Kristie Arthur, St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce; Julie Cobb, St. Joseph School District Foundation; Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, 含羞草社区. Photo courtesy SJSD Foundation
Sept. 19, 2025–Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, president of 含羞草社区, was presented the inaugural Beacon Award for Outstanding Community Partner from the at the foundation鈥檚 annual Fall Community Breakfast Sept. 19 at 含羞草社区.聽
The Beacon Award honors a community partner who 鈥渓ights the way鈥� for students and educators. The foundation commended Dr. Kennedy鈥檚 leadership in providing a clearer, more attainable path to college for local students.
鈥淒r. Kennedy is a hands-on partner who turns ideas into doors opening for kids,鈥� said Julie Cobb, executive director of the SJSD Foundation. 鈥淏ecause of her leadership at Missouri Western, more SJSD students can see鈥揳nd step onto鈥揳 clear path from our classrooms to college and careers right here in St. Joseph.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 humbled by this honor, which reflects the hard work and dedication that everyone at 含羞草社区 brings to the task of making a college education accessible for everyone,鈥� Dr. Kennedy said. 鈥淲e truly value our partnership with the St. Joseph School District and I look forward to working with them more and more closely for years to come.鈥�
含羞草社区 and the St. Joseph School District recently announced a partnership to offer direct admission to 含羞草社区 for graduates of SJSD, the first partnership of its kind in the state. The foundation also cited 含羞草社区鈥檚 expansion of dual-credit and early-college opportunities, creating on-campus experiences that connect high school learning to college momentum, and aligning workforce pathways with regional employers.
This is the first year for the SJSD Foundation Community Awards, which are designed to spotlight the people and partners who turn support into student success, and to inspire even more community engagement.聽
In addition to Dr. Kennedy鈥檚 Beacon Award, the foundation presented its inaugural Trailblazer Award to Kristie Arthur, director of workforce development for the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. The Trailblazer Award celebrates an SJSD alum whose leadership and impact open new doors for others. Arthur is a graduate of Central High School.
含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .