The Kansas City College and Career Attainment Network (KCCAN) is a regional partnership working to expand postsecondary access, affordability, and completion across the Kansas City metro. It is the first regional initiative of MOCAN, supporting greater postsecondary outcomes for low-income students.
Building on the success of the KC FAFSA Initiative, KCCAN brings together high schools, community organizations, higher education institutions, and workforce partners to align strategy, accelerate progress, and deliver real results for students.
Why KCCAN?
Too many Kansas City students are being locked out of economic mobility, not because of a lack of talent or ambition, but because the systems meant to support them fall short.
Today, only 13% of students from Kansas City’s low-income high schools will earn a college degree, limiting opportunity for individuals and constraining the region’s long-term economic growth.
Our Goal
Increase postsecondary attainment among low-income students in the Kansas City metro by 10 percentage points – from 13% to 23% by 2030. This ambitious target reflects both the urgency of the challenge and the scale of collaboration required to meet it.
Our Strategy
In December 2025, KCCAN launched Kansas City’s Community Strategic Plan to increase postsecondary attainment for students from low-income communities. Shaped by 75 stakeholders from more than 40 organizations, KCCAN’s Community Strategic Plan aligns the region around a shared roadmap for improving college and career outcomes, so that all students have the opportunity to succeed.
The plan focuses on three interconnected outcomes that research shows are essential to long-term success:
To drive implementation, KCCAN has convened three cross-sector workgroups – one for each outcome area. These groups prioritize high-impact activities, coordinate action across institutions, and report progress quarterly to ensure accountability and momentum.
KCCAN Workgroup Chairs: Three workgroups oversee the implementation of the Community Strategic Plan. Each workgroup is led by community co-chairs.
- Career-Connected Learning: Nicole Pizzato (CAPS Network); Christina Chandler (JE Dunn Construction)
- Postsecondary Enrollment: Korri Hall (KU GEAR UP); Keith Schoen (Guadalupe Centers High School); Teressa Collier (Kansas City Kansas Community College)
- Postsecondary Completion: Kristi Holsinger (University of Missouri-Kansas City); Yolanda Waldon (Literacy KC); John Hudson (Metropolitan Community College)
Get Involved!
Community partners are encouraged to join a workgroup, share insights, or offer feedback! To join a workgroup, contact Dr. Mako Miller.
sessions from April-September 2025.
From Strategy to Action
As an early and tangible win, KCCAN has partnered with Kansas City Public Schools to embed six full-time college and career advisors directly in KCPS high schools, dramatically expanding access to high-quality, personalized postsecondary guidance for students in low-income communities.
The KCCAN advising team supports students by:
Providing school-embedded 1:1 and small group college and career advising
Leading college access activities including college visits, FAFSA workshops, scholarship fairs, and summer bridge programs
Connecting students with alumni and professionals who help them understand and navigate real-world pathways to college and career success
This partnership ensures students are not navigating complex postsecondary decisions alone – and that schools have the capacity to meet growing demand for individualized support.
Watch a short video about the KCCAN College & Career Advising Program.
Who is KCCAN?
KCCAN is an initiative of MOCAN, with a staff of eight, supported by a Steering Committee of community partners to guide its work, and dozens of colleagues engaged in action-oriented workgroups.
Steering Committee: A cross-sector group representing K-12 education, higher education, philanthropy, workforce development, and community-based organizations guides KCCAN’s strategy and ensures alignment with regional priorities.
- Victor Aguilar – Kansas City Public Schools
- Dr. Mary Clark – Metropolitan Community College
- Collette Hadley – National College Attainment Network
- Dr. Kristi Holsinger – University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Camry Ivory – Consultant
- Ed Marquez – Shawnee Mission Education Foundation
- Robert Sagastume – Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
- Val Salazar – Marion & Henry Bloch Family Foundation/H&R Block Foundation
- Karly Scholl – CommunityAmerican Credit Union
- Cherelle Washington – Missouri College and Career Attainment Network (MOCAN)
- Laura Winter – Missouri College and Career Attainment Network (MOCAN)
KCCAN Staff
Join the Effort
KCCAN’s success depends on sustained, coordinated action across education, workforce, and community partners. To join a workgroup, explore alignment, or contribute to this regional effort to expand opportunity and economic mobility, please complete this inquiry form.
