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Micaela Carter: Finding Her Future

Great Jobs KC

A woman with long dark hair and glasses smiles at the camera, embodying resilience and reflection, with the Washington Monument and National Mall in the background.

I first heard about KC Scholars through my high school since I’m a first-gen student and met the financial requirements. Now I’m a junior at Avila University majoring in social work, and my goal is to become an elementary school social worker.

My mom has always encouraged me to go after my goals, but I didn’t want the cost of college to be just another stress or weight on her shoulders. KC Scholars helped take that pressure off and gave me the chance to really focus on school and my future without worrying so much about money.

Besides the scholarship itself, the program has given me a real support system. My Scholar Advocate, Nicole Davis, is seriously one of the kindest people I’ve met. Whether I’ve had a random question or just needed someone to check in, she’s been there without hesitation. Knowing I have someone in my corner has meant a lot, especially when things have felt overwhelming.

What I love most is that KC Scholars has helped me go after something I’m really passionate about. Helping kids. When I was dealing with grief, I had two different school social workers who helped me through it. Their kindness, patience, and support stuck with me in a way I’ll never forget. They left a lifelong impact on me, and now I want to be that person for future students. Someone they can rely on during the hard stuff.

One thing I’ll always carry with me is the feeling of making my family proud, especially those who are no longer here. I think about them often, and it pushes me to keep going.

One of my favorite memories from college has been finding my people in the social work program. It’s such a great feeling to be surrounded by people who just get you and care about the same things. It’s made college feel more like home.

KC Scholars isn’t just about the money. It’s about having people who believe in you, cheer you on, and remind you that you’re not doing this alone. If you’re thinking about applying, seriously do it. It changed my life in the best way.

About Great Jobs KC

Great Jobs KC is a Kansas City-based nonprofit that provides access to college scholarships and tuition-free job training, along with job placement assistance for young people from low- and modest-income families in the metropolitan area, providing a pipeline of talent for a strong regional workforce. Please join us on our mission for economic independence for all. For more information, visit www.greatjobskc.org.

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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

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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.

Great Jobs KC
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