A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

A person with a bald head and a goatee smiles while standing with arms crossed, wearing a black shirt and vest. Behind them, the stone wall and colorful artwork blend beautifully, much like the veteran job training programs in Kansas City that offer vibrant new beginnings.

 

 

The word "FIRST" in bold blue font, flanked by three vertical blue bars on both the left and right sides, symbolizes access to scholarships and opportunities.

From our training provider MedCerts:

A woman smiles while holding a gift card, with a printed note underneath praising her dedication and care as a CNA.“Please join us in celebrating one of our recent graduates from the CNA program!  We wanted to take a minute to personally give a shout out to Great Jobs KC!  So many reasons why you all are so amazing, but.. Here is, to me, the most important reason of all:

Octavia Kasuba is a recent graduate from our program, her advocate is Stephanie Johnston. Octavia is being honored at her job for going above and beyond & being an outstanding CNA ! Octavia graduated and became certified from MEDS in March of this year. Her photo is on display along with 2 other employees that are being honored at their facility for all their hard work! Octavia didn’t think at one point that she would pass this program.  She had no home, no job, no support system, and felt like in general that she struggled with learning. It is because of the wonderful Great Jobs KC Program and all their people that it takes to make something this huge work and change so many lives! I myself am so proud to walk into facilities and see our students continue to grow, support others, and give care to those in need ! Too often I wonder if the Great Jobs KC staff get to see its beautiful impact on the individual lives…. So, from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!”  

To learn more about our Scholars and their success, please visit our Scholar Success page.

OUR VOLUNTEERS MAKE AWARDS DAY POSSIBLE

Our volunteer reviewers invest of themselves to help us select the best candidates for our KC Scholars Scholarship Program. This year the data tells the story.

190 reviewers completed 6,674 reviews.

177 of the 190 reviewers completed the assigned 35 applications.

55 reviewers stepped in and completed the extras.

Some of our reviewers reviewed 36-50 total applications.

That is a lot of volunteer hours!
6,674 X 7 minutes per review is 46,718 minutes or 778 Volunteer Hours!!

THANK YOU VOLUNTEER REVIEWERS!

Two sets of gray vertical bars with colored arrow-like shapes, symbolizing scholarships and opportunities, are positioned on the left and right sides of a white background, facing inward.

Our Success featured by

national third-party evaluator

Mathematica, third-party researcher, did an evaluation of our Great Jobs KC job training program and featured our success on their blog. READ MORE HERE

A diverse group of seven professionals, each excelling in their careers as a businessperson, construction worker, chef, engineer, nurse, teacher, and factory worker, is standing and smiling.
Logo with the words "Great Jobs KC" and "Job Training" in bold, black and blue text, highlighting scholarships and opportunities.
Logo for John Knox Village with stylized blue houses and green tree above, and the text "John Knox Village" beneath.

NEW EMPLOYER PARTNERSHIP!

John Knox Village

John Knox Village, a major employer in Lee’s Summit, will be looking to hire many of our Scholars in the healthcare industry, but since they have such a large community, they will also have electricians, handymen, culinary and more.

DON’T LET ANYTHING GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR SUCCESS!

DON’T HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR IS ENGLISH NOT YOUR FIRST LANGUAGE?

STILL WANT A CAREER IN A HIGH-DEMAND FIELD?

Reach out so we can align you with one of our GED or ESL program providers and get you the GED or language support you need to start with Great Jobs KC. 

Need more info? Visit our Foundational Skills page to get more info.

KC Scholars College Team logo featuring "KC Scholars" in black text and "COLLEGE TEAM" in vibrant orange and red blocks below, highlighting scholarships and opportunities for students.
A woman stands indoors against a wall with blue panels, wearing a denim shirt and jeans, smiling with one hand in her pocket—radiating confidence as she embraces new scholarships and opportunities.

Our Scholar Advocates

set us apart.

What does having a Scholar Advocate mean to you?

“Someone to rely on, especially when I have questions, I am able to email him and he responds quickly every time. Having someone to lean on when I need help. They are there to help and to lift me up when I need it.” – Chinecherem Ihenacho, Junior UMKC

KC Scholars Adult Learners logo with "KC" in a shield, "Scholars" in black, "ADULT" in light blue, and "LEARNERS" in dark blue, representing scholarships and opportunities for adult learners.

KC Scholars

Adult Learner Orientation

The Scholarship Program team hosted an Adult Learner Orientation on the evening of March 12, welcoming a fantastic turnout of newly awarded Scholars. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with their dedicated Scholar Advocate, learn more about their scholarship and program expectations, and navigate the KC Scholars portal. It was also a great chance for Scholars to meet and engage with one another, fostering a strong sense of community and excitement for the journey ahead. We are thrilled to welcome them into the KC Scholars family and look forward to seeing them achieve great things! 

A group of people sit at round tables, talking and smiling, during an indoor Support Our Scholars event or workshop.
A group of people sit and talk in pairs at an indoor Support Our Scholars event; most are smiling and wearing name tags.
A group of people seated at round tables engage in conversation during a large indoor Support Our Scholars event or workshop.
KC Scholars High School Team logo with "KC Scholars" in black and "HIGH SCHOOL TEAM" in green and teal block letters below, representing scholarships and opportunities for students.

KC Scholars Visit

Northwest Missouri State University

On March 22nd, KC Scholars had an exciting visit to Northwest Missouri State University! Students had the chance to meet with faculty from various academic areas, gain insights into the admissions process and available scholarships, and tour the beautiful campus. The visit also included a session with the Financial Assistance Office.

During the tour, attendees heard from a current student and connected with other visiting families in a group setting. To top it off, all students received a free t-shirt. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore the university and learn more about what it has to offer!

KC Scholars Ambassador Team logo with "KC Scholars" in black text and "AMBASSADOR TEAM" in green and teal block letters below, representing scholarships and opportunities for student success.

Congrats to Our 2025-26 Class of

KC Scholars Ambassadors

We’re thrilled to announce the selection of our 2025-26 KC Scholars Ambassadors! This incredible group of 33 Scholars—including 13 returning ambassadors—will play a vital role in supporting key projects and events, fostering a strong sense of community among Scholars, and serving as proud representatives of KC Scholars on their campuses.

Special thanks to our dedicated review committee—Laura Cooke, Jacquada Gray, Lucretia Haley, Danielle Rogg Guillermo, Tiffany Ngo, Amanda Oliver, Dani Sanchez, and Kris Thompson—for their time, thoughtfulness, and commitment throughout the selection process. 

Here’s a snapshot of our ambassadors by institution: 

  • University of Missouri- Kansas City: 14 ambassadors 
  • University of Kansas: 9 ambassadors 
  • Rockhurst University: 6 ambassadors
  • Kansas City Kansas Community College: 4 ambassadors 

The passion and dedication shown by all applicants made this year’s selection process incredibly inspiring. As we build on the success of our first year, we can’t wait to see the meaningful impact this new cohort will have in the year ahead! You can learn more about the KC Scholars Ambassador Program here

WHAT HAVE OUR CURRENT AMBASSADORS

BEEN UP TO?

The KC Scholars Ambassador Program brought inspiration and creativity to Kansas City Kansas Community College on March 26 with Motivation Station! This engaging event gave students a well-deserved break to design vision boards, helping them stay motivated and focused as they wrap up the semester. It was the perfect boost of encouragement! Pictured is KC Scholars Ambassador D’Mya Russell-Woods in action!

Three people sit at a table in a classroom, engaged in conversation. One person smiles while listening to another, with empty chairs and sunlight in the background.

On April 2, the KC Scholars Ambassadors at Rockhurst University hosted Crafts and Cane’s. A group of 10 Scholars came together to enjoy Raising Cane’s, take part in a variety of craft projects, and spend quality time connecting with one another and their Scholar Advocate. The event brought a boost of energy and support as Scholars head into the final stretch of the school year.

On April 24, nearly 50 Scholars gathered for a lively Tie-Dye Time with KC Scholars event hosted by the UMKC KC Scholars Ambassadors. Scholars had a blast tie-dyeing KC Scholars t-shirts, enjoying pizza, and playing yard games on a beautiful spring day.  It was a perfect way to relax and have some fun before the final stretch of the semester. UMKC Scholar Advocates and other Great Jobs KC staff joined in on the festivities, adding to the sense of community. A perfect way to add some color and fun to everyone’s day!

Two women wearing gloves and casual clothes smile while working together at a table covered with bottles, supporting our scholars outdoors beside a brick wall.

Ten Scholars hit the lanes with KU KC Scholars Ambassadors on April 23 for “Bowl & Bond with KC Scholars.” It was a night full of laughter, lane-side chats, and lasting connections! Huge thanks to our incredible ambassadors for making this event a strike!

Logo with "Great Jobs KC" in bold black text and "DEVELOPMENT TEAM" in blue, with "TEAM" highlighted in a blue rectangle, representing scholarships and opportunities for career growth.

Celebrate Success

Sponsor a Scholar Milestone!

Are you looking for a way to support our mission and Scholars? We are in search of sponsors for some upcoming programs that will celebrate our Scholars and their incredible achievements. If you’re interested reach out to Kristin Crites, Director of Corporate & Individual Development at Kristin.crites@greatjobskc.org
Illustration divided into three scenes: a classroom discussion, a graduation ceremony, and two people enjoying a baseball game in a stadium—highlighting moments shaped by the Support Our Scholars program.
A white rectangle bordered by two parallel horizontal dark blue lines at the top and bottom, highlighting the message: Support Our Scholars.
Webinar flyer: "Referring Clients to Great Jobs KC" for case managers on May 22 at 1 p.m., featuring a registration link, QR code, Great Jobs KC logo, and insights on how to Support Our Scholars in advancing their careers.

We want to arm our partners with all the tools they need to help our Scholars start off on the right foot.

Text graphic with the words "Training Programs & Partners" in a blue, white, and green gradient, highlighting scholarships and opportunities for growth.

great jobs ahead!

Looking for area adults 17+ who want to change their future through training in one of these careers. Great job outlook and salary!

Tell us about your job

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)

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

our team

in the community

Some of our amazing staff attended the Wild About Harry, Truman Library fundraiser held at the Muehlebach Hotel Pictured in the photo are from left to right: Michael Chavez, Tom Clark, George Hudson, Karolyn Dreiling, Kristin Crites, Mary Kate Kelly, and Te’Keyah Lawson

Seven people stand side by side in front of two display banners that read "WILD! ABOUT HARRY" at an indoor Support Our Scholars event. The photo is in black and white.

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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

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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