Alexander (Alex) Gloria was awarded a Traditional scholarship in May of 2017. He enrolled in Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in Fall 2018 and completed a credit-bearing certificate in HVAC in Summer 2019. He plans to keep working on his associate degree, 3 credit hours at a time.

Alex is a graduate of Alta Vista High School, a Guadalupe Center charter school. Alex is the first in his family to complete a postsecondary credential. In high school, he worked at a heating and cooling company and was active in Art Club and Student Council.

Alex said, “I have a passion for working with my hands and mind.” [My dream is to] become an electrical engineer and open up my own business.”

A study completed by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research validates
the fact that KC Scholars are participating in activities that make them more likely
and prepared to enroll in college. Eleventh (11th) grade Traditional Scholarship awardees were compared to eligible, qualified applicants that did not receive the scholarship but also had access to college advisement and planning assistance during their 12th grade of high school.

Statistically significant differences were found that support the fact that KC Scholars’ awardees are taking advantage of opportunities to plan for and be ready for college. Key findings include that KC Scholars were:

Read the full report at https://kcscholars.org/impact#evaluation

KC Scholars publicly launched on September 28, 2016 and just celebrated our 3rd birthday. It will be exciting to see what the next 3 years holds!

If you missed our special 3-year birthday newsletter, it is located here.

In addition to the support and advisement Scholars receive from their college adviser – which they have as part of the KC Scholars program – KC Scholars’ staff plans and delivers 27 unique college planning workshops throughout the year. Learn about the workshops (ranging from college fairs to parent workshops to understanding your financial aid) at: https://kcscholars.org/schedule-of-college-planning-events/

Guadalupe Centers is a donor to KC Scholars. And, Alta Vista Charter School (a school of Guadalupe Centers) is among the Top 10 high schools with the greatest number of KC Scholars awarded during our first 3 years – with 68 scholarship awards.

Pictured below are Alexander Guzman and Mireya Esquivel, May 2019 KC Scholars’ Traditional Scholarship Awardees and recipients of named scholarships sponsored by Guadalupe Centers – the KC Scholars: Guadalupe Centers’ Tony Aguirre Scholarship and the KC Scholars: Guadalupe Centers’ Gilbert Guerrero Scholarship.

Alexander and Mireya were recognized at the Guadalupe Centers Centennial Celebration in September 2019 and will be enrolled in college in Fall 2020. Both are graduates of Alta Vista Charter School.

Guadalupe Centers just celebrated their Centennial. Learn more at https://guadalupecenters.org/

KC Scholars Scholarship Application Train the Trainer Workshops will be held at the end of October and early November. Workshops are designed for staff of high schools and community organizations to learn more about the 2020 scholarship application and how they can assist applicants through the application process. KC Scholars staff will provide a walkthrough of the online application portal, share hints/tips on how to assist applicants, and distribute printed marketing materials.

For more details and to RSVP to attend a Train the Trainer Workshop, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020TrainTrainer

Emily Monchusie, Director of Finance and Business Operations

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting, UMKC
• Master of Science in Accounting, University of Kansas
• Certified CPA in Kansas and Missouri
• Most recently Controller at MTC Holding Corporation in Overland Park, KS where she was also previously the Accounting Manager and Corporate Accountant
• Previous work experience at H&R Block Bank and Mutual Funds Corporate Securities at DST
• First-generation college student

Ana Valdez, Director of Development and Alumni Engagement

• Bachelor of Science in Financial Management & Marketing, Rockhurst University
• Master’s in education in Curriculum Development, Kansas State University
• MBA in Management, Avila University
• EdD in Educational Leadership, Saint Louis University
  (in progress)
• Previous work experience at Donnelly College, Truman Medical Center, Hispanic Association of Corporate Responsibility in Washington DC, and Sprint Nextel
• Awards include Ingram’s 40 Under 40, Outstanding Community Leader by Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Kansas City Kansas School District Reasons to Believe Award
• First-generation college student

• Via our secure online portal at: https://give-to-kcscholars.networkforgood.com/
• Send a check to: KC Scholars, 8080 Ward Parkway, Suite 402, Kansas City, MO 64114
• Via the Amazon Smile program
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• Donate directly by clicking the button below