Since 2009, Kathy Walter-Mack has served Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City (MCCKC) as director of urban affairs and inclusion. In 2013, Kathy Walter-Mack expanded her role at the school to include associate vice chancellor of human resources. She also functions as chief of staff to the college’s chancellor.

1. An Overview of the MCCKC FOCUS
Grant
Kathy Walter-Mack

2. Introduction
 Since 2009, Kathy Walter-Mack has served Metropolitan
Community College, Kansas City (MCCKC) as director of
urban affairs and inclusion. In 2013, Kathy Walter-Mack
expanded her role at the school to include associate vice
chancellor of human resources. She also functions as
chief of staff to the college’s chancellor.
MCCKC received a $12.7 million, five year Title III grant
in October 2013 from the US Department of Education’s
Strengthening Institutions Program and the Higher
Education Act. More commonly known as the
Fundamentals for Outcomes, Completion, Understanding
and Success (FOCUS) grant and intended to improve
student retention rates and elevate academic success at
the school, the grant has had a number of positive
effects.

3. Metropolitan Community College, Kansas
City
 MCCKC has used the money, in part, to redesign its
curriculum for first-year students. Additional results
of the FOCUS grant include a new case
management and intrusive advising program and the
introduction of supplemental instruction and
technology in courses that have proven challenging
for first-years students in the past.
To learn more about how the FOCUS grant money
has improved MCCKC offerings, or for more
information on MCCKC courses and policies, please
visit www.mcckc.edu.