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Great Jobs KC

Over $60 million Committed to Kansas City Area Students

Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Saint Mary partner with KC Scholars to offer millions of dollars in scholarships to area students in coming years.

Kansas City, MO. (June 19, 2023) — KC Scholars, the region’s preeminent scholarship program, is pleased to announce the addition of two university partners to its roster: Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Saint Mary.

● Northwest Missouri State University has committed $17,500,000 to provide fifty scholarships worth $50,000 each annually for the next seven years.

● The University of Saint Mary has committed $50,000,000 to provide fifty scholarships worth $100,000 each annually for the next 10 years.

Students interested in applying for these or any of KC Scholars’ scholarships should Click Here.

The expansion of the KC Scholars post-secondary network is vital to the organization’s commitment to not only expand opportunities for their current scholars, but also increase the number of scholarships to eligible applicants that would have otherwise gone un awarded, said Natalie Lewis, KC Scholars’ chief operations officer, in making the announcement.

“At KC Scholars, we believe in the impact of education on the financial stability of the next generation,” Lewis said. “Helping to support the dreams of so many through their partnership and investment shows the commitment of Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Saint Mary to the community. Those are the types of partnerships we strive to build.”

Allison Hoffmann, assistant vice president of admissions and student success at Northwest Missouri State University, talked about the university’s commitment to supporting students on their journeys.

“Northwest is committed to creating pathways for students to access higher education, and this partnership speaks to our commitment,” Hoffmann said. “With our focus on student success, we remain deeply committed to supporting students through post-secondary completion.”

For Sr. Diane Steele, president of the University of Saint Mary, the partnership with KC Scholars is significant both professionally and personally.

“As a first-generation college graduate myself, I am most pleased that Saint Mary can, through this partnership, expand our support of such deserving students,” Steele said. “This partnership is a wonderful fit for USM, as the university believes that it is a primary mission to ensure that education is affordable, accessible, and, ultimately, successful for all students. What’s more, over the past few years, USM has expanded its focus on serving and supporting first-generation students—a group also heavily served by KC Scholars.”

This year, KC Scholars awarded $50,000 scholarships to more than 775 students and adults to be used within their post-secondary network. With the addition of Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Saint Mary, KC Scholars now partners with a total of 19 colleges and universities in the Kansas City area.

Four people stand outdoors in front of a mural, wearing black sweatshirts with different words on them: "Bold," "Powerful," "Adventurous," and "Fearless." They are smiling and engaged in conversation.
A person wearing a graduation cap with the word "BOLD" on it raises their arms in celebration in front of large windows with a cityscape in the background.
Five people stand side by side on steps, each wearing a black sweatshirt with words: "STRONG," "ADVENTUROUS," "COURAGEOUS," "KIND," and "POWERFUL." They are smiling with arms around each other.
A group of graduates in a circle, viewed from above. Each hat has the word "BOLD" written on it in white letters.
A man smiles and crouches while holding a sign reading "Be Bold with KC Scholars." Another sign on the ground reads "I am Boldly Resilient.
Three graduates wearing caps and gowns and white stoles labeled "Bold" smile and laugh while seated next to each other.

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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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

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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