The Kansas City Kansas Community College Foundation has announced those it will recognize during the 2025 Hall of Fame Awards and Scholarship Event.
The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 25 at the Dr. Thomas R. Burke Technical Education Center, 6565 State Ave. Individual tickets are $125. In addition, sponsorship packages are still available for business sponsors to support student scholarships. For more information on sponsorships and tickets, visit the KCKCC Foundation’s website.
“The KCKCC Foundation is privileged to honor the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees. Their dedication to strengthening our community through innovation, creativity and quality education is commendable and deserving of recognition,” said Erik Dickinson, chair of the KCKCC Foundation. “Scholarship proceeds from this year’s event are critical to our mission. The funds help remove financial barriers so qualified students can pursue their academic dreams.”
The Hall of Fame started in 1996 to recognize individuals, organizations and corporate supporters in the community who have made notable contributions to education. Hall of Fame inductees are selected based on a demonstrated commitment to education, their effort to improve the quality of life in the community through education, and by increasing educational opportunities for others that support significant changes improving the quality of education.
The 2025 inductees into the KCKCC Hall of Fame are:
UG Black History Scholarship Committee
Nominators: Rosalyn Brown, Mayor Tyrone Garner and Gordon Criswell
Formed in 1992 by Black employees who began holding weekly meetings, the UG Black History Committee has a vision for creating a plan to share their history, foster inclusivity and create pride and cultural awareness among citizens of Wyandotte County. Supporting education was and remains the group's core focus. February 2025 will mark 33 years of the committee providing scholarship support for students attending KCKCC. The vision and impact of the committee lives on through these students.
Dr. Shelley Cooper
Nominators: Erik Dickinson and Dr. Danielle Jones
Dr. Shelley Cooper is an innovative pioneer addressing healthcare access disparities faced by underserved communities. She launched Diversity Telehealth, LLC, a service leveraging telemedicine, to increase access to healthcare, wellbeing and preventative services. For example, telehealth removes one very significant barrier to care - lack of transportation. A dedicated advocate for health literacy, she educates marginalized people about healthcare choices, equipping them to make informed choices. Among the organizations with which she has consulted include Children’s Mercy, Headstart, Swope, Kansas City Public Schools and UMKC School of Medicine.
Dr. Janice McIntyre
Nominators: Dr. Curtis Smith, Dr. Ben Hayes and Valerie Webb
Dr. Janice McIntyre taught developmental reading and writing at KCKCC for 32 years. Throughout her tenure at KCKCC, she was instrumental in implementing many improvements that created not only growth opportunities for students but also staff and faculty. She was on the ground level of creating the KCKCC Intercultural Center, the KCKCC Women’s Resource Center, as well as promoting positive change through development of quality evaluation packages, curriculum improvements and staff leadership strategies.
A life-long learner, she maintained memberships in many professional associations. Through her dedication to her own self-development, she became an expert in methods to teach non-traditional and high-risk urban student populations. Her enthusiastic teaching methods are memorable. Whether speaking in another language, dancing or singing during class, students gained knowledge through her humor and fun approach.
Wiley Wright
Nominators: Tina Belt, Pam Scott –Kansas Funeral Directors Association and Robert Davis -Thatchers Funeral Home
Wiley Wright, a stalwart figure in the realm of mortuary science, left an indelible mark on the Kansas City community through his 38 years of dedicated service as professor of mortuary science at KCKCC. As a respected educator, mentor and experienced funeral practitioner, his contributions shaped the lives and careers of countless funeral professionals across Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. His journey, rooted in his lifelong residency in Kansas City, exemplifies commitment, compassion and unwavering dedication.
Although Wight first considered a career as a high school swim coach, his path took a turn in 1986 when he pursued mortuary science. With his approachable demeanor and dry wit, he imparted his vast knowledge and wisdom throughout four decades in the industry to students. In addition to his work in funeral service, he continued his involvement as the swimming coach at Shawnee Mission East High School.
For more information on the Hall of Fame, contact the KCKCC Foundation at 913-288-7675 or by email at foundation@kckcc.edu.