Helping First-Gen and Low SES Students Succeed: A Regional Model That Works

With first-generation and low SES students facing steep barriers to completion and career entry, Great Jobs KC has built a replicable model that starts in high school, continues through college, and delivers real workforce outcomes. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Great Jobs KC CEO Earl Martin Phalen about how regional collaboration, wraparound services, and employer partnerships are helping underserved students succeed beyond graduation.

Phalen outlines how Great Jobs KC collaborates with 24 higher education institutions, over 150 employer partners, and K–12 feeder systems to support students from high school through college graduation and into strong first jobs. Through initiatives like KC Scholars and the Great Jobs KC scholarship, the organization provides $50,000 per student for tuition, transportation, and wraparound support—including case managers, success coaches, and career placement services.

This episode offers practical, data-backed insights for institutional leaders working to improve retention, increase degree completion, and strengthen job placement results for underserved students through strategic regional partnerships.

Topics Covered:

• The unique needs of first-generation and low SES students
• Designing holistic support systems that extend beyond financial aid
• How to build college-employer partnerships that deliver job outcomes
• Regional collaboration between 24 colleges and over 150 employers
• The role of scholar advocates and success coaches in student persistence
• How investing $50,000 per student can produce high ROI
• Measuring impact: retention, completion, and employment rates

Real-World Examples Discussed:

• Great Jobs KC’s partnership with regional colleges, including UMKC, Avila, William Jewell, and Donnelly College
• How the KC Scholars program helps high school students complete FAFSA, ACT prep, and college planning
• Employer partnership models, including apprenticeships, internships, and work-based learning
• The importance of wraparound services like transportation and mental health support in student success
• Scholar experiences navigating college with the help of long-term coaching

Three Key Takeaways for Higher Ed Leadership:

1. Institutions that want to serve first-gen and low-income students need more than scholarships—they need scalable systems of support.
2. Long-term coaching and employer-aligned programs can dramatically improve retention, completion, and career outcomes.
3. Regional collaboration between colleges, K–12 schools, and employers isn’t just ideal—it’s necessary to b