KC Scholars

Celebrating Excellence: KC Scholars Annual Surprise Award Day

Every year, KC Scholars eagerly awaits the opportunity to celebrate and honor the achievements of their scholarship awardees. This year was particularly special as the organization went above and beyond to surprise and recognize all their scholars. With a dedicated team and a heartwarming approach, KC Scholars orchestrated a memorable Annual Surprise Award Day that left a lasting impact on the lives of deserving students across multiple schools. Let’s dive into the details of this remarkable event!

 

Surprises Galore: To ensure that every scholar experienced the joy of being recognized, KC Scholars devised a unique plan. The organization’s entire staff came together to celebrate scholarship recipients at three different high schools. The combination of mascots, marching bands, cheerleaders, and the presence of superintendents, educators and community members elevated the surprise ceremonies to new heights, turning them into unforgettable experiences for both the scholars and everyone present. The infectious energy and communal spirit that filled the air on this special day were testaments to the power of recognition and the impact it can have on individuals and communities. However, the surprises did not stop there.  In an effort to reach every awardee, KC Scholars prepared and sent out personalized award packets to each high school that had scholars among its students.

 

Personal Touches: The award packets were carefully crafted to deliver a personal touch and create an unforgettable experience for the scholars. Inside, the students found a surprise video message from KC Scholars’ Leadership Team, filled with heartfelt congratulations and encouragement. These messages not only recognized the students’ hard work but also inspired them to continue pursuing their dreams and making a difference in the world.

 

Host Your Own Celebration: To maximize the impact of the surprise, KC Scholars included celebration ideas for our high school partners. Recognizing that the schools themselves were an integral part of the students’ journeys, KC Scholars encouraged the schools to host their own surprise ceremonies. These ideas empowered the schools to create an atmosphere of excitement and pride, giving the scholars a moment to be recognized and appreciated by their peers and educators.

 

The Power of Scholarships: KC Scholars’ commitment to supporting education and fostering opportunities was evident in the number of scholarships awarded. This year, the organization granted 300 Traditional Scholarships, each worth up to $50,000. These scholarships provide financial assistance to students, enabling them to pursue their higher education dreams and alleviate some of the burdens associated with tuition fees.

 

In addition to the traditional scholarships, KC Scholars also awarded 250 College Savings Match Scholarships. This initiative reflects the organization’s dedication to helping students save for college early on, ensuring that finances are not a barrier to pursuing higher education.

 

Impactful Reach: KC Scholars’ Annual Surprise Award Day had an extensive reach, benefiting students from over 70 high schools in the Kansas City area. By acknowledging scholars from a diverse range of educational institutions, the organization demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity and the belief that every student deserves an equal chance to succeed.

 

KC Scholars’ Annual Surprise Award Day exemplified the organization’s unwavering dedication to supporting students in their pursuit of education and lifelong success. Through personalized award packets, surprise ceremonies, and financial assistance, KC Scholars created a truly memorable experience for scholarship awardees across multiple schools. By celebrating their achievements and investing in their futures, KC Scholars is nurturing the next generation of leaders and changemakers. The impact of their support will undoubtedly be felt for years to come, as these scholars go on to make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.

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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

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

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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