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Announcing Inaugural Director of Workforce & Alumni Engagement

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KC Scholars 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 […]

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Connecting Scholars to the Regional Workforce

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KC Scholars KC Scholars Makes a Game-on Commitment to Connecting Scholars to the Regional Workforce Intentional Focus and New Appointment Speaks to Commitment  (Oct 12, 2020) – KC Scholars is reaching for their ultimate goal to connect their Scholars to regional workforce opportunities and that decisive game-on goal is 80% of Scholar graduates stay in

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Key Findings/Action Steps – Adult Learners

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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

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UCM Announces the Opportunity Scholarship for KC Scholars

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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

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Newsletter KCBJ Article

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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,

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Welcome Earl Martin Phalen, new CEO

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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,

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Too many college students never finish their degrees. This Kansas City program helps

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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 - 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

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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