MCC awarded $1 million grant from Jackson County Legislature for free college initiative
MCC Chancellor Kimberly Beatty speaks at a press conference Dec. 31. The $1 million
grant was announced just outside Jackson County Legislature chambers in downtown Kansas
City.The Jackson County Legislature has awarded a $1 million Nonprofit Partnership Grant to Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City, to catalyze new programming that will better guarantee access to college and workforce education options for all students in the Kansas City region.
MCC's free college initiative seeks to expand college access, degree completion and career success by removing barriers and providing essential support for students who want to earn a college degree or pursue other workforce training opportunities after high school.
“For many in our community, the greatest barrier to achieving a post-secondary degree or a required credential for employment isn’t ability or desire, it is financial,” MCC Chancellor Dr. Kimberly Beatty said at a Dec. 31, 2025, press conference. “Thank you so much to the Jackson County Legislature. It is fantastic to educate and support students in a community with leaders who share that common goal.”
The MCC Board of Trustees was instrumental in developing and approving the free college initiative.
“Our mission at MCC is ‘Preparing students, serving communities, creating opportunities for all,’ ” Board of Trustees President Chris Benjamin said. “Through this generous Nonprofit Partnership Grant, the Jackson County Legislature has clearly demonstrated these are priorities we have in common.”
MCC Trustee Jermaine Reed added: “MCC’s visionary free college initiative, supported by this grant from Jackson County, will elevate access to higher education in our communities and build a skilled workforce pipeline for our region. I will continue to champion this effort until every student in our community has unfettered access to the outstanding education offered at MCC.”
For more information about educational opportunities and student financial support at MCC, visit mcckc.edu/YourAnywhere.
Metropolitan Community College, founded in 1915, was Missouri’s first community college and is the oldest public institution of higher learning in Kansas City, Missouri.