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D'Mya's Journey as a Traditional Scholar at William Jewell College

Great Jobs KC

D’Mya is a Traditional Scholar at Great Jobs KC and is currently attending school at William Jewell College.

A woman with red braided hair stands outdoors against a tree, sporting a colorful scarf top, denim skirt, and brown shoes. Holding a pink purse and making a peace sign, she radiates KC Scholars nursing success and confidence.

I joined the Ambassador Program to connect, to learn, and to be part of something. I was looking to be involved and socially active. I hoped to meet other students and connect and hear about their journey as well.  I chose to stay because it delivered on all of that—and more. Through the program, I met incredible fellow scholars, mentors who actually care, and I was given the chance to develop leadership skills that I never imagined I’d have. The relationships I’ve built are what keep me going, and the consistent support has helped me stay on track with my goals.

One of my favorite memories has to be working on event planning with Danielle and Kaylee Sundeen.  We spent time on  Zoom calls, drafting emails, setting up registration lists, and coordinating all the details. It may sound like work, but it was so much fun seeing everything come together.

The impact of KC Scholars, Great Jobs KC, and the Ambassador Program on my life has been massive. Financially, they provided the foundation I needed to even start this journey. Emotionally, they gave me the kind of support system that made transitions easier—especially when I moved from a university setting to a community college. That shift was hard; I didn’t feel like I fit in. But because of KC Scholars, I never felt alone.

As for my education journey—it’s been a process, but it’s one I’m proud of. I started at the University of Kansas, then transferred to Kansas City Kansas Community College to reset and refocus. Now, I’m preparing to finish my degree at William Jewell and pursue my BSN in nursing. Through every step, KC Scholars has been there—checking in monthly, offering resources, and just being present in every way possible.

If you’re a student thinking about joining the Ambassador Program or becoming a KC Scholar, I can’t recommend it enough. Most programs make promises, but KC Scholars follow through. They don’t just help you get into college—they help you stay there, grow there, and feel like you truly belong.

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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