Since its creation in 1952, Kansas Independent College Association has sought to recognize students each academic year who demonstrate the commitment to excellence, virtue, and integrity, and who honor the myriad of ways that students who attend KICA institutions receive an education that prepares them for a lifetime of success in their personal and professional lives.

Since 2022, the Green and Gold Scholarship Program is one way that KICA celebrates those scholars and their future endeavors each year. Using a portion of the annual donations, we recognize meritorious students through a competitive process to help bring attention to the high quality of our students and the work of our independent colleges across Kansas. The Green and Gold Scholarships are:

New Horizons Scholarship: for students from “underserved” populations and/or are the first in their immediate family to attend college.

Growing Kansas’ Future Scholarship: For students who are from outside of Kansas and are committed to live and work in Kansas after completing their degree.

Better Life Scholarship: For students who have come back to college to complete a degree after a period of absence from college.

William Tschudy Scholarship for Business & Public Service: For students who intend to pursue graduate education and a career that combines public service and business, including public finance, or public accounting.

Future Leaders Scholarships: For students who have demonstrated talent and commitment to contribute to their field, of the following:  the arts, business, education, faith, and health professions.

Any KICA member institution in good standing may nominate their students, and students must be nominated by their institution to be considered.  

Together these students represent 12 of KICA’s 21 member schools. Each nominated student had to submit detailed essays about their leadership training, their future career goals, and why they chose an independent option for their higher education. Please join us in congratulating our 2024-25 winners!

New Horizons Scholarship - Recognizing students from underrepresented backgrounds and first-generation
students (3 @ $2,000 each):
 Litzy Delgado-Simental , a University of Saint Mary Nursing major from Leavenworth with 3.90 GPA
 Grecia Nunez Palomares, a Newman University Biology major from Wichita with a 3.67 GPA
 Isabella Torres, a Newman University Biology major from Wichita with a 3.55 GPA

Growing Kansas Future Scholarship - Recognizing students from outside of Kansas who commit to staying in
Kansas after graduation (2 @ $2,000 each):
 Malena Hines, Special Education/Elementary Education Major at Benedictine College with a 3.42 GPA from
Glendora, CA
 Darius Horvath, Marketing Communications at Kansas Wesleyan University, originally from Hungary, with a
3.68 GPA

Better Life Degree Completion Award - Recognizing students who return to complete their degree after a period
of absence (1 @ $1,500):
 Breyon Davis, from Okinawa, Japan, Business Administration major at Southwestern College with a 3.31 GPA

William Tschudy Scholarship for Business & Public Service - Recognizing a student planning a graduate
education to use business skills in service of the public (1 @ $1,500 each):
 Sidney Larrew, from Swink, CO, Business Administration major at McPherson College with a 4.0 GPA

Future Leaders in the Arts (2 @ $750 each):
 Abigail Kreis, Music Performance major at Friends University from Topeka with a 3.95 GPA
 Annie Morrison, from Wichita, a Friends University Graphic Design major with a 3.55 GPA

Future Leaders in Business (2 @ $750 each):
 Alia Hirschi, Business Administration major at Tabor College from West Jordan, UT with a 3.98 GPA
 Labron Wilson, a McPherson College Business Administration major from Freeport, Bahamas with a 3.73
GPA

Future Leaders in Education (2 @ $750 each):
 Kylee Carlson, Education major at Baker University from Baldwin City with a 4.0 GPA
 Lisa Hager, Elementary Education major at Newman University from Dodge City with a 4.0 GPA

Future Leaders in Faith & Ministry (2 @ $750 each):
 Riley Bills, from Peoria, AZ, a Manhattan Christian College Youth Ministry major with a 3.94 GPA
 Faith Nelson, from Wolsey, SD, a Tabor College Biblical & Theological Studies major with a 3.99 GPA

Future Leaders in Health Professions (2 @ $750 each):
 Makenna Russom, from Phillipsburg, a Bethany College Exercise Science & Exercise Physiology major with a
3.65 GPA
 Lindsey Wendland, from Whiteman AFB, MO, a Cleveland University-Kansas City Doctor of Chiropractic
student with a 3.10 GPA

• “The close-knit community means that everyone knows and supports each other, and there's always a friend or mentor nearby. I value the deep connections I've built with both my peers and professors, and I believe that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to education and relationships.”
  
  
• “My journey in my college education has shown me that I can get a college education at 54 years old, and that with hard work, I can continue on with higher-level degrees” 
  
  
• “When choosing a college, from the beginning I knew I wanted a familial atmosphere. I wanted professors who knew my name, authentic friendships, and an institution that genuinely wanted me to succeed.” 
  
  

• “My college education has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of my field, hands-on experiences, and valuable personal growth.” 
  
  
• “I wanted a place where I wouldn't feel lost in a sea of students. I wanted a school where I could be involved, build strong relationships, and have a clear path to achieving my academic and career goals. That's why I chose [my school], a private non-profit institution, over a large public university.” 
  
  
• “Leadership is not just about holding titles- it's about inspiring others, serving with purpose, and creating a lasting impact. Throughout my time at [my school], I have embraced leadership in multiple facets of my life, demonstrating dedication to my peers, my community, and my family.” 
  
  
• “Since [my school] is a small school, it is so much more tight knit than a large public university. I get to know everyone one on my campus. Every morning as I walk to class, I get to greet each person I pass by with their name, and they know mine. It is truly a special thing to know all of my classmates by name and to get to call all of them friends.” 
  
  
• “It was intimidating to go to a new state. But I knew that attending an out-of-state, private, non-profit institution was the best way for me to take a leap of faith, step out of my comfort zone, and get the chance to explore the world on my own. It was what I needed to do.” 
  
  

For more information on this, or any KICA program, please contact Jesyca Hope, VP for Member Programs and Outreach.

FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY: Application Details