Before the KC Scholars Program, college felt more like a dream than a plan

Before KC Scholars came into my life, college felt more like a dream than a plan. I knew I wanted to pursue higher education, but I had no idea how I would get there financially, or even where to start. As an African and first-generation student, I never thought I would be able to receive financial assistance for college. Like many students, I was juggling school, family responsibilities, and the weight of figuring out a future I could barely imagine.

I first heard about KC Scholars through my high school English teacher, who emphasized, “This program changes lives.” I was skeptical but hopeful, so I applied. What stood out to me immediately was that KC Scholars wasn’t just another scholarship—it was a community. It was a system built to support students who, like me, needed more than just money—we needed mentorship, guidance, and a network that believed in us. 

One of my biggest challenges was self-doubt. Coming from a background where college wasn’t a given, I constantly asked myself, “Do I belong here?”. Add financial stress, family obligations, and a lack of direction, and the road ahead looked more like a maze than a path. But the moment I got that acceptance letter from KC Scholars, everything shifted. Suddenly, the “what ifs” turned into “what’s next?” I had the financial support to pursue college without being buried in loans.

I was so happy that I got accepted because in that moment, I had the confidence of saying I am going to college and will be the first one in my family to graduate. More than that, I had people in my corner cheering me on. It’s hard to put into words what KC Scholars has done for me. It’s more than a scholarship—it’s a lifeline. It’s knowing that when things get hard (and they have), I have a safety net of people and resources to help me keep going. It’s opened doors to academic and career opportunities I never thought possible.

Being part of the KC Scholars Ambassador Program has even deepened my experience. It gave me leadership opportunities and allowed me to mentor incoming Scholars who were starting. Sharing my story and helping others navigate their paths has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. Great Jobs KC has helped me start thinking beyond just getting a degree. It’s helped me connect the dots between education and real, fulfilling employment. The program’s focus on career readiness, job placement, and building a meaningful future makes it clear that they’re invested in our success after college, too, not just during it.

I’m currently majoring in Exercise Science and plan to attend grad school for Physical Therapy. Starting in the fall, I will be a senior at Rockhurst University, and I could not have done it without Great Jobs KC. I want to say thank you, and I hope KC Scholars continues to grow to help students like me. You are not just changing lives, you are investing in students’ potential who want to make a difference in their lives and the community. Thank you, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, for placing me on the path with KC Scholars. My dreams feel so much more attainable now, and that’s because of the foundation KC Scholars helped me build. To anyone thinking about applying, do it, even if you’re unsure, even if you feel like you don’t check all the boxes. This program sees potential where others might overlook it. And if you give it your all, it will give you more than you ever expected in return.

"One of my favorite memories must be the KC Scholars Award Ceremony. Standing in a room filled with other students just like me—first generation, driven, full of potential—it was one of the first times I felt truly seen and celebrated because I got both the Traditional Scholarship and College Saving Match. That sense of belonging, of being part of something bigger, will stay with me forever."

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