
Featured Student for February 2017
MAURICE JONES
Bio
“I’m a lifelong resident of the Kansas City. For the past 30 years I’ve worked in the Automotive Technology field. It began after I received my Associates Degree in Applied Sciences after attending Longview Community College on scholarship. For 15 years I worked as a Mechanic’s helper, Shop Technician and Field Mechanic, and for the other 15 years, I was a Maintenance Supervisor. In these roles I’ve learned valuable life skills which include being able to work with a diverse group of people, leadership, managing teams, and working well under pressure. Read More

Featured Student for January 2017
DEVIN KONKEL
Bio
“I am a Fort Hays State University alumnus, where I graduated with a degree in Communications with a Theatre emphasis, and a minor in Business Administration. While in school, I was in the customer service industry where I learned to balance my work/school life, communicate with customers, and provide them with detailed answers. After school I began working for Read More

Featured Student for October 2016
colton robinette
Bio
“I am a KC area native as I grew up in the Northland area around Liberty. I graduated from Liberty High School and started working at Best Buy. While there I worked as a sales associate in computer solutions. I provided customer service/support, trained new employees, and taught customers basic computer-usage skills. While working there a family member Read More

September’s Featured TechSmart KC Student
Tyler Ward
Bio
“I’m a recent transplant to Kansas City, MO from Stillwater, OK and have really enjoyed exploring the city so far. Prior to coming to Centriq, I went to Oklahoma State University where I received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a focus on animal biotechnology and, later, a Masters in Science in Entomology. After graduation, I worked in customer service and laboratory-based jobs, both of which taught me a lot about teamwork, meticulous record keeping, and time management.?? My education and science-based work experience taught me how to be Read More

August???s Featured TechSmart KC Student
dena ketcher
Bio
“I have always had a passion for helping and teaching others and after graduating from Ottawa University with a BA in Education I decided to pursue an MA in Special Education. I have been a Special Education teacher for Shawnee Mission School District since 2006. In my years there I have had the pleasure of teaching every elementary grade level, and currently teach 4th-6th graders. In 2011 I joined the Missouri Army National Guard as a Signal Support Specialist.Read More

June’s Featured TechSmart KC Student
Jenna beckett
Bio
“I have spent the last 9 years in the Construction Management industry. Prior to that, I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. My diverse education and work history have allowed me to develop a core set of business skills that includes simultaneously managing multiple projects, solving complex problems, a commitment to project deadlines, actively listening to the concerns of project stakeholders, and developing creative solutions. I also take great pride in Read More

May’s Featured TechSmart KC Student
John timberlake
Bio
“Before coming to Centriq I was working as an Administrative Assistant for a moving company. While in that position, I developed my customer service skills (in person and over the phone) and learned how to prioritize and work as a member of a team. I heard about the TechSmart KC program from a friend who went through the IT Administration track and felt this was the Read More

April’s Featured TechSmart KC Student
Jenni Ruby
Bio
“I grew up in Lee’s Summit and graduated from Lee’s Summit North High School. After a couple of years of college, I didn’t feel that the environment was a fit and I was still trying to figure out what my career would look like. For the past few years I have worked exclusively in the service industry as an assistant manager. While I enjoyed this field, I knew this was not what I saw as my lifelong career. I knew that technology is a growing field which is constantly changing and evolving. My passion for computers, learning technology and troubleshooting are what influenced the direction of my desired career path. Read More

March’s Featured TechSmart KC Student
Shannon Faucett
Bio
“My name is Shannon Faucett. I am Kansas born and bred, and originally studied mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!), which is where I had my first encounter with programming… I wish I had recognized it then as love-at-first-sight. If I could go back and tell myselfRead More

February’s Featured TechSmart KC Student
Rhys Keller
Bio
“My name is Rhys Keller. I was homeschooled for my general education, which taught me to be able to study and teach myself, as well as to manage a schedule so I could accomplish goals that have been set out. It also allowed me to volunteer at the Midwest Parent Educators Homeschool Conference for three years, giving me some experience speaking in front of groups of approximately one hundred people, as well as working within an organized system to run the conference smoothly. As a summer job for the last three years I worked as a Read More