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Back to school Brings focus on the future

Do you have a BACK TO SCHOOL SHOUT OUT? 

Share their success on our social media, and let’s celebrate together!

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Table of Contents

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

A 2026 adult learner in a black dress shirt and vest stands outdoors with arms crossed, smiling confidently in front of a stone building.

Dear Partners & Scholars,

As a new academic year begins, there is a sense of momentum and opportunity that comes with it. This fall, hundreds of Great Jobs KC Scholars are taking significant steps forward, stepping onto college campuses, enrolling in specialized training programs, and recommitting to their long-term career aspirations.

To our Scholars: whether you are beginning your freshman year or returning to finish what you started, your dedication is inspiring. Earning a degree or credential requires discipline, resilience, and vision. As you navigate demanding coursework and balance personal responsibilities, remember that the work you do today lays the foundation for your long-term independence.

Behind every Scholar is an ecosystem of support. We extend our deepest gratitude to our donors, community partners, employers, training providers, universities, and staff, whose unwavering investment ensures our Scholars have the guidance and resources necessary to navigate learning successfully.

To our Scholars starting or continuing their postsecondary journey this semester: stay focused, leverage your support network, and keep your sights firmly set on your goals. We are exceptionally proud of your commitment to yourself and remain fully committed to supporting you every step of the way.

Wishing all of our Scholars a successful academic year.

Yours in Success,

Earl

 

Text reading "Scholars First" in bold and script fonts, over a blue and green gradient background with right-pointing arrows, designed to inspire the 2026 adult learner.

SUPPORTING OUR FIRST-GEN SCHOLARS

Last month, we had the opportunity to share the story of one of our first-generation Scholars, Rae’ven Porter on My KC Live on KCTV5. 

Rae’ven, one of our newly selected Scholar Ambassadors, was joined by her mom, Barbara, and her Scholar Advocate, Henry Ortega-Hernandez, to share the challenges and triumphs of being a first-gen college student. 

With the support of their Scholar Advocates, all of our Scholars are set up for success on campus, and off. First-gen students have additional challenges as they begin their college journey but our Scholar Advocates are there to support them all along the way. Nothing builds confidence like knowing you have someone in your corner.  

You can watch the feature HERE. 

Four people sit and talk on a TV studio set with KCTV signage, wood panel walls, and studio lighting. As they discuss topics such as back to school and college scholarships and skills training, a white couch and decor are visible in the background.
Logo with "myKC LIVE" in bold white and orange letters on a gradient yellow and orange background, celebrating Kansas City Celebrates Our Scholars.
Five people sit on high chairs in a studio with a wooden panel wall, smiling at the camera. Two small tables with decor are between them, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for a discussion about back to school, college scholarships and skills training.

To learn more about our Scholars and their success, please visit our SCHOLAR SUCCESS page.

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staff spotlight

“If you want to go fast, go alone if you want to go far, go TOGETHER.”

Get to know our team, and what motivates us to support our Scholars.

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latest news

People sit and stand in a large hall with a stage and a screen displaying “NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine powered by UMKC,” as discussions about back to school opportunities, college scholarships, and skills training take center stage.

NSF logo next to a circular abstract design and the text “Critical Materials Crossroads Engine, Powered by UMKC.”.

 

CRITICAL MATERIALS CROSSROADS:

Collaboration for a stronger region

Great Jobs KC is proud to be a partner in the Critical Materials Crossroads, an initiative led by UMKC that was recently selected for a National Science Foundation grant. The initiative will strengthen Kansas City’s advanced manufacturing and critical materials industries and is expected to create thousands of new jobs by 2036. Great Jobs KC will help ensure these opportunities are accessible to local workers through tuition assistance, specialized training, and support services that help people overcome barriers and prepare for high-paying careers.

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skills training

Four people gather closely, looking at a colorful drawing or book page, appearing focused and engaged in discussion inside a room with bright lighting.
Several people sit and stand around a white table assembling a black structure with metal rods in a well-lit room with wood flooring.
Three people work together on assembling a LEGO Technic set, following instructions on a table with various pieces scattered around.
Four people work together on assembling an electronic project at a table indoors, with wires and tools visible.
A person assembles a black metal frame structure at a table, focusing intently, with tools and wires nearby.

A blue and green bar chart icon with the word “SITE” in blue capital letters below the bars.

We recently partnered with Social Impact, Technology, and Engineering (SITE) to provide construction pre-apprenticeship training opportunities. Participants enrolled in a six-day residential construction pre-apprenticeship program and can earn certificates in OSHA 10–Construction, Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), and Construction Fundamentals. Those who successfully complete the program also receive their own work boots, personal protective equipment (PPE), and a stipend. The program combined classroom instruction with practical hands-on learning to prepare participants for construction careers.

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KC Scholars Scholarships

application season is right around the corner!

here’s what you need to know.

Application Dates

  • Adult Learner Scholarship: October 20 – November 20, 2026
  • 11th-Grade College Scholarship: January 7 – February 26, 2027.
  • Early eligibility for BOTH scholarships opens September 9! Applicants can create their account early and confirm if they are eligible for the scholarship.

Application Resources

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development news

Illustration of overlapping raised hands in blue, green, and orange with the text “RAISE YOUR HAND BE A REVIEWER” below on a dark blue background, highlighting back to school season and opportunities for college scholarships and skills training.

help award someone a future!

Be a scholarship reviewer

We’re always looking for new volunteers to review scholarship applications! Community members interested in empowering others can apply here.

Blue graphic with text: “Do you have a donor advised fund? October 8th is DAF Day. As you celebrate the back to school season, we hope you’ll consider Great Jobs KC in your giving to support college scholarships and skills training!”.
Questions? Contact Laura Cooke at laura.cooke@greatjobskc.org

FUEL THEIR FINALS!

150 KITS FOR 150 FRESHMEN

We’re putting together 150 Finals Survival Kits for Great Jobs KC college freshmen to remind our Scholars that they’re not in this alone. Each kit will be filled with supplies and essentials to help students get through the stress of finals and finish their first semester strong.

Each kit costs just $30!

Your $30 gift can put one complete Finals Survival Kit into the hands of a freshman who is working hard to build a brighter future.

SUPPORT OUR SCHOLARS

 

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employer network

NEW INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL WORKFORCE FOR MANUFACTURING & CONSTRUCTION

Last month Great Jobs KC held several meetings to launch new initiatives aimed at expanding and strengthening the local workforce for manufacturing, construction, and related industries. More than 20 representatives from area employers, associations, service providers, and unions participated in the announcement of Great Jobs KC’s new advisory committees created to foster dialogue, collaboration, and action to address workforce challenges and needs. These representatives also participated in the first leadership technical assistance modules developed through support from the Department of Labor Women in Apprenticeship & Nontraditional Occupations grant. Great Jobs KC and Critical Social Change Project are partnering to provide technical assistance to employers across the region, helping them transform organizational cultures to better recruit and retain female talent. 

A woman stands at a podium presenting to a group seated at round tables in a conference room with a mural and projection screen, discussing back to school opportunities such as college scholarships and skills training.
People seated at round tables in a meeting room, some raising their hands while others listen. Notebooks, drinks, and papers are on the tables as participants discuss back to school plans and explore opportunities like college scholarships and skills training.
A woman presents a slideshow titled “Important Terms” to an audience in a conference room, with a slide showing a worker and safety sign—highlighting topics like back to school, college scholarships, and skills training.
Several adults sit around tables in a meeting room, engaged in discussion about back to school opportunities. Papers, drinks, and notepads are on the tables as they explore topics such as college scholarships and skills training, creating a collaborative and focused atmosphere.
A group of people attend a presentation in a conference room. The presenter stands by a screen displaying a slide titled “Maintenance Industry,” discussing topics such as college scholarships and skills training that support those returning back to school.

New employer partners

The word “brillient” in green lowercase letters, with three green lines on the left resembling rays of light or a shining effect—perfect for back to school themes, college scholarships and skills training programs.

A technology consulting and digital transformation company that helps government agencies and commercial clients improve how they operate through IT modernization, AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics, and business process improvement. As they’re expanding their presence in Kansas City, we’re excited to connect our Scholars with the various career paths they offer.

Allied OneSource logo with orange and blue text; a blue curved line arcs over the word “Allied,” reflecting our commitment to supporting back to school initiatives, college scholarships and skills training.

A full-service staffing agency with opportunities in warehousing, manufacturing, education, managed services, and other positions.

The image shows the words “Color Bar” in cursive black text, with “BY LESLIE” in capital letters underneath, all inside a thin pink rectangular border—a chic design that would appeal to those interested in back to school events or college scholarships and skills training.

A full-service salon in Dodge City, KS with a strong focus on mentorship and professional development, Color Bar by Leslie is helping create opportunities for individuals to build their skills and careers in the beauty industry.

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SCHOLAR ADVOCATES

THE SUPPORT THAT LEADS TO SUCCESS
Two men in safety vests stand in a parking lot with a white semi-truck and a CDL training trailer in the background, showcasing the vital role of college scholarships and skills training. Trees and greenery line the lot.
Pictured: Scholar Advocate, William Rodelo, and Zach Peck of Zeta CDL School

Our Scholar Advocates have been visiting training sites in preparation for future on-site visits with scholars in our short-term training programs. Taking time to familiarize themselves with each location helps our team better plan meaningful scholar interactions and provide support where scholars learn every day. We’re grateful to our training partners for welcoming us into their spaces and helping us create a more connected and impactful scholar experience.

SHOUT OUT!

 

A group of about 35 adults stands outside on a sidewalk in front of a building, smiling at the camera on a sunny day, as they celebrate back to school season and opportunities for college scholarships and skills training.

We recently held a Great Jobs KC All-Team in-person training at the Kauffman Conference Center. The workforce development team connected to collaborate and strategize on the scholar journey and experience. 

KC SCHOLARS

AMBASSADORS

Two women sit at a round table with papers, pens, and a glass, engaged in conversation and smiling during a group activity focused on back to school opportunities such as college scholarships and skills training in a meeting room.
Two women sit at a table writing on paper, one smiling, as they discuss back to school opportunities. Other people work at tables in the background, while a screen displays text in the meeting room about college scholarships and skills training.
Several students sit around a table working on papers, preparing for back to school, while others in the background engage in group activities focused on college scholarships and skills training in a lively classroom setting.
People sit at round tables in a conference room, listening to a presenter; two screens display a slide titled “Fall Events,” highlighting back to school activities and opportunities for college scholarships and skills training.
Two women sit at a round table with tote bags, papers, and drinks, discussing college scholarships and skills training opportunities, while others participate in a group meeting in a conference room.

WElcoming our newest KC SCHOLARS Ambassadors

The KC Scholars Ambassador Program is kicking off its third year! Created to foster a strong sense of community among Scholars, the program helps Scholars build lasting connections while developing essential leadership skills. 

Since its launch, the program has engaged more than 500 Scholars at campus engagement events. This success has led to the program’s expansion to two additional institutions, Avila University and University of Central Missouri, this school year. 

Meet this year’s 42 Ambassadors representing six institutions and learn more about the program on our Ambassador Program Webpage. 

Ambassadors gathered for a fall retreat on August 7 focused on team building, leadership development, planning and creativity! This group brought incredible energy to the retreat, and it was exciting to see new connections already forming. We can’t wait to see the events they plan for Scholars and the impact they make on their campuses this year!

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Community engagement

supporting the local community

Great Jobs Ford County participated in Dodge City Days Kids Fest to connect with local families and increase awareness of workforce resources available in the community. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about Great Jobs services and enter a raffle for two student backpacks.

Three people stand under a tent reading “Get high-demand skills at no cost,” talking to a man with a stroller at an outdoor event booth promoting college scholarships and skills training programs.

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in the media

Logo with "myKC LIVE" in bold white and orange letters on a gradient yellow and orange background, celebrating Kansas City Celebrates Our Scholars.

First-generation college student and KC Scholars Ambassador Rae’ven Porter and her mother, Barbara Warren, joined Scholar Advocate Henry Ortega with Great Jobs KC to discuss the impact of their incredible programs.

Logo of KC Chamber, featuring bold red "KC" letters and the word "CHAMBER" in gray capital letters to the right, often seen in business news coverage.

Great Jobs KC Secures Second Consecutive Year of Grant Funding to Support Veterans and Military Spouses

Logo for 90.1 FM KKFI Kansas City, featuring large overlapping red, blue, and yellow text on a white background—perfectly capturing the station's vibrant news and music presence.

Skills Training Program Expands to Include NW Missouri

The Kansas City Star logo features blue stars between "The" and "Star" and before "com" in "KansasCity.com," reflecting its trusted news legacy.

A decade of Great Jobs KC preparing Kansas City’s workforce for the future | Opinion

Logo of KC Chamber, featuring bold red "KC" letters and the word "CHAMBER" in gray capital letters to the right, often seen in business news coverage.

Great Jobs KC Celebrates 10 Years of Honoring Ewing Marion Kauffman’s Legacy by Evolving Opportunity to Meet People Where They Are

KCTV5 news logo features "KCTV" in white text on a red background above a large white number "5" on a blue background.

UMKC-led project could bring thousands of jobs to Kansas City

UMKC logo in blue letters with a yellow flame-like accent over the "K," on a white background, representing the spirit of the Ambassador Program.

UMKC-Led Critical Materials Crossroads Engine Selected for $160 Million NSF Award

Logo featuring the words "STARTLAND NEWS"—"START" and "NEWS" in blue, "LAND" in green—set against a black background, emphasizing a fresh take on news.

Free kicks with Great Jobs KC: Students develop 3D-printed soccer tee amid World Cup

KMBC 9 ABC news logo featuring a red and white number 9 design, the ABC logo in a black circle, and "KMBC" in bold black letters underneath.

NSF ExLENT Grant Scholars' work featured on local news alongside World Cup coverage.

KCTV5 news logo features "KCTV" in white text on a red background above a large white number "5" on a blue background.

Scholars taking part in the NSF Summer Program at UMKC featured on local news.

Logo of KC Chamber, featuring bold red "KC" letters and the word "CHAMBER" in gray capital letters to the right, often seen in business news coverage.

The Next Great Soccer Innovation? KC Students Design 3D-Printed Kicking Tee To Rival World Cup Excitement

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

Scholars on the path to SUCCESS

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TOTAL SCHOLARS ON A PATH TO THEIR FUTURE

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SCHOLARS CURRENTLY ENROLLED

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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.

We want to hear about your success - UPDATE US TODAY

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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

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.

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