Scholarships

KACM offers multiple scholarship opportunities for individuals interested in city/county management as a future career or those currently working in local government in Kansas with aspirations to become a city/county management professional.  These scholarships support those who might be pursuing graduate level academic programs and those who are pursuing professional development opportunities.  The goal of these programs is to continue to build and strengthen the local governement management pipeline in Kansas.  Announcements for these opportunities and calls for nominations are announced annually via the KACM listserv throughout the year.

The Virgil Basgall Scholarship in the amount of $3,000 and two KACM Scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each are for eligible and enrolled students pursuing graduate degrees in Public Administration from a Kansas college or university.  Nominations for these scholarships typically are provided by the graduate schools for current students in their respective programs.  The Virgil Basgall and KACM Scholarships are presented every year at the KCCM Conference at KU that is held in the Spring. 

Rising Star Scholarships are for current employees of local governments upon the recommendation of an active KACM member and with the recognition of that individual being someone with potential to advance into a management or leadership role in the future.  These scholarships are to facilitate these individuals to pursue professional development opportunities, such as the Heartland CPM Program at KU or the MiniMPA Program at WSU, to build and advance their skills as well as their potential to postively contribute to the future of local government management.  These scholarships are typically in the amount of $1,000, but the amount can vary depending on the number of applicants in any given year.  Awardees do not have to be KACM members, but applications must have the support and recommendation of a current KACM member.  Rising Star Scholarships are presented every year at the City/County Management Summit at WSU that is held in the Summer.

KACM has partnered with the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency (KMEA) and Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) to offer additional Rising Star Scholarships for 2025-2027.  These Rising Star scholarships have some additional guidelines which will be posted and available when the call for nominations for Rising Star Scholarship applications are sent out.  Questions regarding these opportunities can always be directed to the KACM Awards Committee Chair or the KACM Board. 

Virgil Basgall Scholarship
YearName
2025Kathryn Schieferecke, Wichita State University
2024Josh Navarro, University of Kansas
2023Roxana Arjon, University of Kansas
2022Olivia Ortiz, University of Kansas
2021Lucas Peterson, University of Kansas
2020Kristen Dolf, Kansas State University
2019Brooke Bailey, Wichita State University
2018Susanna Geiger, University of Kansas
2017Evan Bolt, Wichita State University
2016John Tingley, Wichita State University
2015Danielle Young, Wichita State University
2014Mitchell Kolf, Wichita State University
2013Zachary Daniel, Wichita State University
2012Taggart Wall, Wichita State University
2011Kyle Carr, Wichita State University
2010Collin Bielser, University of Kansas
2009Michael Woodrum, Wichita State University
2008Nicholas Woolery, University of Kansas
2007Ryan Rogers, University of Kansas
2006Anthony Schwartzendruber, Wichita State University
2005Andy Hixson Emporia State University
2004Emily Watson, University of Kansas; Jeff Porter, Wichita State University
2003David Dillner, University of Kansas; Brandon Kauffman, Wichita State University
2002Glynis E. Nelson, Wichita State University
2001Tansy Brooks, University of Kansas
2000Laura Fitzpatrick, University of Kansas
1999Linda Hamilton, Wichita State University
1998Merle "Rocky" Bumgarner, University of Kansas
1997Sammi Mangus, Wichita State University
1996Michael Pisciotte, Wichita State University
1995Bryan Pruitt, Wichita State University
1994Frances Chou, University of Kansas
1993Misty Ridnour, Wichita State University
1992Walter Denton, University of Kansas
1991Wendy Murray, University of Kansas; Scott Knebel, Wichita State University
1990Sharon Patnode, University of Kansas
1989Siobhan Warren Foster, University of Kansas
1988David Collinsworth, University of Kansas
1987Mark Perkins, University of Kansas
1986Roger Nelson, University of Kansas
1985Kevin Coleman, University of Kansas
1984Jane (Vallese) Carrola, University of Kansas
1983Jody (McAfee) Kole, University of Kansas
1982Kristy Cannon, University of Kansas
1981Rick Cotton, University of Kansas
1980Dana Foster, University of Kansas
KACM Scholarship
YearName
2025Seth Jarvis, University of Kansas; Travis Babcock, Wichita State University
2024Dylan Carrol, Wichita State University; Sam Cooper, Wichita State University
2023James Roberts, Wichita State University; Korey Kneisley, Kansas State University
2022Alex Corrado, Kansas State University; Danielle Gabor, Wichita State University
2021Taylor Belvill, Wichita State University; Sabrina DeSantis, Kansas State University
2020Abigail Hammack, Wichita State University; Andrew Davis, University of Kansas
2019Marissa Jones-Flaget, Kansas State University; Jeffery Rhodes, University of Kansas
2018Gabrielle Hull, Kansas State University; Chelsee Newkirk, Wichita State University
2017Monica McFarlane, Kansas State University; Joe Wimmer, Kansas State University
2016Matt Zayas, Kansas State University
2015Jared Wasinger, Kansas State University
2014Jasmine Greene, Kansas State University
2013Ali Weinel, University of Kansas
2012Chelsey Gordon, University of Kansas
2011Jacqueline Schwerm, University of Kansas
2010Emily Graf, Wichita State University
2009Kathleen Scanlon, University of Kansas
Rising Star Scholarship
YearName
2024Terry Reed, City of Lindsborg; Kristin Love, City of Leawood
2023Shane Glover, City of Fredonia
2022David Hay, City of Lindsborg; Jessie Woodrow, City of Kechi
2021Samantha Moon, City of Osawatomie
2020Randi Shannon, City of Paola; Enrico Villegas, City of Lawrence
2019Jennifer Martin, City of Lenexa; Chad Musick, City of Eudora; Tristin Terhune, City of Bel Aire
2018Audree Aguilera, City of Lyons; Amy Finch, City of Ottawa; Melissa McCoy, City of Dodge City

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