How KCKCC is Revolutionizing Education, Community Wellness and Prosperity in Kansas City
Kansas City stands on the brink of a transformative era. Under the leadership of Dr. Greg Mosier, President of Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC), a trio of groundbreaking projects are redefining the region’s educational and community landscape.
The Downtown Project This $71 million initiative, in collaboration with Swope Health and Community America Credit Union represents the largest economic investment in downtown KCK east of I-635 in over three decades. The project, a four-story 92,000 squarefoot KCK Community Education, Health and Wellness Center, is poised to become a student and community hub of opportunity and growth.
Located at the corner of 7th Street and State Avenue, this center will integrate multiple public resources under one roof, making it a unique model for community development. The first floor will include KCKCC’S Welcome Center, a One-stop Shop for student services and advising, community meeting rooms, and a beautiful professional art gallery. KCKCC will have a wide range of specialized classrooms and labs on the second and third floors of the partner building as well. Also on the first floor, Communityamerica Credit Union will open its first community access center in Kansas, offering financial literacy and financial health management services, as well as finance, investing and small business loan educational courses.
The top floor will house a new medical clinic operated by Swope Health, offering comprehensive medical services including medical, dental, vision, and behavioral healthcare. These collective services under one roof will be transformational for the downtown urban core, serving as a dynamic community hub that addresses holistic community needs.
Elements from the historic Seventh Street Methodist Episcopal Church will also be repurposed in the new building, including the pews, stained glass, foundation stones, and red bricks from the late 1800s.
Dr. Mosier pointed out the distinctiveness of this
public/private venture: “This facility will be one of a kind,” he said. “There’s nothing like it in the nation where a community college has partnered with other private industry, to create a holistic solution for such a socio-economically depressed area. This facility is purposefully located right in the heart of the urban core.”
With demolition of the blighted buildings on this block making way for new beginnings, the project is on track for vertical construction in the spring. The goal is to open the center by the spring 2026 semester.
Centennial Hall Student Housing Project
The fall 2022 ribbon cutting for Centennial Hall, the college’s new state-of-the-art, 260-bed residence hall, launched KCKCC’S centennial celebration. This initiative aims to directly address a critical issue: housing insecurity.
Not only is Centennial Hall beautiful, it’s also a game-changer in the college’s landscape, providing more than just a place to sleep. With a secure roof over their heads, multiple community gathering spaces, and incredible amenities, students can focus on their studies and personal/professional development.
“Previously leasing buildings from a neighboring apartment complex, Centennial Hall was built to provide our students a better and more complete living & learning environment,” said Dr. Greg Mosier.
The significance of Centennial Hall extends beyond its walls. By tackling housing insecurity, KCKCC removes a formidable barrier to education. This is especially impactful in an urban environment such as Kansas City, where housing security can be a lifeline for many aspiring students.
With this new facility, KCKCC further participates in the transformation of the community, paving the way for a more educated and equitable future.
New Leavenworth County Site
Lastly, the new Leavenworth County Site will represent KCKCC’S proactive approach to educational leadership and community engagement.
As Wyandotte County continues to grow, with tremendous capital investment being made by business and industry on available land and building facilities, new growth will expand into Leavenworth County. KCKCC’S new state-of-the-art educational site to be built in Leavenworth County is being designed to meet the burgeoning academic and technical education needs of businesses and families moving into the area.
Situated west of Wyandotte County, Leavenworth County is ideally located to serve not only the existing community but also the influx of residents and businesses expected in the coming years. Moreover, KCKCC’S new site is poised to become a significant player in the region’s economic and social fabric.
By providing educational resources and skill training aligned with the workforce demands of the future, this expansion will play a critical role in shaping the economic landscape of the area. It’s a clear indication of KCKCC’S dedication to fostering not only individual growth but also the overall success of the communities it serves.
Maximizing Returns for Students and Taxpayers
A closer look at KCKCC’S investment analysis reveals a broader positive impact on student success and economic growth.
For 2022, KCKCC students who invested $8 million in tuition, fees, supplies, and interest on student loans while forgoing $16.4 million in wages, stand to gain significantly from their education. The cumulative present value of their increased earnings over their working lives is estimated at a staggering $313 million.
This equates to a return of $12.80 in higher future earnings for every dollar invested in their education, with an impressive average annual rate of return of 32.7%. From the taxpayer’s perspective, the investment is equally fruitful: The $65.7 million funding provided to KCKCC translates into $84.1 million in added tax revenue due to students’ higher lifetime earnings.
The ROI also includes increased property tax revenue and business output amounting to $79.3 million, alongside a $4.7 million reduction in demand for government-funded services in Kansas. In 2022 alone, Kansas’ total investment in KCKCC of $115.5 million in education returned $764.9 million in new income, supporting 11,633 jobs in the region.
These results reflect the college’s deep commitment to community empowerment and economic development. By investing in these projects, KCKCC is creating life-changing opportunities for a higher educated, socioeconomically advanced, and vibrant Kansas City.