The KU Edwards Campus (KUEC) delivers a world-class KU education to the Kansas City metro area and beyond. Striving to meet the region’s diverse workforce, economic and community needs, KUEC helps adult learners start, change or advance their careers through high-demand degree, certificate and professional education programs.
More than 37 percent of KUEC students work 40 hours or more per week, and another 25 percent work at least 30 hours a week. More than a third have children high-school age or younger. And, all of KU Edwards Campus undergraduate students come with previous college credits.
KUEC’s diverse, nontraditional student population overcomes many obstacles to enroll in and complete educational programs; finances being a major one. Enrollment fees, transportation and family expenses are oftentimes road blocks for those who would otherwise be eligible for financial aid. Transfer students face large tuition gaps and fewer funding options. Scholarships provide critical assistance in overcoming these barriers.
With funds raised in 2019’s One Day. One KU. campaign, eleven students received micro-scholarships of $150. These micro-scholarships directly affect student's trajectories. According to Director of Student Success and Support Services, Misty Chandler, this support can be the vital push students need to apply to their program of choice and get started. “The micro-scholarships from the 2018 and 2019 One Day. One KU. campaigns have literally launched thirty-one students into their academic experience,” Chandler said. “These scholarships were just the nudge they needed. Because of the nature of One Day. One KU., small gifts can truly make a difference in changing lives.”
Campus atmosphere and student engagement are also key to student success. The KU Edwards Campus places high priority on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts to train and develop personnel, increasing cultural competence and fostering an inclusive environment for learning, working and collaboration.
As a result of the 2019 campaign, the KUEC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Cabinet was able to purchase four student-created art pieces to display on campus and hope to purchase one per year moving forward to create a supportive environment encouraging student collaboration and involvement.
In 2020, the KU Edwards Campus added a new giving opportunity: community college transfer pathways. These gifts will support transfer student scholarships, academic coaching, career pathway advising and networking.
With your support, more students and local professionals will be able to pursue the next step in their education, complete their program of choice, advance their career, and boost the local economy and workforce.
