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SCHOLAR PORTAL

Kansas City, Kansas Mayor Garner knows what

MAKES KC STRONG

We were honored to sit down with Tyrone Garner, the Mayor of Kansas City, Kansas, to discuss postsecondary career options, first-generation college experiences, and his advice for local students navigating their futures.

We asked him to share a few words of wisdom with the young people of Wyandotte County who are contemplating their futures. He looked directly into the camera and said, “Hard work, works!” Yes, Mr. Mayor, it certainly does.

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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.
I am filled with immense pride and excitement as I reflect on the incredible strides we have made together. This month, I had the privilege of witnessing two remarkable events that truly highlight the essence of what Great Jobs KC and KC Scholars are all about—building strong partnerships, fostering growth, and creating lasting impact in our community.
 
Our Scholarship Team recently hosted the Postsecondary Network and High School Partner Convening, a gathering that brought together some of our most valued partners in education. At the same time, our Great Jobs KC team led our quarterly Education Training Provider Convening, another powerful demonstration of collaboration at its finest. Both events were meticulously planned, with full agendas that spurred meaningful discussions and actionable insights.
 
It’s nothing short of amazing to see how our relationships with 109 community partners have flourished over the years. These convenings are more than just meetings; they are a testament to the shared vision and unwavering commitment we all have toward the success of our Scholars . Together, we are building bridges that connect our Scholars to brighter futures, opening doors to opportunities that might have once seemed out of reach.
 
Our community’s success is deeply rooted in these partnerships. They are the lifeblood of our mission – Scholar’s First, enabling us to provide the resources, guidance, and support our Scholars need to thrive. Every conversation and every idea exchanged during these convenings propels us forward and strengthens the foundation upon which our Scholars stand.
 
With your support, our work together is transformative, not just for our Scholars but for the entire Kansas City community. We are making a difference—one partnership, one Scholar, and one success story at a time.
 
Thank you,
Earl
The image features the word "FIRST" written in blue capital letters, enclosed by two pairs of parallel lines on either side.

Our first Core Value, which is the one that drives our mission and inspires us every day, is SCHOLARS FIRST. Here’s what our Scholars have to say:

Handwritten thank you letter expressing gratitude for an art education scholarship and mentioning its impact on achieving the writer's dream of becoming an art teacher. Signed by the writer.

We love to highlight a Scholar who doesn’t give up!

Joshua started his CDL training program at Apex, shortly after he had to drop and restart due to several personal issues, including transportation. We supported him with transportation assistance and access to services that provide food while he was living in his car.

After graduating from Apex he has now secured a job making $87,000!

When speaking about Joshua, his Scholar Advocate Jack Emory said, “Joshua exemplifies the mentality I wish all scholars had. He was self-motivated, a good communicator, a great self-advocate, and incredibly determined. While he experienced several delays and setbacks due to financial and food insecurity and even some lingering legal troubles. he asked for help when he needed from both Great Jobs KC and Apex. He handled his business – and now he’s got a great job.”

 

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In the Media

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The life-changing training programs too few people know about

Former apprentices and job placement professionals recount their success stories. 
READ MORE →

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A woman stands and speaks at the front of the room in the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center, addressing an audience seated at tables. A backdrop behind her displays the Center for Academic Success & Excellence logo.
A group of people stands in front of a backdrop at the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center. Most are smiling, and there is a mix of attire from casual to semi-formal.

Natalie Lewis, COO, and Jessica Rhodes, Senior Director of Scholarship Programs, visited The Center for Academic Success and Excellence at the University of Missouri, which hosted a KC Scholars Meet and Greet for incoming freshmen and returning Scholars. Many Scholars provided testimony to the impact not only of the scholarship itself but of the support services provided by the Scholarship Team as well.

We are very proud of our partnership with Mizzou!

Great Jobs KC Launches Alumni Program

On September 9, we hosted a social event for our Great Jobs KC Alumni at Parlor. We brought them together to socialize, network, and learn about all our Alumni program has to offer. 

Find out about the support and community available to you by connecting with Alumni Relations Specialist at alumni@greatjobskc.org.

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A group of people engage in conversation at a social event, standing near a stone wall with string lights in the background.
A diverse group of people pose for a photo at a "Great Jobs KC" event, standing in front of a banner with the event name. They are indoors, with a brick wall and TV screens in the background.
Great Jobs KC" logo features blue and teal text with a shield-like shape containing "KC" on the right, celebrating careers in the city.
Logo with text: "KG Scholars Development Team." The word "Development" is highlighted in green.
Five people stand outdoors holding a large check for $50,000, addressed to "Great Jobs KC," dated August 20, 2021, indicating funding for community enrichment.

THANK YOU!

KCNSC (Kansas City National Security Campus) is providing $50k towards developing manufacturing skills training with Great Jobs KC. Great Jobs KC will train students in the high school classroom on what to expect on the floor of a manufacturing plant, and how to dress and interview for manufacturing positions, communication, change, time and money management skills. Students will receive a work-ready skills certificate upon completion.

Two people talking in the background with "Opportunity" text overlay. In the foreground, school supplies like notebooks, pens, a calculator, and a smartphone are arranged.
Image of two people engaged in conversation with various school supplies arranged below them, including notebooks, pencils, a calculator, and paperclips. The word "Education" is centered on the image.
Two people converse in the background with overlaid text "Financial Stability." The foreground features various office supplies such as notebooks, pens, markers, a calculator, and paper clips.
Two individuals conversing in a background with educational supplies, such as notebooks, pens, and calculators, placed in the foreground. Text overlay reads "Community Support.

What Makes KC Strong?

Our Make KC Strong giving campaign was featured on social media and is making its way into mailboxes but it’s NOT TOO LATE to help support our Scholars.

Your support, no matter the amount, is always appreciated! Providing access to the tools they need to succeed will make a lasting impact on a Scholar’s future!

$120 can pay for school supplies for a Scholar. →

$60 can provide tutoring to a Scholar who needs it. →

CLICK HERE TO OFFER YOUR SUPPORT

Community resources team

Community Resources Team – Jimmy Swift, Chief Program Officer, and Terri Hart, Sr. Director Career Services and Program Operations, had the opportunity to attend an event at the Kansas Chapter of Catholic Charities.

They were able to meet program staff and get updates on all of the services that are available to our scholars. We also were briefed on some amazing volunteer opportunities for our staff and even for our seniors and juniors going through the KC Scholars program. Catholic Charities has been a wonderful partner of ours and invest thousands of dollars in Scholar Support Resources to our scholars.

Pictured: Jimmy Swift, Terri Hart, and
Rachel Leavitt Manager of Workforce
for Catholic Charities

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A group of people sit at round tables watching a presentation in a conference room. A large screen displays a slide, and a speaker stands at a podium in front of the room.
Four people sit in a conference room discussing a testimonial from Kershana Gonzales, shown on a presentation slide behind them. The slide highlights her work with Night Moves Trucking.
A group of people sitting at tables facing a presenter in a conference room. The presenter is standing by a screen displaying a presentation slide titled "GOAT RACE.

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is a community partner that provides Scholar Support Resources to our Scholars who are dual-enrolled in our program and their workforce program. The event included their employer partners, some training providers, and a panel that consisted of our own Brandey Chandler Community Resources Manager, Susan Omare from Mid-America College of Health Sciences, and Christina Zarate of Per Scholas.

SUPPORT OUR SCHOLARS

Our Community Resources Team is always on the lookout for ways to help our Scholars succeed in their studies. There are literally thousands of charitable organizations in Kansas City, and we know that many of these organizations have programs and services that can be useful to college students or adults in training for a new career. If your organization offers free or low-cost programs that our Scholars can access, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out anytime to CommunityResources@greatjobskc.org.

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Logo for Apex CDL Institute featuring the institute's name in stylized blue and red letters with an outline of a truck.

APEX CDL Institute one of our amazing training partners is hosting a Great Jobs KC Scholar Advocate Appreciation Event.

Graduated scholars will have the opportunity to meet their advocates and discuss their careers in CDL. If you are a Great Jobs KC graduate of APEX and want to attend reach out to your Scholar Advocate for more details.

NEW TRAINING PARTERS

Logo of Trinity Career Institute with stylized red text and a red trinity knot symbol to the left.
Logo of The Sewing Labs featuring a red and yellow heart stitched together with a needle and thread, accompanied by the tagline: "Create. Inspire. Thrive.
red/blue shield type logo with the words job corps

Trinity Career Institute:
Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medication Aide

The Sewing Labs:
Sewing Training Program + Apprenticeship

Job Corps:
Transportation Service Worker, Building Construction Technology Pre-Apprenticeship, Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship, Cement Masonry Pre-Apprenticeship, Certified Nurse Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant, Culinary Arts, Medical Administrative Assistant, Painting Pre-Apprenticeship, Security and Protective Services, Welding

A person wearing a dark shirt smiles while holding a tablet. The overlaid text reads, "TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB OR CAREER!

We want to hear about your SUCCESS!

Your success is incredibly important to us, and we are committed to supporting you even beyond the completion of the program.

In order to better understand the impact of our training programs and to continue building a program that better meets the needs of our Scholars, we kindly request your assistance in providing us with some updated information regarding your current employment status.

Could you please take a moment to provide us with the following details:

  1. Where are you currently employed?
  2. What is your current job title?
  3. What is your current salary?

    (A range is sufficient if you do not feel comfortable providing the exact salary)

TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB!
The image shows a blue shield with the text "Great Jobs KC" written inside in white letters.

great jobs kc job training

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Total Scholars On A Path To Their Future Through Our Great Jobs KC Program

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Scholars Currently in a Job Training Program or professional skills workshop

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Scholars Working in a GREAT JOB

WORKFORCE & EMPLOYER NETWORK

Belinda Martinez, Internship Coordinator, Terri Hart, Sr. Director Career Services and Program Operations, Macenzie Tucker, Sr. Director Great Jobs KC and Natalie Lewis, Chief Operating Officer attended New Pathways to Real World Learning hosted by Getting Smart and Real World Learning, a program of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, in collaboration with American Student Assistance. Over the course of three days, attendees learned how these organizations are aligning on innovative new pathways and shared key learnings and strategies of successful implementation of the Real World Learning initiative in the Kansas City region. Attendees also had the opportunity to network with KC region employers and learn how they are shifting to skills based hiring practices through partnerships with Real World Learning.

Four panelists are seated on stage during a conference, in front of a colorful backdrop that reads "PATHWAYS." Three are speaking into microphones while one listens attentively.
A large audience sits in a conference room facing a stage with two large screens displaying presentations. The room has modern decor with overhead lighting and a patterned wall.
A group of people are mingling at an indoor event. A "Great Jobs KC" sign is visible in the background. The attendees are dressed in casual to business attire. Decorations are hanging from the ceiling.
Six adults stand and sit in front of a wall adorned with green plants and an angel wings mural. They are positioned for a group photo and smile at the camera.
A group of people engaged in conversation at a social event, with festive decorations and drinks in hand.
People are engaged in conversations in a crowded indoor space with decorated ceilings and a bar area in the background. Plates of food are on a table in the foreground.

EMPLOYER NETWORK TEAM NETWORKING IN THE COMMUNITY

The Great Jobs KC, Employer Network Team, proudly co-hosted the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce monthly, after-hours event at Chef Tito’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina on August 28th.

The event brought together a diverse group of local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members to network, share ideas, and discuss the latest topics related to Kansas City.

After a warm welcome from Carlos Gomez, President/CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Greater Kansas City. Mr. Gomez emphasized the importance of fostering strong business relationships within the Hispanic community.

Our own Duane Jordan, Employer Engagement Manager, addressed the group of approximately 50 networkers and described the mission and impact we are making in the Kansas City Hispanic Community.

 

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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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