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 to the KICF Gift Fund, 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.  

KICA awards these scholarships to celebrate our diverse and talented student community who demonstrate a commitment to excellence, virtue, and integrity. Together these students represent 10 of KICF’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 2023-24 winners!

Growing Kansas Future Scholarships
Ketura Earl, an Elementary Education major at Southwestern College with a 3.58 GPA from Oklahoma City, OK, and Ian Quiring, a Global Sports Leadership major at Tabor College with a 3.21 GPA from Saratoga Springs, UT.

New Horizons Scholarships
Patricia Huerta, a Natural Sciences major at Bethel College with a 3.6 GPA from McPherson, Rhyan Lucas, a Biochemistry major at McPherson College with a 3.87 GPA from Shawnee, and Kiara Stone, a Biochemistry major at Baker University with a 4.0 GPA from Topeka.

Better Life Degree Completion Award
Onyx Coleman, a Nursing major at Newman University with a 4.0 GPA from Andover.

William Tschudy Scholarship for Business & Public Service
Emily Peterson, an Accounting & Finance major at McPherson College with a 3.89 GPA from Canton

Future Leaders in the Arts
Adrienne Selzer, a Graphic Design & Studio Art major at Tabor College with a 3.78 GPA from Newton and Taylor Starr, a Graphic Design & Studio Art major at McPherson College with a 4.0 GPA from Milford.

Future Leaders in Business
DreShaun Flowers, a Business Administration major at Southwestern College with a 3.93 GPA from McAlester, OK and Charley Monahan, a Marketing & Management major at University of Saint Mary with a 4.0 GPA from Easton.

Future Leaders in Education
Kenzie Cooper, an Elementary Education major at McPherson College with a 4.0 GPA from Wamego, and Natalie Maxhimer-Rodriguez, an Elementary Education major at Baker University with a 3.96 GPA from Baldwin City.

Future Leaders in Faith
Kaylee McNeill, a Theology major at Newman University with a 3.73 GPA from Hesston, and Cayden Pape, a Pastoral Ministry major at Manhattan Christian College with a 3.8 GPA from Manhattan.

Future Leaders in Health Professions
Catherine Bowman, a Pre-Physical Therapy major at Kansas Wesleyan University with a 4.0 GPA from Bucklin, and Emma Petermann, a Doctor of Chiropractic candidate at Cleveland University - Kansas City with a 3.95 GPA from Crestview, FL

• “Growing up I had always dreamed of going to a big university because that is what was always advertised on the movies and TV shows…When I attended Southwestern for a visit it felt like the moment, I stepped on campus this is where I belong.” -DreShaun Flowers
  
  
• “Even though I grew up in McPherson, Kansas, I had never been on campus before. Yet, when I stepped onto the campus for the first time something magical happened. It was like a flood of emotion and a sense of belonging had rushed through my body.” – Emily Peterson
  
  
• “Good mentors not only create good players and students but great men and women as well.” – Ian Quiring (on how his coaches and teachers helped influence his future)
  
  
• “Not only does he care about every single student that walks through the cafeteria doors but he takes the time to get to know each and every one of us and what makes us all unique. It is people like Benny that truly make our private institution a special place that myself and many others can call home.” – Kenzie Cooper (on Benny Lopez, Food Service GM, and the person at McPherson that has the greatest influence on Kenzie)
  
  
• “Dr. McCaffrey is my advisor, and dare I say, a good friend of mine now. The amount of support she has given me, both relating to school and my personal life, is almost like nothing I have experienced before.” – Cayden Pape
  
  
• “I feel proud to be apart of the legacy this school holds.” – Onyx Coleman
  

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