More than 800 JAG-K Students Graduate

Summer is here, and I want to extend a most hearty congratulation to the more than 800 JAG-K students across Kansas who graduated this spring.

As you know, JAG-K provides follow-up support for all seniors for a year, during which more students graduate. Thus we will provide final graduation stats for the Class of 2022 a year from now. We are presently compiling final stats for the Class of 2021, which will be available soon.

We are pleased that our Class of 2020 had a graduation rate of 97% last May. Perhaps even more impressive was the fact that 89% of our graduates were in post-secondary education, military service, or employed full-time one year after graduation.

I would like to take this opportunity to provide you an update on some exciting things news and developments with JAG-K.

We rebounded well from the COVID-19 restrictions. Even in those districts where remote learning and limited contact with students impacted our ability to have regular contact with students, our Career Specialists did an amazing job of developing and strengthening relationships. Relationships and trust are the foundation for accomplishing the student results we consistently achieve.

COVID has impacted people in numerous ways over the past two years, but our Specialists and students demonstrated remarkable resilience, which is a hallmark of the JAG model.

Looking forward to 2022-23, we are excited to share that we will be adding 23 new programs throughout the state! This is primarily a result of Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Legislature adding up to $3.5 million in funding for JAG-K infrastructure and program expansion. This will bring our total number of accredited JAG model programs to 104 starting in July 2022. We are excited to serve more students and help prepare them for successful futures.

Thanks again for all your support. Please never hesitate to reach out to me if you ever have questions about the program.

Chuck Knapp, President/CEO

Jobs for America's Graduates - Kansas

Concordia HS Grad Begins Work as National Career Association President

Ryah Klima, a recent graduate of Concordia High School, has a busy summer ahead as president of the JAG Career Association.

Klima will attend the JAG National Board of Directors’ June meeting in New Orleans, where she will speak to the board. In July she will go to Hilton Head, S.C. for training of the newly elected national officers. Klima said she is excited for the meetings to start her work with the organization.

“I am looking forward to it,” Klima said. “I know we will be using this time to get to know each other a little better and work on our plans for the year. I hope that this summer will give us officers a chance to put our best foot forward for the year ahead. I hope that we can accomplish a lot as a team throughout the whole year.”

Klima, who served as vice president of the JAG-K Career Association during the past school year, is the first person to hold the newly created position of National Career Association president. While there have been state career associations, this is the first year of the national officer team. The national officers will provide guidance, leadership, and motivation to all NCA Members in addition to serving as ambassadors to the student-led organization, and representing the views of all members.  

“I am really excited to work with the other JAG leaders,” Klima said. “It has been an amazing opportunity so far and I can’t wait to see where it takes me. JAG has always been such a big part of who I am, so I’m very glad I get to participate at this level of involvement.”

This summer, Klima will balance her JAG responsibilities and a summer at Yappy Days, a dog daycare and boarding facility owned by her parents. She said she will take a summer class through Cloud County Community College, where she will enroll full time in the fall to study Communications and Social Sciences. She will also participate in the five-day Eagle U camp at Baker University, where she will connect with other JAG-K student leaders.

Russell HS JAG-K Recognized by Radio Station

Coffee With Chuck: Advice from the President

JAG-K President and CEO Chuck Knapp talks with students about lessons he learned over time and what he wished he knew as a high school student. He also discusses why JAG-K has an individual development plan for each student.