Building a Stronger KC.
A black and white photo of a sign displaying "Missouri State University" mounted on an interior wall, symbolizing the university’s commitment to Building a Stronger KC through education and community.
A group of people converse in a conference room; two women stand in the foreground, one speaking while others listen and interact in the background, all focused on building a stronger KC through collaboration and open dialogue.
Two people stand indoors, smiling with arms around each other, wearing matching "Bears" t-shirts. One holds a laptop. The casual and friendly scene embodies the spirit of Building a Stronger KC.
A large group of young people and a few adults pose together indoors, many wearing matching shirts and holding tote bags, united in their commitment to Building a Stronger KC, in front of a plain wall.

Kristen Caudle, one of our Scholar Advocates was able to join our new Fall 2025 cohort of KC Scholars at their Missouri State Bear’s Lead orientation day. At this orientation, the Bear’s Lead team (including our own KC Scholars sophomore ambassadors pictured in the maroon polos), led freshman through workshops on financial aid, academic resources, a faculty panel, time management, and strategies for success on campus. Scholars were able to connect with each other and meet their College Scholar Advocate. It was a fun, informative day! 

Once a month, KC Scholars Adult Learners are invited to join a KC Scholars Connect session where they can meet other Scholars, share ideas about addressing challenges they face, or learn a new skill.  Carrie Barnes, AL Lead Scholar Advocate, started this initiative a few years ago to give Adult Learners an opportunity to connect with each other and to encourage them to continue their degree-seeking journey. KC Scholars Connect meets virtually either at lunchtime or in the early evening. Twice a year, the program meets in-person. Scholars enjoy this regular time together.

Four people sit and talk in a casual, brick-walled room with large windows, art on the wall, and various chairs and tables—collaborating on building a stronger KC.
A blue shield-shaped logo with the words "Great Jobs KC Scholars" in large white letters, celebrating 2000 Scholars.

Scholars on the path to SUCCESS

0

TOTAL SCHOLARS ON A PATH TO THEIR FUTURE

0

SCHOLARS CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN A GREAT JOBS KC PROGRAM

0

SCHOLARS WORKING IN A GREAT JOB

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.

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

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.

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The text "Great Jobs KC Scholars" features "KC" inside a shield-like icon between "Jobs" and "Scholars," highlighting Kansas City education impact in this newsletter design.

Check out our BLOG and support our mission

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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