A large historic train station building is lit with blue lights at dusk, with a circular fountain in front and the Kansas City Celebrates Our Scholars city skyline glowing in the background.

Kansas City Shows out for our scholars!

Do you have a Scholar that deserves a SHOUT OUT? 

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

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.

June is officially here, and I want to take a moment to speak directly to our incredible Scholars and say: You did it!

Whether you are walking across the stage to receive your high school diploma or holding that hard-earned college degree, this moment belongs entirely to you. Your dedication, persistence, and resilience have brought you to this moment, and the entire team here is very proud of you.

To our high school graduates headed to college: Congratulations! You’ve put in the work, and now the next big adventure begins. We are absolutely thrilled to support you as you head to campus this fall. Never forget that you belong in those lecture halls, you are capable of extraordinary things, and we are in your corner every step of the way.

To our college graduates stepping into the next chapter: You set a goal, you pushed through, and you reached the summit. Earning your degree is a massive milestone. It has been an absolute privilege to support you through this journey. As you step boldly into your career or advanced studies, I know you will shake things up and make us proud.

You are the dreamers, leaders, and changemakers our world needs right now. Take a moment to celebrate yourself, thank those who helped you get here, and then look forward with confidence.

On behalf of everyone here, congratulations on this spectacular achievement. Your success is your legacy, and we are proud to be a part of it.

With immense pride,

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.

sharing the success of our scholars

Last month, we had the opportunity to share our programs on My KC Live on KCTV5. 

Pawsperity graduate and current pet salon manager, Karla, shared how our programs provided the opportunity she needed to change her life! We are so very proud of all of the work she has done to achieve the success she has earned. 

You can watch the feature HERE. 

Four people stand and smile in a TV studio set with "KCTV" displayed in large letters behind them, as Kansas City Celebrates Our Scholars. A coffee table and couch are in the foreground.
Logo with "myKC LIVE" in bold white and orange letters on a gradient yellow and orange background, celebrating Kansas City Celebrates Our Scholars.
Four people, possibly including a 2026 adult learner, sit on a TV studio set with "KCTV" signage, surrounded by cameras and equipment, appearing to prepare for or film a segment.

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

A welcome poster for Great Jobs KC summer interns, featuring portraits and names of Julie, Araceli, Ray, Brenda, Reanna, Alejandro, and Shereen. Kansas City celebrates our scholars as they begin their exciting journey.

ProX logo with the text 'Professional Experiences for Kansas City youth,' emphasizing 'Pro' and 'X' in red, as Kansas City Celebrates Our Scholars. 

Great Jobs KC is excited to host interns this summer through ProX (Professional Experiences for Kansas City Youth). ProX provides high school students with equitable access to real-world opportunities, empowering them to develop essential skills and connections for success in education and the workforce, while fostering meaningful partnerships with employers and the community to drive lasting impact. 

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development news

united way

impact 100

We are so proud to have been selected as an IMPACT 100 PARTNER by the United Way for a second year in a row. We appreciate the generous donation and their support of our mission. 

Our heartbeat

our donors

We recently celebrated a milestone that belongs to both our Scholars and the Named Scholarship donors who believed in them. Their generous gifts provided the financial foundation that allowed our Scholars to focus on what mattered most: earning their degrees. These graduations are a testament to each Scholar’s determination and hard work, made possible in part by donors who chose to invest in a young person’s potential. Congratulations to our Class of 2026 graduates, and thank you to the donors who played a significant role in making their dreams a reality.

If you too want to invest in Kansas City’s future and sponsor a scholarship, we’d love to hear from you. Please email laura.cooke@greatjobskc.org

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employer network

Providing career resources to scholars

Last month, SHRM-KC hosted an impactful HR Day of Service on behalf of Great Jobs KC as part of the State of Missouri HR Day of Service initiative. The event brought together HR professionals from multiple industries, Scholars, and our Career Resources Team for a day focused on career readiness, mentorship, and meaningful connection.

HR leaders shared valuable insights on the dos and don’ts of the job search and interview process, helping Scholars better understand how to stand out in today’s challenging job market. Scholars also participated in mock interview role-playing sessions, giving them the opportunity to practice their skills, build confidence, and receive direct feedback from experienced HR professionals.

The day concluded with a collaborative session between our Career Resources Team and participating HR professionals to exchange best practices and strengthen ongoing partnerships that support workforce success. Most importantly, the event created authentic connections and encouraging conversations that will continue to support our Scholars on their career journeys.  It was a powerful day of service, collaboration, and community impact.

New employer partners

Logo for Kansas City Psychiatric Group with "KCPG" and stylized blue and light blue petal design on a white background.

Kansas City Psychiatric Group is located in Overland Park with opportunities for Medical Assistants and others interested in behavioral health.

A red apple with a green leaf forms the letter "e" in the word "ess," followed by the phrase "Every day counts." in blue text.

ESS specializes in hiring, placing, and managing qualified substitute teachers and school support staff in K-12 school districts nationwide.

Quest Diagnostics logo with a green circular icon and the company name in green text on a white background.

Quest Diagnostics is a national healthcare company with several KC area locations, and their employment opportunities include phlebotomists, lab technicians, biologists, and more.

Express Employment Professionals logo with tagline "Respecting People. Impacting Business." beneath the company name as Kansas City Celebrates Our Scholars.

Express Employment Professionals will partner with us to help place scholars in a variety of businesses ranging from CNA, General Labor, Diesel Mechanic, Warehouse and more.

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community engagement

making the connections that count
A group of people stand in front of the Maryville Chamber of Commerce building as two individuals cut a red ribbon with large scissors, marking the Kansas City Celebrates Our Scholars event.

Last month, several Great Jobs KC team members traveled to Maryville to participate in a ribbon-cutting celebration hosted in partnership with the Maryville Chamber of Commerce. The event marked an exciting milestone as we continue to establish a presence in the region and build relationships with local businesses, community leaders, and residents.

As part of the incredible investment from the Patterson Family Foundation, we are expanding into rural communities across the bi-state region, and these outreach efforts will help increase visibility for Great Jobs KC, create new partnership opportunities, and ensure that future scholars throughout Northwest Missouri have access to the resources and pathways needed to pursue training and career advancement.

SHOUT OUT!

A woman with gray hair, glasses, and a pearl necklace, wearing a gray blazer and black top, smiles in front of a blue background.

Congrats to our COO, Natalie Lewis, on being named to the Kansas City Business Journal’s “20 to Know in Education”. Check out her feature HERE

KC SCHOLARS

AMBASSADORS

giving back & getting it done

April was National Volunteer Month, and the KC Scholars Ambassadors celebrated by giving back at Harvesters’ Volunteer Engagement Center in Kansas City, MO. Harvesters provides food and related household products to more than 900 nonprofit agencies including emergency food pantries, community kitchens, homeless shelters, children’s homes, and others.
 
During their visit, ambassadors sorted and repacked more than 2,500 pounds of food! It was inspiring to see them quickly organize, take initiative, and work together to create an efficient process. We are incredibly grateful to our ambassadors for taking time out of their busy schedules to give back to the community!
 
Then, as the academic year concluded last month, the Ambassadors celebrated at Craft Putt, reflecting on a successful year of campus events, leadership development, and meaningful engagement. The gathering gave all an opportunity to strengthen connections and celebrate new friendships made over the past year all while enjoying a fun evening of mini golf together.

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scholar support services

listening to our scholars

Last month, Te’Keyah and Brandey from the Scholar Support Services Team traveled to North Central Missouri College in Savannah to hold a Scholar focus group. The conversation included current students, staff, and community stakeholders. Needs identified included reliable transportation and technology. Great Jobs KC is poised to begin addressing some of those needs for Scholars in northwest Missouri; support and assistance is always welcome! If you are aware of resources in the area that could be helpful, please email ScholarSupportServices@greatjobskc.org.

Two women pose in front of North Central Missouri College backdrops, with text reading "Great Jobs KC" and "Scholars Always Come First" as Kansas City celebrates our scholars.

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in the media

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.

If you’ve received this newsletter as a share and would like to be added to our distribution list, please enter your email address here.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

The text "Great Jobs KC Scholars" features "KC" inside a shield-like icon between "Jobs" and "Scholars," highlighting Kansas City education impact in this newsletter design.

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

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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