Yolanda Waldon
Yolanda Waldon has dedicated her life to working in the educational and nonprofit space.
After she graduated from the University of Central Missouri, Yolanda worked for them as an Assistant Director of Multi-Cultural Recruitment and Retention for three years. Continuing her work in higher education, she worked in admissions at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis for two years and then at ACE Collegium Campus for another four years.
She joined Kauffman Scholars, Inc. in the fall of 2013, spending almost six years in their post-secondary department, first as an advisor and then as a retention specialist.
During her time there, she integrated social work theory into a cohort-specific coaching and retention model, resulting in a 25% increase in KSI scholarship eligibility and college matriculation. She also led a peer mentoring program, serving 45 scholars across three campuses.
In the late summer of 2019, Yolanda joined the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as their Chief Student Officer-skilled KC Technical Institute, where she led enrollment offices, career services, financial aid, and registration.
In the summer of 2022, she joined Literacy KC as their Director of Workforce Development, where she focused on ensuring Integrated Education Training courses followed the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations.
She also helped establish a workforce and funding partner to expand programming and services training for English as a Second Language and HiSET graduates.
In May 2023, Yolanda was promoted to Chief Workforce Office, where she works with industry leaders to create strategies to develop an agile workforce that aligns with the growing needs of the industry while serving students preparing for their HiSET or working to enhance their English language skills.
Given her expertise and love of higher education, Yolanda also has a Master's degree in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
She has also obtained several leadership certifications, including Career Pathways Leadership Certification from the National Career Pathways Network, Central Exchange Emerging Leaders Graduate certification from Central Exchange, and Educational Leadership certification from the Surge Institute.
Yolanda serves on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City and is the KC Chapter President for Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
I know Yolanda will continue to have a significant impact at Literacy KC and within the community. KC is lucky to have Yolanda, and I am excited to watch her next chapter unfold.
You can visit the Literacy KC website to learn more, donate, or get involved.
Website: www.literacykc.org