10 years of impact. 10 years of growth. Great Jobs KC July 20, 2026, is the 10th anniversary of the creation of Great Jobs KC/KC Scholars. Founded on Ewing Marion Kauffman’s belief that an education should be available to EVERYONE no matter their circumstances. Great Jobs KC has worked diligently across the KC metro […]
Our scholars are making big waves this summer Great Jobs KC Scholars from our summer tech program, hosted in partnership with the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC), have completed the first half of their eight weeks of manufacturing and construction skills training. Thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), we
Crossing the Line: Solving the Workforce Gap Across Kansas City’s State Line in the Growing Construction, Healthcare, and Manufacturing Industries Great Jobs KC A Growing Economy, A Workforce Crisis Kansas City’s economy keeps picking up speed, but here’s the catch: employers just can’t find enough skilled workers to fill all the open positions. Whether it’s
The $1.5 Billion Ripple Effect: Why Workforce Development is KC’s Best Investment Great Jobs KC Imagine the transformation of moving from a cycle of low-wage employment to a dependable, family-sustaining salary of $45,000+. For an individual, this is more than just a paycheck; it is the foundation of dignity, stability, and future-readiness. That’s a game-changer.
The $1.5 Billion Ripple Effect: Why Workforce Development is KC’s Best Investment Read More »
Unlocking their Futures: We are Proud to Announce 778 New Scholarship Awardees in Kansas City! Great Jobs KC Unlocking their Futures: We are Proud to Announce 778 New Scholarship Awardees in Kansas City! $38.9 Million Invested in Kansas City’s Workforce and Education Future Great Jobs KC is excited to announce our newest cohort
The Hidden Barriers: Why Kansas City Career Success Requires More Than Just a Classroom Great Jobs KC The Hidden Barriers: Why Kansas City Career Success Requires More Than Just a Classroom People often assume the road to a living-wage career is straightforward: get an education, build some skills, and land a great job. But
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paid Summer stem program for manufacturing and construction Great Jobs KC Great Jobs KC x UMKC Launch Summer Tech Program for Manufacturing and Construction with Federal NSF Grant Great Jobs KC is expanding its impact alongside some incredible partners, providing one-of-a-kind education experiences for the KC community. The National Science Foundation has recently awarded
Financial literacy, an investment in your future. Great Jobs KC Having Financial Literacy is an Investment in Your Future. To ensure our Scholars are workforce-ready, they begin their programs with essential professional workshops. While skills specific to their trade are essential, soft skills are equally important. Our Scholars’ first four weeks are in
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Art, Culture, and Collaboration at KCAI Great Jobs KC My name is Destiny Aguilar-Jimenez, and during my first semester at KCAI my main focus was building foundational skills and experimenting with different art mediums to help expand my skill set. One of the pieces I created during that time was a 36 x 36 inch
Our 11th-Grade College Scholarship Closes Feb. 27th at 5 PM! Great Jobs KC If you had the opportunity to study at a highly qualified, local university for close to free to earn your dream degree, would you? Great Jobs KC’s KC Scholars 11th-Grade College Scholarship application is open until February 27th at 5 PM, and
Our 11th-Grade College Scholarship Closes Feb. 27th at 5 PM! 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.
