The University of Missouri-Kansas City is expanding its investment in regional workforce development in Kansas by adding Kansas City Kansas Community College as a new partner institution in the university’s RooMentum Pathways program.

RooMentum Pathways creates a seamless transfer experience for students at partner community colleges, providing clear academic pathways, advising support and guaranteed transfer options for students who plan to continue their education at UMKC.

By reducing barriers and increasing access to four-year degrees, the program helps students move more efficiently from education to high-demand careers that fuel the regional economy. UMKC Assistant Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Doug Swink said the expansion of RooMentum to include KCKCC strengthens the university’s commitment to supporting education access and workforce development for the region.

“RooMentum reduces barriers to completion while preparing graduates to contribute immediately to the Kansas City economy,” Swink said. “We are grateful for KCKCC’s partnership in aligning the workforce pipeline with high-demand careers,”

KCKCC joins Johnson County Community College and Metropolitan Community College as RooMentum partners in Kansas and Missouri. The expanding program reflects UMKC’s continued commitment to building strong, cross-state education and workforce pipelines that meet the region’s evolving talent needs, including in Kansas, and aligns with broader initiatives such as Critical Materials Crossroads, a National Science Foundation-finalist effort to strengthen innovation, industry collaboration and workforce readiness in advanced and emerging sectors.

In addition to the RooMentum Pathways program, UMKC also participates in industry partnerships, like Amazon’s Career Choice program, to align education with workforce needs across the region. By investing in multiple career advancement pathways, cross-state collaboration and workforce-aligned education, UMKC is helping ensure students in Kansas are prepared to meet the demands of the economy today while driving future growth of the Kansas City region.

Students in the RooMentum Pathway program have access to advising and degree planning services at UMKC even before they transfer, ensuring every credit counts toward earning a bachelor’s degree. In addition, once students complete an associate degree, they will be guaranteed to receive a merit-based scholarship of $2,500 or $3,500, reserved for transfer students.

“We are proud to partner with UMKC in creating more seamless transfer pathways for our students,” said Brady Beckman, director of Student Success and Retention at KCKCC. “Together, we’re building a stronger bridge between our institutions and opening doors to new opportunities for KCKCC graduates.”